When you hear the word "tantra" what instantly pops in your mind? The idea of spending hours upon hours lost in slow-motion, super-pleasurable lovemaking? Well, my friends, tantra is a little different than what pop culture would have us believe.

We wanted to learn more about what the real deal is with tantric sex, so we talked with Mark Michaels and Patricia Johnson, authors of Great Sex Made Simple: Tantric Tips to Deepen Intimacy and Heighten Pleasure, who opened us up to the real workings of tantra — and how everyone can use tantric techniques to take their sex lives to the next level. Here's what they had to say.

More: 8 Ways to Bang Out an Orgasm With a Partner Without Actually Having Penetrative Sex

How Sting got it wrong

Sting kinda became the 21st century spokesperson for the ancient mythical sex practice by saying all kinds of things about his experience with tantra, but the 5,000-year-old Eastern spiritual practice does not mean that you have to make love for hours. Instead, enlightenment and having a reverence for your partner that lasts beyond the length of any orgasm is at the core of the teachings, Michaels and Johnson say.

"It's funny that a comment Sting made over 20 years ago [about tantric sex] still has an enduring hold on the public's imagination," the couple says. "He's tried to explain it away or recant it in various ways. At one point, he said that he regretted making the statement and didn't really feel he could talk about the subject beyond saying that his wife, Trudy, is his church. That's much closer to what the spirit of tantric sex is all about."

"In the classical sexual ritual, the participants worship each other as embodiments of deities. We encourage people to bring an attitude of reverence into their lovemaking and to all their interactions. The tantric approach has far more to do with your mental approach than with technique. It's certainly got nothing to do with bragging about staying power."

Next Up: How you can feel pleasure longer

Originally published January 2013. Updated June 2017.

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But in tantric sex, you can feel pleasure longer...

"That said, prolonged lovemaking is part of the tradition," Michaels and Johnson say. "The tantrics of old recognized that orgasm can be a mystical experience, often the most readily accessible mystical experience of all. During orgasm, the mind goes quiet, and you may feel a sense of merger — be it with a partner or even with all that is.

More: Can Mindfulness Benefit Your Sex Life?

For most of us, the transcendent potential in sex is something that's experienced only briefly, during the orgasm itself. If you extend arousal and focus on building it (this need not include genital intercourse), you may start to feel this sense of union well before you have an orgasm, and it is likely to last far longer than it would in more conventional lovemaking. So making it last is a means to an end, not an end in itself. If you can stay turned on for a half hour or so, you're likely to experience the altered state of consciousness we just described."

How to incorporate elements of tantric sex into your own bedroom:

1. Focus on your breathing and your (and your partner's) reaction to touch

"It's fairly common for people to check out during sex, to do things by rote and without a whole lot of reflection. Paying attention to what you're experiencing in your body, the way you are breathing and how your partner is responding are all very important," the couple says.

2. Give and receive with kisses

"To take this a step further, people tend to interact sexually based on a set of tacit understandings: Basically, I'll do you for a while, and then you can do me, and if we're lucky, we'll both have a good experience," Michaels and Johnson say.

"We encourage people to separate giving and receiving in a very methodical way. For example, it's great to experiment with giving and receiving kisses. Take a couple of minutes and allow your partner to kiss you and explore your mouth with his tongue. Then reverse roles. When you're kissing, see how fully you can give yourself over to the active role. When you're receiving, surrender to the experience completely."

Next Up: The 60-minute massage

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3. Take 60 minutes and give each other a massage but no sex yet!

"Set aside an hour or so to give and receive full body massages (culminating with genital stimulation but not intercourse). Do this on different days. As with the kissing exercise, the role of the giver is to give as fully as possible, and the role of the receiver is simply to receive. Taking this activity out of the realm of foreplay and keeping the roles clearly defined may help you discover new sources of pleasure, and may also give you new insights into the way you interact with your partner both in and out of bed."

4. Break a taboo by just talking about sex

"Many traditional tantric practices involved breaking cultural taboos, and there were many in medieval India," the couple says. "This was true both in the context of sexual ritual and more generally. In the simplest terms, the violation of these cultural norms had a liberating effect. Of course, we don't live in a society that has such clearly defined social rules, but we all have our own self-imposed limitations and our habitual ways of being, in lovemaking and more generally in life. If you can shed some of your inhibitions, you're likely to experience more pleasure. Talking frankly about sex is a big taboo for many, so for many, having frequent and explicit conversations about sex is a great first step."

5. Explore a personal sexual taboo together

"If you want to get a little bolder, you can identify a couple of personal taboos (you can also do this as a couple by identifying shared taboos), and then decide on one that you might be interested in breaking," Michaels and Johnson say. "Don't pick anything huge at first; it might just mean making love with the lights on or experimenting with light bondage, sensory deprivation or role-play. The purpose is to become more flexible and aware and to be less limited by preconceived ideas about yourself. Sometimes we deprive ourselves of a lot of pleasure by thinking, 'I'm not the kind of person who would enjoy that.'"

We all watched Kelly Osbourne grow up in one of heavy metal's royal families, but does she want a family of her own? The singer, actress, fashion designer and television personality recently sat down for a chat with SheKnows and revealed that not only does she want lots of kids in her future, she might want to adopt.

More: Kelly Osbourne's wildly realistic weight loss secrets

"It’s my dad’s dream to walk me down the aisle," she said. "He says ‘When are you gonna give me a baby?’ and I’m like, ‘All right, Dad, I'll give them to you.' I want kids. I want tons of kids. I think I would want to adopt."

Osbourne said that she would likely want to adopt close to home, as there are so many kids who need homes here in the United States. She said, "I couldn’t imagine my life without kids. I get along with them better than adults."

Osbourne often talks warmly of her two nieces, 3-year-old Pearl Clementine and 1-year-old Andy Rose, and her Instagram feed is filled with love for the girls, the children of brother Jack and his wife, Lisa Stelly.

The 32-year-old TV personality said, "My niece keeps asking me, 'Aunt Kelly, how old are you?' And she goes, 'You’re not a grown-up, you’re a kid like me.' I got really excited and then I had a whole panic attack about it because I was like, 'What’s that saying about me if my niece thinks I’m a kid?'"

More: Kelly Osbourne gets emotional as she reveals her cancer gene (VIDEO)

Osbourne has a long history with dogs — she currently has a bulldog named Willy and a number of teacup Pomeranians, including Polly, Sid and Story. While her mom Sharon has a history of adopting rescue puppies, Kelly has come under fire for buying her pets from breeders.

Although rumors about Osbourne and country music singer/songwriter Dustin Lynch have been swirling for some time now, the two have kept quiet about any relationship they might have. Osbourne posted a video of the two celebrating their "first anniversary," but Lynch later claimed that they were celebrating their friendship and that he is still single.

When SheKnows asked if she was currently paired up, she said "I'm keeping that side of my life for me."

More: Kelly Osbourne and other celebs who honor their heroes with ink (PHOTOS)

What do you think about Kelly Osbourne's plans to adopt?

It finally happened — Rosie Huntington-Whiteley and Jason Statham are parents!

More: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Looked at a Horse, so She Must Be Pregnant

The couple revealed that Huntington-Whiteley had given birth to a son with a sweet black and white photo of this baby's hand on Instagram, and in the caption revealed his name. Spoiler alert: It's perfect.

"Our little man arrived! Jack Oscar Statham - 8.8lbs on Saturday June 24th," she wrote alongside emojis of a heart and an angel.

Also, can we talk about how he weighed 8.8 pounds? Oof. That is one healthy boy.

