If you've read Aziz Ansari's book Modern Romance, then you know the taco syndrome that plagues our Yelp-obsessed generation. (Bear with me, I swear there's a travel-related point here.) It's this theory that we're always searching for the perfect, well, taco in Ansari's case. We are so intent on our need to find the perfect taco that we end up squandering our moment to eat, and leave with nothing at all.

This analogy seems so relevant, not just for food, but also for that travel bug inside you. (I told you I would bring this back.) We spend so much time looking for those big, grand adventures that we sometimes miss out on the super-Instagrammable hidden gems that are right under our noses because we end up just staying home.

But it doesn't have to be so hard to find your amazing weekend adventures. We've got your back so you don't squander your chance at that diamond in the rough.

Volunteer

Habitat for Humanity is probably one of the most well-known volunteering organizations, but it's not the only one that will get you out working in your community. For example, the New York Restoration Project plants trees and greenery around the city. The organization also offers fun events around the city throughout the year.

Download GTFO (aka get the "flight" out)

If you're in the mood for a spur-of-the moment, take-me-wherever-the-wind-blows kind of adventure, then GTFO is for you. The app makes those spontaneous trip desires oh so easy by giving you the best prices on flights to ideal locations. Basically, the app works to fill those not-so-full flights by offering competitive rates for last-minute flight deals. One reviewer said she flew from New York to Tokyo for under $600 round trip. As for trips south of the border? Those can reportedly go for as little as $400 round trip. Don't think. Just go.

Join a gym

Where is the best place to find active people who like doing active things and have active minds like you? Yeah, a gym. Whether it's CrossFit or yoga, there are a ton of gyms out there that are going above and beyond the studio these days. Gyms aren't just offering classes, they're offering connections to adventurous people who do adventurous things, like fitness studio Pure Austin, whose membership includes a private outdoor lake. Uh, yeah, an outdoor lake.

Scroll through Groupon

Groupon has an entire getaways section that is brimming with deals waiting to be snagged. Whether it's an exotic trip overseas or a day trip right in your own backyard, Groupon has become one of my go-tos for things to do on a given weekend. Right now, you can stay at a four-star hotel in Miami for just $69 a night. Better yet, Groupon also offers all-inclusive deals, meaning you're just $379 away from a stress-free trip to the Dominican Republic.

More: How to Take a Family-Friendly Vacation

Join a meetup group

The days when meetup groups were only for singles is long gone. Now, there are dozens of meetup groups available for people who simply want to try new things and meet new people. Like those clubs in college, there's something for everyone. Whether you want to hike up a mountain or learn self-defense, Meetup.com has got your group desires covered.

Check out Travelzoo

If you're looking for that perfect staycation, Travelzoo is the app to use. This app is like Groupon, but only for fun things to do near you at great prices. For example, right now near me, there's a deal to go explore the OUE Skyspace Observation Deck and one to go on a flight over the Pacific Ocean. And that's just the start. You can also find cruises, hotel deals and restaurant experiences.

Google is your friend

This one might seem like a no-brainer, but local travel and event websites are a great hub for conversation among locals. Don't just read the articles that proclaim to have 10 adventures you must try in a given city. Also take a few moments to read the comments. Sometimes, they are the keys to unlocking the real gems.

More: These Are the Top 10 Most Instagrammed Places in the World

Ask around

I always ask my Uber and Lyft drivers about their favorite locations in the city where they drive. It's a great way to discover new mini adventures. Also, if you're looking for a good staycation, then your friends and co-workers are a perfect resource for hidden travel treasures.

This post is sponsored by Land Rover.

Just in case your dermatologist, mom or, like, anyone with basic UV-ray knowledge hasn’t lectured you enough, we’re about to be really honest with you. Even after you’ve found your match made in sunscreen heaven, it’s still incredibly dangerous (see: dumb) to veg out in the sun. Yep, it doesn’t matter how good your pasty-as-hell legs would look after a few hours in the sun, ‘cause sun bathing can cause wrinkles, dark spots and skin cancer, which 1 in 5 Americans will develop in their lifetime. But don’t worry; you don’t have to look like a ghost all summer long — because the beauty industry is currently flooded with top-notch self-tanning products that, unlike the orange-skin-inducing formulas you used in high school, actually leave your skin with pretty, glowing color.

More: The 5 Prettiest Half-Up, Half-Down Braids to Wear This Summer

And if you’re a straight-up self-tanner hater, we hate to break it to you, but you’ve probably just been applying it wrong — or rather, too hesitantly. The biggest misconception with self-tanning products is that the formula’s pigment is in your control, when actually, it’s predetermined. Think of self-tanners like lipstick. No matter how many or how few coats you apply, you’re more or less getting the same color — so smearing a small dollop of product across your entire body is only going to result in uneven, streaky color.

And after sifting through all 8 billion self-tanners on the market right now, we weeded out any formulas with false promises or ridiculously high price points to find the absolute seven best, easiest-to-use products that are safe enough to slather across your entire body — all for less than $20. Including subtle, gradual tans for newbies and hydrating mists that’ll coat even your hardest-to-reach areas, these seven self-tanners are so damn good, you’ll forget you got it indoors and sans sun.

Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiance Gradual Tanner & Body Lotion

Nivea Sun-Kissed Radiance Gradual Tanner & Body Lotion (Target, $6.99)

Neutrogena Micro Mist Airbrush Sunless Tan

Neutrogena Micro Mist Airbrush Sunless Tan (Neutrogena, $10.99)

Bondi Sands Wash Off Instant Tan

Bondi Sands Wash Off Instant Tan (Target, $15)

St. Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse

St. Moriz Instant Self Tanning Mousse (Target, $12.99)

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Sunkissed Tint Body Lotion

Soap & Glory The Righteous Butter Sunkissed Tint Body Lotion (Soap & Glory, $8)

Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Tanning Mousse

Jergens Natural Glow Instant Sun Tanning Mousse (Walmart, $11.97)

Originally posted on StyleCaster.

Front-facing cameras have definitely changed the way we document our travels. Now we have absolute proof of ourselves existing in exotic locations without having to carry around clunky tripods or ask a total stranger to take our picture (and hope they don’t steal our camera in the process!).

You might think it’s easy, but there is definitely a science to taking the perfect vacation selfie. Keep these tips in mind when you are gearing up to Instagram or Snapchat your next vacation.

Research the best places to photograph

Spontaneous selfies are fun, but there are going to be a few moments you want to make sure are absolutely perfect. Look up geotags of the places you’re going to, and take note of specific areas where other people have taken spectacular travel selfies.

