Category women

I’m Not A Superhero: The Exhaustion of Having to Do It All

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There is a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from being the person who is responsible for everything. It isn’t just the physical work of running a household. It’s the mental load, the emotional responsibility, the constant decision-making, and the never-ending feeling that if something goes wrong, you are the person who has to figure it out. When you’re single and divorced, there isn’t necessarily a built-in partner to help pick up the slack. There isn’t someone standing beside you who can say, “I’ve got this. Go rest.” There isn’t someone who automatically steps in when you’re sick, overwhelmed, exhausted, or simply at the end of your rope. The responsibilities don’t disappear just because you’re doing them alone. If anything, they can feel even heavier because there is no one else in the household who can automatically share them.

Everything still has to get done. The bills have to be paid, groceries have to be bought, the house has to be cleaned, appointments have to be scheduled, errands have to be run, and decisions have to be made. When something breaks, you have to figure out whether you can fix it yourself, find someone who can fix it, or figure out how you’re going to pay for it. There are always things that need attention, and somehow, somewhere in the middle of all of that, you’re also supposed to take care of yourself. You’re supposed to prioritize your health, your finances, your career, your emotional well-being, your relationships, and your need for rest. It can feel like there simply aren’t enough hours in the day or enough energy left at the end of it to take care of yourself after you’ve spent so much time taking care of everything else.

One of the most frustrating parts of being the person in charge, though, is the assumptions people make. Once people see that you’ve managed to handle things on your own, they begin to assume that you can handle anything. You’ve fixed things before, so they assume you’ll fix the next thing. You’ve managed a difficult situation, so they assume the next difficult situation won’t bother you. You’re independent, so they assume you don’t need help. You’ve always figured things out, so they assume you’ll just figure this out too. What they don’t always see is that there is a huge difference between being capable of doing something and actually having the time, energy, physical ability, or desire to do it yourself.

Take my 7.5-foot Christmas tree, for example. It spends the majority of the year on a high shelf in my garage, and I cannot get it down or put it back by myself. I know, shocking, right? Apparently being a single woman who manages an entire household does not automatically come with the ability to magically retrieve a giant Christmas tree from a shelf 9 feet above my head. I am perfectly capable of handling a lot of things, but I’m also realistic enough to know when something requires another person. I need someone who is taller, stronger, or simply has an extra set of hands. And no, I am not going to risk climbing on my 6-foot ladder, wrestling a giant Christmas tree box down from a high shelf, and potentially ending up in the emergency room just to prove that I can do everything myself. I’m not Wonder Woman.

That may sound funny, but there is actually something bigger behind that Christmas tree. There is an expectation placed on women, especially women who have demonstrated that they are independent and capable, that we should somehow be able to handle everything. We become the people who organize, plan, remember, manage, repair, pay, schedule, coordinate, and care for everyone else. We become the person who knows when the bills are due, what needs to be repaired, what needs to be purchased, who needs a phone call, which appointment is coming up, and what problem needs to be dealt with next. It’s not just the work itself; it’s carrying the mental list of everything that needs to be done. Even when you’re sitting down, your mind is still going. Even when you’re supposed to be relaxing, you’re thinking about what you forgot, what needs to happen tomorrow, or what unexpected expense might be waiting around the corner.

I think people sometimes confuse necessity with ability. Just because I’ve had to learn how to do something doesn’t mean I should be expected to do everything. Just because I’ve managed a household on my own doesn’t mean every responsibility automatically belongs to me. And just because I’ve become good at solving problems doesn’t mean I don’t get tired of having to solve them. There are plenty of things I can do, and there are plenty of things I will continue to do because that’s life. But there are also things I shouldn’t have to do alone, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with admitting that.

Being independent can be empowering, but it can also be incredibly frustrating. The hardest part of being single isn’t necessarily being alone in the traditional sense. It’s not having another adult in the household who can step in when you can’t. It’s not having someone who sees that you’re exhausted and says, “I’ll take care of dinner tonight.” It’s not having someone who notices the problem before you have to explain it, handles an errand when you’re overwhelmed, takes care of the thing that’s been sitting on your to-do list for three weeks, or simply looks at you and says, “Don’t worry about it. I’ve got this.”