More: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley Joins Mad Max Movie Cast

Huntington-Whiteley and Statham have been together seven years, so their baby announcement wasn't exactly a surprise, but since they let the public in on their secret, they've kept mostly to themselves. They were even careful to decorate for Huntington-Whiteley's baby shower with gender-neutral colors so the public wouldn't find out the baby's sex from pictures on social media even though both Huntington-Whiteley and Statham (and, presumably, their close friends and family) have probably both known for months that they were expecting a boy.

Back in March, we heard from a source that they were getting ready for the baby's arrival, but that's about the only information we got until now. "Rosie and Jason are looking forward to becoming parents," the insider said at the time. "They are starting to get their nursery together. They are just such a lovely couple and really in love."

More: Celeb-Inspired Party Hair and Makeup Tutorial: Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

That source also said that Huntington-Whiteley was taking careful care of herself to stay healthy throughout her pregnancy and that Statham was helping. "Rosie and Jason both still stay very active because fitness is important to them both," the insider said. "She feels good overall."

We're so excited the little guy is finally here, and we hope his parents open up to the public a little more so we can watch him grow.

People flock to major chains like Starbucks because of one big factor: consistency. We come to rely on the fact that everything will be done the same way every time and count on corporate red tape and health code regulations to ensure that food safety is a priority.

And yet often we're totally betrayed by these big companies (here's looking at you, Chipotle). The latest culprits: Starbucks, Caffè Nero and Costa Coffee in the U.K., which were found to have fecal matter in their iced beverages. Of all things — fecal matter, really?!

More: Starbucks Might Start Serving Real Lunch Food Soon

The BBC tested 10 ice samples from each of the three coffee chains, which are the most popular ones in the U.K. Costa Coffee was the worst offender, with seven of the 10 samples containing the bacteria, while Starbucks and Caffè Nero both has three of 10 ice samples test positive.

Listen. I get that this was in a different country, but shouldn't a company like Starbucks have international health standards? How did this happen? And honestly, if it could happen in the U.K., it's probably happening somewhere in the U.S. too.

More: Ketamine & Other Drugs Were Found in "All-Natural" Chicken

The strange thing is that all three chains and the locations where the samples were taken have high ratings by the local health inspectors. There's a chance that the contamination was the result of improper employee handling, and all three chains have responded by retraining their staff on proper ice handling procedures.

So the next time I head to my local coffee shop, I think I'll be opting for a hot beverage. It might seem a little alarmist to carry around a Thermos full of ice from home so I can chill my own drinks, but when it's between that or drinking literal shit, the choice seems obvious.

As the health editor of a publication called SheKnows, vaginas are my bread and butter. They come up a lot in terms of reproductive and sexual health, sexual identity and the pleasure gap.

Around half the population has one, but given how male-centric the entire field of medicine has been until relatively recently, it’s not that surprising that the subject — and word — has remained largely under wraps.

More: 11 Celebrities Who Have Endometriosis

But it’s not just old white dude doctors who are uncomfortable with vaginas. Different surveys have found that between 35 and 65 percent of women are uncomfortable saying the word “vagina.” Translation: We’ve been so conditioned to think of women’s bodies as shameful or inappropriate that we have trouble using the correct term for a part of our own anatomy. That’s messed up.

And again, that's 35 to 65 percent of women uncomfortable with the word, so I can't imagine what that figure would look like for men. A few years ago, when I had the endlessly unpleasant experience of reporting my sexual assault to the NYPD, the officer taking my police report was visibly uncomfortable when I used words like "vagina," "labia" and "vulva" to describe what happened — despite the fact that the questions he was asking required anatomical specificity to determine how to most accurately report the crime.

Then, of course, there’s the great vagina vs. vulva debate, with some people using “vagina” to denote the entire external genital area (when technically most of that is the vulva). That’s another discussion for another day, but if nothing else, I’m glad it’s a conversation we’re having, centered on actual anatomy instead of cutesy nicknames for some of the hardest-working parts of any bodies.

More: Chelsea Clinton Has Major Feelings About the Senate's Health Care Bill

Although I grew up in a generation and household full of vaginal euphemisms (one of the kids in my neighborhood growing up told us the polite term was “a girl’s front butt”), it’s heartening to encounter children of my peers who use anatomically correct terms without thinking twice.

Recently, I was spending time with my friend’s 4-year-old daughter playing nail salon. When one of the bottles of polish went missing, I asked if she was sitting on it. She stood up, saw that she was in fact sitting on the sparkly pink bottle and said, “Yes, it was under my butt.” She then paused for a second, reassessing the bottle’s position, then corrected herself: “Actually, no. It was under my vagina.” Then we went back to our regularly scheduled manicure — no giggling or embarrassment over using the word — it was, after all, just another body part.

We should all be like my friend’s daughter, shamelessly using the word in everyday conversation like it was normal — because it is. And that’s exactly what the Vagina Challenge aims to encourage.

More: 6 Early Signs of Pregnancy You Shouldn't Be Ignoring

Despite what it sounds like, the #VaginaChallenge is a legitimate fundraiser for Planned Parenthood — not a contest concocted in a boys’ freshmen dorm on some Midwestern college campus.

Here’s how it works: Take a quick video of yourself shouting “vagina” in a public place, tag it #VaginaChallenge and nominate three of your friends to do the same. For each video shared, Vagisil will donate $5 to Planned Parenthood (up to a maximum of $25,000) to support access to women’s health care.

What are you waiting for? The vagina you save may be your own.

For years, people have been turning to Buddhist breathing and meditation practices as a way to deal with various mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression. But more recently, bloggers, health professionals and celebrities have been promoting the idea of mindfulness as way to reduce stress, increase happiness and even enhance sexual arousal.

Mindfulness is about learning to be present and aware of ourselves and our surroundings and to focus our attention on what we are experiencing moment by moment. The goal for people who practice mindfulness is to begin to approach various aspects of life with acceptance and open-mindedness rather than judgment.

More: 7 Meditation myths you shouldn’t buy into

“When you hear the word mindfulness, you have to understand that it is presence of heart,” said Jon Kabat-Zinn, Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction founder at a recent seminar for the Greater Good Science Center in Berkeley.

For some people, mindfulness during sex is something that comes very naturally, but for others, anxieties and distractions can stand in the way of full awareness of the body and mind during sex.

Several recent scientific studies have proven that the practice of mindfulness can generally reduce pain and relieve stress, and particularly during sex, mindfulness can enhance physical arousal and emotional fulfillment.

More: How to bring mindfulness to even your busiest days

Researchers at Brown University evaluated a group of 41 male and 36 female students over a period of 12 weeks to study the effects of mindfulness on sexual arousal. All participants underwent a three-month course in mindfulness meditation. Female participants reported that after undergoing mindfulness meditation, they were more sexually aroused more quickly. The results of the research highlighted the potential of mindfulness training as a treatment of female sexual dysfunction.

Beyond mindfulness training, focusing on something in particular such as the breath or a part of the body can help women move toward closeness and intimacy with their partners. Adopting what is known as an “open focus” approach can help women disengage with all the stresses of day-to-day life and focus in on the sensations in their bodies, allowing them to enjoy sex more fully.

More: Stress is making us less compassionate

According to HeadSpace, developing a personal meditation routine can help you become more aware of the distractions around you and help you learn to counter these distractions with mindfulness. Daily meditation has been shown to reduce the amount of cortisol (the stress hormone) in the brain. With a reduction in cortisol, you can increase libido, thus increasing sex drive.

By Shaye DiPasquale

Originally published on HelloFlo.

Rob Lowe's new show is, to quote his Parks & Rec character Chris Traeger, "lit-rally" something he has never done before. It's also something I "lit-rally" cannot wait to watch. Lowe's new project is a reality series in which he and his two adult sons try to track down paranormal entities, some of which they say they have found and confirmed. The show, which will air on A&E, is called The Lowe Files because, honestly, what else would it be called?