Watch your lighting

Move around and make sure you’re facing in a way that will capture both your smiling face and the scenery behind you. Light reacts in weird ways depending on the time of day as well. Avoid overexposure and awkward silhouettes by experimenting with different angles and making sure you're not standing right in front of a light source.

Leave some room

A vacation selfie is nothing if you can’t show others the cool place you’re visiting. Capture yourself from the neck up, allowing the top of the picture to be filled with an awesome temple, waterfall, cityscape and more.

Shoot horizontally

Alternatively, skip the vertical shot altogether and shoot landscape on your phone. You’ll have tons of room to capture rolling hills, colorful murals or other people.

Be careful!

It’s tempting to take a selfie on the ledge of the Grand Canyon, but one stumble or gust of wind can really ruin your trip. Make sure the area you’re in is hazard-free. Practice “safe selfieing” and you’ll live to tell the tale of your vacation!

Snap outside the box

You’re not going to fit the entire Eiffel Tower in your selfie, so don’t stress about it. Instead, think of creative ways you can share your vacation experience with other people. Hold your phone at waist level on selfie mode but pointing up. Or take a vertical shot where only your eyes pointing upward are showing in the bottom half, opened wide in surprise.

Skip the selfie stick

Aside from looking like a tourist, they’ve been outlawed in many museums, historic sites and even entire cities. It’s not worth getting busted for a picture that will still look great without one.

Think about the moment you’re trying to capture

What is your selfie really about? The place or the person in the place? This will help you decide how best to shoot, where and how. Not all moments are meant to be selfies, so don’t force it if it doesn’t feel right.

This post was sponsored by Princess Cruises.

Another chapter is closing in the life of Days of Our Lives star Alison Sweeney and this time, it's a chapter better left closed forever. Sweeney has been granted a temporary restraining order against a man who has reportedly been harassing her for about four years on social media.

More: DOOL's Camila Banus Responds to Cyberbullies Who Won't Leave Her Alone

E! News reports that Sweeney has been the target of of a man named Jon Christopher LuVisi's attentions for years now. LuVisi reportedly flooded Sweeney's social media feeds with various forms of harassment, with specific details about this harassment being discussed through E! News. Court documents obtained by E! News officially state that the "Defendant's unwanted contact with the Plaintiff has spanned the course of years, but in the past nine months escalated to such an extent that Plaintiff reasonable fears for her safety and the safety of her family."

The language may sound official, but the statement is a terrifying one. Sweeney has been a visible figure in the soap world as well as a more recent break into the mainstream thanks to her hosting gig on Biggest Loser. She is also a wife and mother whose social media posts indicate she loves her work and her family in equal measure. To be left fearing for the safety of your family or your own personal safety in any way can be incredibly unsettling.

More: Eileen Davidson Is Returning To Days of Our Lives

E! News further reports that a California judge has ordered LuVisi physically stay 1,000 feet away from Sweeney and her family, as well as Sweeney's home, car, workplace and her childrens' schools. Court documents further detail that on June 30, Sweeney reported LuVisi's messages had escalated in their hostile nature, with LuVisi alleging they had an affair and attempted to extort money from her to keep the alleged affair a secret. Reports also indicate LuVisi found her home address and posted it online; he also would repeatedly make new accounts after Sweeney would block him, ostensibly to continue his harassment of her.

More: DOOL Confirms Kassie DePaiva's Return & It Is the Best News Ever

Hopefully, this is a satisfying ending for Sweeney and her family and that a certain peace of mind has been given to her with this restraining order.

Amal and George are just terrible at staying in touch.

We're still waiting for the laser-cut, tequila-scented birth announcement to arrive in our mailbox (I mean, yes, we know twins Ella and Alexander were born on June 6 in London, but obviously we are expecting to be godparents).

More: Jessica Simpson's "Moana" party rivaled the Kardashians'

We were going to cut the new parents some slack and assume that Amal and George are just nesting, losing their new-parent minds behind closed doors as the babies wail 24-7. But then they had to go and jet to Italy on a private plane — with the twins and their silky white covered bassinets — and we weren't even invited to carry the diaper tote. Jeez.

More: Amal and George and Bey and Jay — what's with all the twins?

The new parents touched down at an airport in Milan on Monday, and photos show that babies Elle and Alexander are already living the high life. George hauled one bassinet; Amal got a bit of assistance with the other one. And though the pics are admittedly fuzzy, damn, George and Amal look like parenthood definitely agrees with them. Of course, George did just sell his Casamigos tequila company for $1 billion last month, so maybe they were able to outfit their private plane with all sorts of special high-tech baby-soothing equipment.

More: 8 ways to empower your daughter

Sigh. It's fine, you guys. We have plenty of celebrity babies to cover, and we're sure Bey and Jay need us to be godparents for their kids, so we'll be, like, SO busy.

Back in 2011, the new HBO show Game of Thrones shocked the world by killing off (who we thought was) the main character, Ned Stark, at the end of the season. Stark was beheaded, and viewers were like, "Wait, what? You can't just kill main characters like that!" Little did we know that GoT was all about killing off main characters, and not just on season finales. Really, just any time.

What followed in the next five seasons was a lot of deaths: falls, murders, duels, sicknesses, maulings by monsters, fatal curses. Even something as pleasant as a wedding turned into a deeply traumatic event that we now call the Red Wedding.

So, the big question is, "Who is going to go down this season?" We know that there's going to be a bunch of huge wars, but who's going to make it out alive, and who's going to go to the big Westeros in the sky where most of the cast is waiting? Let's take a look at a few of our best guesses.

More: Game of Thrones Baby Names True Fans Need to Add to Their List

Cersei

Not only is she on Arya's very scary kill list, Cersei also has more enemies in Westeros and beyond than anyone else we can think of. Sure, she's killed literally hundreds of them, but killing your enemies tends to create even more enemies. Cersei is also getting increasingly crazy and compulsive, so we can't be sure what big risks she will be taking in Season 7. All we know is that 1) sitting on the Iron Throne can seriously harm your lifespan, and 2) an old fortune teller predicted that after she outlives all three of her kids, she'll be murdered by one of her brothers. Yikes.

Sansa

The Stark family does not have a great track record when it comes to living to be old and gray. Sansa has already lost her parents and a couple of brothers, and she might be next. Why is she in danger? First and foremost, she's entangled with Littlefinger more than we'd like. Second, we are betting that neither Jon Snow nor Arya kicks the bucket, so the writers may take Sansa out just to make sure we are as heartbroken as possible anyway.

