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Christina El Moussa Says She's Open to Getting Married Again

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Christina El Moussa might be ready to walk down the aisle sooner than we expected. In a new interview with People, one of our favorite HGTV stars got real about her feelings for her current beau, British TV presenter Ant Anstead.

More: Christina El Moussa Says Divorce From Tarek Felt Like "Drowning"

“I can see myself getting married to him. He’s so down-to-earth, and we have so much in common,” El Moussa said. It may help that Anstead’s life is familiar to El Moussa's, with the demands of filming mixed with raising children. “We basically do the same thing, so he gets what my world is like, and he’s just rolled with the punches and handled everything so well,” she added.

Equally important is the fact that Anstead is admired by El Moussa’s sons, Brayden and Taylor. “Taylor asks me questions like ‘When is Ant getting divorced? You need to marry that one,” reported People. That’s a pretty big stamp of approval!

El Moussa and Anstead do seem like the perfect couple and haven’t been shy about expressing their love for one another. They also seem to be reveling in the fact that they’re compatible travel buddies. In the short eight months they’ve been together, they’ve visited Las Vegas, London, South Africa and, most recently, Mexico, where El Moussa posted a beach shot to Instagram.

“Salty hair and toes in the sand with my man @ant_anstead” she captioned the pic, adding an emoji for fire next to his name.


Anstead has been just as open with his feelings. In late June, he posted a photo of the couple visiting Good Morning America so El Moussa could plug a new show in the works at HGTV. It's clear just from this photo that he's so supportive of her. 

“Supporting this truly inspiring hottie today in New York as she announces her all new solo show #ChristinaOnTheCoast coming to @hgtv soon!! Hard working, talented, funny, fun, amazing mum and smoking hot AF!” Anstead wrote alongside fire and heart emoji.

Anstead is in the process of a divorce, but he may be just as ready for marriage as El Moussa is. In the comments of an Instagram photo he posted in April, he added, “I don’t know what the future holds… but right now it’s a joy. An even more of a joy to share.”

More: Which British Royal Gave Christina El Moussa's New Man Dating Advice?

Since they’ve both been through the heartache of divorce, we’re sure these lovebirds are going to take their time and make sure it’s the right decision before they plan a wedding. But they’re so cute together, it would be the icing on the cake to see them exchanging vows. We’ll be patient and continue to wish them all the best.


Serena Williams Is Motivated to Win at Wimbledon for This Reason

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For most people, competing at Wimbledon would be stressful enough even without knowing members of the royal family are in attendance. But most people aren’t Serena Williams, who also happens to be besties with the newest royal, the Duchess of Sussex, previously known simply as Meghan Markle. 

In a press conference Monday, the tennis star was asked whether Meghan would make an appearance at the match this year to watch Williams play. “I don't know, we'll see. If I keep winning," was Williams' response according to Entertainment Tonight. Like we said, no pressure. 

More: Serena Williams Was Asked the Most Annoying Question

No doubt Williams is busy right now with the demands of the competition. But it would only make sense for Meghan to turn up at the match since Williams has made time for her recently. Williams and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, joined Meghan to cheer on Prince Harry at a polo match on Saturday, reported TMZ. And of course, there was that little shindig called the royal wedding, where Williams and Ohanian were granted coveted seats inside the quire according to the Daily Mail. That placed them alongside members of the royal family, just feet away from where Meghan and Harry exchanged vows. 

The two women, who have become our favorite pair of BFFs, met during the Super Bowl in 2010 according to People. Since then, their friendship has only seemed to grow over the years, with both women supporting one another and becoming one another's confidantes. In fact, Vogue recently quoted Meghan in a 2017 profile in which she praised her close friend's parenting abilities, remarking how she was such a natural: "She will be an amazing mom. The very best, because she is so attuned to balancing strength and sensitivity. Plus, given that she is pretty epic at karaoke, I think she’ll put her signature Serena spin on singing lullabies for the baby. I can’t wait for that!" 

More: 31 Celebrities Who Are Having the Best Time at Wimbledon

It’s so refreshing to see two women who are both so down-to-earth really support one another. They're the kind of close friends we’d all love to join for lunch, though these two superstars probably have no time for any of that. There’s little doubt, though, that whether in the stands or watching on TV, Meghan is rooting for her friend to take it all again this week at Wimbledon.

5 Bombshells We Learned About Whitney Houston That We Never Knew Before

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The new documentary Whitney is an emotional roller coaster. Not only is the film an exploration of the demons that haunted singer Whitney Houston, it's also an homage to her artistic genius. We sat down with the Oscar-winning director Kevin Macdonald (The Last King of Scotland, One Day in September) to find out more about the life and death of Houston. 

Surprisingly, when Macdonald was first approached with the possibility of directing this documentary, he wasn’t very interested. "I didn’t really have any sympathy left for her. I sort of liked her music back in the day, but I’d gone off her, like many people, because of this relentless self-destructiveness she had."

It took a conversation with Houston’s longtime agent to change his mind. "I met with her agent Nicole David, who had been with [Houston] for 25 years, and she said, ‘I really want you to make this movie because I loved Whitney, but I never understood her. I think you could help me and lots of other people understand her.’ It was that invitation to go on a quest and do an investigation that got me interested."

Here are five of the bombshells Macdonald found in his investigation. 

1. Sexual abuse

Born in 1963, Houston was raised in New Jersey. Her mother, Emily "Cissy" Houston, was a gospel singer, touring frequently while Whitney Houston and her half-brother, basketball player Gary Garland, went to stay with various relatives, including Whitney Houston’s first cousin, Dee Dee Warwick (sister of Dionne Warwick). In the film, Whitney Houston's aunt and longtime assistant, Mary Jones, says her niece revealed to her that Dee Dee Warwick, who was 20 years older than Houston, molested her as a child. Garland also claims he was molested by Warwick. 

Macdonald thinks the abuse deeply affected Houston, causing her not to have a strong sense of identity. "She doesn’t know who she is, and I think that's because her emotional development stopped at the time of the sexual abuse as a child. I think she really wanted to go back to her childhood, to a time before everything went wrong."

More: Céline Dion Appeared in the Weirdest, Best Music Video of 2018

2. Whitney was bisexual

In the film, it's implied that Houston had a long-term romantic relationship with Robyn Crawford (pictured above left) that is rumored to have continued even after Houston married Bobby Brown in 1992. Houston and Crawford met in 1979 and became more than just friends despite Houston repeatedly denying she was gay. Crawford, now 57, declined to be interviewed for this movie, possibly due to the fact that she is writing her own book about Houston. Macdonald says, "She's the one person who didn't want to appear. She considered it, but declined in the end, and obviously, it’s a big regret and I think maybe led the film to becoming something slightly different than what I thought it would. It made it more about family and the things that families do to each other if they don't sort out their shit." 

3. According to Macdonald, Bobby Brown is an "idiot"

Of course Macdonald wanted to interview Houston's former husband, Bobby Brown. Their 15-year marriage was full of passion, drugs and constant fighting. But the interview with Brown didn't go as Macdonald hoped. When asked about Houston's drug use, Brown says on camera that he would not discuss it. A baffled Macdonald replies to Brown, saying, "It's kind of hard to talk about the last years of Whitney's life without talking about drugs since that's what killed her."

Brown then cryptically says, "Drugs aren't what killed Whitney." Brown doesn't clarify what he means.

Here's what Macdonald says about Brown's interview. "Everyone told me beforehand that Bobby was a really lovely guy. 'He’s a really fun guy, you’re going to like him.' Bobby is usually seen as the villain in this story, but I think, as the movie makes clear — and I don’t want to be rude, but he’s a bit of an idiot — though not a bad person. He came to the interview with all of this protectiveness, but I think he isn’t ready in his life to get rid of all that protectiveness even though I said to him, 'We're trying to do something more open and honest here, and everyone has been very open and honest, and I think you should be.' But when it came to discussing anything controversial, her addiction for instance, he wouldn't go there. He became kind of aggressive about it. I think I left that in where he refuses to talk about things because it gives the audience an idea of what his mentality is — total denial about responsibility or the truth of it." Macdonald makes it clear, though, that he doesn't blame Brown for Houston's death. 