More: To Be Rob Lowe's Assistant, You’d Better Make Sure His Jacuzzi Is Turned On

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Lowe shared some of the details about what viewers are in for, including his encounter with a wood ape, which is basically the Ozarks version of Bigfoot. The way Lowe recounts it, it sounds harrowing but also low-key hilarious even though he's not giving away too many details since the wood ape will be featured on the season finale.

"I’m fully aware that I sound like a crazy Hollywood kook right now," Lowe said about his wood ape encounter, adding, "We’re 100 miles from the nearest town. We spent 45 minutes on the most rugged, brutal mountain trails. It’s 1 in the morning. There are a lot of serious former military men with loaded weapons, then something starts approaching our camps that is defying their orders to stop and their warnings that [they were] armed... I was lying on the ground thinking I was going to be killed."

More: John Stamos and Rob Lowe Confess Their Dirty Relationship Secret

The Lowe Files will be nine episodes in its first season, and Lowe and his sons will attempt to track down aliens, "angry, vengeful spirits" and more, A&E said in a release.

"While fun in spirit, the Lowes are able to conduct deliberate and scientific investigations on a highly-sophisticated level by meeting with top experts, using high-tech monitoring equipment and taking in-depth training courses," the network's statement continued.

More: 10 Roles that Made Me Fall in Love with Rob Lowe All Over Again

The Lowe Files will premiere Aug. 2, and that's a day that's going into my calendar right now because I lit-rally cannot wait.

In our new series Pregnancy Diaries, we ask expecting women to jot down every pregnancy-related detail of their lives for a week. (Special thanks to New York mag and Refinery29 for the inspo.) Work-related conundrums, struggles with IVF and a whole lot of nausea ahead. This week, we have a 28-year-old Cleveland-based child therapist who’s 25 weeks along with her first child. She and her husband conceived much quicker than anticipated — about a year sooner than they planned — but they’re excited for the new addition.

How long did it take you to conceive?

It happened unexpectedly — about one year sooner than we planned, but what a blessing!

Were you previously using any method of birth control before or during the time of conception?

I took birth control pills, although stopped last summer because it was triggering severe migraines with aura and my doctor told me I was at risk for stroke. I honestly wasn’t worried about getting pregnant while off of birth control based on my history, and it was a challenge for my mom and older sister to get pregnant. I assumed I would need fertility meds to get pregnant down the road. One should not assume.

Any other details relevant to your pregnancy?

One of my biggest fears was not being able to conceive and that I “messed up” my body’s ability to produce children because of my history with anorexia nervosa. I was diagnosed at age 17 and struggled on and off, in and out of therapy, and wasn’t fully recovered until I was 23 or 24 years old. During the time of my illness, I was told by doctors that because of my low weight and having amenorrhea (loss of period), I wouldn’t be able to get pregnant. Even after finding my health and recovery, I was still so fearful that I wouldn’t be able to get pregnant because of the years of hell I put my body through. I had developed osteopenia, and who knows what the anorexia did to my baby-making system? I was basically setting myself up to expect that my body would have a difficult time getting pregnant — and to my surprise (and my husband’s), we found out I was pregnant the day before leaving for our honeymoon to Jamaica. No piña coladas for this momma! We were shocked, in disbelief and filled with joy that God had blessed us with a child. The month of October we got married, found out I was pregnant, went to Jamaica and bought a house. Talk about a life-changing month.

More: The Mom Who’s First Birth Experience May Have Scarred Her

Day 1

6 a.m. — It is so hard waking up in the morning. A solid night of sleep is a rarity these days, interrupted by multiple trips to the bathroom and hip pain. I imagine I will be looking back at these nights envious of my sleep when compared to the low sleep that comes with a newborn. Oh boy. (Insert scared face here.)

9 a.m. — Finally feeling stronger baby kicks today! I was feeling worried yesterday because they weren’t as frequent. My husband kept reassuring me that she (we’re having a girl) was probably sleeping and not to worry. I find that any small change triggers me to feel worried and wonder if the baby is OK. (Is her cord around her neck? Is there a knot in the umbilical cord?) Pregnancy entails a breadth of emotions — I’m finding I worry about the health of the baby at least once a day.

12 p.m. — Already had to pee once every hour today. I need a toilet in my office. It gets annoying!

3 p.m. — Being mindful to snack in between meals. Since becoming pregnant, I have learned to listen to my body in a way I have never experienced. Now that I am carrying a child, I want to treat my body with the utmost respect and care it needs. Regular snacks and nourishing meals, very light exercise (nothing strenuous), and when I’m tired, I try to rest! Note the word “try” to rest — easier said than done during the workweek.

6 p.m. — Spaghetti squash pasta with Little Italy sauce and mozzarella cheese with Boca meat for dinner makes Baby and Mommy so happy. My husband wonders how I haven’t gotten tired of this meal. Crazy how cravings stick with you during pregnancy. I wouldn’t be surprised if I wanted nothing to do with squash after the baby arrives.

8 p.m. — Wishing I had more hours in the day; household things pile up!

9 p.m. — It’s time for relaxation and evening snacks with the hubs and our Corgi snuggled up on my lap. My favorite part of the day because 1) I can relax with my husband and 2) eat snacks and feel the baby kick. She tends to have some hefty karate kicks and punches in the evening — probably the chocolate or PB snacks I eat trigger some of that movement. I wouldn’t be surprised if she loves sweets and peanut butter like her parents when she arrives in this world.

Day 2

6 a.m. — Tried sleeping with a pillow between my legs since I don’t want to spend the money on a pregnancy body pillow. It was quite comfortable, although I woke so many times due to hip pain and general body aches. I could use about two more hours of sleep right now.

9 a.m. — My morning patient no-showed, which means I get more time to type notes and no bringing work home over the weekend!

12 p.m. — Enjoying lunch and messaging my nurse practitioner because I’ve noticed a change in fetal movements (much less and not as strong). She reassured me that this is typical to have inconsistencies at 25 weeks; my placenta is anterior, which can be another cause for difficulty feeling movements. To be safe and more so a piece of mind for myself, she encouraged me to go in this afternoon to see her.

3 p.m. — Heading out to see my nurse practitioner with my husband. He has come to every appointment and been such a support this whole journey. Fast-forward to one hour later, we are feeling relieved and thankful that our little one is OK! She moved to a new position, which was making it difficult to feel much movement. I’ve been steadily gaining weight, which my nurse reassures me is great and the baby is growing at an appropriate rate. All wonderful news to me, although I have to remind myself this when I see the number on the scale rise to numbers I’ve never seen before. That part is a little scary — thinking, "Oh my goodness; will I be able to lose this weight after the baby and feel back to my physical self?" My brief worry is fleeting as I embrace the fact my body is creating a human and doing what it is supposed to do. Healthy growing momma, healthy growing baby.

6 p.m. — Heading off to spend some time with my family. My nieces and my mother love getting up to my belly button and talking to my belly. Makes me chuckle, that’s for sure. I really don’t have a problem with people touching my stomach. I’m proud of my pregnant belly; obviously, if someone tried to get touchy-touchy with my stomach that I didn’t know, we’d have a problem, but I don’t foresee this occurring.

8 p.m. — Cavs game playing in the background while the dog accompanies me in the kitchen (scrap chaser). You best believe if the Cavs are playing, it will be on our TV no matter what. Our baby will have Cavs gear no doubt.

10 p.m. — Checking out my changing body after the shower and it is definitely new. I am amazed at all the changes your body goes through to house a baby. Exciting, weird and scary.