The Hound

The Hound has been taken off of Arya's revenge list, but that does not mean he's safe. The poor man has been through so much at this point in the series, including several near-death moments, and we are not convinced he'll make it through to the series finale. Our guess is that he'll meet back up with Arya and that he'll go out fighting for what's right. There's a ton of speculation that Sandor will fight his Frankenstein-like brother, The Mountain, whom he has hated since he was a child. We think that would be epic, and we have no idea who would win.

Jorah

Ever-faithful Jorah just wants to love and protect his princess, Daenerys. But, sadly, he's quickly dying of greyscale, a super-terrifying fatal disease with no known cure. We are unsure whether he will die of his illness or whether he's going to fall on his sword for his Khaleesi, but we are reasonably confident that his final curtain will come before the show's final curtain.

More: Quiz: Even If You’re a Superfan, You Probably Can’t Beat Our Game of Thrones Quiz

Theon

Theon has been through it, and now he's headed to war yet again, this time against his evil uncle Euron. Why do we think he might kick the bucket? He's had a long and dramatic character arc, and now that he's made up for many of his past mistakes, his work in this world may be over. In addition, we don't see anything good happening at all for the inhabitants of the Iron Islands, who are real dark horses when it comes to winning the Game of Thrones.

Grey Worm

Grey Worm has been trained to fight for his whole life, but it's only since he gained his freedom that he's learned to live. We have loved watching him grow and learn and fall in love next to Daenerys, and we have loved watching him kick butt for his cause. But, sadly, we think he might be too good to survive in George R.R. Martin's world for much longer. Right now, he's on a boat and sailing toward the largest battle of his life. We are thinking it will also be his last.

Littlefinger

A lot of people die in GoT, and as far as we can tell, most of the people who deserve to die eventually do (see Sansa's late husband Ramsay). We don't exactly want to say that Littlefinger should die for his sins, but he's sinned a lot. In addition, he's put his little fingers in a lot of different pies. His constant scheming has gotten him in hot water before, and we wouldn't be surprised if someone has finally had enough of his endless games. It might even be Sansa.

Brienne

Oh, Brienne. This sword-wielding badass might be far too good for this world. Brienne is earnest, loyal and kind, and she always has been. In that way, she's one of the show's flattest characters. She's also one of the show's nicest characters. Those are not attributes you want if you'd like to survive until the credits roll. On the plus side, we imagine that Brienne will go out swinging her sword for good.

More: Game of Thrones' Season 7 Trailer May Have Just Confirmed Daenerys' Plotline

Considering they tied the knot in 1999 and they've always been at the height of what's in, it should come as no surprise that Victoria and David Beckham had one of the most '90s weddings we've ever seen.

More: 5 Facts About Victoria & David Beckham's 20-Year Romance

Considering her fashion prowess now, we would have hoped that Victoria would see through some of the day's trends and choose more timeless fashion elements, but nope. Her wedding is right out of a 1990s flashback, and she and her family were kind enough to share it so we can all bask in just how hilariously dated the looks now are. Ah, fashion.

Beckham shared a shot from their actual wedding, in which she rocks her strapless satin gown beside David, who wears an all-white suit and hold their son, Brooklyn. Remember all-white suits? The Beckhams sure do.

Victoria captioned the photo simply, writing, "I love you... Kisses x."

More: 14 Celebs Who Have Really Unfortunate Food Allergies

David decided to take a different tack, sharing a throwback photo of himself and his wife in matching leather jackets.

"Wow we really did this," he wrote in the caption. "Happy Anniversary to an amazing wife , mummy and strong business woman."

Even their son Cruz got in on the fun, posting a photo of Mom and Dad in their wedding best, exchanging rings.

"Dream mum and dad I can't believe it has been 18 years so happy anniversary @davidbeckham and @victoriabeckham," Cruz wrote. "I love you so much and I want you to know that you are the best parents in the whole wide world I love you."

More: 15 Cute-as-Hell Baby Clothes From Victoria Beckham's Target Line

Now, as an anniversary gift, we'd like to bring that '90s fashion back. How do we do that?

The Hills are alive with the sound of a new baby, people.

Style maven, perennially chic blogger and former reality TV star Lauren Conrad and her husband William Tell just welcomed a son — a first child for each— and he's got a refreshingly down-to-earth name: Liam James.

More: Lauren Conrad's pregnancy announcement is total vintage perfection

Let that sink in: no Cedar, no Sire, no Spruce, no Huron. Liam James. (We're thinking the family will need to move out of SoCal immediately, with a name as low-key as that.)

The couple told People, "We are thrilled to share that we welcomed our son Liam James Tell into our family. Mom, Dad and baby are doing well. We’re already in love!”

Conrad also posted a pic of a sweet embroidered sampler to Instagram with the words, "And then there were 5."

Liam was born on Wednesday, July 5 and weighed in at a very laid-back 6 pounds, 14 ounces. He is the couple's first child and also the first child for the couple's dogs, Chloe and Fitz.

More: Gifts that pregnant women actually want

Conrad said of the dogs' reaction to the newcomer: "Chloe and Fitz aren't so sure..."

Conrad and Tell got hitched in September 2014 in a sunset ceremony (of course) at a boutique winery (of course) in Santa Ynez, California (of course). Everything they do seems to be relaxed chic with an extra side of chill, so we're thinking they've got this parenthood thing in the (perfectly curated and completely tasteful) bag.

Chrissy Teigen and her daughter Luna are the cutest — and whenever they're together, the cuteness factor ramps up by 100. We love Teigen's Instagram updates, and the latest didn't disappoint one bit.

More: Chrissy Teigen opens up about her devastating postpartum depression

On Monday, July 3, Teigen posted a video of herself rapping (oh, yes) a children's book, Barnyard Dance!, to Luna. Go on. Indulge in the major sweetness.

We love the way Luna claps along with her super-cool mom and gets her groove on while she picks a new book for Teigen to read. Or rap. And please check out the "gangsta napper" onesie. Can we get an adult version? Please?

More: Chrissy Teigen was totally joking about being pregnant again so everyone chill out

We get the feeling these two will be a mother-daughter team for the ages (and we admit it; crazy commenters and all, we're glad social media exists so we can continue to share in their fun).

By: Elana Konstante

Now that you’re a mom (or almost one), you'll see every aspect of your life through a new lens. First and foremost, I promise you will never think about sleep the same way again. All that you took for granted before will now have to be reprioritized in relation to your identity as a mother, and never is this more acute than with your career.

Whether to return to work after maternity leave is a difficult decision for many. Oftentimes, you don’t know what you want until you're in that position, staring down a return date that feels way too soon for a role that suddenly feels too demanding.