More: Gloria Estefan Has a New Job That We're Totally Here For

4. The unknown detail about Houston's death not in the film

On Feb. 11, 2012, Houston was found facedown in her bathtub at the Beverly Hilton hotel in Beverly Hills. Mary Jones found her after leaving Houston alone to purchase the Sprinkles cupcakes Houston asked her to run out and get. Here's what Macdonald says Jones told him: 

"Mary Jones, Whitney’s assistant, found the body in the hotel suite. She walked in the door and there was water all on the floor. She walked into the bedroom — she said the water came up to her ankles. She walked into the bathroom and there was so much water. Whitney was facedown in the tub, the water was up to the top of the tub but the taps were off. She thinks that someone else found Whitney dead and turned the water off."

Macdonald ultimately decided not to include Jones' account in the film. "I was fascinated by it, but I didn’t put it in the film because I interviewed pretty much everybody who was around those couple of days and they all, at one time or another, had lied to me about something. But to show that they had all been lying, I had to show their contradictions in their stories and it just became a complicated thing and not satisfying for the audience. If you’re going to name somebody, you have to name them and make it very simple." To be clear, Macdonald does not think there was foul play, but Jones' account certainly creates the possibility. 

5. Bobbi Kristina was "thrown to the wolves"

In 2015, Houston and Brown's daughter, Bobbi Kristina, was found facedown in a bathtub at her Georgia home, eerily replicating what happened to her mother. Bobbi Kristina was in a coma for seven months before she died at the age of 22. Her autopsy report says her death was the result of "immersion associated with drug intoxication." 

In the film, Mary Jones says Bobbi Kristina was "thrown to the wolves," possibly because Houston and Brown exposed her to drugs and shady people from a young age. Macdonald thinks their treatment of Bobbi Kristina is unforgivable. "Through understanding Whitney, you can forgive her for an awful lot, and that's why I said to the family, we need to tell the truth. The one thing I find impossible to forgive is what a bad, irresponsible parent she was. The tragedy of that is redoubled when you realize she was just trying to protect her daughter by keeping her with her, taking her on tour with her, but she was exposed to things that children shouldn’t see. Maybe she didn’t want the same thing that happened to her to happen to Krissy."

More: Kelly Clarkson Is So Over Being Pitted Against Carrie Underwood

The film Whitney opens in theaters July 6. 

Audrey Roloff Shamed for ‘Naked’ Photo of Her Daughter

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Oh, no. Here we go again. It seems like poor Audrey Roloff can't do anything right when it comes to sharing photos of life with her baby daughter, Ember, 10 months. We honestly aren't sure what it is about the Little People, Big World star that makes the trolls go wild, as Roloff and her husband, Jeremy, just seem to be doing the normal parenting thing from what we can see. This time around, the trolls pounced on a recent Instagram photo of Jeremy and Ember in which baby Ember is sporting red cowboy boots, a white headband with a bow and a diaper, but no shirt.


MoreAudrey Roloff Worried That Baby Formula Might Be a "Sin"

Roloff even captioned the sweet papa-daughter pic, "If this photo doesn't make your day, I don't what will." Well, if "make your day" means "setting off a sweeping flash fire of incinerating judgment from mommy-shamers around the globe," then that certainly happened. But we think Roloff was hoping for a more positive reaction to the picture. And why not? I mean, people, it's a picture of a chubby baby perched on her adoring father's shoulder. 

And yet, commenters freaked the eff out. “You would think her mother would have put a cute top on her,” said one. Yes, because God forbid Daddy go and figure out which drawer the baby shirts are in. 

Another commenter channeled their inner Victorian ghost: “[Ember] might be cold while dad is wearing a long shirt and long trousers!” Or maybe it's as hot there as it is here, and Dad is actually sweltering and wishing he could wear a diaper with his cowboy boots. You never know.

MoreAudrey Roloff Mom-Shamed Yet Again — & You Won't Believe Why

And don't get us started on the pervert warnings. “Cute photo, but I would have never put my daughter’s pictures on social media without a top. Too many weirdos now a days. You gotta be afraid," cautioned one Debbie Downer.

"She is beautiful no doubt, in my city you get reported if you get a picture like this developed. I have a right to speak my mind, sorry. Maybe I’m old school, my husband and I never took pictures of our daughter unclothed. End of discussion...." griped another.

One commenter complained, "... naked baby not appropriate for social media, maybe private for home not public cover that baby up cute jeans or skirt think of yourself..would u want to be out there naked?"

Fortunately, Roloff also has loyal fans who frequently call out the shamers: "You cannot tell me your kids never walked around in just a diaper. All babies like to be naked. You cannot possibly believe that after this picture was taken that they left her in just a diaper and boots. Come on people."

Another chimed in, "GIVE THESE YOUNG PARENTS A BREAK!! The picture of a very proud Daddy #jeremyroloff & his beautiful daughter, #emberrose is as precious & sweet as one gets. Bringing up pedophiles is too harsh and takes away from the intent of the photo. I see everything sweet in this photo & I'm in a position where I generally see people at their worst; as an Emergency Trauma Surgeon. #audreyroloff you go girl!"

One fan wrote, "I feel so bad for [Audrey], she literally can't catch a break lol. I don't know why people constantly attack everything she does. Look at the comments, people are legit freaking out that the baby isn't wearing a shirt." 

Just look at this happy mama and roly-poly morsel of a baby and breathe, trolls. Everything is going to be OK. We promise.


Seriously, this mom-shaming trend has got to stop, and we'd be happy to see it stop immediately with Audrey Roloff in particular. She is obviously in love with her adorable baby girl and husband. Go save the world if you're so smart, trolls. Leave this Roloff trio alone already.

This New Starbucks Drink Harnesses Everything We Love About Avocados

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Get ready to drop some serious cash on a plane ticket to South Korea! That's the only place in the world you can get Starbucks' latest drink, and it's one we're dying to try.

It's no secret millennials love avocado, and the Avocado Blended is a true love sonnet to the fruit. It's a frozen drink that features creamy blended avocado and yogurt to create what's basically a refreshing smoothie. There are little chunks of real avocado throughout, so you might need a spoon and a straw to finish one.

More: Starbucks Announces Plant-Based Drink Options With New Coffee Smoothies

What makes the drink really special, though, is its presentation. The top of the drink is outlined with a circle of dark green syrup, and plopped right in the center is a chocolate sphere. When viewed from above, it looked just like an avocado cut in half. Yum!

It's not the first time Starbucks South Korea has served up a blended avocado drink. Back in 2015, it was on the menu, but the chocolate pit and green peel are totally new for this year.

Can we all agree that if South Korea can get two blended avocado drinks, we should be able to get at least one stateside? Now that Starbucks in the USA has guac, you know they at least have access to avocados.

More: Starbucks Is Hiking Coffee Prices Even Higher

In the meantime, we've been trying to stave off our cravings by looking at pictures of the drink shared on Instagram.

Yes please!

Literally drooling.


It's almost like taking a sip ourselves... almost.

The Avocado Blended is a seasonal drink, so it'll only be available for a limited time. Best cash in those airline miles now, am I right? 

Jennifer Aniston Is Down-Low Dating Again

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Jennifer Aniston may be fully committed to work, friends and doing her own thing, but now we're getting word that she may be changing her tune when it comes to romance. That is, we thought she had put it squarely on the back burner when it appears she hasn't. Us Weekly reported that the actor has quietly waded back into the dating pool, and this time around, she’s staying away from actors (for now).

A source told the magazine that everything is still “very hush-hush,” which makes sense for anyone who’s recently been through a breakup, let alone a celebrity. Aniston split from her husband, Justin Theroux, five months ago after two-and-a-half years of marriage and seven years together.

More: Jennifer Aniston Isn’t Wasting Time Being Heartbroken Over Justin Theroux Divorce

It should be no surprise that she has two men vying for her attention right now. One is reportedly a “tech titan” who “[R]ecently split from his wife and is trying to win over Jen,” and who was introduced to Aniston by a mutual friend according to Us Weekly. The other gent does work in a creative field but wasn’t reported to be an actor. Rather, he is “an industry creative she met when they started working on a project months ago.” We’ll save you a trip over to IMDb to see what projects she has in development. So far, there are no clues there about who it might be.