Day 3

6a.m. — Sheesh, hip pain is no joke to disrupt sleep.

9 a.m. — Love Saturday mornings when I can eat breakfast with my love and enjoy coffee from a mug vs. a travel mug to work. Still in my fuzzy robe and have yet to put on a bra or clothing — nothing like it. I especially enjoy PJ clothing at this point in time where finding comfortable, fitting clothes is more of a challenge.

12 p.m. — Trying to finish our baby registry, and it is actually very overwhelming. There are countless versions of every product, and I found myself spending 10 minutes fretting about the best kind of bib and burp cloth to get. My husband would keep me on track and move on to the next aisle. I want the best product and/or equipment for our baby, and it can be quite overwhelming with so many brands and ratings and opinions on it all!

3 p.m. — My energy level is not what it used to be, and it gets zapped a lot faster nowadays. We are on our way to my friend’s son’s first birthday party. When we get there, we are surrounded by little kids, toddlers and babies. It’s hard to believe we will be amongst the “parent crowd” with our own child in 3.5 months. So exciting and a little scary at the same time.

6 p.m. — How is it 6 o’clock already? I eat dinner with my husband as he looks at shelving units for the nursery online, and I read reviews and make comparisons about high chairs and bassinets — there’s so many.

10 p.m. — Relaxation time with my husband in the movie room with snacks. I started experiencing restless leg syndrome (common among pregnancy). This is the third time I’ve experienced it in the evening, and it is not pleasant. I just wanted to run around the house to make my legs feel better. It’s such an odd feeling; after some stretching and letting some time pass, it dissipates and I’m left with an itchy stomach and breasts. Uh-oh — another baby growth spurt? I grab the stretch cream cocoa butter. Lifesaver.

More: The First-Time Mom Who’s Always Exhausted

Day 4

6 a.m. — Actually sleeping!

9 a.m. — Another morning of enjoying coffee and breakfast, not on the run. My husband and I are playing hooky from church as we have a long list of to-dos for today. The earlier we start, the better. Lowe’s for shelving, grocery shopping, cooking food for the week for packing lunches and cleaning the house.

12 p.m. — Lunch break and I am back to the baby registry making sure I have the right things on there and reading more reviews. I really think I need to give this a rest.

3 p.m. — Doing laundry and folding clothes — I have to sit down because I am exhausted. How is this? I am officially 26 weeks today and nearing my third trimester, so getting more tired is to be expected. I just don’t like it! Thankfully, my husband is such a big helper with house chores.

6 p.m. — Finishing up 15 minutes on the elliptical. I’m hopeful that a little light exercise will help curb RLS tonight. Even though I was tired before, I feel so much better after getting my heart rate up. Exercise has taken an interesting path since becoming pregnant. Pre-pregnancy, I would work out regularly three to four times a week for an hour. My first trimester, walking to and from the bathroom or showering was as much movement as my body wanted or could do. I felt awful. It wasn’t until week 14 that I felt more like myself. I began incorporating light exercise into my routine a little over a month ago (we’re talking going on walks and 15 to 20 minutes of exercise at home). So much different than what I was used to, but I am actually OK with it. My body is telling me what it needs and I am trying my hardest to listen to it and treat it with the utmost respect!

8 p.m. — In the kitchen making food for the week for my lunches and snacks. Momma’s gotta eat well and feed that growing baby!

10 p.m. — Baby is kicking a lot, and I love it; the kicks tell me she is active and doing well; no mommy anxiety here. My husband and I read that by this week, your baby can respond not only to sounds but touch as well. She would kick and my husband would gently push/rub on my stomach and she would respond with rhythmic movements. It was the coolest thing! Needless to say, we got to bed a little later than anticipated because of playing with our active baby. It’s special moments such as these that I will hold onto. Any anxieties or uncomfortable pregnancy symptoms fall to the wayside, and all that matters is the fact that our child is growing and healthy in my belly. She is so loved already.

Day 5

6 a.m. — A dress I wore two weeks ago is suddenly too small, as my stomach popped a button. It’s crazy how fast my belly is growing! My belly button has officially hit the weird-looking stage.

9 a.m. — Baby movements are the best.

12 p.m. — Lunchtime and I am already anxiously waiting to get home. Just one of those days where I am feeling crafty and really want to work on the baby’s crib mobile. I have started making felt flowers and I’m excited to see how it will turn out — just need to spend more time on it. My lunch hour is spent eating, typing up case notes and perusing different dresses online to wear for my maternity shoot.

3 p.m. — Quick walk to the hospital cafeteria at work allows me to get my water and get in some movement away from my desk. I get very little movement during the workday, as I am typing away case notes and seeing patients. It feels good to stretch and move a bit!

6 p.m. — Making dinner and talking about our days with my husband. We’ve been discussing what we are going to do after the baby is born and I go back to work (child care, hours I work, etc.). It’s always a bit of a stressful conversation because there is a part of me that doesn’t want to go back to work and stay home with the baby, but I also know I love my job and financially, it helps our growing family. My sister gave me names of ladies she recommends to watch kids/babies. Once that time comes, you best believe I will interview the crap out of them.

8 p.m. — It’s 8 o’clock and I randomly decide to jump on the elliptical for 15 minutes because I have all this anxious energy; maybe it’s the talk about going back to work/finding a sitter or the fact I had a dinner that gave me some extra oomph of energy. Even a light 15 minutes has my stress level down and I am feeling more emotionally calm.

10 p.m. — My stomach itches like crazy! Baby is definitely growing this week, and my stretching skin is making this well-known. Relaxing with my husband eating some nighttime snacks while I mildly complain about my itching stomach skin. I’d like to bathe in a vat of cocoa butter please.

Day 6

6 a.m. — Sleep wasn’t ideal last night. The multiple bathroom trips and the hip pain really throw a wrench in the “good sleep” department.

9 a.m. — Three-hour evaluation at work this morning, which means I load up on a good breakfast and go to the bathroom right before I see the patient. Unfortunately, I can’t wait a full three hours to go pee, so I end up pausing halfway through to use the restroom. Pregnancy really does a number on my bladder!

12 p.m. — Woo-hoo, lunchtime! Rather hungry today, so I’m feeling excited to eat some grub. I’m wearing leggings under my dress with a full panel that goes over my stomach. Not a fan of the full panel. I’ll stick with my non-panel/non-pregnancy leggings for now.

3 p.m. — My body is starting to feel more foreign to me as each day passes. Pregnancy is truly a beautiful thing, how your body changes, but also quite uncomfortable at times trying to get comfortable! Walking to get water and it feels a little harder than it did a month ago. I can definitely tell I am days away from my third trimester.

Counting down: Two more hours 'til I can take these clothes off and get into comfy pants and my husband’s T-shirt (mine are too small on my belly now).

6 p.m. — Fifteen minutes on the elliptical and five minutes stretching can just do so much for my endorphins and body after sitting at a desk all day. Thank goodness I can do this in the comfort of my home, as my tank top is a belly shirt and my shorts are sagging below my expanding stomach. I look quite humorous, but who cares — I’m home. Off to make dinner now. Spaghetti squash with other goodies? Yes, please.

8 p.m. — Spending some time reading about newborn sleep (the first three months) and trying to educate myself because I feel there’s much I don’t know! While reading, I came across a list of lullabies. It has been ages since I sang lullabies or even remembered the words. I typically would make up words if I sang them to my nieces. I start reading over the words and familiarizing myself to learn more. I love singing and have gotten lax on making it a priority to sing. I have a feeling once the baby comes, this will change.

10 p.m. — Watching the Cavs with my love while munching on snacks and feeling for baby movements. Tiredness hit me hard tonight, so it’s time to get to bed before I fall asleep on the couch (way too hard to get up at that point).

