If you sometimes think you’re in a time warp, you sort of are! It’s that time of the year again when most of the country “springs forward” at 2 a.m. Central Time on Sunday, March 12 — but some people want this to happen for the last time. Many find it difficult to adjust to daylight savings time, for one thing. If you’re one of those people whose body clock can’t keep up with the changing clocks, this one’s for you:

Why Some Find It Hard to Adjust to Daylight Savings Time

It’s scientifically believed that there is such a thing as a “body clock” — and that’s probably why you can’t sleep off that hangover in the middle of the day! But your body clock does more than make you suffer after a bender. Because when you don’t listen to your body clock and disrupt your own sleep-wake cycle, you’re going to be more susceptible to sleep deprivation-related problems. And with most mammals, humans included, we’re biologically made to be diurnals (or the opposite of nocturnals).

However, even if you follow what your body wants — and when it wants to sleep — it’s sometimes your surroundings (or zeitgeber) that can make it difficult even for your body to know when it’s actually sleepy. One of those external factors is daylight savings time. Succinctly, if you’re confused about when you’ll adjust the time on your watch, your body can also be hella thrown off about your usual time to rest.

How to Adjust to Daylight Savings Time Easily

Our own body is most likely going to betray us — because we sort of betrayed it first. (Thanks to DST!) It’s now contemplating how to make it difficult for us to wake up every morning for the next few weeks. If only there was a way we can transition smoothly.

There is! Here’s how:

• Set your clocks to the soon-to-be time. In this case, it’s spring forward. Therefore, you can adjust your time an hour in advance starting today — even if we’re not officially there yet!
• Do your best to go to sleep earlier than your usual time. Start doing, say, 15 minutes earlier than your usual schedule. Then do 30 minutes the night after. Do it gradually but do it consistently!
• Try to wake up earlier than usual. Same pattern — gradually but consistently.
• Make sure to get enough sunlight as early as you can. According to studies, that’s how your body clock will understand the adjustment better.
• Though not DST-exclusive (as this is beneficial to all of us 365 days/year), do your best to eat something healthy — especially on those sleep-deprived first few mornings!
• Don’t force yourself! If you need to take a short nap, try to do just that!

Daylight Savings Time May Become Permanent: Is It One to Lose Sleep Over?

Are you team Daylight Savings Time or anti-Daylight Savings Time? Because this great debate has been going on for a long, long time. There have been a few surveys in the past where some Americans were asked the same question — the survey yielded different results but almost all have answers that around 36% of Americans want DST to be an all-year-round occurrence. Whereas, about 30% wanted to stick to standard time.

It’s not just the citizens who are finding difficulties with adjusting to daylight savings time — in fact, it’s becoming a nationwide discussion among politicians, business people, and the average Joe. Legislators in California, Louisiana, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Tennessee, Idaho, Oregon, Ohio, Delaware, Colorado, Georgia, Maine, Washington, Montana, Wyoming, Minnesota, and Utah all wish to make DST permanent; other legislators from the other states also filed resolutions or legislations but with differing conditions. So far, there hasn’t been an answer from congress. Supporters of permanent DST hope the issue is laid to rest in 2023 once and for all. 

If you’re dead set against daylight savings time, then you may have considered moving to Hawaii or Arizona to avoid it! Those states never jumped on the DST bandwagon. Furthermore, other US territories like Guam, Puerto Rico, American Samoa, the Virgin Islands, and The Northern Mariana Islands also don’t observe DST.

Moving Forward…

It’s time to spring forward on March 12! But if you’re not ready (or you don’t think your body is ready) to adjust to daylight savings time, you can try doing it slowly but make sure you will be consistent at it — plan things ahead! It will be difficult to *turn back time* and wish you did it sooner! But if you dread DST that much, a vacation to Oceania can be an option.

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When it comes to birth control options for women, there are a variety of choices available, each with its own set of pros and cons. From hormonal methods like the pill or the implant, to non-hormonal options like condoms or copper IUDs, it can be overwhelming to decide which method is right for you. On one hand, hormonal methods can provide more reliable protection against pregnancy and can even help regulate menstrual cycles. On the other hand, they may come with unwanted side effects or health risks. Non-hormonal methods, while generally safer, may not be as effective or convenient for some women. It’s important to weigh the benefits and drawbacks of each option carefully and consult with your healthcare provider before making a decision. 