Aniston’s friends are reportedly thrilled to see her putting her heart out there again. Although a source told People in late June that “she is very happy being single" and that "she is focused on her own happiness," it makes sense that part of that might come from meeting new people. 

"Jen’s group is excited that she’s dating again. They can hardly keep it a secret when they’re so happy to see Jen moving on,” a source told Us Weekly.

More: Jennifer Aniston Is Making a Netflix Original Comedy, & Seriously, We Can't Wait

Theroux and Aniston seem to have ended their marriage on good terms, which has probably made the transition back to single life slightly easier. In February, they released a statement saying the decision to divorce “was mutual and lovingly made," going on to state: "We are two best friends who have decided to part ways as a couple, but look forward to continuing our cherished friendship." Rumors have swirled of Theroux dating actors like Olivia Munn, Petra Collins and Emma Stone according to In Touch, but nothing has been confirmed by Theroux.

Best of luck to Aniston. Maybe the third time will be the charm.

14 Things You Didn't Know About Ariana Grande

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Regardless of what side of the fence you sit — either one of the super fans who undoubtedly know, and love, everything about Ariana Grande or part of the rest of the public that knows just enough about the pop star — we can all agree that Grande has had quite the past couple years, and she's truly grown from them. 

Not only was she able to organize a benefit concert last summer a mere two weeks after a bombing at her concert at Manchester Arena in Manchester, England, but we've also seen her defend herself, take a stand and become increasingly more and more independent.

We've watched her grow up, make mistakes and learn from them — and the result is a strong, beautiful woman, who's clearly living her best life. (Have you seen her Instagram lately? Her and fiancé Pete Davidson are head over heels in love with each other, it's way too cute.)

Ahead, we've rounded up a few things you never knew about Grande.

More: Our Favorite New Couples in Hollywood

1. Her celeb impressions started way before SNL

We've seen Ariana Grande bust out her best celeb impressions on The Tonight Show and Saturday Night Live, but she was working on her impersonating well before she became a pop star. In fact, she was making webcam clips in her Florida bedroom, doing impressions of her idols, including Britney Spears and Judy Garland. 

Below, watch Grande also do impressions of a crying and laughing baby, Judy Garland and Shakira.

2. She hates homophobia

Grande doesn't understand homophobia, and she strongly feels it has absolutely no place in society.

"I wasn't raised in a household where it was considered abnormal to be gay," she told V Magazine in September 2015. "So for me to meet people who use the word 'faggot' as an insult, with a derogatory meaning, I can't take it. I don't understand it. It's so foreign to me. I was raised in a household where being gay was like, the most normal thing."

She added that even the most traditional members of her family embraced her brother, Frankie J. Grande, when he announced he was gay.

"You know, my brother is gay, all of my best friends are gay. When my brother came out of the closet, it wasn't a big deal for my family. Even my grandpa, who is like, super old-school, was like, Good for you!" she said.

3. But she loves doughnuts

Ariana Grande donut GIF

Like, so much she could lick them. Literally.

Three years ago in July 2015, Grande caught some major heat after she was secretly filmed licking unpurchased doughnuts that were on display in a California doughnut shop. In the same video, she was also heard saying "I hate Americans... I hate America." Did we mention it was Independence Day?

She issued a kinda apology not long after the incident, but not many people were buying it.

4. She's a quotable feminist

Also in June 2015, Grande penned a blog post chock full of super empowering quotables, like "Being 'empowered' is not the same as being a 'bitch,'" "HAVING SOMETHING TO SAY... is not the same as HAVING A BAD ATTITUDE," and "I am tired of living in a world where women are mostly referred to as a man's past, present or future PROPERTY/POSSESSION. I... do not. belong. to anyone. but myself. and neither do you."

Word.

5. She had a supernatural experience

Ariana Grande 'Scream Queens' GIF

While in Kansas City for a performance, Grande and her band decided to go to Stull Cemetery, which is considered in some circles as one of the seven gates to Hell on Earth. There, she had what she described to Complex as a demonic experience

After feeling "sick" and seeing "signs" of demonic presence, Grande "took a picture and there are three super-distinct faces in the picture — they're faces of textbook demons." Before she deleted the pictures, she heard strange noises and whispers and even saw a black mass in her bedroom at night.

6. She's more Streisand than Cyrus

Unlike her hypersexual pop music peer, Miley Cyrus, Grande favors being a bit more demure. "I like Barbra Streisand, and when was the last time you saw Babs getting, like, turnt up? That's kind of the road that I, as a lady, would like to go down," she told Cosmopolitan. She has openly admitted she's "not comfortable enough to be forwardly sexual."

7. She's obsessed with Harry Potter

Actually, Grande is admittedly "a big nerd." Of her hobbies outside of music, the starlet told Complex, "I love Lord of the Rings. I love Harry Potter. I love scary movies. I love dinosaurs, science, aliens, ghosts." She considers herself an old soul, noting that ideal evenings for her involve hanging out in her PJs, singing and watching Harry Potter. Unlike her friends who are partiers, Grande "never really clicked with that."

8. Her nonna taught her how to deal with haters

Like most young celebrities, Grande often has to endure taunts from detractors, particularly on Twitter. "Oh, they're evil as hell!" she laughed in an interview with Cosmopolitan. But she doesn't let it get her down, thanks to some advice she got from her grandmother. "I said, 'Nonna, how do you deal with the jealous ladies at the home where you live?' And she said, 'I don't blame them. I'd be jealous, too.'"

9. She's a reformed Italian eater

Coming from a "stereotypical poker-playing, loud, friendly, food-shoving, loving Italian family," Grande consumed more than her fair share of carbs growing up, but not anymore. "When I was a kid, I was raised to believe a bowl of pasta was healthy and good for you," she explained. "Then I was like, 'Wow, I've been killing myself all these years.'" Now, she says, she only eats "salmon, vegetables and fruits — super-healthy."

10. She's got Miley's back

She may not have much in common with Cyrus personally or professionally, but that doesn't mean she agreed with all of the Miley backlash in 2014. "Miley looks like she is having the time of her life, and I think anybody who's giving her a hard time is wishing deep down they were having as much fun as she is right now," Grande said. "People are being so cruel. I think that's bullying, and she should do whatever the hell she wants."

11. There's a method to her social media madness

Grande is known as a social media maven, often interacting with her fans through Twitter and Instagram. But the pop star has certain rules when it comes to these outlets. A major don't? "Not too many selfies," she told Glamour in 2013. "Space them out — you have to wait a few days in between selfies." She does, however, encourage making your Instagram "look cohesive" and "clean and precise."

12. Her musical inspirations span about six decades

Grande definitely counts some contemporary artists among her musical role models — like India.Arie, Imogen Heap and Frank Ocean — but much of her inspiration also comes from decades past. "My favorite era was the '50s and '60s… the Chiffons, the Shangri-Las," she revealed to The Guardian. "My grandparents played it and I fell in love with it, because it was more about romance and love, and less about getting drunk and going home with someone you don't know."

13. Justin Bieber's manager hooked her up with her ex-boyfriend

Grande is totally open with her fans, so she didn't have any qualms about revealing her relationship with Nathan Sykes of The Wanted via social media. But how did she meet the boy band cutie who, despite being broken up, still holds her in high regard? They met when Sykes was "headhunted" by Scooter Braun — Grande's manager who is, perhaps, most famously the manager responsible for Justin Bieber.

More: All the Hollywood Couples Who Are Engaged Right Now

14. Her domesticity was not inherited

Grande, who loves baking and gardening, says she definitely didn't get her homemaker traits from her mother. "My mom is a CEO and owns a company that manufactures communications equipment for the Marines and the Navy, so she's not really the housewife type, if you get what I'm saying. She's the most bada**, independent woman you'll ever meet — not the cookies-in-the-oven type."

5 Ways Massages Can Really Help Your Workouts

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Aaahhhh, massage. Just the word alone conjures up images of scented oils and blissful relaxation. But did you know that massage can help make working out better too?