While some women leave their jobs knowing they want to stay home until their kids are grown, the majority of professional women plan to do so only for a set period of time before they return to the workforce. Whichever camp you fall into, it’s helpful to consider the following questions before making any decisions regarding your work.

1. How will you stay active?

For some, staying home past the newborn stage can feel isolating. Depending on where you live, it may require extra effort to engage in adult conversations and think of yourself as someone besides “the mommy.” Invest in friends who are also home, join groups and sign up for activities that require you to keep a schedule.

Establishing routines and outlets for your creative and intellectual stimulation are important without the rigors of a structured job. Seek out ways to get positive feedback and a sense of accomplishment, as these become more elusive when caring for a young child. Be open to new experiences by volunteering at a soup kitchen, taking an improv class, attending book readings and lectures and so on. Maintain your own sense of self while cultivating your child’s so that you can truly enjoy this time.

2. Is your financial situation stable?

Leaving a job can have a major effect on family finances in the short- and long-term. Take a financial workshop or meet with an advisor to ensure that you consider all the repercussions. Often women compare the child care costs against their own salaries rather than against the entire household income when making the decision to leave the workforce. Remember, it's not only your burden to bear.

Returning to work obviously entails child care but also commuting costs, clothing and potentially other outsourced roles like housecleaning. Staying home saves those costs but may involve others, like kids' activities, potential promotions, medical and other insurance benefits and retirement plans as well as ancillary reimbursements and credits associated with your job. Be sure you understand your entire financial situation and plan accordingly.

3. Who's in your network?

Networking is just as important when you’re out of the workforce, perhaps even more so. You should still be in regular contact with your former colleagues, supervisors and direct reports (who may very well be running the show as your child grows). Stay present through social media. Be useful by sending relevant articles, recommendations, referrals and offers to be of service when you can.

If and when you decide to return to work, whether to your former career or a new one, your network will help you perfect your rusty elevator pitch, practice interviewing skills and build your brand. Being in touch will also alert you to the hidden job market and allow you to bypass standard application procedures. Your reputation will last long after you leave, so keep those channels open as you contemplate the future.

4. What will you do for professional development?

These days most people’s career paths look more like winding rivers than straight lines. The average adult will now have four job changes in their first decade out of college. Even if you’re not working continuously, there are ways to ensure that your career is still on its own trajectory. Look for strategic pro bono opportunities to add valuable leadership skills and experience, while also filling the gap on your résumé.

Rather than downplay unpaid work such as serving on a board or executing large-scale community events, use it as a selling point for your ability to succeed in any role. For those seeking more of a commitment but not wanting a full-time role, pursue discrete consulting projects or cover a maternity leave at a desired employer. Should you need or want to return in earnest, look into returnships, which are specifically designed as post-break on-ramps.

5. How can you keep your brand alive?

Keep your marketing materials current while you're home with your little one(s). It’s imperative to have access to a working version of your résumé for networking purposes and for your LinkedIn profile to be relevant and recent. Make sure you include the aforementioned volunteer, community service and freelance roles and activities.

To stay current on new developments and maintain a competitive edge, take online classes to boost technical skills and update relevant certifications or licenses. Set Google alerts for a constant stream of information. Consider writing an article for a blog or magazine or contributing to a podcast to get your name out. Your time out of the workforce provides an amazing opportunity to learn from everyone, especially your child, about what comes next.

Originally published on Fairygodboss.

Sometimes, all you need to get over a bad breakup is ice cream, wine and... Photoshop?

More: Ryan Reynolds Gushes About Blake Lively, the World Reaches Peak Jealousy

Canadian teen Gabi Dunn broke up with her boyfriend just a few days after their prom, so she had to do something to remove him from the photos they took at the event. So she did what any woman would do: photo-edited her favorite celeb in her ex's place. In this case, it happened to be fellow Canadian (and arguably the best candidate for this job) Ryan Reynolds. He's probably hotter than her date was, so no shame in this game.

"My boyfriend and I broke up a few days after prom, so I decided to 'edit' the photos a little," Dunn wrote in a tweet alongside a few of the new and improved photos. We can hardly even tell they're doctored (OK, we can, but is that really the important thing?).

More: How Is It That Ryan Reynolds Gets Better With Every Interview?

It turns out that Dunn isn't the first person to have this idea. Others have photo-edited celebs like Zac Efron, Channing Tatum, Joe Jonas and Gerard Butler into their couple pics after breakups, and this is a trend we could really get behind.

The great thing about Dunn's situation is that when she tagged Reynolds in her tweet, he actually responded.

"We should photoshop me over his yearbook picture next," Reynolds wrote, along with the hashtag #DontMessWithGabi. All this Canadian solidarity has me fist-pumping over here. Way to be, Reynolds. Way. To. Be.

More: WTF Was Ryan Reynolds Thinking With His Birth Playlist for Blake Lively?

Step down, Blake Lively. It looks like Gabi Dunn is on your husband's potential date radar now too.

Here's something you already knew: Kissing is pretty much the best thing in the entire world — but probably not for the reasons you think. Sure, a good make-out sesh feels amazing and is the ultimate form of foreplay, but turns out kissing actually does a body good. As if you really needed another excuse to smooch.

Behold: all the great reasons you should be kissing someone right now.

1. Burns calories

Sure, kissing may not burn as many calories as, say, running a mile, but it does pump up your metabolism to about twice its usual rate. Most people burn about one calorie a minute at rest, but according to Dr. Sharon Stills, naturopathic physician and author of R.E.D. Alert — Get Real and Heal, kissing burns about 2 to 3 calories per minute. You won't want to skip Zumba in favor of a makeout session, but next time you're lounging around on the couch with your spouse, turn up the heat with some calorie-boosting kisses.

2. Boosts bonding

Whether you're smooching a baby or passionately kissing your spouse, locking lips promotes intimacy and boosts bonding. Dawn Maslar, a biology professor sums it up like this: "When we kiss, both men and women produce the hormone oxytocin. It's often called the 'love hormone' because it causes us (particularly females) to bond." The fact is, we kiss the ones we love, and love the ones we kiss!

3. Spurs arousal and enhances sex

Frequent sex can enhance everything from heart health to your self-esteem, and there's no better primer for sex than kissing! As Carol Queen, Good Vibrations' staff sexologist and founding director of the Center for Sex & Culture, points out, "Kissing is a powerful type of foreplay... it helps increase the chances that both partners will have a good and pleasurable erotic experience."