"It’s crazy to think how in several months, we will be having another little one joining us for dinner. Things are going to look so much different."

Day 7

6 a.m. — Mediocre sleep. Per usual. No crazy pregnancy dreams, but I sure do go to the bathroom a lot.

9 a.m. — Wore heeled boots today at work and it is more challenging to walk; I can definitely tell I am carrying around a baby in my stomach, as heels are not as easy as they were even a month ago. They make me feel fancy, though, so I’ll tough it out as long as I can for the third trimester.

12 p.m. — Oh how I enjoy lunch. Although lunches entail working, it’s always something I look forward to during the workday. Plus, the baby likes it and tells me by her kicks. Have a real hankering for chocolate and thankful I packed some in my lunch. SCORE!

3 p.m. — Time to munch on some cinnamon-roasted almonds and clementines before a staff meeting at work.

6 p.m. — Dinnertime with my husband. Always enjoy this part of the day. It’s crazy to think how in several months, we will be having another little one joining us for dinner. Things are going to look so much different. I’m thankful I have such a supportive partner or the thought of having a baby would seem much more stressful.

8 p.m. — Wishing there were more hours in the day. I finished a little craft for the baby’s room that I found on Pinterest. A success! Decorating the baby’s room has been a fun process, but there is still much to do.

10 p.m. — Restless legs is creeping up on me tonight. Not a cool symptom of pregnancy. I try stretching and taking deep breaths, but not much really helps. I hear it’s normal, so I’m not worried, just bothered.

What a ride this pregnancy has been, and I know that the weeks to come will bring many more new things and feelings associated. My belly and body grow by the week, and before we know it, I will have a little girl in my arms?! Trying to savor this time of my life with my husband as I know our world is about to be rocked in about three short months. Excited and a little nervous definitely go hand in hand!

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

While you probably enjoy the occasional over-the-top gift from your S.O., it’s the seemingly small gestures that require everyday thoughtfulness and effort that can eventually create a deeper connection and positively transform your relationship.

For instance, just reminiscing about a time you and your partner cracked up together over something funny or ridiculous can boost your relationship satisfaction (not to mention your mood), according to research. Here are 11 other little (and free!) things you can do to show your other half how much you really love and appreciate them.

Leave written love notes

“Grab some good old Post-its and start writing! Jot down everything you absolutely love about your partner — how handsome, funny, smart, hardworking, a great lover, an incredible parent he or she is. Write each adoration on individual notes and place them around the house, starting with where they'll first be likely to see them. This little gesture brings back those precious and powerful feelings and stirs all of those great brain chemicals that make us happy and connected to one another.” — Kailen Rosenberg, celebrity love architect and founder of The Lodge Social Club

Sit back-to-back

“Each day, sit back-to-back and one at a time, spend no more than 10 minutes telling each other about your day or anything else you'd like to share. Then, each of you take a turn finishing this sentence: "What I love about you is..." After, turn and face each other and place a hand on the other person's heart. There's something special about feeling another person's spine connected to yours. It's an amazing way to feel loved and appreciated.” — Claudia Matles, a certified yoga and wellness coach

Brag about your S.O.

“Show other people how you appreciate your partner. Talk about your partner's accomplishments, show adoration by holding hands, locking eyes, side-hugging — all in public. Displaying affection towards your partner in front of others will boost your partner’s confidence and help them feel worthy and loved. This reaches us deeply because one of the reasons why we go into relationships is to feel needed, wanted and appreciated by others.” — Dalila Jusic-LaBerge, licensed marriage and family therapist

More: What 11 Happily Married Women Wish They'd Known as Newlyweds

Lock eyes

“Try gazing into each other's eyes for 90 seconds. It's actually quite challenging. This exercise is focused on giving your partner 100 percent of your attention and truly being present and could even lead to a romantic encounter — once you've finished the 90-second eye lock, of course.” — Dr. Michele Kerulis, a relationship expert, counselor and professor of counseling at Northwestern University

Embrace awkward moments

So, your partner let one rip while having sex or you caught them picking their nose — don't just cringe and try to pretend it didn't happen. “By cracking a joke and laughing off an imperfect moment, it becomes a memory to cherish. These instances contribute to the relationship’s uniqueness. The awkward times make you a great pair — acknowledging it and then laughing it off eases the tension and creates new bonds.” — April Davis, relationship expert and professional matchmaker

Wake up together

“If your spouse gets up before you because you work from home or have a short commute, make it a point at least once a week to get up and make the coffee or breakfast. Better yet, join your partner in the shower. Why? Even the most enlightened, loving spouse becomes resentful of leaving in the morning to go to work while the other spouse is sleeping in!” — Caroline Madden, licensed marriage and family therapist

Actively listen & then act

“The-day-to-day hustle and fast-paced world we live in makes it challenging to really hear others and what makes them tick. If your partner keeps talking about knots in their back, for example, take note and surprise them with a trip to a massage place nearby. If you notice they haven't take a vacation in awhile, start researching deals on Travelocity. Really listen to them for dropped hints and spend time letting them know they're appreciated.” — Dr. Kathryn Smerling, licensed family therapist

Surprise them in the bedroom

"Pay close attention to what your partner does and doesn't like in the bedroom, and consider trying out new things that cater to their interests — a new sex toy, for instance. This is a subtle way to surprise your partner and remind them that you still find them super-sexy, which is crucial for both partners to feel. The gesture will show them that you care about their satisfaction and pleasure and help open up the door for important conversations down the road." — Polly Rodriguez, CEO of Unbound

More: 11 Men Explain Why They Love Committed Relationships

Go to bed together every night

“Going to sleep right is as important as starting the day off right. If you go to bed separately, you risk feelings of loneliness or disconnection. Some of the best conversations and experiences can happen in that precious time just before falling asleep; we're at our most vulnerable in those moments of comfortable snuggling or relaxation.” — Madden

Show your love off on social

“For the next #FlashbackFriday or #ThrowbackThursday, randomly surprise them — and all your mutual Facebook friends! — with a post from your early days. Don't wait for an anniversary or a special occasion. Just dig up some favorite old memories and declare your love for them to the world — they're worth it! And if you're not a fan of social media, look for an old photo and text it to them with a cute message — guarantee it will put a smile on their face!” — Smerling

Let them be themselves

Letting your partner do and be who they are without insult or trying to change them is one of the best ways to show you love them. “Consider participating or buying them an accessory for an activity they love, even if you're not interested in it — like a car freshener for that overpriced car they bought or going to a NASA exhibit even if you find astronomy boring — and laying judgment aside. This shows them you acknowledge what gives them happiness and are willing to let go of controlling due to your personal annoyance.” — Lisa Bahar, licensed marriage and family therapist

Alert, world. Rihanna has a make-out buddy, and he should be everyone's make-out buddy.

More: Rihanna Slid Into This Fan's DMs to Give Him Some Relationship Advice

Seriously. Look at him.

There's just one problem here. Nobody knows who he is. He is a complete mystery — a wonderful, beautiful, super-hot mystery.

Here's what we know so far. TMZ and the Daily Mail somehow got their hands on those photos and published them, and then the internet imploded into a flaming ball of desire for that man. They're all over Twitter now and have inspired the hashtag #RihannaHasAManParty, which is trending.

More: What Do Rihanna's Weird Photoshopped Pictures of the Queen Even Mean?

The two of them are drinking Champagne in a pool somewhere, but we don't know where for sure — TMZ reports that they're on a little getaway together and sharing a Spanish villa, but that's not confirmed. The building they walked into after making out with their Champagne in the pool is surrounded by palm trees, but otherwise white and anonymous from the outside.