Turns out massage isn't just a luxury you splurge on at the spa. It can also seriously boost your workouts so you're getting the results you want.

"Some kind of massage for people who work out is vital," Kimberly Dawn Neumann, an American Council on Exercise-certified fitness instructor at Equinox gyms in New York City, tells SheKnows. "You don't have to destroy your body to have the body you want. Taking care of it and being kind [to yourself] has its own benefits."

Here are five ways massage can help improve your fitness routine.

More: How to Give Yourself An Awesome Foot Massage

1. It enhances your post-workout recovery

A good, therapeutic massage helps loosen up your muscles after an intense workout, which in turn allows you to recover from the impact better and faster than you normally would. "You spend your time tightening and toning your muscles doing weight work and they start to feel like they're going to snap, they just get so tight," says Neumann. "Massage helps restore some pliability."

2. It soothes the pain of sore muscles

Those muscles can really ache after you put them through the ringer at the gym or while pounding the pavement during a run. But, massaging and stretching them can help work out the knots, flush out the toxins that contribute to the "ouch" factor and get the blood flowing again so they don't hurt so much. According to a 2012 study in Science Translational Medicine, massages helps reduce inflammation and help cells recover.

3. It makes your muscles work better

Regular exercise not only puts a strain on your muscles, ligaments and tendons, but it also messes with those connective fibers under the skin known as your fascia — which help the muscles work smoothly and efficiently when they're in good shape, according to Neumann.

"The fascia can get really gunked up with repeated exercise, and that makes it harder for muscles to slide past each other easily," she says. Massage helps by loosening up those fibers so the muscles are doing what they're supposed to with much less effort. And then, bingo! Your workouts get a nice boost.

4. It can increase flexibility

"Massage can help loosen up the muscles and restore some flexibility," Neumann says, adding that for most people, flexibility starts decreasing at the ripe old age of 12. "Unless you continually stretch to keep your muscles lubricated, you will get stiffer with age." But a massage, especially one that includes some stretching exercises, can reverse at least some of that process and give you back a bit of the incredible flexibility you had as a kid.

5. It helps you feel better, mentally

"If you're just beating yourself up with high-intensity classes or weight training, that's not going to be completely beneficial," Neumann explains. "Massage can give you a nice balance with the happy endorphins from working out. It's a cortisol reducer as well — a stress reliever."

She says the best workouts are those combining exercise with what she calls self-care.

"Instead of saying, 'I'm going to get the best body, damn it,' and push push pushing yourself, remember to give yourself care. Massage can be a nice part of that," Neumann says. "You need both the exercise and the maintenance. That's part of a well-rounded fitness regimen."

Makes perfect sense and sounds great... in theory. But, what if you don't have the budget for regular professional massages by a therapist or at a spa?

Neumann suggests hitting up your significant other if you have one who's willing. Otherwise, there are plenty of ways to do little massages on yourself using foam rollers, tune-up balls and other fitness accessories you can buy for a lot cheaper than booking a weekly massage. You can also just use your hands to work out the knots in the spots you can reach.

More: 9 Top-Rated Back Massagers People Swear By

"Many of those will have the same effect from a muscle standpoint," she says. "You won't have the same relaxation or the benefits of healing touch, or the fun spa part of it. But you will actually be keeping your muscles in top shape by using some of those self-massage methods."

So, what are you waiting for? After your next workout, hit up your guy for a nice back-and-shoulder rub, book a deep-tissue appointment at the local day spa or DIY a massage if you're feeling adventurous. You'll get a lot more out of all that exercise and feel much better in the long run.

A version of this article was originally published in July 2015.


Josh Duhamel’s New GF Might Have Accidentally Posted a Nude Video of Him

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We've all accidentally posted something on social media that might have been a bit too risqué, but when a celebrity does it, they can't erase it fast enough to prevent curious eyes from congregating. That's exactly what happened when Josh Duhamel’s new girlfriend, Eiza González, was trying to post a body-positive video to Instagram and just might have accidentally revealed her man in the buff. Oops.

More: Everything We Know About Eiza Gonzalez, Josh Duhamel’s New Girlfriend

González was sharing a short video of herself in a bikini earlier this week when this accidental slip apparently happened. She captioned the since-deleted Instagram post with the encouraging message: "Feel comfortable in your own skin. No one can take that away from you.” It’s a perfectly gorgeous sentiment, and it would seem like every viewer would be transfixed by González’s body. But some eagle-eyes quickly noticed a reflection of a man, assumed to be Duhamel, taking his pants off and turning toward the camera according to Us Weekly. A potted plant reportedly kept the post from going NSFW, but González quickly deleted the video and reposted a cropped version.

The accidental video was taken during the couple's vacation in Mexico, where they were seen on Saturday kissing and cuddling on a boat near the Yucatán Peninsula according to Entertainment Tonight. They were also seen exchanging kisses during dinner in Sherman Oaks, California, in June, as reported People. That came just a few days after they went public with their relationship.

More: Fergie Explains Why She & Josh Duhamel Finally Announced Their Split

It wasn’t that long ago that the couple first met at an after-party for Jennifer Lopez’s pre-Super Bowl concert according to Us Weekly. A source told the publication that he reached out to a mutual friend for her number, and since she’s working in England right now, “they’ve been FaceTiming and texting nonstop.” Another source told People, “Their relationship started slowly, but lately, they are spending more time together. They seem very happy.”

They certainly make a cute couple, and maybe they are ready to share their love with the world. But may we recommend, perhaps, they should still keep some things private.

Alex Rodriguez's Kids Are Jennifer Lopez's Biggest/Littlest Fans

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Alex Rodriguez and Jennifer Lopez are still going strong — and they're looking more and more like a blended family every day. On Monday, Rodriguez posted a shot of himself on Instagram, posing with his older daughter, Natasha, 13, and a girl who is either his younger daughter, Ella, or J.Lo's daughter, Emme, 10 (she's facing away from the camera, so it's tough to tell). Check out those sweet personalized jerseys.


The girls are wearing Yankees jerseys emblazoned with A-Rod's number, 13. But the younger girl's jersey also says "J-Lo."

MoreA Timeline of Jennifer Lopez & Alex Rodriguez's Romance So Far

Rodriguez and Lopez have been dating — and sparking marriage rumors — for more than a year, and their kids (two girls for Rodriguez, a boy and girl for Lopez) seem to adore spending time together as well. Rodriguez told Entertainment Tonight that Lopez is a true role model to his two girls. "She's the hardest working lady and, you know, I grew up with a single mother," he said. "I have two daughters. I am a big, big promoter of women [sic] equality." 

Rodriguez also posted this gem on Instagram, captioning it simply, "My girls":


Lopez also posted a sweet candid of the couple snuggling with their kids in June:


According to Lopez, she's not ruling out marriage, but she's happy with the way things are right now between her and Rodriguez.

More: Jennifer Lopez Reveals the One Thing That Could End Her Relationship With Alex Rodriguez

“I do believe in marriage,” she told Harper’s Bazaar in March. “And I would love to grow old with somebody in a committed relationship. But I’m not forcing anything right now.”

On the subject of her beau, she added: “It’s good, it’s healthy; we communicate well. We understand each other’s lives in a way that most other people couldn’t.” This Vanity Fair video of the two answering rapid-fire questions together on the magazine's Facebook page is pretty much the sweetest thing.

 
We're totally 'shipping these two. They seem to be a match made in heaven. And if they ever do marry, hey, that will be America's equivalent of a royal wedding, right?

It's Not Your Imagination — Summer Can Really Increase Your Sex Drive

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Everyone feels it this time of year. The weather’s warmer, the sun’s brighter, and all of a sudden, you’re feeling… lusty. 

Summertime is often associated with being the season of love — or at least a fling (“Summer lovin’ had me a blast,” anyone?) — and it turns out, science can actually explain why we feel all hot and bothered once the temperatures increase. 

It's in the air

For starters, there’s the link between warmth and intimacy. When we feel warm, we are more likely to feel connected with those around us. 