That’s what I think people sometimes misunderstand about being single after divorce. It’s not necessarily that you want someone to rescue you. I don’t. I’ve already learned how to rescue myself. I’ve learned how to make decisions, solve problems, pay bills, manage a home, deal with emergencies, and keep moving forward even when things are difficult. But there is a big difference between knowing that you can take care of yourself and wanting to have to take care of everything yourself. Sometimes you don’t want a rescuer. You just want a teammate.

And there is another layer to all of this that can be difficult to explain: caring for yourself while you’re busy caring for everyone and everything else. We’re constantly told that we need to practice self-care, set boundaries, get enough sleep, exercise, eat well, take time for ourselves, and protect our mental health. All of those things are important, but sometimes self-care feels like one more responsibility on an already overflowing list. When you’re responsible for so many other things, even resting can make you feel guilty because there is always something else that could be getting done. You can finally sit down, but instead of relaxing, you’re thinking about the laundry, the bills, the repairs, the grocery list, the upcoming appointment, or the thing you need to remember tomorrow.

The truth is that being capable doesn’t mean you aren’t exhausted. Being independent doesn’t mean you don’t need help. Being strong doesn’t mean you should have to be strong every minute of every day. And being the woman who keeps everything together doesn’t mean you should have to carry the entire weight of the household without ever asking anyone else to help.

I can be proud of the fact that I’ve built a life I can manage on my own and still admit that sometimes it’s really hard. I can appreciate my independence and still wish I had someone beside me to share the responsibilities. I can love and care for the people in my life and still need someone to care for me sometimes. Those things aren’t contradictory. They’re human.

So, if you’re a single woman who has suddenly found herself responsible for everything, I want you to know that you’re not failing because you’re tired. You’re not weak because you need help. And you certainly don’t have to prove your strength by doing things that were never meant to be done alone. Sometimes the strongest thing you can do is acknowledge that something is too much, ask for help, and let someone else carry part of the load.

And if someone looks at you and says, “Oh, you’ll figure it out,” remember that you are allowed to say, “Actually, I need help with this one.”

Because maybe you can figure it out. Maybe you have figured out a thousand things before. But that doesn’t mean you should have to figure out the next thousand things alone.

And as for that 7.5-foot Christmas tree sitting on the high shelf in my garage? Well, I will have to find someone who can safely get it down for me.

I’m independent. I’m capable. I’m responsible.

But I’m not a superhero.

One Pro Card Is Enough: It’s Time for the NPC to Stop Wasting Opportunities

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There was a time when the NPC understood a simple concept: a competitor only needs one IFBB Pro Card to become a professional.

Today, that common sense seems to have disappeared.

We’re now watching competitors collect multiple Pro Cards as if they’re trophies to stack on a shelf. While it’s undeniably impressive to dominate multiple national shows or divisions, the reality is this: once you’ve earned your IFBB Pro status, every additional Pro Card is redundant. You’re already a pro. There is no such thing as being “twice as professional.”

The real question is why the system continues to reward the same athlete over and over while denying another deserving competitor the opportunity to advance.

Years ago, the NPC had a better solution.

My 1st place finish in Bikini 40+. I also ended up winning the Overall title in Bikini 40+.

If a competitor who had already secured professional status won another Pro Card-qualifying class, that Pro Card didn’t simply stay with them. It rolled down to the second-place finisher. The winner still received the title, the recognition, and the prestige of winning the class—but another athlete earned the chance to become an IFBB Professional.

This actually happened on the day when I won IFBB Pro Status. I had taken the 1st place spot in my height class in Bikini 40+, securing my spot in the IFBB league. Then about 30 minutes later, I also won 1st place in Bikini 35+. The second-place finisher ended up getting the Pro card spot since I had already won a spot in 40+.

My 1st place finish in Bikini 35+. Competitor 636 placed 2nd and ended up being awarded a spot in the IFBB as well.

It was a system that rewarded excellence without wasting opportunity.

Somewhere along the way, that philosophy disappeared.