Read the full article on our sister site, the Charlotte Weekly, here. 

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If you’re someone who enjoys getting high, but can’t seem to find the ambition to start a workout routine, perhaps it’s time to try one of these popular exercises proven to pair perfectly with a little pot.

As marijuana stigmas slowly fall away, the act of lighting up a joint or popping an edible is becoming as acceptable as opening a bottle of wine. Getting stoned is now an after-work nightcap equivalent, and “high” is the preferred mental state for many travelers. You might even have noticed that THC is becoming infused into some of America’s favorite workouts.

Colorado University recently published a study in which “results indicated that the majority (81.7%) of participants endorsed using cannabis concurrently with exercise.” That number is very telling, even for a state that has legalized recreational marijuana and has a thriving cannabis industry.

The same study went on to state that “approximately half reported that it increases their motivation to exercise.” So, if you’re someone who enjoys getting high but can’t seem to find the ambition to start a workout routine, perhaps it is time to try one of these five popular exercises that are proven to pair perfectly with a little pot.

Yoga

Yoga and marijuana have been friends for a long time. Many yoga practitioners speak to the mellowing qualities of THC and how they can greatly enhance a guided yoga practice.

“It really does facilitate getting out of the head and quieting the ego concerns of what has already happened in the past and what may happen in the future,” Dee Dussault, founder of Ganja Yoga told Yoga Journal.

Many yogis and even yoga studios in states with legalized recreational marijuana have begun to publicly combine cannabis into their yoga practices. Marijuasana, for example, is a company that “infuses” the practice of yoga and cannabis – and they have successfully made business out of it. There are many other small businesses like Marijuasana, and likely many more due to sprout up in states that have just passed legalization measures.

Running

Running and marijuana was discussed a great deal recently thanks to a heated olympic controversy. One thing to come out of the controversy was knowledge that many athletes, especially runners, use cannabis.

Not only does marijuana have mental benefits, but it also has proven pain relief benefits that may be attractive to high-endurance athletes like runners.

RELATED: 4 Benefits Of Incorporating Cannabis Into Your Fitness Routine

In a 2019 study of athletes published in the journal PLOS One, “Of the 1,161 participants 302 (26.0%) were current cannabis users.” The study cited the pain relief benefits of cannabis as one potential reason so many professional athletes use cannabis.

Even if you don’t plan on winning a gold medal any time soon, it is good to know that after a long run, cannabis can assist in numbing the pain. This may be all you need to help stick to a consistent workout routine.

Pilates

Pilates has been a popular exercise for many years, and resurged as a favorite for many during times of quarantine. Adding a dose of THC to pilates and other low-impact repetitive exercises can be a great combination.

Not only does cannabis potentially help with any pain or aches, but the THC can help focus you during your workout, just as it would during a yoga practice. Several groups have formed in states where recreational marijuana is legal. In fact, a “Puff-n-Pilates” event may be happening at an exercise studio near you.

Stationary Biking

Pilates are not the only workout class style of workout that have found a mass of stoned followers. “Pelostoners” and other cycling groups that like to pair stationary biking with marijuana are popping up throughout social media.

RELATED: Researchers Are Finally Studying The Effects Of Cannabis On Fitness

While biking on roads under the influence of THC may be dangerous and is certainly illegal, it can be great fun to cycle safely indoors while slightly “elevated.”

Many cyclists use marijuana because “It’s pain relieving properties can ease the strain on the body while its mind-altering effects can help some athletes get in the zone to push a little harder when the workout gets really tough,” according to an article in Canada Cycle Magazine.

Hiking 

Cannabis and hiking have gone hand and hand for generations. Many nature lovers who are looking to disconnect can find an even further sense of peace and calm when sparking up a joint while sitting at a beautiful vista.

RELATED: Smoking Marijuana Before Exercises Can Increase Workout Productivity

Combining your high-cardio hike with cannabis can be highly motivating. It is important to note that you should avoid any dangerous or treacherous hikes when under the influence of cannabis. Always ensure that you are considering your safety before you combine cannabis with any activity. Stay within the law, stay safe and stay motivated.

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Hangovers are always terrible but they’re especially hard to avoid over the holidays. Here’s how you can control them before they strike.

Holiday plans may change, but two things are almost always certain: copious amounts of drinking and eating. As we get older, our hangovers tend to get stronger, which is why it’s important to make a plan before drinking so you don’t lose an entire day to alcohol-induced nausea and brain fog.