“Research on embodied cognition shows that even holding warm beverages increases perceptions of social proximity,” Dr. Jess O’Reilly, sexologist and host of the Sex With Dr Jess podcast tells SheKnows. “And when we feel socially isolated, we perceive the temperature as colder. Because temperature and feelings of intimacy are psychologically related — studies show that altering one can affect the other — and because we tend to associate sex with intimacy, you may feel an increase in desire for sex during the summer months in response to feelings of intimacy and closeness.”

Another reason? It’s sunny outside. 

“Sunlight has the potential to increase serotonin levels, which can boost your mood and leave you feeling more energized and frisky,” O’Reilly explains. And longer days tend to mean more social engagements — aka more opportunities to flirt with new love interests — and “warmer weather may increase attraction, as you’re more likely to bear skin,” she adds. 

More: The Libido Drug for Women Is Back — But Don't Call it "Female Viagra"

But there’s some disagreement that “sun’s out, skin’s out” may attract more sex. 

“Interestingly, research shows that the naked body is more captivating in winter months,” Dr. Carla Marie Manly, a clinical psychologist, tells SheKnows. “This is thought to be due to the scarcity of bare skin in colder months. During summer months, shorts, bikinis and sundresses are common. Given the frequency of bare-skin visual landscape, the human mind becomes somewhat acclimated to revealing clothing.”

Meaning while a sexy bikini worn in the summer will definitely turn some heads, the same bikini worn during a winter vacation might get an even stronger reaction.

This theory lends itself to a 2013 study done by researchers at Villanova University, which revealed the most sex-related Google searches are in June and July — as well as in December and January. So, basically, as much as we’re feeling lusty during the summer, we are also feeling horny during the colder months. 

The timing of both is significant. A 2002 study in the Journal of Marriage and Family found that the two seasonal peaks in the onset of sexual and romantic activity among adolescents occurred in the early summer months — June and July — and during December. Not surprisingly, the researchers found that summer romances were more often of the fling variety, while those involved during the winter had a preexisting history, which further explains the cuffing season phenomenon. 

Chemical attraction

In general, however, “humans are often lusty during summer months,” Manly says. “Summer brings more daylight hours and often vacation time. The increased amount of playtime often reduces stress and pressure. When we feel less stressed, we often become more interested in play and passion."

On a physiological level, Manly says we're flooded with feel-good neurochemicals when we engage in fun activities. These benefits increase in the summertime because of increased exposure to sunlight and nature, she adds.

Getting healthy

Summer months also often bring out the desire to work out and eat healthier, which naturally boosts our libido. 

“Exercise is one of the most effective ways to boost sexual desire, as it can increase testosterone levels as well as heighten confidence and desirability,” O’Reilly explains. “Eighty percent of men and 60 percent of women who exercise two to three times per week feel sexier, and those who get their sweat on four to five times per week rate their sex lives as higher than average.” 

As for how to work with all that pent-up sexual energy, O’Reilly suggests a couple of things. First, “Get outside,” she says. “Pack a blanket, condoms, lube or even a tent for a day hike that will get your adrenaline pumping and prime your body for sex al fresco.”

Also, try having sex in the morning when the temperature and hormone levels are in your favor. Despite the potential to have hotter, more frequent sex in the summer, some suggest testosterone levels may actually decline during warmer months, so O'Reilly recommends taking advantage of the morning testosterone high.

More: These Things Could Behind Your Low Libido

Another reminder, and probably the most important of all? Don’t get discouraged by the thought that your summer fling necessarily has to have an expiration date. 

“The fun doesn’t have to end when autumn arrives,” Manly notes. “Any romance — when it is built of the basics of honesty and respect — can continue to grow after the fling stage fades. All it takes is two partners who are both invested in having the delight of summer last well into the future.”

Emirates Is Having a Huge Independence Day Sale, but You Need to Act Fast

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Can we all just agree that flying on Emirates is total #TravelGoals? They're the most luxe airline around, and we can't stop dreaming about it. Not only do they have a lounge on their planes so swanky travelers can drink in style, but some of their planes even have private suites with showers so you can clean off that airport grime while you're still in the air. But traveling in pure luxury comes with a price. Like $19,000 round-trip for a first-class ticket! Luckily, Emirates has great amenities in coach too, and they're having a huge Fourth of July sale. This might just be your time to fly like the star you know you are.

More: A Look Inside Some of the World's Most Luxurious Plane Cabins

The Independence Day sale features deals on fall travel from any of their U.S. travel hubs to some 91 destinations worldwide. Sample fares include $549 to Milan, $649 to Athens and $899 to Bangkok in economy, and if you want to upgrade to business class, you're looking at fares starting at $3,529. Still pretty steep, but it's cheaper than usual! The sale is running now through July 8.

If you want more than just a flight, you might want to take advantage of another Emirates Independence Day deal. They sell all-inclusive vacation packages, and there are some surprisingly great prices you can take advantage of during the sale.

How about a seven-night trip to the Maldives for just $1,645 per person (which includes your flights)? Or a resort in Mauritius in a room with an ocean view for $2,209 per person, which includes all meals, drinks and activities like snorkeling and water skiing? It might be the time to finally pull the trigger on your dream vacation.

More: 11 Affordable 4th of July Destinations to Take the Whole Family To

You can see all of Emirate's vacation deals here and check prices on flights here. But you'd better act fast — these deals expire at midnight on July 8.

Got a Cranky Baby? Your Breast Milk May Be to Blame

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You’ve fed your baby, changed two wet diapers, rocked kiddo to sleep and carried them around the house with you all afternoon... but they're still fussy. It seems like nothing makes them happy or content. In fact, they seem downright uncomfortable.

While all babies are fussy from time to time (hello, witching hour), and growth spurts can cause frequent crankiness, there’s a point when that fussiness can begin to seem atypical. (Like when it goes on... and on... and on... without relief.) You might wonder if there’s a problem, and if you’re breastfeeding, you might even wonder if the problem is you.

Adults get gassy and uncomfortable when we eat something that doesn’t agree with us, so if your baby is miserable, it’s easy to assume your breast milk is the reason. You are your baby’s primary food source, after all. Could your baby really be allergic to something in your breast milk? How can you tell normal infant fussiness from real discomfort? And if the problem is actually your breast milk, what the heck are you supposed to do about it? Read on for the latest from the experts.

More: The Benefits of Breastfeeding — for You, Not Just the Baby

What’s considered “typical” fussiness?

“Most babies have fussy periods, especially in first few months of life,” pediatrician Phil Boucher, who practices in Lincoln, Nebraska, tells SheKnows. “Some babies have fussy times of day that parents can predict, and during those periods, the parents are meeting the child’s needs but they continue to fuss. We don’t know why that is other than they spent nine months in the womb, and now they’re in a totally new environment.”

This newborn baby existential angst is commonly referred to as the “fourth trimester” of pregnancy, a term coined by popular pediatrician and author Harvey Karp (who wrote The Happiest Baby on the Block, one of the most recommended parenting tomes around). Karp argues that new parents can alleviate much of the distress newborns experience by simulating a womb environment through things like swaddling, shushing and white noise.

Assuming you’ve been doing all that and your baby is still a total disaster, it’s worth checking in with your pediatrician to see what’s up.

“A child that gets my attention,” Boucher explains, “is one that’s fussy 24-7, day and night. They might also be fussy during feedings, not growing appropriately and really throwing up — not just spitting up — a lot of their feedings, so they’re not getting enough calories.”

What could be the problem?

“Dairy and wheat are the two big [triggers], and soy and corn can also be problematic,” Leigh Anne O’Connor, an international board certified lactation consultant from New York City, tells SheKnows. “But the truth is, depending on the person, anything could [cause a reaction]... I really hate to go there with parents because they feel like they can’t eat anything. People like to put restrictions on nursing mothers, but it’s mostly unfounded.”

It’s important to note, says Boucher, that true food allergies are rare in babies under 6 months of age. If a baby is having a reaction to something in the mother’s breast milk, it would likely be categorized as a sensitivity or an intolerance, not an allergy.

“An allergy is when the body has an immune response to a given antigen, [for example] milk, peanuts or eggs,” says Boucher. “The body makes antibodies against those proteins and causes a reaction, like vomiting, breathing difficulty or rash. But some babies just aren’t as good at breaking down different components, like the protein and sugars found in milk, which can cause gas and discomfort.”