4. Fights illness

It may sound counterintuitive, but swapping spit is a great way to fend off viruses — especially if all that kissing leads to sex. Research from the journal Medical Hypotheses indicates that women build up immunity against the cytomegalovirus by kissing infected partners. Another study performed at Wilkes University found that study participants who had sex once or twice a week had higher levels of the infection-fighting antibody immunoglobulin A. So if you want to make it through cold season unscathed, it's time to pucker up!

More: You Never Forget Your First Kiss — Here's Proof

5. Makes better marriages

Seriously. It's not just that frequent kissers may have stronger marriages (which is great for mental and emotional health), but kissing can actually help you choose the right partner. When you kiss someone, your body is subconsciously sharing information about your respective immune systems. The technical term is major histocompatibility complex (MHC). Biologically, it's important for partners to bring different immune system genes to the table so that their offspring will have a better opportunity for survival. So if kissing your crush immediately douses the flames of love, you might be able to chalk it up to biological incompatibility.

6. Increases happiness

Kissing releases endorphins, and to quote Elle Woods from Legally Blond, "Endorphins make you happy." Since depression affects an estimated 17.5 million Americans and costs approximately $30 billion each year, why not give yourself a free happiness boost with a little smooching?

Next Up: Decreases pain

Originally published February 2013. Updated July 2017.

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7. Decreases pain

During a heated, heart-racing kind of kiss, your body releases adrenaline, which can actually reduce feelings of pain. Pair that with the similarly pain-reducing endorphins that are released during physical intimacy, and locking lips gives you a double whammy for fighting that nagging headache.

More: Surprise — Period Hormones Don’t Scramble Your Brain

8. Lowers stress

How often do you feel frazzled and exhausted at the end of the day? Blame it on your body's natural response to stress: Dr. Stills points out that "kissing lowers cortisol levels. Cortisol is our stress hormone and it has a negative effect on our immune system, endocrine system and brain health, specifically the hippocampus."

So if you can lower stress and reduce those negative effects by simply stealing a kiss with your partner, do it as often as you can!

9. Saves face

Kissing doesn't just burn calories — it's a workout for your face. If you fear your jowls are starting to sag, try tightening things up with some regular, vigorous kissing. It's the perfect non-surgical prescription to enhance your youthful appearance: safe, free and fun! (OK, so we're not totally sure about this one... but it's worth a shot).

10. Turns up the fun

Speaking of fun, kissing is a blast! According to Gina Cloud, women's health advocate and creator of GinaCology, "There are more than 30 kinds of kisses in the Kama Sutra. Kissing is such an important way of expressing ourselves, and the many different ways we can do it bring it into the realm of creative. With so many ways to kiss and express ourselves through it, fun becomes part of the experience, and fun is a great tool for happiness!"

Technology has blessed us in a million ways, but it's also cursed us a ton, too. All the time we spend hunched over our computers, phones and iPads has left us with tech neck and horrible pain in our shoulders and back. Sure, back pain is nothing new, but the dawn of the internet has taken things to a whole new level.

Which is why a solid back massage is so necessary nowadays. Have you ever stumbled into a Brookstone store at the mall and sat in one of those massaging chairs? Heaven. But they're pretty pricey — as are spas that offer professional massages.

That's where the internet comes to the rescue. It's the whole reason we're in pain, so it might as well lend us a hand in our freedom from back ailments, right? We scoured Amazon for some cost effective at-home back massagers that all have rave reviews, so all of us can finally get some relief.

More: 9 Women on How Meditation Changed Their Lives

If you're in the market for a new back massager — whether to relieve pain or promote relaxation — we've collected some of the best products that real customers swear by.

1. Physix Gear Sport premium massage balls

These durable pressure point massage balls can work out the kinks in your back, but they can also be used on feet, hamstrings, quads, pectoral, biceps & triceps. And out of 838 reviews, they have a solid 4.8 stars on Amazon. (Amazon, $7)

Highlight review: "After using a tennis ball for years, I've finally found the right equipment to deal with my insanely tight muscles and persistent back pain. I use these balls while lying on the floor for the deepest pressure." — Honest Reviewer

2. Shiatsu neck and back massager

This product is a No. 1 best-seller on Amazon and is ideally used in the car to massage your neck. However, this device can be used anywhere on the body and is small and light enough to be portable. (Amazon, $29)

Highlight review: "I love it! I had to buy a second so my husband and I didn't fight over the one. Awesome!" — Amazon Customer

3. Thera Cane massager

This item is also a No. 1 best-seller. The Thera Cane massager has strategically placed projections and ball tips to allow you to massage your own back and neck. (Amazon, $30)

Highlight review: "My husband has always had back aches and would lay on the ground and want me to stand on his back to put a lot of pressure on the spots that ached. ... My husband received this as a Christmas gift and he was ecstatic! He says that he can actually put a lot of pressure on the right spot using this tool. He LOVES it and said that he believes that anyone who gets back pains should own one of these." — Amazon Customer

4. Shiatsu back massager

This back massager is multifunctional (neck, upper back, lower back or abdomen), with four bidirectional pressure nodes. It offers heated massage, and the arm loops allow you to intensify the pressure by pressing down or lightening up. (Amazon, $40)

Highlight review: "I use this every morning due to lower back pain. I wouldn't be able to start my day without it. It is very strong and the heat helps so much. It works the knots out and loosen the muscles to be able to get up and walk. I highly recommend this." — MssWho

Next: 4 more back massagers that customers rave about

Originally published February 2016. Updated July 2017.

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5. 10-Motor massage seat

First, be aware that this massage seat only provides vibration — no roller balls for kneading. But with over 1,300 reviews, this massager is quite powerful and applies heat. It can be used at home or in the office... and it has a car adapter, so you can even use it in your car. (Amazon, $50)

Highlight review: "This one is perfect for relaxing. Everyone fights over using this massage cushion, especially in the winter with the heat settings. We've used it in several different chairs and in the car for the last few weeks and it's comfortable everywhere." — Kindle Customer

6. High-density spiky massage ball

The biggest benefit of this spiky massage ball is that it is extremely durable. The product claims: "You can put your entire body weight onto the Stronger Spiky Massage Ball." You can pretty much use the ball anywhere, from your feet to your shoulders. (Amazon, $12)

Highlight review: "Love this massage ball. I had been using a tennis ball and got this to try instead. I love the spiky nubs that really get into the spots that are sore. I use this up against the wall on my should blade and it is awesome. It is completely solid so if you aren't looking for a good deep trigger point massager, don't get this. I love it!" — Mindy Price

More: Physical Therapy Could Help With Your Unbearable Pelvic Pain

7. Muscle stimulator

Before you run in the other direction at the sight of this thing, know that it is a No. 1 best-seller, with 890 reviews. It provides electricity therapy to stimulate muscles so they can repair themselves back to proper health. (Amazon, $31)

Highlight review: "I used to have to go to the chiropractor to get relief... now, with this great unit, I can do it right at my desk! As other reviews have stated, I too was skeptical of the unit due to the low price but I am happily surprised and grateful. It literally has saved me. Would definitely buy again." — Julie B.