Now we’re celebrating athletes earning their second, third, and sometimes even fourth Pro Card, while competitors standing right beside them—who may have delivered the performance of a lifetime—leave empty-handed. That doesn’t strengthen bodybuilding. It bottlenecks it.

Let’s be clear: this isn’t criticism of the athletes. If the rules allow someone to compete for multiple Pro Cards, they’re simply playing by those rules. Most competitors would do exactly the same thing.

The issue is the rule itself.

Bodybuilding is already one of the most demanding and expensive sports in the world. Athletes spend years chasing this dream, investing thousands of dollars in coaching, food, supplements, travel, entry fees, posing instruction, and countless hours of sacrifice. For many, earning an IFBB Pro Card is the culmination of a decade of relentless work.

Why should that opportunity effectively disappear because someone who is already qualified wins again?

The old roll-down system recognized that bodybuilding isn’t just about identifying the best athlete in the room—it’s also about building the future of the professional ranks. Every available Pro Card represented a chance to introduce a new professional into the sport.

Today, too many of those opportunities are simply being absorbed by athletes who have already crossed the finish line.

Supporters of the current system argue that competitors should simply beat whoever shows up. Fair enough. But that misses the point entirely. The winner still wins. Nobody is taking away the class title, the overall title, or the accomplishment. The question is whether a second or third Pro Card has any meaningful value.

It doesn’t.

A Pro Card isn’t like winning another national championship. It’s a qualification. Once you’ve qualified, you’ve qualified.

Imagine if an Olympic Trials winner could keep claiming multiple spots on the Olympic team while everyone else stayed home. Or if a driver who had already qualified for the Daytona 500 continued occupying additional qualifying positions that could have gone to someone else. Every other major sport understands that once an athlete has secured qualification, additional qualifying positions move down the field.

Bodybuilding used to understand that too.

If the NPC wants to grow the IFBB Pro League and reward the athletes who dedicate their lives to this sport, it should revisit the system that worked for years. Keep recognizing dominant winners—but let duplicate Pro Card qualifications roll down to the next eligible competitor.

One competitor. One Pro Card.

That isn’t lowering the standard.

It’s making sure every Pro Card actually serves its purpose.

Why Dating Apps Fall Short

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Dating apps can be incredibly frustrating for women over 50 — and not just a little. They often feel like a wasteland of bad profiles, lazy conversations, and mismatched intentions. Here’s a breakdown of why dating apps suck for women in this age group, and what kinds of challenges they’re running into.

1. The Men on These Apps Are… Not Great (Often)

Let’s start with the elephant in the room: the dating pool.

❌ Emotionally Unavailable or Damaged

A lot of older men on apps are freshly divorced, widowed, or never dealt with their emotional baggage. Instead of seeking genuine connection, they’re:

  • Still hung up on their ex.
  • Testing the waters post-divorce.
  • Looking for someone to “fix” them.

❌ Looking for Younger Women

Many men in their 50s, 60s, and even 70s swipe right on women 20 years younger. So if you’re a 50-something-year-old woman hoping to date someone age-appropriate, you’ll often be overlooked — while those same men chase women in their 30s and 40s.

❌ Catfishers, Scammers, and Creeps

Unfortunately, women over 50 are heavily targeted by romance scammers posing as military men, oil rig engineers, or conveniently “wealthy but lonely” entrepreneurs. Some are real men with fake intentions; others are entirely fraudulent.

2. Conversations Are Mind-Numbingly Awful

Even if you match with someone decent-looking and age-appropriate, the conversation is often a disaster.

💤 Boring and Generic Openers

  • “Hi”
  • “How are you?”
  • “You’re beautiful :)”

After decades of life experience, it’s insulting to get messages with the depth of a damp napkin. Where’s the spark?

🧱 Zero Effort

  • No follow-up questions.
  • No interest in your personality.
  • All replies are one-word answers or just emojis.

It feels like you’re carrying the entire conversation — and frankly, after raising kids, holding careers, and managing life, who has the energy to drag a grown man into a coherent discussion?