In those cases, a baby likely has an intolerance, not an allergy; while intolerances are slightly more common — affecting 1 to 5 percent of babies, says Boucher — they’re also somewhat harder to identify and diagnose.

“It’s often how parents perceive the baby’s fussiness and discomfort that leads us to believe they have a sensitivity,” he says.

Signs & symptoms to look for

In addition to being fussy all the time and having feeding or weight-gain issues, a baby with a dietary intolerance may also have skin rashes or eczema and blood in their stool.

“A baby’s stool can run the whole gamut of color and texture: mucousy, stringy, seedy, yellow and green and brown and any color in between,” says Boucher. “Parents bring in a lot of diapers for me to look at, and almost all of them are normal. The ones that get my attention are the ones that have persistent blood in the stool.”

A family history of food allergies or intolerances is also usually taken into consideration when diagnosing a problem, Boucher says.

Other explanations

Sometimes, a baby’s discomfort is related to his feedings or mom’s breast milk — but not because he has an intolerance to something in her diet.

“Sometimes, it’s a structural thing, like a misalignment in their body that affects digestion,” says O’Connor. “When I’m working with a family, we look at tongue function, because if a baby’s tongue isn’t functioning well and they’re sucking air [that can cause gas]. Torticollis from the birth or in-utero position... can also really affect the baby’s mood, comfort and feedings.”

According to Connecticut Children’s Medical Center, torticollis (i.e., stiff neck) is a common newborn affliction, affecting boys and girls equally, and typically resolves with simple interventions performed at home. A certified lactation consultant can help a baby with torticollis or other feeding problems by suggesting alternative nursing positions that increase the baby’s comfort, like side-lying.

Another potential problem is the actual volume of breast milk (i.e., oversupply). Since a large milk supply will be higher in foremilk — which La Leche League notes is higher in lactose — it can cause discomfort.

“One thing I like to do before moving on to dietary changes is make sure that the mother’s milk supply isn’t too strong,” Boucher says. “If it is, we can mitigate that so the baby gets both foremilk and hindmilk. Hindmilk doesn’t have as much lactose, is more filling and doesn’t make babies as fussy, typically.”

It’s definitely an intolerance... now what?

If you’ve worked with your baby’s pediatrician to troubleshoot other solutions, and your baby is still fussy around the clock or displaying other signs of an intolerance, it’s time to start testing that theory. O’Connor and Boucher both recommend parents keep a diary to identify what food(s) might be triggering discomfort and then begin a trial of elimination lasting 1 to 2 weeks.

If eliminating a particular food seems to have helped, O’Connor recommends reintroducing the food for one day to see if problems crop up again. If they do, that’s reasonable evidence to suspect your baby can’t tolerate that food right now.

Before you fall into a pit of despair over having to give up dairy or gluten until your baby weans off breast milk, take heart; if it’s an intolerance, your child may be able to handle increasing amounts as he or she gets older.

“Every month or so, reintroduce a little [of that food] and watch your baby, because a lot of the time it’s short-lived,” says Boucher. “You don’t always have to abstain from that food for a whole year or more.”

Even for true food allergies, there’s a bright side: The American Academy of Pediatrics estimates that about 80 to 90 percent of egg, milk, soy and wheat allergies go away by the age of 5, and while the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology is more conservative with their estimates, the prognosis is still good.

More: Do You Really Have to "Pump & Dump"?

What to keep in mind

Though some babies genuinely do have an intolerance to something in their mother’s breast milk, it’s probably less likely than you think — and trying to pinpoint what the problem is (or focusing on the existence of a “problem” in the first place) may put unnecessary anxiety on parents.

“Before making any sort of plan to change what [a mother is] doing, I like to review in-depth what the normal expectations are for fussy babies,” says Boucher. “Sometimes, the baby’s fussiness is just a little outside normal but there’s nothing wrong. I hate to add to maternal stress and guilt [by implying] they’ve been doing something wrong all this time when the fussiness is actually within the scope of normal.”

If your baby does have an intolerance, you have two choices: Eliminate that food from your diet until your baby can tolerate it or is no longer breastfeeding, or switch to formula (which may or may not need to be hypoallergenic, so check with your baby’s pediatrician).

You have to decide what’s right for you. If cutting out the problematic food is a hardship, consider formula; if you don’t want to give up breastfeeding, make sure you read food labels, inquire at restaurants about ingredients and food-prep protocols and hit up the internet for the best allergen-free recipes (coconut milk ice cream, anyone?).

This Is Why Miranda Lambert Won't Talk About Her Album

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It has to be hard for an artist to let their work stand on its own and make no comment about it, but that’s the conscious choice Miranda Lambert made with her latest album, The Weight of These Wings. What’s really unusual is that she's let that happen for two years, since the album was released in 2016. Now, she’s explained why she made that decision, in part two of her first real interview since entering the studio to record the album. (We covered part one here.)

More: Miranda Lambert’s Love Life May Have Just Gotten More Complicated

The outlet she chose for her first interview was Hits Daily Double, and her reason for avoiding the media following the album’s release makes so much sense. “It was going to be hell, and I’d already been through hell,” she said, referring to her divorce from Blake Shelton, which inspired the album. “It was hell putting it on paper, putting my words on paper. So I didn’t want to rehash.” 

After the album was released, she thought it was safe to get back into the media waters and began to schedule interviews. She quickly discovered it wasn’t going to be all about the music. “When the music was out, people had listened, I got on the phone for the first interview. First question was, 'How do you feel about Gwen [Stefani]?' I hung up. I told [my manager] Marion [Kraft], I just can’t do this.” And she hasn’t until now.

More: Don’t Expect Miranda Lambert to Go Into Details About Her Dating Life on Twitter

That’s an understandable choice, but a unique one in an industry in which supporting and promoting work is just as much a part as creating it. But not only did Lambert want to avoid reliving the heartache, she genuinely felt that the double record could stand on its own. “I’d finally gotten to a place where I wasn’t sad anymore. All the sad moments were there, all the truths were right in those songs. All you had to do was listen. I didn’t need to say anything.”

Lambert also discussed her decision to use writing as part of her therapy and set down on paper all the emotions she had about her breakup. “I remember telling [producer] Frank [Liddell] right before I started writing… I remember saying. 'I’m about to feel a lot. I’m ready to feel every bit of it, and I’m gonna use all of it.' And he said, 'I’m in.' I didn’t even know really what all it was gonna take to come out of it, but I was gonna feel it. And I was gonna come out alive. Hungover a lot, maybe, but I was gonna get through it.” The effort has paid off. The album won album of the year at the ACM awards and was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. 

More: Miranda Lambert’s Feelings Toward Gwen Stefani Are Quite Unexpected

Putting everything down on paper has probably helped Lambert move on personally. Soon after her divorce from Shelton, she began dating singer Anderson East. They broke up earlier this year and a source told Us Weekly in May that she’s now dating Evan Felker, singer for the Turnpike Troubadours. His band is opening for Lambert on her current U.S. tour.

We have to respect Lambert’s choice; a tough one in an industry in which the attention moves on in a hot second. But we’re also really glad to see her back.

Kevin Spacey Is in Even More Hot Water After New Allegations Surface

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Kevin Spacey has been laying low since multiple allegations of sexual assault were made against him, both in the United States and in the U.K., beginning in October 2017 with actor Anthony Rapp's allegations as told to BuzzFeed. While three allegations are already being investigated in the U.K., an additional three have been taken on by Scotland Yard, Variety reports, for a total of six allegations currently being investigated.

More: There’s Major Backlash to Kevin Spacey’s New Movie Coming Out in July

According to Variety, the most recent allegation was made by one man in April who says Spacey sexually assaulted him in Westminster in 1996. Two other allegations were made in February by two different men, with one man saying Space sexually assaulted him in Lambeth in 2008 and the other man saying Spacey sexually assaulted him in Gloucester in 2013. 

Variety reports that each of these allegations is being investigated by the Child Abuse and Sexual Offences Command of the Metropolitan Police. No details have been released about the nature of these new allegations at this time.