Hangovers are complicated things, occurring when your blood alcohol level drops significantly. While there are no direct ways of preventing a hangover, there are ways of lowering your odds if you pace yourself and hydrate. Here are some tips that can help you drink while lowering your odds of a bad time the next day.

Take your preparation seriously

When trying to avoid a hangover, preparation is key. If you know you’re going out, try to make a plan and have a filling meal before your outing. This will delay your body’s speed at absorbing alcohol (Can You Prevent A Hangover By Eating A Big Meal?).

Drink slowly

Once you’re out, try your best to drink slowly. This is difficult but it’s the most reliable way of staving off a hangover, giving your body enough time to process alcohol. According to health experts, your liver takes up to one hour to digest each drink. An easy way to keep track of how much you’ve consumed is to add a cocktail emoji to your notes app and to keep a clear timeframe.

Have one glass of water per drink

RELATED: Sober For The Holidays? Here Are 3 Tips To Help

Drinking water is pivotal when preventing hangovers, hydrating your body when it needs it most. While it’s difficult to limit yourself to having one drink per hour, drinking a glass of water per drink is easier to do. This act alone will slow down your alcohol consumption, filling your system with much-needed fluids.

Steer clear of shots

RELATED: You Received Weed As A Holiday Gift — Here’s What You Should Know

Experts recommend sticking to alcoholic drinks with a low ABV percentage (alcohol by volume). These drinks include beers, wine, or mixed drinks, especially if these are sipped leisurely and not chugged. Shots tend to contain higher volumes of alcohol, resulting in worse symptoms of hangovers for a lot of people.

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Change in seasons has always impacted the human body adversely if the immune system is weak. With the fall approaching, we need to take care of ourselves to maintain good health. This is possible naturally with the use of cleansing minerals that not only detoxify the body but boost immunity and reduce fatigue. The use of organic minerals is typically limited to cosmetic products, but Biotech Solution, a mineral-based supplement brand, is making a difference. With its product, Corsa 365, Biotech Solution is expected to create a new wave among health enthusiasts and people seeking an alternative to harmful chemicals.

Biotech Solution has a reputation for offering amazing mineral-based supplements that have amazing healing effects. Launched in September 2021, the company has been successfully popularizing the use of organic minerals in detoxifying the human body. Biotech Solution’s first product, ADEO2, is a unique natural mineral of organic origin. The supplement offers an overall healing effect on the entire body and increases immunity. With the growing popularity of ADEO2 among people who noticed an amazing transformation in their bodies, the product entered the e-commerce space with Amazon and became available throughout the US.

Following the success of ADEO2, Biotech Solution launched another beneficial supplement, Corsa 365. It is perhaps the best supplement to protect liver health. Corsa 365 cleanses the liver, supports cell regeneration, and aids detoxification. Besides containing a solid blend of beneficial minerals, Corsa contains extracts of herbs. It can be taken by mixing in water. Studies conforming to the effectiveness of Corsa in eliminating radionuclides from the body were in progress at the Kharkiv National University, but due to the war in Ukraine, the company lost communication with the scientists.

The study also included the use of Corsa in confirming the removal of not only heavy metals but also Strontium and Cesium from aqueous solutions with an acidity similar to that in the human gastrointestinal tract. Later, studies by other scientists were carried out conforming to the results. Yerlan Umarov, the owner, founder, and CEO of Biotech Solution, believes that Corsa 365 will be a revolutionary product restoring the age-old method of mineral healing. Yerlan has decades of experience in managing mineral deposits and even owns a deposit in Kazakhstan. It is a treasure of healing minerals used earlier by Soviet scientists to treat people.

The raw materials for Biotech Solution are imported from Kazakhstan to the US. The company works with freelancers at present and currently has a contract with New York Manufacturing Company. Now Biotech Solution has new agreements with other manufacturing companies in Salt Lake City, Utah, and in Los Angeles, California. Yerlan, a Kazakh by nationality, also owns a supplement manufacturing company in Kazakhstan that is highly popular in Central Asia. He is also a philanthropist organizing fundraisers and events to support the health and well-being of people.

Biotech Solution is Yerlan’s initiative to give back to the community. The company will soon have its manufacturing facility in the US and will also start producing fertilizers, cosmetics, and food additives in the near future.

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A new study shows that not enough sleep makes it more likely for people to suffer from different chronic illnesses, including cancer and depression.