8. Acupressure mat

This Amazon No. 1 best-seller has over 1,400 reviews. It promises back and neck pain relief with its 6,210 acupressure points. This mat claims to help alleviate headaches and migraines and promote relaxation and stress relief. (Amazon, $40)

Highlight review: "Nice functional mat and pillow. Took a little getting used to, but overall satisfied with item. First time I used it wearing a t-shirt on and on a bed mattress, now I use it bare back on hard floor and it's definitely bearable and gives a better tingling effect. The small plastic points are just the right size to push firmly against the skin and providing that acupuncture feel." — R2V

Kesha is back, and with a motherfucking vengeance.

More: Jerry Seinfeld Had Every Right to Deny Kesha a Hug, Internet

The embattled singer released the first single from her highly anticipated album, "Praying," today, and it's a dramatic and show-stopping return to the music biz for Kesha.

The video for the gospel-like ballad begins with Kesha delivering this voiceover: "Am I dead? Or is this one of those dreams? Those horrible dreams that seem like they last forever? If I am alive, why? Why? If there is a God or whatever, something, somewhere, why have I been abandoned by everyone and everything I've ever known? I've ever loved? Stranded. What is the lesson? What is the point? God, give me a sign, or I have to give up. I can't do this anymore. Please just let me die. Being alive hurts too much."

More: Kesha's New Music & Album Teaser Is the Definition of 'Groovy'

She's addressing the battles she's fought over the last five years, both against the man who sexual abused her and her own mind, and her language is more real than most people would be comfortable getting. "Praying" then becomes a powerful anthem of self-love and, surprisingly, forgiveness toward Dr. Luke, the producer who fat shamed and abused Kesha for years. At one point, she sings, "'m proud of who I am/ No more monsters I can breathe again/ And you said that I was done/ But you were wrong and now the best is yet to come/ Cuz I can make it on my own/ I don't need you, I found strength I've never known," and it's clear she's moved past her tortured past.

More: Kesha Writes Essay About Finding Herself & Doing It in the Cruel Public Eye

Kesha also wrote an essay about the song for Lena Dunham's Lenny Letter to accompany the release of "Praying" and to express her gratitude for the support of her fans as well as the soul-baring self-reflection that came from the healing process she's undergone recently. In a poignant excerpt, she writes:

"'Praying,' my first single in almost four years, comes out today. I have channeled my feelings of severe hopelessness and depression, I've overcome obstacles, and I have found strength in myself even when it felt out of reach. I've found what I had thought was an unobtainable place of peace. This song is about coming to feel empathy for someone else even if they hurt you or scare you. It's a song about learning to be proud of the person you are even during low moments when you feel alone. It's also about hoping everyone, even someone who hurt you, can heal."

Read the rest of Kesha's moving essay here.

Wait, do you mean to tell me that this whole Kathy Griffin vs. Donald Trump thing hasn't blown over yet? She shot a photo holding a prop head that looked like the bloody, severed head of the president. It was arguably in poor taste, but still protected free speech. That should have been the end of it, right?

More: Melissa Rivers Is Wrong to Scold Kathy Griffin the Way She Did

Oh. Wait. The president is Donald Trump, someone who is not particularly invested in the preservation of protected free speech. So, that's a "no," I guess.

According to New York Magazine, a Secret Service investigation into Griffin is still ongoing, and she was recently "interviewed by the Secret Service, in-person, for over an hour." Seriously? Do they really think she's an actual threat because of that photo? Don't they have like, actual terrorists to interview?

Griffin lost her job at CNN and a bunch of endorsement deals over the photos, which should honestly be punishment enough. She hasn't spoken publicly about all the backlash since her press conference days after she posted the photos, but her lawyer released a statement arguing that everything she did was within her Constitutionally protected rights.

More: Kathy Griffin Officially Got Herself Fired From CNN for Graphic Trump Photo

"We’re going to fully cooperate with the Secret Service in their investigation," attorney Dmitry Gorin said on Griffin's behalf. "She basically exercised her First Amendment rights to tell a joke. When you look at everything in the media, all the times entertainers make videos or express themselves in other ways, you’ve seen an entertainer, let alone a comedian, be subject to a criminal investigation."

Despite all this, though, at her press conference, Griffin noted that she's not backing down from the president.

"I’m not afraid of Donald Trump," she said at the time. "He’s a bully. I’ve felt with older white guys trying to keep me down my whole life, my whole career."

More: Ellen DeGeneres Is Hollywood's Secret Mean Girl According to Kathy Griffin

Considering how this is still ongoing, we can't help but wonder if she's changed her mind.

I started taking birth control when I was 12 years old, mere months after I got my first period. I was 11 when I got my first period, and the cycle immediately after that was incredibly irregular. My mom and I were told by many doctors that irregularity in menstruation is common in the first years of having your period. We accepted this for some time until the cramps and the bleeding were completely out of control and we ended up touching base with my doctor again. This time I was diagnosed with Von Willebrand’s disease (a milder bleeding disorder).

The diagnosis was possible based on the amount of blood loss that occurred during my periods. Regularly, it was normal for me to miss at least a week of school every month, as my bleeding was so heavy that I couldn’t stand without bleeding through my pants and two maxi-pads. Plus my periods, as well as my inconsolable cramps, would last for nearly half of the month.

More: 5 (More!) Uses for Birth Control That Have Nothing to Do With Sex

With the new diagnosis came instructions to both track my periods and to ask a gynecologist about the pill. So I waddled to my first-ever gynecologist appointment mid-period, my mother in tow, feeling faint from all the blood loss. After assessing me, the gyno prescribed me an oral birth control, Kariva. I daydreamed about a life with regular periods that didn’t stop me from going to school as she wrote the prescription.

Before I left her office, she asked my mom to leave the room (already a red flag) and started a chat with me about “responsibility.” “You know these pills don’t give you a license to have sex, right?” she asked me. I felt a combination of confusion, discomfort and defensiveness. I nodded, saying, “That’s the last thing on my mind.” As a 12-year-old who never thought of being in a relationship, it was true. But that wasn’t quite the point.