🛏️ Quick to Turn Sexual

Many men skip straight to innuendo, sexting, or asking what you’re “into.” Some will ask for nudes within five messages. It’s not flirtation — it’s objectification, and it’s exhausting.

3. The Algorithms Aren’t Your Friend

Most dating apps are built around engagement, not compatibility. They favor:

  • Younger users.
  • Profiles with high swiping activity.
  • People who conform to narrow beauty standards.

Women over 50 often get fewer matches because the system simply isn’t designed for them. The more you swipe without matching, the more the algorithm deprioritizes your profile.

4. It’s Hard to Find People With Real Intentions

By 50, most women know what they want. Whether it’s companionship, romance, or sex — clarity matters. But the men on apps often:

  • Say they want a relationship but act like they want a fling.
  • Say they’re “easygoing” but can’t handle a strong woman.
  • Aren’t emotionally mature enough for a serious connection.

5. It Can Feel Like a Second Job

  • Crafting a profile.
  • Finding good photos.
  • Screening creeps.
  • Starting and maintaining conversations.
  • Deciding whether someone is legit.

It’s time-consuming, emotionally draining, and often leads nowhere.

Final Thoughts:

For many women over 50, dating apps are more disappointing than hopeful. The problem isn’t the age — it’s the quality of the interactions and the lack of emotionally mature, genuine men. The design of these platforms — shallow, swipe-based, and appearance-driven — makes it worse.

Naturally Gray

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When the COVID-19 pandemic swept across the world in early 2020, it disrupted nearly every aspect of daily life—including personal grooming routines. For many women, the closure of hair salons meant they could no longer maintain their regular appointments for root touch-ups or color treatments. Suddenly, the choice to hide gray hair was taken out of their hands. For some, this was initially a distressing situation, especially in a society that has long associated gray hair in women with aging, invisibility, or a lack of vitality.

However, something unexpected happened. As the weeks turned into months, and the pandemic dragged on, many women began to embrace the gray. What started out as a necessity slowly evolved into a movement. Social media played a huge role, with women posting photos of their “silver linings” and sharing their journeys of going gray—roots growing out, transitions in color, and emotional realizations along the way. Hashtags like #grombre (gray + ombré), #grayhairdontcare, and #silversisters began trending, creating a virtual support network that celebrated authenticity over convention.

For many women, going gray became symbolic of something much bigger. It represented a rejection of unrealistic beauty standards and the freedom to age on their own terms. It was an act of self-acceptance and empowerment. Some women shared how liberating it felt to stop covering something that was natural and beautiful. Others described how they felt more themselves than they had in years—bold, honest, and unfiltered.

This shift was about more than hair color; it was about autonomy. In a time of uncertainty, women reclaimed control over something deeply personal. They no longer felt pressured to hide a part of themselves just to conform to societal norms. As a result, what started as a temporary break from salon visits became, for many, a permanent transformation—not just in appearance, but in mindset.

As for my personal hair color journey during the pandemic, I was already so accustomed to coloring my gray roots at home every two weeks that it did not bother me one bit that I wasn’t able to visit a salon. In addition, the hairdresser who had been doing my hair during that time worked out of her home, so the interruption in professional hair care services was very brief for me. However, I was so inspired by the women who were daring enough to go naturally gray that I briefly considered traveling down the same path.

What stopped me was the realization that any lighter hair color looks truly bizarre on me, whether it be blonde, gray or white. I have verified this over the years by donning blonde and platinum white wigs, only to cringe in horror. Last month, I applied a gray hair color paste on my hair and took photos, then washed the stuff away. One friend thought it looked cool and suggested that I sort of resembled Storm, but that certainly wasn’t enough for me to consider leaving the temporary color in my hair for more than a few minutes.

Here I am with a temporary gray hair paste

If you have ever considered going naturally gray, I have listed pros and cons of such a decision below.

🌟 Pros of Going Naturally Gray

1. Authenticity and Self-Acceptance
Allowing gray hair to come in can be a bold statement of self-acceptance and confidence. It signals a refusal to conform to ageist beauty standards and an embrace of one’s natural evolution.