And as for that man, all we know is that he's dark and devastatingly handsome. There's no inkling yet as to who he might be, but he and RiRi are awfully cozy right now. And after all the drama during and after her relationship with Drake, Lord knows Rihanna deserves to have a little fun.

More: Rihanna Apparently Gained Weight & People Really Care

But seriously, though, RiRi, are you listening? We need to know who this guy is. For the good of humanity, tell us who you're making out with. And if you really care about the world, let us all make out with him too. OK, thanks.

Remember that time Orlando Bloom blessed the Earth by going paddleboarding completely nude? When he not only gave us all the looks we could ever possibly want of his (ahem) little Orlando Bloom, but also made this brave statement that we should all be comfortable enough in our skin to do freeing things like paddle around the ocean completely in the buff?

More: Katy Perry's Doing a Lot of Apologizing, Even to Taylor Swift

Turns out Katy Perry, his girlfriend at the time, was far less down with that than we were.

In fact, that incident sounds like it was kind of damaging to her. After the whole internet saw her BF's junk on Twitter, Perry had to seek out professional help.

"I've had lots of therapy about that moment," Perry told KIIS FM's Kyle and Jackie O. "He asked me if I wanted to be [naked] and... it was one of those things where I was like, ‘Oh, nah.' He was just trying to show off for the people back at the shore... It was so funny because I was kind of explaining Twitter to him and social media because he had taken a bit of a break on all that stuff. I had been explaining to him for a few weeks and all of a sudden he's the No. 1 trending on Twitter. He's like, 'I understand Twitter.'"

More: Petty Genius Taylor Swift Rereleased All Her Music on Katy Perry's Big Day

For the record, Bloom tells a different story about that "showing off" part — he insists he didn't know anyone could see them.

"It was extremely surprising; I wouldn't have put myself in that position if I'd thought it would happen," he told Elle UK. "I've been photographed a million times in a million different ways. I have a good radar. We'd been completely alone for five days. Nothing around us. There was no way anyone could get anything. So I had a moment of feeling free... What can I tell you? Note to self: you're never free. Ha!"

More: Guessing Who Katy Perry's Singing About on Every Single One of Her New Songs

Words to live by, but also, we wish we lived in a world where we could do more stuff naked. Sorry, Katy.

The only thing more magical than school vacation and summer Fridays is a little place called Disney World. And as luck would have it, this year it might be possible for you to combine those experiences to add maximum enchantment to your summer, because Disney World is having a rare sale.

Usually, a four-day ticket to Disney, where you can visit one park a day, is $350 per person ages 10 or older. But this summer, they're hawking a 4-Park Magic Ticket, which includes admission to all four parks on different days for just $316, or $79 a day. It's even less expensive for kids ages 3 to 9 at just $74 a day.

More: 15 Disney World foodie finds you probably don't know about but should

Disney almost never has sales on admission to their theme parks, so even though the discount is relatively modest, it's kind of a big deal. And for a family of four, saving $136 on admission can make a big difference, whether that means having extra money for a hotel, transportation, food or as many Mickey and Minnie souvenirs as your kids can carry out of the park.

More: 25 Tips and tricks for the best Disney World vacation

The tickets will be available for purchase until July 30 and can be redeemed until September 30. You can even split your visit up over the course of two weeks if you want — visit one park one day, and you have 14 days to visit the three other parks included with your ticket.

This summer, instead of experiencing the usual crush of panic in early July when you realize you forgot to make any plans for your kids before school starts up again, think again. With this super-rare sale, maybe it's finally time to take that once-in-a-lifetime trip to the most magical place on Earth.

Jennifer Garner and her recently divorced hubby of over a decade, Ben Affleck, just went on vacation together. Post-romance romantic getaway? Not quite.

Garner was asked to give a presentation to a room of 160 executives from Fast Enterprises, a software company that was holding a conference at the Atlantis Paradise Island resort, and the actress took advantage of the gig by turning it into a family vacation. She had a long list of requests in addition to her appearance fee, including a private jet to get her to and from the big speaking engagement, her own glam squad for meet-and-greets and dinner, and hotel accommodations: two two-bedroom suites and an addition suite for a five-night stay.

More: Jennifer Garner & Ben Affleck could get back together, you guys

Sounds like a lot to handle, but definitely necessary for the family of five to enjoy their time together. After Garner and Affleck came the kids: their daughters Violet, 11, and Seraphina, 8, and their son Samuel, 5. Even though the couple has been separated for two years now, they officially filed for divorce this April. But the mother and father have tried hard to make the difficult time easier on the kids by setting up vacations like these.

More: Insider reveals Ben Affleck, Jennifer Garner's co-parenting plans

“Jen feels it is most beneficial for the kids to have their father present,” a source close to Garner told Us Weekly, after affirming that Garner and Affleck aren’t reuniting. “Jen will always do whatever it takes to provide the best arrangements for [the kids] that she can.” A source close to Affleck also told Us that “it was a great opportunity to keep the norm going for the kids.”

More: Welp, there go our dreams of a Ben Affleck & Jennifer Garner reunion

So while the former couple aren’t getting back together, they do show impressive teamwork in making sure their children grow up with a family bond that many Hollywood children of divorce rarely see. It’s nice that such a difficult situation can be turned into a civil and fun vacation for three young kids.

This August 2017 marks the 20th anniversary of the devastating death of Princess Diana, known as the beloved People’s Princess. The princess was killed in a car accident in Paris in 1997, leaving behind her sons Prince William and Prince Harry, who were 15 and 12 years old at the time. With such a public death and heartbreak that spread across the world, the two princes have decided to rededicate Princess Diana’s grave on July 1, which would have been the mother’s 56th birthday.

More: Remembering Princess Diana with 17 of her most inspirational quotes

This will be a private event for the immediate family, royal and otherwise, which includes Prince Harry, Prince William, Kate Middleton, their children George and Charlotte, and Diana’s brother and two sisters. They will honor the Princess of Wales with a special ceremony to rededicate the grave, which will be conducted by the Archbishop of Canterbury. Diana’s ex-husband and William and Harry’s father, Prince Charles, will not be in attendance.

In recent interviews, Diana’s sons have opened up about the entire ordeal that was their mother’s death. While she was an extremely public figure, she was also a mother, and dealing with that kind of pain privately proved difficult for the young boys.

More: Prince William totally knows his mom was a royal babe

“My mother had just died, and I had to walk a long way behind her coffin,” Harry spoke of his mother’s funeral with Newsweek, “surrounded by thousands of people watching me while millions more did on television. I don’t think any child should be asked to do that, under any circumstances. I don’t think it would happen today.”

Since her death, Harry has done charity work with children, army veterans, and those suffering from HIV/AIDS, which is directly inspired by his mother, who was an outspoken activist for the HIV/AIDS community.

More: Prince Harry has plenty to say about his relationship with Meghan Markle

“I am in a better place about [my mother’s death] than I have been for a long time,” William told GQ in an interview, “where I can talk about her more openly, talk about her more honestly, and I can remember her better, and publicly talk about her better... It is not like most people’s grief, because everyone else knows about it, everyone knows the story, everyone knows her."

Since both Diana's children have touched on the difficulty of being in the public eye for their whole life, it’s only fitting that they honor their mother privately, for once organizing a ceremony for themselves.

Leaving the stability of a full-time job is a big leap, but it doesn't have to be scary or expensive. With the right resources and tools, tapping into your inner entrepreneur is totally doable. Case in point? The three career changes ahead.

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Get ready to learn every aspect of making a successful YouTube channel, from creating videos that make you cash to racking up subscribers and landing ads. With five courses taught by YouTube pros, this training is a must for aspiring vloggers.