The initial investigation was begun by Scotland Yard in November 2017 after the 2008 allegation. Yet another Lambeth-based sexual assault allegation was brought forward by another man shortly thereafter, that one occurring in 2005. The final allegation of these first three related back to a 2005 case based in Westminster.

More: Kevin Spacey Will Seek Treatment Following His Sexual Assault Allegations

Spacey has not commented on these allegations, nor has he released any statements recently about any of the numerous allegations or ongoing investigation. 


It's Possible to Feel Less Overwhelmed — Here's How

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It happens to the best of us: We take one look at our calendar or planner and immediately feel overwhelmed by everything we have to do. We live in a society that encourages us to take on as much as possible, so feeling consistently overwhelmed may seem unavoidable — but it's not, and luckily, there are ways to feel in control of our to-do lists (and no, they don't involve abandoning all our responsibilities and heading for the hills).

"Feeling overwhelmed causes stress, which is not only bad for your mental health, it’s also not good for your physical well-being and can lead to difficulty sleeping, digestion problems, increased heart rate, feelings of anxiety and other health concerns,” Dr. Prakash Masand, a psychiatrist and the founder of the Centers of Psychiatric Excellence, tells SheKnows. “The good news [is] there are plenty of ways to take control and feel less overwhelmed.”

More: This Breathing Technique Can Calm You Down in 5 Minutes or Less

Break it down

In order to feel less overwhelmed, Masand says it's key to break tasks down into smaller steps. During a busy day or week, take your eyes off the big picture and focus on one task at a time. "When you do this, your brain sees organization instead of chaos," Masand explains. 

Ask for help

It's also important to remember that it's more than OK to ask for help during busy, stressful times. Masand suggests asking a close friend or family member if they have a few hours to spare. "If not, there are plenty of people or concierge services that you can hire without breaking the bank to take on some of your tasks," he says. 

More: Things That Happen to Our Bodies When We're Stressed

Pinpoint the cause

It's also important to get to the bottom of what is causing you to feel overwhelmed, Dr. Eliza Belle, licensed psychologist, tells SheKnows. "'Overwhelmed' usually comes after an influx of things going on at one time [that] is difficult to manage mentally, physically and emotionally," she explains. "Everything is lumped together, and it becomes hard to know where to begin eliminating the stress."

Belle suggests thinking about the usual suspects that cause us to feel overwhelmed, such as work, love, home, family and school. Then, it's time to prioritize setting limits in the area that is overwhelming you the most. "Say no where possible and if that is difficult for you, set reasonable limits at the outset with the people involved in your life," Belle says. 

More: 15 Mindful Ways to Make Stress Take a Hike

Don't forget self-care

Masand also emphasizes the importance of self-care — and he notes that it's not selfish to put yourself first when necessary. "You can’t serve others until you take care of yourself first," he says. Masand recommends carving time out each day to relax and recharge, whether it's by engaging in a favorite hobby or simply sitting in a quiet space and relaxing.

Belle says that although it's hard to imagine enjoying hobbies and downtime when you're overwhelmed, it's key to "mix in responsibilities with personal fun and leisure... Experiencing pleasure gives you energy and relaxes your mind." 

If you find yourself in a constant state of feeling overwhelmed, and you're struggling to find coping mechanisms, give therapy a try. "A private, unbiased place to talk through issues you may be unaware of could be both comforting and relieving," Belle says. "A therapist could assist with creating strategies tailored to your unique issues to help manage stress." Therapy can also help you identify the origins of deeper issues that may be contributing to your stress levels. 

Although we're all bound to feel overwhelmed once in awhile, we don't have to live every day feeling that way. Engaging in self-care and not being afraid to put yourself first can go a long way when it comes to achieving your goal of feeling less overwhelmed. 

Katharine McPhee & David Foster’s Past Connection Is Jaw-Dropping

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On Tuesday, Katharine McPhee and David Foster's engagement took headlines by storm. As surprising to some as these two getting engaged might be, just wait until you hear about one of their past connections.

More: Katharine McPhee & David Foster Are Definitely Dating & Packing on the PDA

Per E! News, McPhee and Foster first met on her season of American Idol in 2006. But that's not the shocking link between these two we're talking about. Are you ready for this? As pointed out by Us Weekly, Foster played piano at McPhee's first wedding to Nick Cokas. Say what, now? 


At the time of McPhee and Cokas' marriage in 2008, People magazine shared photos from their wedding, and in one image, you can see Foster on the piano. As reported by People, he tickled the ivories as she sang Natalie Cole's "Unforgettable." Cokas also serenaded McPhee, but it's unclear if Foster played piano for him too.

More: Katharine McPhee & David Foster Confirm They're Dating, but There's a Catch

Whatever the case, it's definitely shocking to hear Foster was not only in attendance at McPhee's first wedding, but that he actually performed. Granted, she probably thought of Foster after they met on American Idol. Plus, he's an accomplished music producer and songwriter. But to think about him playing at her first wedding and now they are getting married to each other — it's definitely something.

All that said, it's important to remember McPhee's wedding was 10 years ago, so a lot has changed since then. Both she and Foster have grown and experienced life separately. McPhee and Cokas divorced in 2016. Foster was previously married four times with his latest marriage to former Real Housewives of Beverly Hills star Yolanda Hadid ending in 2015. 



McPhee's rep confirmed their engagement to multiple outlets Tuesday. The happy couple also announced their news on social media. McPhee shared a hilarious GIF of Ariana Grande at the 2017 Billboard Music Awards showing the singer asking, "And what about it?" She also accompanied her tweet with a diamond ring emoji. 

More: David Foster Is Wasting No Time Moving on From Yolanda Hadid

McPhee also posted a screenshot of her text message conversation with Just Jared's founder Jared Eng on Instagram. She captioned with a heart, a diamond ring and a smiley face emoji and added, "cc: @jaredeng." Based on the screenshot, Eng texted McPhee, "Well he did a mighty fine job with the ring. So beautiful and classic." He continued asking, "How did he know your ring size?? And where did he do it?? And did he get down on one knee??"

McPhee only shared a few details of the proposal. "He did it at the top of this mountain in Anacapri [in Capri, Italy]," she texted Eng. "Totally dark only stars. Thankfully he didn't push me off the cliff. He said it was one or the other. And in the end he spared me. [crying laughing emoji]."

As for Foster, he simply posted an Instagram of the two on their luxurious European vacation (as seen above) and captioned it, "Yup!!"

More: These Long-Term Celebrity Couples Love to Show PDA

However you may feel about Foster and McPhee performing together at her first wedding, all that matters is their happiness.

How I Found Myself After My Mother's & Son's Suicide Attempts

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There are no words to describe the feelings that washed over my body when the phone rang and I heard, “Your mom’s in the hospital; she took a lot of pills and her organs are close to shutting down.” Or when I walked into the laundry room in my house and found my 16-year-old son standing with a chair in front of him and a cord in his hands. I went blank. Then I thought, "Oh, God, not in my house." Maybe that wasn't the best parenting thought, but you really can’t control what happens when you come face-to-face with your biggest fear. 

There have been three times in my life when I had to face suicide attempts: two by my mom and one by son. That's three times I’ve sat in a hospital trying to keep it together. Watching my mom hallucinate or getting her wrists sewn up. I can't even count the hours I’ve spent in the hospital with my son.

More: Suicide Rates in the U.S. Are Fast on the Rise

I could go on about how mental illness has affected my entire life — how I felt like it held me back from finding true love or moving my business forward. But the truth is I’m grateful.

Of course, I wasn't always grateful. Life sucked for a long time. I drank, gained stress weight, lived on autopilot, spent more time in psychiatrist offices than I did my own home and complained. A lot. Then, three years ago, the victim part of me simply washed away.

I was at an event where we were asked to go up to a stranger and share what our last talk would be if we only had 15 minutes to live and wanted to make a difference. What message would we want to give to the world before taking our last breath?

For some reason, this opened up a door inside me. It all made sense. And as I looked up, crying and snotty, into the stranger’s face, I said the words that changed my life: “It wasn’t my fault." I was never meant to save my mom, and I was never meant to save my son.