Sleeping is incredibly important, with health practitioners recommending a minimum of seven hours a night. Now, a new study says that sleeping less than five hours a night can lead to various health problems, among them, cancer, heart disease, depression, and more.

The study, published in the journal PLOS Medicine, used data from more than 8,000 people in the United Kingdom with no known chronic diseases. Participants reported their sleep habits every four to five years along with some clinical examinations for a period of 25 years. Results showed that the older people were and the less they slept, the worse the prognosis.

Participants aged 50-years-old, who slept less than five hours a night, had a 30% risk to develop chronic diseases. These numbers increased with age. For example, at 60, participants who slept less than five hours had 32% of risk, while at 70, they had 40% of risk.

RELATED: Why Sex Results In Better Sleep, According To Science

Chronic diseases are varied, ranging from arthritis to cancer. All of these became more likely when people slept less than they should.

Researchers shared some of the study’s limitations, including the fact most participants were white men and that all were civil servants, meaning that they had higher odds of being healthier than the average population. Then there was also the fact that the research relied on self-reported data, something that is considered less reliable than if participants were to be monitored and tracked throughout all of these years.

RELATED: Despite Health Risks, The Use Of This Sleeping Aid Has Increased Over The Years

Adequate sleep has been known to help people in a range of way, from managing their weight to improving the health of their skin. It’s a process that’s good for mental and physical health and that affects us in ways that are almost untraceable. While it’s something that we do every day, sleep is often relegated, with people putting a priority on other aspects of their lives.

Still, more and more studies are coming out and helping us understand just how important sleep is and why people of all ages should prioritize it.

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A new study found links between a common hair product and uterine cancer, one of the most common cancers for women.

A new study found links between a common hair product and uterine cancer, a type of cancer that’s on the rise.

The research, published in The Journal of National Cancer Institute, found an indirect link between hair straighteners and uterine cancer. This type of cancer is more common among Black women, making this link all the more curious.

The study tracked over 34,000 women for more than a decade and found that women who frequently used hair straighteners had 4% more risk of developing uterine cancer. The study defined frequent users as women who used these products over four times in the previous year.

In previous years, hair straighteners have been linked with other types of cancer, such as ovarian and breast cancer. Hair products like bleach, perms, dyes, and more, didn’t report this link.

While all demographics were impacted by the use of straighteners, this statistic is more concerning for Black women, since 60% of them reported the use of these types of products.

“We don’t want to panic people,” said the study’s lead author Alexandra White to the New York Times. “One could make a decision to reduce this chemical exposure, but we also want to acknowledge that there is a lot of pressure on women, especially Black women, to have straight hair. It’s not an easy decision to not do this.”

Hair straighteners contain a variety of dangerous elements, among them metals, parabens, and formaldehyde, which may be absorbed via the scalp. The heat of the straightening procedure and the damage that this process can do to the scalp might make these risks greater.

Uterine cancer more likely to be diagnosed in women over the age of 45, but younger women are getting more and more diagnoses per generation. According to cancer.org, about 65,950 new cases of uterine cancer will be diagnosed by the year 2022.

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A new study found a link between this common medication and risk of developing dementia.

A new study published this week revealed some new uses for a seasoned drug. The research found that a drug used to treat type 2 diabetes might be helpful in preventing dementia in people who are at a higher risk for developing it in the future.

Researchers behind the study, published in BMJ Open Diabetes Research & Care, theorized that since type 2 diabetes was a contributor to dementia, that the drugs used to treat it could also impact a person’s risk of developing dementia.

Researchers selected medication known as TZDs, one that hasn’t been all that studied when applied to dementia. They analyzed the medical records of a vast pool of subjects, all of them over the age of 60, with having type 2 diabetes. The subjects were all free of dementia when the study started. Then, researchers compared people’s symptoms over a period of seven years, separating them into groups: those who took TZDs and patients who took other leading medications of type 2 diabetes.

RELATED: This Behavior Can Be An Early Sign Of Dementia

Researchers concluded that participants taking TZDs were 22% less likely to be diagnosed with any form of dementia. They also found that this group was less likely to develop Alzheimer’s, a condition that falls under the spectrum of dementia, and that affects over 6 million people in the country.