2. Healthier Hair
Frequent coloring, especially with harsh dyes, can damage hair over time. Going gray allows the hair to recover its natural texture, strength, and integrity.

3. Financial Savings
Salon visits for color treatments can be costly. Eliminating this routine saves both money and time—no more constant root touch-ups.

4. Time and Convenience
Gray hair maintenance often requires less frequent upkeep compared to colored hair. Once the transition is complete, you’re no longer on a schedule.

5. It Can Look Stunning
Natural gray or silver hair can be incredibly striking. When properly cared for, it can be glossy, elegant, and eye-catching. Many women find that it enhances their features and gives a sophisticated, modern edge.

6. Social Shifting
There’s a growing movement encouraging women to defy beauty norms. Embracing gray can connect you to a supportive community and help challenge outdated societal expectations.

⚠️ Cons of Going Naturally Gray

1. Societal Judgment and Ageism
Women are often judged more harshly than men for visible signs of aging. Going gray can provoke unsolicited comments or subtle discrimination, especially in professional environments.

2. Confidence Rollercoaster
The transition period—when roots are growing in—can be tough. Many women feel awkward or less attractive during this in-between phase.

3. Maintenance Doesn’t Disappear Entirely
While you’re not dyeing your hair anymore, gray hair often has a different texture and can be more coarse, wiry, or dry. It may require new types of products to look its best, including purple shampoos to combat yellowing.

4. Perceived Loss of Youthfulness
Some women feel that gray hair makes them look or feel older than they are, and may worry about losing their youthful edge or romantic appeal.

5. Not All Grays Are Created Equal
Gray hair doesn’t always come in beautifully silver. It may be patchy, dull, or uneven, and not everyone ends up with that sleek silver fox look.

Today, the visibility of gray-haired women in media, fashion, and public life continues to grow. The pandemic may have forced the change, but what followed was a grassroots movement of women stepping into their power, embracing their natural beauty, and redefining what it means to age gracefully.

Final Thought:

Going gray is not about “giving up”—it’s often about reclaiming control. For some women, coloring their hair helps them feel vibrant and polished. For others, letting it go natural is a power move toward freedom and authenticity. Neither path is superior—it’s about what makes you feel most confident in your skin.

Don’t Touch!

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It is never appropriate for a man — or anyone, for that matter — to touch a woman’s body, including her legs or butt, without her clear, enthusiastic consent. This isn’t just about “manners” or “boundaries”; it’s about basic human dignity, respect, and the right each person has to autonomy over their own body.

Invasion of a Woman’s Body

Touching someone without consent is a violation. It’s not a compliment, not a joke, and not excusable because of a friendship or past closeness. A woman’s body is her own, not an object to be touched at someone else’s whim. When a man puts his hands on her without permission — even if they’re “close friends” — it invades her personal space, disrespects her autonomy, and communicates a total disregard for her comfort and her right to say what happens to her body.

Disrespect and Objectification

When a man touches a woman’s body without consent — especially in a sexual or suggestive way, like grabbing her butt — he is objectifying her. He is reducing her to something that exists for his pleasure or amusement. That kind of behavior says: “Your body is here for me to use,” whether consciously intended or not.

It’s not about affection or connection — it’s about power and control. It disregards who she is as a person and treats her like a thing. Even if they’re friends, even if she’s never said anything before, it’s not okay. Silence is not consent, and familiarity doesn’t equal permission.

The Impact

For the woman, it can be confusing, infuriating, violating, and dehumanizing — especially when it comes from someone she trusts. It can make her feel unsafe in spaces where she should feel secure, like among friends. It sends the message that her comfort, safety, and agency don’t matter.

The Responsibility

It is every person’s responsibility to respect others’ boundaries, and that starts with recognizing that touching someone without permission is a form of disrespect and harm. Being close friends doesn’t mean you get a “pass.” Respect is not situational — it’s foundational.

Touch is not harmless if it’s not wanted. Just because you don’t mean anything by it doesn’t mean it doesn’t mean something to the person you’re touching. The intention does not erase the impact.