It was as though a flood of victimhood, shame and guilt washed off my body. I instantly felt a huge weight lift off me. And when this happened, everything else I had been told or learned about mental illness changed shape for me. The words and encouragement from years of therapy finally made sense.

More: 13 Things Never to Say to Someone Who is Suicidal or Depressed

The thing is I had spent so much time blaming my mom and son for slowing me down, causing my life to stand still, that I didn’t realize the only thing actually standing in my way was myself: me. My choices. My thoughts. My perceptions of what was going on. Because the truth is no one can affect our lives completely unless we give them the power to do so.

I remember when things were at their peak with my son, Ethan; my therapist told me to detach myself emotionally. She asked, "If he weren't your son, would you let anyone else treat you this way?" The answer, of course, was no. After I dropped the guilt, my therapist's words became my mantra: Detach emotionally. Detach emotionally. Because I could also ask the question, "If this weren’t my mom, would I acknowledge that I had done everything humanly possible to help her feel better?" The answer was yes. More guilt drifted away.

Even now, I detach emotionally to look at situations in my life with more clarity. I believe these words give me the opportunity to break codependency (codependency is something that, since I grew up around mental illness, I’m exceptionally good at — or rather, bad at) and put myself first. I also learned to detach from the outcome; this one was huge. Because all those years of spending time in fear that something terrible could happen at any moment — that took a ton of brain power away from me. 

For so long, even when I was out with friends, working or away for a weekend, the fear that at any moment either my mom or my son could take their life was constantly on my mind. But by realizing I had done everything I could, I felt a freedom — I felt that even if something did happen, I could release responsibility. I could live freely and without fear. 

Man, did I ever have to trust in a higher power some days. Because when I detached from the outcome and acknowledged that I wasn’t able to protect my mom and son, I needed to know that someone/something else could. There needed to be a way to give the fear away and to clear the patterns and beliefs I had carried within me for so long. Faith gave me that freedom.

More: Yes, People Who Are Depressed or Suicidal Can Look Like They "Have it All"

Even though there were many times I lost myself in the sadness around me, I’m so grateful for what my mom’s and son's suicide attempts have taught me. I’ve learned to listen to my own intuition — not the instructions of society, of what we “should” or “should not” do as daughters and mothers. I've learned to model by example, to do the work on myself so my son can see what is possible in this world. And I've learned, most important, to raise my voice. After years of being afraid to use it, afraid I would hurt the ones I love, I now use it to inspire others with our story.

For more information on the warning signs and prevention of suicide, click here. If you're considering suicide or fear you may become suicidal, please call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 24-7 at 1-800-273-TALK (8255). If you're worried about someone you love, visit SuicidePreventionLifeline.org. If you live outside the U.S., you can find a list of suicide-prevention hotlines worldwide here.

Guy Fieri Is Getting a New Show, Because Apparently, the World Wants It

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If you're a fan of Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives, we've got some great news for you. Not only can you still catch the original series on Food Network (28 seasons strong!), but you can also soon get even more Guy Fieri-hosted fun when you tune into the restaurateur's brand-new spinoff.

More: Why Guy Fieri Needs to Be Taken More Seriously

Here's what we know so far. Per Food Network, the spinoff will be called Triple D Nation and will follow Fieri as he heads back to some of the "most memorable joints" he's hit along the way to see how they're faring. 

True to form, Fieri will be taste-testing the dishes he featured the first go-round as well as sampling new menu offerings. "Whether they have opened new locations, expanded their old ones, or added to their menus, these restaurants are always pushing the boundaries of their culinary comfort zone," explained a press release from the Food Network. 

Of course, this isn't the first time Fieri has ventured outside his iconic gig on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives. The big personality has hosted a slew of successful culinary shows over the years, including Guy's Big Bite, Guy's Grocery Games, Guy's Family Road Trip, Guy's Big Project and Guy's Ranch Kitchen

Although it's hard to imagine he has any spare time, Fieri managed to squeeze in launching Hunt & Ryde Winery in Sonoma County (named for his two sons, Hunter and Ryder) in 2013. 

More: Guy Fieri Made Nachos in a Trash Can, & They Look Surprisingly Good

And while Fieri's plate is definitely full — pun intended — he's obviously looking forward to piling on more with the addition of Triple D Nation. In fact, he already has his sights set on a few very specific spots for the new show: the five U.S. states he hasn't yet hit on Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives

"My family and I are getting ready to go to Yellow Stone in June," he told Refinery29 in May. "We're going to drive through there, and we're going to hit Bozeman. So, that will [be] one down, and I think North Dakota and South Dakota will get done either this year or beginning of next." 

Sounds like an ambitious culinary adventure, so get ready to have your appetite whet!

17 Times Chrissy Teigen Was the Queen of Social Media

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Chrissy Teigen is just the coolest. Through good times and bad, it feels like Teigen always knows what to say and, even better, she knows how to say it in a way that it makes for an instantly relatable post on Instagram or Twitter. Her knack for distilling the magic, mystery and just plain absurd parts of life into the perfect photo or tweet is why Teigen has become such an iconic celebrity on social media. Who among us doesn't constantly read her Twitter account for the hottest political commentary, clapbacks and insights into her fabulous life? Who hasn't fallen down the rabbit hole on her Instagram, watching adorable videos of her daughter, Luna, or checking out what she's cooking up on her Instagram story? 

To honor this true queen of social media, let's take a look at some of the posts that not only cemented her queen status but remind us on the regular that she's truly one of the social media greats.

More: Chrissy Teigen's Fiercest Pregnancy Fashion

1. When she kept Miles by her side while giving a speech

On Saturday, Teigen ruled social media not with humor but with powerful words. Holding infant son Miles, she addressed the crowd on the important concerns surrounding immigration and later, with this very casual reflection on the day, reminded us all how cool she is.

2. When she gently roasted her hubby

Teigen never misses an opportunity to roast her husband, John Legend, on social media. Recently, she nailed it when she reminded everyone of Legend's resemblance to the cartoon character Arthur while snapping a cute shot of Luna. 

3. When she showed us a new way to prep a salad

Shortly before little Miles arrived, Teigen was maximizing her very pregnant state by showing us all an, um, inventive way to cook. 

4. When she got real about a little-known aspect of being around kids

A snapshot into Teigen's life by way of a viral tweet. 

5. When she took us on the roller-coaster ride of getting brown bananas

We're calling it now: The search for brown bananas for Teigen's banana bread recipe will go down as one of the greatest moments in Twitter history. 

6. When she might have accidentally messed up her Grammys aesthetic

Listen, we've all been there, but on the eve of a necessary Grammys appearance? That's a uniquely Teigen struggle we can only laugh at and empathize with from afar.

7. When she almost killed us all with the cuteness that is Luna talking

Try not to squeal with delight watching Teigen feed Luna different words and phrases. Go on, try.

8. When she reminded us what the minimum relationship requirements were

This needs to be everyone's relationship baseline from now on. Teigen has declared it so.

9. When she gave us a peek into touring life with Legend

This is amazing. Thank you, Chrissy, for this valuable peek into life with John Legend.

10. When she made scrolling on her phone look like art

How does she make scrolling through your phone in bed half-naked (a thing we've all done at one time or another) look so glamorous?

11. When she and Dwayne Johnson had this amazing interaction about food and exercise

We're never going to forget this memorable interaction, TBH.

12. When she had a funny moment with Legend

Honestly, these two are just too cute to handle.

13. When she showed up the upside of taking a bath

Her sweet videos with Luna have always delighted us, but one from June really sent us over the edge. It features Luna giving her a bubble bath facial.

14. When she clearly came out on top in an "epic feud"

Don't mess with Teigen — she bites back.

15. When she had a feisty clapback for the president

Teigen is hardly President Donald's Trump's biggest fan, but she really let the shade fly when she let this burn loose less than a month into Trump's time in office.

16. When she joked about an accurate meme

Teigen knows her memes and isn't afraid to hilariously embrace them, even when they make her the target.

More: 40 Times Chrissy Teigen Made Our Mouths Water on Instagram

17. And, of course, when she was real about how tough it is to get the perfect shot

Teigen will go to any lengths to get the best photo, but that doesn't mean she won't gripe about it like the rest of us — and that's why we love her. 

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