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I've never watched Big Brother, but my sister is a die-hard fan and I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, so I volunteered to watch the premiere of the 19th season and record my reactions.

Wait, the 19th season? That can't be right. Oh my God, it is. Guys, this show has been on the air for 17 years. OK then! I'm already shocked and the show hasn't even started yet!

More: Big Brother: Where Are The Contestants Now?

WHAT?

For the first 15 minutes, I just stared at the TV open-mouthed as the guests were introduced. They are all so extra! Plus, the weird acting-surprised-when-they-find-the-Big-Brother-Key thing makes me eye-roll so hard I think I might pass out. So they just didn't notice the eight-person camera crew while teaching their dance class or doing construction? I started to realize that there is very little reality in reality shows.

Wrong!

I've turned into Trump. All of these weirdly intense people are talking about their weirdly intense game strategies like using their looks and befriending people and overpowering them with Southern charm and I'm sitting here like, "What?" These strategies are all terrible! Every single one!

OK, every single one except for the professional interrogator. She has legit training in lying and manipulation, so she might actually be onto something.

OMG, Jillian!

Actual quote from Jillian after she admits that she went with her mom and sister to Tijuana to get weight-loss surgery: "Who does that?"

Um, fucking no one, Jillian, because that's incredibly ill-advised. Oh, sweet Lord.

Stop screaming!

I'm now screaming at the TV for them to stop screaming. They're all screaming all the time whenever anyone does anything. When they enter the house they all scream. Why are they all so excited to see these people they've never met? I'm bewildered by the screaming and it's making me irrationally angry.

This house is fugly

I am no interior designer, but I like to think I know how to put a room together. This house, though? I mean, the network has money, right? Why does it look like this? Why does nothing look good together? Why are there eight different ugly flooring types that all meet in the living room? What's with all the apples everywhere? Is that framed money on the wall?

What are superfans?

They keep talking about superfans and it's unclear whether this is, like, an official designation or just a term that is used by really big fans of the show. I could Google it, I guess, but I really don't care.

Mark

He looks like wreck it Ralph.

Right?!

Seriously, stop screaming!

My daughter is sleeping and every time these people scream, I have to turn down the volume, and then five seconds later, I have to turn it up again when someone starts huddling around and talking in conspiratorial whispers. It's a lot of work.

OMG yes, Julie! She's like, "You guys are cheering and you don't even know what it is yet."

Yass, kween. Call them out on their nonsense screaming! Is she always sassy like this? I like her. Plus, she has A-plus ponytail game.

Josh, do up your shirt

Those coconuts

This isn't a euphemism for Jessica's, um, coconuts. I'm talking about the actual coconuts that they're inexplicably sitting in while hanging from the ceiling. They all look so uncomfortable and hot. Can anyone look cool while hanging in a suspended coconut?

Oh, no Kevin, what are you doing?

Ugh, Paul

Garden of Eden, temptation, snakes, apples — we get it!

Oh my

Yes. Yes, he's officially my favorite. I feel like everyone probably hates him, but he's my favorite. Can we fix his hair, though?

More: The 'Big Brother 18' Guys Actually Defend Their Disgusting, Misogynistic Behavior

Why!?

Why does the elimination process have six steps? Christmas looks like she's aged 18 years in the last hour. And no, I'm not going to make fun of her name. I named my kid Olive, so...

Aww, Cameron's going home. He looks so sad! I mean, he did refer to himself as a hamster earlier, but still! Poor little fella.

Wait, it's over?

Why do I feel almost... disappointed? Also, why do I feel invested in these people I've mocked for the last two hours? OMG is it happening? Guys, am I becoming a superfan?

Dropping the L-bomb in any relationship means things are moving to the next level — unless of course someone jumps the gun and says, "I love you," too soon.

When anyone makes this weighty statement super-early in a relationship, it raises questions about whether or not the person is genuine or just caught up in the moment. While early relationship feels (and hormones) can be intoxicating, relationship experts warn that it might be a red flag if you or your partner is too quick to say, "I love you."

"'I love you' shouldn't be said lightly," says "Dr. Romance" Tina B. Tessina, psychotherapist and author of Love Styles: How to Celebrate Your Differences. "If it is, it's meaningless."

Here are some signs it's a bit premature to be saying those three magic words.

1. You haven't been dating for at least three to six months

Of course, there are always exceptions, like if you've been spending every waking minute together versus only seeing each other once or twice a week. But in general, if you say, "I love you," before dating for three to six months, you could be mistaking love for something else.

"I'm a big believer in time. I wouldn't feel really confident if someone is saying it before six months because what they are is infatuated," says sociologist Pepper Schwartz, a professor at the University of Washington and the author of The Surprising Secrets of Happy Couples.

2. You haven't had sex yet

If you haven't yet slept together and someone says, "I love you," watch out. It could be a ploy to get you into bed. Tessina says a person may say, "I love you," during sex or to obtain sex, but they might not have really thought it through or mean it. If you're the one who said it because you were caught up in the moment, you might want to crack a joke about how great the romp was that it made you exaggerate a little. Either way, it's not a commitment in any way, says Tessina.

More: 6 Signs Your Relationship Is in a Rut

3. You haven't spent enough time together to form a good foundation for a relationship

It sounds simple, but plenty of us are just caught up in the moment when the L-word is first uttered. But if you haven't spent real quality time together and your relationship still feels on shaky ground, there isn't enough there yet for it to be true love.

"Any time before you've spent time together and gotten to know each other is way too soon for either of you to say, 'I love you,'" says Tessina. "There's no way either of you can know. I believe 'love at first sight' is only in hindsight."

She says many of the couples she counsels come to her with high expectations of "instant" relationships and romance and equally high frustration levels when things don't unfold that way. "Internet dating, coupled with movie and TV images of instant 'love at first sight' create expectations that prohibit people from getting to know anything about the character of the person they're dating and don't give the couples a chance to develop what I call the 'infrastructure' of a long-lasting relationship," Tessina says.

4. You or your partner can't commit to a future

Many people assume that "I love you" means the person they're dating is in it for the long haul. Unfortunately, that's not always the case — in fact, that's an entirely separate conversation you should have in order to gauge each other's feelings. If your partner says they love you but can't back it up with a commitment of some kind, tread lightly.

Schwartz says that in general, when a person hears their partner say, "I love you," they don't automatically think their partner is saying, "That's what I feel like this minute" — instead, they're thinking there's the implicit promise of a much deeper relationship and the words could lead to a commitment, as if their partner is saying, "I want to spend the rest of my life with you."

If your partner says it because they're just feeling loving at the time but haven't considered what the relationship means to them, it might be a red flag.

More: 11 Little Things That Can Totally Transform Your Relationship

5. You say it after an intense experience

Maybe a relative has just died or one of you has landed a new job. When you go through a life-changing experience like that together, it can be bonding and make you feel full of love for each other. But is it really love? Not necessarily if the rest of your relationship doesn't measure up.

"Depending on the context, those three words can [be said] because [they have] just given you a surprise party or stood up for you against a chastising parent or spent lavishly on you," says Raymond. "It varies with the ebb and flow of the connection."

Originally published April 2015. Updated June 2017.

The Fourth of July is super-fun for all the humans in the United States. But the animals? Not so much.

While we're off having the time of our lives, activities like fireworks and big parties can cause debilitating anxiety in pets and other wildlife. The loud noises can cause pets to panic, feel anxious, bark uncontrollably, chew through leashes, dig under fences to escape, claw destructively, suffer seizures and escape into busy traffic areas while trying to flee from the loud, unfamiliar sounds. Sounds like a real kick in the pants, right?