Wanting to talk about this openly is important — especially because it’s not just about one action. It’s about the culture that normalizes the objectification of women and teaches some men that entitlement is acceptable if it’s dressed up as “playfulness” or “friendship.” But real friendship is rooted in respect.

How Menopause Messes With Our Hair

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Women who have gone through menopause typically experience striking changes in hair texture, which can quite frankly, be distressing. For those of you who didn’t know about menopausal hair changes, be afraid. Be very afraid. Because your hair texture will morph into something you won’t understand or find very manageable.

My hair before the waves kicked in…

When a woman reaches menopause, hormonal changes can lead to noticeable differences in hair texture, volume, and growth patterns. While hair thinning and loss are commonly discussed, another fascinating change is how hair texture can become curlier or more unruly. On a personal note, my hair went from being almost arrow straight to having a pronounced wave, which makes it look like I had braided my hair and then let the crimps remain after unraveling the braid. I fight this new waviness by flat ironing my hair, because I just can’t stand the look. The waves became intense for a while (see pic below), then settled down a bit once I reached 57.

There are several scientific explanations which help account for the changes in hair texture during menopause:

1. Hormonal Changes and Hair Texture

Estrogen and progesterone, two key hormones that regulate many aspects of a woman’s body, play an important role in hair growth and structure. Before menopause, these hormones help maintain the hair growth cycle, ensuring strong and healthy strands. As estrogen and progesterone levels decline, their regulatory effect diminishes, which can lead to changes in the shape and structure of hair.

At the same time, androgen (male hormone) levels remain relatively stable or increase in comparison, which can influence hair follicles in several ways:

  • Some women experience hair thinning or miniaturization, particularly along the crown.
  • Androgen dominance may alter the activity of sebaceous (oil) glands, affecting hair texture.
  • Hair strands may become drier, more brittle, or coarser.

2. Changes in the Hair Follicle and Muscle Relaxation

One lesser-discussed but compelling explanation involves changes in the follicular muscle layer—specifically, the arrector pili muscle, a tiny muscle attached to each hair follicle. This muscle plays a role in the positioning of the follicle in the scalp.

  • During menopause, the arrector pili muscle may weaken or relax due to hormonal shifts, particularly as estrogen levels drop.
  • When this muscle relaxes, it can cause the hair follicle to shift at a different angle.
  • A change in the follicle’s orientation may lead to hair emerging in a more curved or spiral pattern, making previously straight or wavy hair appear curlier.

3. Structural Changes in the Hair Shaft

The cross-sectional shape of the hair shaft is a major determinant of hair texture. Straight hair typically has a round cross-section, whereas curly hair has a more oval or flattened shape.

  • Hormonal shifts can influence keratin production, the protein that makes up hair.
  • Changes in keratin bonding patterns could contribute to an altered hair structure, making it curlier or frizzier.
  • Hair may also become thinner in diameter, which can enhance the appearance of curls or waves.

4. Aging and Changes in Scalp Health

The scalp itself undergoes changes with age, including:

  • Reduced blood flow to hair follicles, which affects nutrient delivery.
  • Changes in oil production, leading to drier hair that may behave differently.
  • A shift in collagen and elastin levels in the skin, which might indirectly impact follicle positioning and hair texture.

The waves in my hair tend to look more like this, but I have a lot of frizz right after washing my hair. Thank goodness for flat irons!

Conclusion

Menopause brings a variety of changes to hair due to the interplay of hormonal fluctuations, follicular shifts, and changes in scalp and hair fiber structure. While some women may experience thinning, others may find their hair becoming curlier or more textured due to follicle repositioning, muscle relaxation, and shifts in keratin structure. Understanding these changes can help women adjust their hair care routines to maintain healthy, manageable hair during and after menopause.

Why Do Hot Flashes Occur?

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For any of you ladies who have experienced hot flashes, you know how sudden and intense they can be. It’s as if a radiator suddenly turns on in your head, neck or chest, making you miserable. But why do perimenopausal and menopausal women get these things?

Hot flashes are related to fluctuating hormones that happen before, during and after menopause. Research suggests that dropping estrogen can change how the brain perceives temperature. In other words, our internal thermostat (hypothalamus) doesn’t work properly, so when it starts to think your body is too hot, it opens up all the blood vessels on the skin and the sweat glands to cool it off.