As the months went by, I finally saw my period and bleeding become less painful and severe. So I stayed on birth control for years, until I was 18 when I could ensure that my period had become regular on its own. Every year I was on it, I had to be reassessed by a gynecologist to keep taking the pill, and each time, I got the same uncomfortable sex talk. I wouldn’t become sexually active until age 19, so I would always answer these warnings with, “This doesn’t apply to me. I don’t have sex.” This would always be met with a relieved smile and something along the lines of, “Oh good. You’re much too young for that anyway. You don’t have to rush into anything.” When I heard this speech at 18, I dismissed it angrily because of the sex that I wished I were having.

No matter how many times I changed gynos, I’d have the same experience. I had to explain to each doctor that I was only on the pill because of my irregular period and then felt guilty after their slut-shaming praise rained down upon me. What if I were having sex? What if it’s none of their business? What if I were in fact using birth control for what it was intended to be used in the first place: as birth control for sex?

Telling a 12-year-old that birth control pills are not a “license to have sex” is the logical equivalent of schools withholding sex education and condoms with the idea that sex simply won’t happen without them.

Immediately linking hormonal birth control to an active sex life is already an arrogant assumption since thousands of women take the pill to regulate their period first and foremost. Because of the first time I was warned away from sex because I was on the pill, I also feel that sexualizing the use of birth control for a 12-year-old should be prohibited.

Ultimately, all that stigmatizing of the pill gynos did in sessions with me affected my ultimate perception of my sexuality. It made me feel like the fact that I was taking birth control was a dirty, almost burdensome thing; and the fact that I always felt the need to defend that I was only taking it for medical reasons speaks to how I was internalizing all this slut-shaming and fear surrounding my own sexuality.

When I needed birth control to stop my bleeding, cramps and anemia, there was much hesitation on the side of my doctor because I was so young. In their eyes, the pills were going to turn my awkward and pain-filled 12-year-old body into a sex machine. But as it’s been acknowledged for years that the hormones in these pills help treat a variety of conditions in women, birth control pills are not just for sex.

More: 5 Reasons Women Avoid Birth Control (and What You Need to Know About Them)

I didn’t end up needing to use birth control pills after I turned 18 for health or sexual reasons. But if I did need it, I hate the thought of how anxious and ashamed I’d be when trying to get a prescription for them. After all my years of having heavy periods in childhood and being shamed by medical professionals for taking the very drug they were prescribing me, I was taught to be embarrassed of my sexual activity and sexual body. And in the end, all that does is discourage people from having safer sex (no matter what the age), as the same lessons that I learned from my gynos create shame around the very thing that can keep everyone safest and most healthy.

By Sebastian Zulch

Originally published on HelloFlo.

Nut allergies can be incredibly dangerous, especially in children. I mean, most schools don't even let kids bring peanut butter sandwiches to school anymore due to the potential for severe reaction from allergy sufferers. It's a big deal, people!

That's why a recall of Clif Kid Zbars and Clif Builder's bars due to undeclared nuts is so scary. Reportedly, the bars may contain peanuts, almonds, Brazil nuts, cashews, hazelnuts, macadamia nuts, pecans, walnuts or coconuts — basically ensuring that if you have a ground nut or a tree nut allergy, you could be at risk.

More: Oreo & Dunkin' Donuts Teamed Up to Create the Breakfast Cookie of Your Dreams

The recall includes Clif Builder's Bar Chocolate Mint flavor, Clif Kid Zbar Protein Chocolate Mint and Clif Kid Zbar Protein Chocolate Chip flavors. They were sold online and in stores across the U.S. If you own one of the recalled bars, return it to the place of purchase for an exchange or refund. But (unfortunately) that's not the only recall of the day.

More: McDonald's Summer Lobster Rolls Are Back — Here's Where You Can Get One

If you love chicken salad, you may have recently gotten a cruel surprise. Willow Tree Poultry Farm, a supplier for Whole Foods, has issued a recall after accidentally shipping 440 pounds of tuna salad in containers that were labeled "buffalo style chicken salad."

Um, that's a big freaking mistake! Is there anything worse than taking a bite or sip of something thinking it's one type of food only to discover it's another? Here's looking at you, college dorm with water bottles full of vodka. But it's even worse with tuna. I don't need to dig in expecting a yummy bite of buff chick only to get a mouthful of tuna salad. Yuck.

More: We're So Confused by Chobani's New Yogurt

The misbranded tuna salad was sold in 12.5-ounce containers at Whole Foods Market stores in Connecticut, New Jersey and New York. It's a dangerous mistake to make, as many people have seafood allergies and wouldn't have been properly warned by the label.

If you have bought one of these mislabeled products, throw it away or return it to the place of purchase. You can also call Alex Cekala, general manager, at 508-951-8351.

Here's hoping the label errors start getting under control. I mean, listeria contamination is one thing, since the bacteria can thrive so easily in different environments — but mislabeled products? That just seems 100 percent preventable and TBH kinda dumb. Get it together, food production companies!

Postpartum depression: It's something that can affect any woman, even a fab Hollywood badass like Game of Thrones' Lena Headey. In a new interview, Headey discusses how she was dealing with postpartum depression during filming of Game of Thrones' first season. At first, she had no idea why her inner self was suffering — it was such a contrast to her tough-as-nails character, Cersei Lannister. Now, years later, Headey is finally ready to open up about how it impacted her and her work.

More: GoT's Lena Headey & Her Ex Have a Nasty International Custody Battle Going On

"I was postnatally depressed but I didn't know it," she said in a new interview with Net-a-Porter's digital magazine, The Edit. "I saw a doctor for the medical check, and I just burst into tears. She said I was postnatally depressed and I went, 'Am I? Why is that?' I saw a great guy and he sorted me out, but I did the first year [on Game of Thrones] in that space, figuring out motherhood and going through a weird time personally. It was tricky."

More: GoT's Lena Headey Had the Most Awkward Nipple-Involved Fan Encounter Ever

Headey says she has suffered from bouts of clinical depression since she was a teenager and managed it with medication, which she had to stop taking when she became pregnant with her son.

"Then I had postnatal depression, which I didn't realize for a long time," she said. "I went a bit nuts and eventually went to a guy who mixes Western and Eastern philosophy in terms of medicine and he put me on a course of something that changed everything. But I would never want to be dependent [on medication]."