While the study is promising and suggests a novel way of preventing and treating dementia, the results don’t imply cause and effect. Then there are the side effects of TZDs, which are murky. The evidence isn’t definitive, but there’s a link between these medications and a higher risk of developing heart disease, which is why the medication isn’t prescribed as a first choice for people who are at a higher risk of cardiovascular conditions.

RELATED: Watching This Much TV A Week Could Increase The Risk Of Dementia

Per the CDC, dementia is a term that envelops different symptoms referring to people’s impaired thought processes. It impacts their way of thinking, making decisions, and more, all in varying degrees and with an impact on their daily lives. Conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, and more are all considered a type of dementia.

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A new study compared a late dinner and an early one, showing why the latter was better for maintaining weight and keeping people more energized.

Eating late has long been linked with weight gain, without much knowledge as to why. Now, a new study might explain why this happens, and why having an early dinner might be helpful for staying healthy and promoting weight loss.

The research, published in the journal Cell Metabolism, also found some positive outcomes in regards to intermittent fasting, showing that meals eaten within a 10-hour window might be the healthier choice overall.

Per the research, which was conducted by physicians from Harvard Medical School, the time of the day in which we eat affects numerous things, like our hunger levels, our daily energy and where our body stores fat.

The study involved 16 overweight participants, all of whom ate the same meals on different schedules. They also stuck to sleep and wake up schedules, trying their best to maintain the study as homogenous as possible.

Researchers explain that there was an early group, who had the meals at 9 a.m., 1 p.m., and 5 p.m., and a late group, who ate at 1 p.m., 5 p.m., and 9 p.m. The study also counted with a variety of evidence from participants, including blood samples, their temperature and self-reports on their hunger levels.

While there has long been a link between late eating and weight loss, it’s never been understood.

RELATED: Researchers Pinpoint Efficient Way To Lose Weight

Results showed that participants who ate late reported more hunger and were less energetic. A look at their samples showed that they burned calories more slowly than the early group, all of which amassed in higher odds of obesity.

“This study shows the impact of late versus early eating. Here, we isolated these effects by controlling for confounding variables like caloric intake, physical activity, sleep, and light exposure, but in real life, many of these factors may themselves be influenced by meal timing,” explained senior author Frank Scheer.

RELATED: Drinking Four Cups Of Tea Daily Could Lower Risk Of This Disease, Finds Study

Researchers explain that by keeping the study small, they were more likely to control outside factors like sleep schedules and the meals that were consumed, resulting in a study that shows a better understanding of how the body works and why obesity tends to affect people who eat at later times.

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Experts believe climate change makes it more likely for viruses like COVID and monkeypox to spread and infect more people.

There are currently two viruses affecting large amounts of people all over the world. This year saw the rise of monkeypox, with about 67,000 cases worldwide. 2020 saw the rise of the COVID pandemic, which continues to affect people despite the fact that there’s a vaccine and multiple boosters out.

Climate change might make this phenomenon even more common in the years to come. NPR provided a breakdown of climate change and its impact on these types of viruses, explaining why the two are linked together.

COVID and monkeypox are both zoonotic diseases, which means that they spread between humans and animals. Climate change, which affects animals’ habitats and is linked with human migration, means that humans and animals will likely be forced into the same spaces, facilitating the transmission of different diseases.

RELATED: Can You Get The COVID-19 Booster And Flu Shot At The Same Time?

“Elements such as deforestation, population growth, and animal breeding have removed the boundaries between where humans and wild animals live, bringing them into closer contact,” explains NPR.

As animals and humans are more exposed to each other, pathogens start to change and mutate, with odds of them being easier to spread from one to the other. “Depending on the particular germ, when it has an opportunity to do this multiple times, the germ adapts to the new species,” said Dr. Carl Fichtenbaum, vice chairperson for clinical research.

Globalization makes matters worse. Nowadays, people are traveling to novel places and more often, meaning that any disease that spreads in one country could spread to another in a matter of days.

Still, despite the great technological advancements that exist and the awareness of these diseases, it’s very difficult for experts to predict incoming pandemics and viruses. While scientists may research diseases and their odds of spreading and becoming the next pandemic, it’s almost impossible to predict which disease and which region is at risk.

RELATED: Monkeypox Cases Are On The Rise — Here’s Who Can Get A Vaccine

It’s difficult to warn people about these dangers and to make governments take a stronger stance, especially when they know what’s at risk. Researchers believe including diseases and health risks and the cost of these in public policy might help people take climate change more seriously, and take some meaningful action.

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