Here’s a breakdown of the physiology behind hot flashes:

1. Estrogen Decline and Hypothalamic Dysfunction

Estrogen plays a crucial role in regulating body temperature by influencing the hypothalamus, the brain’s temperature control center. During perimenopause and postmenopause, estrogen levels fluctuate and eventually decline, disrupting normal hypothalamic function.

2. Narrowed Thermoregulatory Zone

The hypothalamus maintains a “thermoneutral zone,” a temperature range in which the body does not need to trigger heat loss (sweating) or heat retention (shivering). In menopausal women, lower estrogen levels lead to a narrowing of this zone, meaning even small changes in core body temperature can trigger an exaggerated heat dissipation response.

3. Activation of the Sympathetic Nervous System

Due to the narrowed thermoregulatory zone, a slight increase in body temperature (which would be tolerated normally) is misinterpreted as excessive heat. This causes the hypothalamus to activate the sympathetic nervous system, leading to:

  • Vasodilation: Blood vessels, especially in the skin of the face, neck, and chest, dilate rapidly to release heat, causing a flushed appearance.
  • Increased Heart Rate: The heart pumps faster as part of the body’s attempt to cool down.
  • Sweating: The body triggers sweat production to dissipate heat through evaporative cooling.

4. Sudden Cooling and Chills

After the hot flash, the body may overcorrect, leading to a rapid decrease in temperature, causing chills or a cold sensation.

There are measures which a woman can take to minimize the chances of getting hot flashes. They include avoiding hot weather, spicy foods, caffeine, alcohol, and stress. But hot flashes can even strike in very cold weather, because the low estrogen levels can make a woman’s thermoregulatory apparatus go haywire. What has worked exceptionally well for me in the past has been the use of table fans on both nightstands in my bedroom and a ceiling fan overhead. Sleeping with a cold gel pack between the shoulder blades is also very effective.

Revitalize Your Routine: Wellness Hacks for the Modern Career Woman

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This fantastic post, written by Camille Johnson of Bereaver.com, highlights the most important steps which career women should take in order to maintain balance and optimal well-being.

In the hustle and bustle of professional life, working women often find themselves caught in a relentless grind, juggling multiple responsibilities while striving for success. However, prioritizing well-being amid this chaos is essential for sustainable growth and fulfillment. Here, Dr. Stacey Naito delves into empowering strategies tailored to help women transcend the grind and elevate their overall well-being.

Harness the Power of Reflection

Take time to introspect and evaluate your priorities, goals, and values. Reflection allows you to gain clarity on what truly matters to you, enabling you to make informed decisions aligned with your aspirations. Embracing moments of solitude provides an opportunity for self-discovery and introspection, fostering a deeper understanding of your emotions and motivations. Regularly assessing your progress empowers you to course-correct when necessary, ensuring that your actions remain congruent with your long-term objectives.

Pursue a Degree Online

Earning a degree online is a great option if you’re looking to change your job and advance in your career. For instance, pursuing a degree in psychology can provide insights into cognitive and affective processes, equipping you to better support those in need. Online degree programs offer the flexibility to study while working full-time, streamlining, well, everything, from managing your schedule to accessing course materials. This approach allows you to gain new skills and knowledge without disrupting your current responsibilities.

Build Power with Resistance Training

Resistance training offers numerous benefits, including increased muscle strength, improved bone density, and enhanced metabolic rate, which collectively contribute to better overall health and fitness. Additionally, it can aid in weight management and improve posture, reducing the risk of chronic conditions. To maximize these benefits, consider a monthly customized exercise plan from Dr. Stacey Naito. Her tailored approach ensures that each workout aligns with your personal fitness goals and abilities, providing expert guidance for optimal results.

Set Achievable Milestones

Define clear and attainable objectives that inspire progress and keep you focused. Setting specific and measurable goals provides a roadmap for success, guiding your actions and decisions along the way. Breaking down large goals into smaller, manageable tasks prevents overwhelm and enhances productivity. Celebrating milestones, no matter how small, reinforces your sense of accomplishment and motivates you to continue making strides toward your ultimate vision.