While Headey's choice worked for her — she's reportedly healthy and happy now — medication is a tool that all women who suffer from depression, clinical or postpartum, should consider with the help of a trained medical professional. According to the Centers for Disease Control, this debilitating condition reportedly affects as many as 1 out of 9 women. It's an issue that is slowly being discussed by more women, but Headey's contribution to the conversation through her own honesty about the experience is still very meaningful.

More: Cersei's Game of Thrones Massacre Was Genius — Now the Real War Can Begin

We're glad Headey got her depression under control and that she's still kicking ass on Game of Thrones.

Forget the terrible twos (which outlast the third birthday, for the record) — once your kiddos reach an age where they have an opinion, you’re in uncharted territory. Most of the time, your kids will remind you that you’re the best mom ever (duh), but when maturing hormones or sugar fixes result in spontaneous not-so-nice language, it can be difficult to know how to handle those cruel remarks. While your initial response might to be fight fire with fire, clinical psychologist, parenting expert and author Stephanie O’Leary says learning how to mitigate the conversation without losing your cool is key.

More: 10 reasons it's great to be a scrunchy mom

"The knee-jerk reaction to respond or even say something negative in reply is hard to resist because your child's statement likely shocked you. Going even deeper, it's important to consider that children are very good at identifying parental vulnerabilities and saying things that are powerful because they ‘hit you where it hurts.’ Putting the brakes on your emotions and your verbal response in this situation is hard, but it's definitely the best way to proceed,” she explains.

The first time — or the next time — your child says one of these hurtful statements to you, follow O’Leary’s advice on the best way to make it an educational moment instead of turning it into a big argument.

1. "I hate you!"

Wouldn’t let your preteen gal buy the cut-off shorts she desperately wanted for sleep-away camp? Or cut back on screen time so your soon-to-be middle schooler could get in his summer reading assignments? When a request doesn’t swing in their favor, your child’s love might feel lukewarm. When they say the H-word, though, it’s more about how they're feeling toward themselves and less about their feelings about you. “A child may say, ‘I hate you,’ because they're feeling badly about themselves, because they are struggling to tolerate a limit you set or because you are calling attention to something they would rather ignore, which leads them to feel embarrassed,” explains O'Leary.

More: How to read your kid's body language

In this situation, O’Leary advises taking a deep breath and doing your best to hold your ground, while ignoring the outburst. "Make sure to pay close attention to your body language and facial expressions because bulging eyes and huffy breathing says a lot to kids even when you're not saying a word," she notes.

2. "You’re a bad mom!"

First and foremost, you’re totally not, and don’t forget it. O’Leary says that kids will often be quick to criticize what kind of parent you are when they don’t agree with one of your decisions or you’re not allowing them to do something that they think everyone else their age is doing.

"A great way to respond here that both opens up lines of communication and requires your child to take accountability for his or her words is to say, ‘I know it's hard when I don't give you want you want or disagree with you. I understand you think I'm not a good mom/dad right now,’” she suggests. “This validates your child's feelings in a way that evens out the emotional climate of the conversation because you are not inserting your own strong feelings into the mix.”

3. "So-&-so’s mom is so much better than you!"

You may strive to be the coolest mom on the block, but you also aim to provide the best-quality parenting you can. This might mean that sometimes you’re not exactly the most agreeable or modern (in your kid’s eyes, the parent who says ‘yes’ to every super-fun activity they want to do or try.) But while O’Leary says this statement shows they’re comparing you to another parent, it also could reveal a feeling of inadequacy or vulnerability: "Sometimes kids project their feelings and experiences onto those who love them unconditionally, so tread lightly before you react," she warns.

The key here is to, again, acknowledge their sentiment without arguing. O’Leary suggests saying, "It must be tough to feel that way," with as much sincerity as you can conjure. "Keep in mind that you're not lying. If your child does feel that someone else's parent is better, that's hard. I'm not saying it's true, but your response is both accurate and validating," she says.

4 "I wish you weren’t my mom!"

Ouch. In the heat of the moment when you’re not granting the permission they so badly desire, they might actually wish they 'lived with a better mom.' But really, what they’re saying is, "Mom, I don’t feel like you understand me." Instead of coming back with an equally mean or dismissive statement, O’Leary says to kill them with kindness, saying, 'It must be hard to feel that way, and I love you no matter what.'"

More: Our nomadic lifestyle was the best gift we ever gave our kids

5. "I wish you were dead!"

In this moment, your kid probably feels like he or she has been pushed to their limit and feels out of control and powerless. Because they feel like they can’t change anything about the situation, they want to make sure that you feel trapped too. Here, O’Leary says to focus on respect and understanding even though your feelings are likely shattered. "Calmly say, 'I know you're upset. I want to hear what you have to say when you can use respectful words,'" she suggests. "It's not necessary to require your child to be 'nice' to you, but respectful communication should be a standard and will help your child know he or she can talk about negative things without being hurtful."

It really was no surprise when the news hit that Steve Burton was returning to General Hospital. We predicted the move when he announced his exit from The Young and the Restless last fall. The writing was on the wall for his character, and it made sense that he be written off the show. Now, it looks like Burton's back on top with a return back to his old GH stomping grounds.

More: General Hospital’s Kirsten Storms Reveals Her Battle With Depression

With the current state of daytime ratings in decline, GH is looking for a boost with viewers and the producers hope a Burton return to Port Charles is just the remedy they need. Unfortunately, it seems that his casting is forcing the exit of other cast members.

Rebecca Budig, who signed a new four-year contract last summer, has already exited the series. She shared that her character Hayden Black was being written off the show without much fanfare.

In addition to Budig, contract negotiations with William deVry, who plays Julian Jerome, have reached a standstill as well according to Soap Opera Digest. It's being reported that deVry already filmed his last scenes before the show’s summer break, so there is a good chance he will be gone when the cast returns.

More: DOOL's Camila Banus Responds to Cyberbullies Who Won't Leave Her Alone

“Nobody knew it was maybe his last day,” reported an insider to the soap magazine. “I think we all just assumed there was lots of story planned for ‘Julexis’ [the nickname for Julian and Alexis]."

Other names that are being bandied about for possible exits include Michael Easton (Hamilton Finn), Michelle Stafford (Nina Clay) and Anthony Montgomery (Andre Maddox), but everything is a rumor at this point. Even Daytime Confidential’s Jamey Giddens is questioning GH’s behind-the-scenes moves.

More: General Hospital Is Being Majorly Criticized by Real-Life Doctors

Will this strategy pay off if Burton is the one who is supposed to save the show? It puts a lot of pressure on one actor to deliver ratings and viewers. With the state of television in 2017 and dwindling audiences, let’s hope GH producers know what they are doing.