In fact, Independence Day and the following day are the busiest for animal shelters and animal control groups nationwide recovering lost pets that have run away — which is exactly why you shouldn't brush off your pet's fear of the holiday.

More: Can Fleas Really Be Treated or Prevented Naturally?

When it comes to treating pet anxiety, most anxious dogs go untreated because owners feel it is unnecessary or they believe anxiety simply doesn't exist. Pet anxiety does exist and can result in property damage, high medical bills and lasting trauma.

Fortunately for pet owners, there are several well-known, proven calming solutions to protect your pets and help their anxiety during the Independence Day celebrations.

1. Get your pet a ThunderShirt. This works similar to swaddling an infant and has a dramatic calming effect on pets.

2. Be sure a pet has up-to-date and visible identification and microchipping in case he runs away if scared by noisy fireworks.

More: If Dogs Don’t Sweat, How Do They Cool Down?

3. Don't bring pets to fireworks events. Pets are better off being left home if you are going to partake in firework festivities.

4. Be sure to back up any photos or medical records to a cloud service so it can be easily accessed if traveling.

5. Crate your dog if they're used to it. If a dog is regularly crated, he may find the crate a place of comfort during fireworks.

6. Try using a pheromone spray and make sure his favorite toy is available for further calming and distraction.

7. Keep pets inside as much as possible during fireworks displays. The insulation of a home will help drown out the noise and make the dog feel more secure.

8. Remember: Don’t scold a scared pet. This will scare and confuse a dog and reinforce fearful behaviors.

Originally published June 2016. Updated June 2017.

Emilia Clarke, girl, what are about you doing? Seriously, you're so likable and talented and kind, but I don't know if I can take you seriously after your most recent comments in an interview with Rolling Stone.

More: This Is Emilia Clarke Riding a Dragon Pre-CGI on Game of Thrones

Earlier this week, Clarke compared being a woman in Hollywood to racism, damn near conflating the two in a very dangerous fashion while chatting with Rolling Stone. During her interview, Clarke discussed being treated differently because she's a woman. Her first thought on the matter? "I feel so naïve for saying it, but it’s like dealing with racism," she told the music magazine. First of all, that is incredibly naive of you to say, so maybe you shouldn't have said it. Never mind that conflating those two things when you're speaking as a privileged white woman is incredibly problematic too. Oh boy.

More: Think About It, Game of Thrones' Dany & Jon Will Totally End Up Together

She continued, "You’re aware of it, and you’re aware of it, but one day, you go, 'Oh, my God, it’s everywhere!' Like you suddenly wake up to it and you go, 'Wait a fucking second, are you... are you treating me different because I’ve got a pair of tits? Is that actually happening?' [...] It took me a really long time to see that I do get treated differently. But I look around, and that’s my daily life."

I'm not sure anyone would accuse Clarke of being treated the same as regular folks. She's a very visible TV and film star; the fame isn't going away anytime soon, so her special treatment won't go away anytime soon. And yes, being a woman in this world means you will be faced with incredible injustices over your personal freedoms, which women are valiantly fighting to protect right now. But to imply that your white womanhood is the same as communities of color who are facing serious systemic racism with the deck stacked in someone's favor (certainly not theirs) is truly, deeply, maddeningly irksome.

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Even to the most mildly woke person in the room, it's easy to see that Clarke needs to check herself. The naïveté is strong with this one.

Podcasts are a little like the party guest who hasn’t known the host forever (that would be print media), but also hasn’t just joined the group (let’s say that guest might be called Shmoo Tube). Podcasts are a bit of a bridge between old and new, building on the foundation of old-school radio while relying on new-school technology for maximum accessibility. To continue the party guest analogy, they’re also more of a known quantity than that newcomer to the gathering. Once you have a sense of a podcast’s tone and approach, you can be pretty confident about what’s being shared — no small task when trying to stay on top of media exposure.

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The following are some examples of high-quality podcasts with specific teen appeal. Some address more teen-targeted content, while others have a broader focus. Regardless, they all offer food for thought and potential for further parent-child discussion and exploration.

1. 411 Teen

General interest program 411 Teen has been on air for over 20 years, broadcasts weekly and uses teen input to make the content relevant and interesting for its intended audience. Recent topics have included fake news, undocumented students and a Florida organization for youth who are in or have been in the foster care system.

2. TED Talks

Many teens and young adults are fans of the TED Talks podcasts. These cover a wide array of subjects and perspectives; this is a “something for everyone” site and the angle tends toward a combination of informative and inspirational. Recent topics have included “Don’t feel sorry for refugees — believe in them” and “A celebration of natural hair.”

More: 10 of our favorite parenting podcasts

3. Youth Radio

Youth Radio is not only for teens, it’s created by teens. The mission of this site is to train future broadcast journalists. Similar in approach to many public radio broadcasts, the content is made up of stories written and produced by teens across the country.

4. The Moth

Also recommended by younglings polled, The Moth takes audience participation to a new level. This podcast takes personal stories and records them live. The tales told cover a wide spectrum of experiences; recent offerings have included stories to celebrate Father’s Day, National Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month and National Parks Week. The site welcomes submissions from listeners.

5. Radiolab

Radiolab is a mashup of science, history, popular culture and more. Its content explores a wide range of interests, but the overall tone is one of an intellectual deep dive — a search for the satisfaction of curiosity-based questioning. In terms of shared listening, getting to the why of a subject can be both satisfying and unity-building.

6. Nerdette

For the nerds in your life, Nerdette uses popular culture and current headlines to address broader social issues, frequently through interviews with celebrities, such as the recent episode with comedian W. Kamau Bell on social awkwardness and the joys of being a blerd (black nerd).

7. The Sporkful

Food is the great unifier. The Sporkful bills itself as a podcast for eaters — which certainly describes many teens. Even if everything else feels fraught, surely there is peace to be found in learning about competitive eating or an interview with Roald Dahl’s daughter on her dad’s approach to food.

8. How Stuff Works

A great umbrella site, How Stuff Works includes BrainStuff (science), Stuff You Missed in History Class, Stuff of Genius (inventions), TechStuff and others. The approach here is like Radiolab, but more specialized by individual topic. You should be able to find a broadcast on just about any area of interest.

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9. Math Mutation

If you’re looking for some more straight-up academic enhancement, you could check out Math Mutation, which takes an entertaining approach to its subject and approaches a prescribed element of it in a manageable, lessonlike chunk, typically about 10 to 15 minutes. Grammar Girl and Coffee Break Spanish have a similar format.

10. Teens of America Radio

Podcasts can also be a way of introducing potentially thorny areas; parents often find that listening together can help to ease into high-stress topics. Therapist Lynn Zakeri says, “If there is a topic that feels difficult to approach, like potential divorce, mental health concerns, drugs, sex... you name it, there is a podcast about it. A parent can say, 'Hey I was listening to this podcast while I was driving and it was interesting what they said. What do you think about that?' Sort of like asking your child to be the expert, and then a discussion can take place.”

One podcast that might be particularly useful here is Teens of America Radio, which looks at timely, often hard-to-tackle subjects like sexting, school violence and suicide. You might also want to check out Project Know's Let’s Talk Drugs, which deals specifically with substance abuse and drug-related questions, and Life as a Teenager, a BBC series that goes through the full adolescent experience, from physical changes to emotional ones.

If you have a long family car ride coming or are simply looking at the summer stretching ahead of you with little neutral conversational territory in sight, podcasts might be a lifeline to co-existence or even, possibly, common ground. Zakeri points out that a podcast can be “a way of bonding if it is funny, and additionally a way to connect later in the day with a joke that relates to it.” And in the scope of parent-teen communication, who couldn’t use an opportunity to connect?