Nurture Positive Self-Talk

Cultivate a nurturing inner dialogue that uplifts and empowers you. Positive self-talk involves consciously replacing negative thoughts with affirmations of your capabilities and worthiness. By practicing self-compassion and kindness toward yourself, you cultivate a resilient mindset that enables you to bounce back from setbacks with grace and determination. Embracing optimism as a guiding principle empowers you to see challenges as opportunities for growth and development, fostering a sense of hope and possibility.

Embrace Forgiveness

Release yourself from the burden of resentment by embracing forgiveness. Forgiveness is not about condoning the actions of others but about freeing yourself from the emotional weight of past grievances. By extending compassion to yourself and others, you create space for healing and transformation to occur. Letting go of resentment opens the door to inner peace and liberation, allowing you to move forward with clarity and purpose. 

In the pursuit of professional success, prioritizing well-being is not a luxury but a necessity. By incorporating these empowering strategies into your daily life, you can transcend the grind and cultivate a sense of balance, purpose, and fulfillment. Remember, empowerment begins with a conscious choice to prioritize your well-being and invest in your growth. Embrace the journey, and watch yourself soar to new heights of success and happiness.

For customized nutrition and training plans, as well as contest prep coaching, contact Dr. Stacey Naito today!

Kissing Potion

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Who remembers these Kissing Potions from the 1970’s and 1980’s?

I remember being completely obsessed with Kissing Potion roller tip lip glosses when I was a preteen and teenager, so I was delighted when I found out that Tinte Cosmetics sold these awesome retro glosses. My favorite scent/flavor was Bubble Gum, an iconic, true bubble gum vibe which Tinte Cosmetics captured beautifully. Of course when I placed an order on the website, I had to get Strawberry Swirl, another favorite flavor. The consistency of the gloss is thick, the finish is very glossy, and Tinte nailed the scents so well that I was transported back to the days of roller rinks and drive-in movie theaters. I might have to order Watermelon, Piña Colada and Cherry Smash so that I have all the varieties I loved as a youngster.

Here’s the description of the Bubble Gum Kissing Potion:

Bubble Gum KISSING POTION ® Roll on the ORIGINAL Sweet Shine! TINte Cosmetics will take you back to the 70’s & 80’s with our delicious KISSING POTION ® ! As ultra shiny and thick & slick as you remember. Each with its own roller-ball top. Roll on our shiny, sweet gloss over bare lips or roll it on over lipstick it’s the perfect product for creating sweet shine that lasts. Get ready for the complements. As always each of our products is enriched with nourishing Shea Butter. No color, just great glossy power and delicious shine. This product is paraben free, and as always cruelty free. 

The Whisker

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Copyright: dtiberio

This post is dedicated to all perimenopausal and postmenopausal ladies who have had to deal with the shock of seeing a large, angry, black rogue whisker poking out of their chins. You know what I’m talking about, that sneaky little bugger that wasn’t there last night when you were washing your face and getting ready for bed, but somehow mysteriously managed to grow about a half an inch overnight, thick and bold and ready to ruin your day? Yeah, that thing.

I’m not new to these witch hairs, as I have had a few sprout on my jawline and chin over the years, but I am never prepared for these atrocious things when they appear without any warning whatsoever. At least if they looked like strange blackheads in the days preceding their eruption, I’d have some kind of warning, but no, they wrangle so much keratin in no time flat, in a declaration of pure defiance. For some reason, I honestly believed that I had moved past the danger zone, but about two months ago, while I was performing a tweezing touch-up of my brows, I witnessed one big whisker on my chin right at border, asserting itself like a little punk, about a centimeter long, robust and black.

Despite the fact that I know full well that these single chin hairs are formed in response to hormonal fluctuations, I will never get over the fact that they grow lightning fast, that they are always black, and that they serve as reminders of how old I am becoming. What also irks me is that I have undergone laser treatments to eradicate these random, rare (thankfully) strands, but they persist in plaguing me.

Thank goodness for tweezers!