It’s already that last newsletter of June 2022, and I can’t believe it! It feels like this month has gone by so quickly.
And as I celebrate the last weekend of Pride Month with friends in New York, I’m reminded of just how far the LGBTQ community has come — and also how far it still has to go, especially when it comes to discrimination.
My colleague Edward Segarra wrote this week about GLAAD’s Accelerating Acceptance study released Wednesday, which found that LGBTQ individuals are at increased risk of discrimination despite increased visibility and understanding from the public.
GLAAD found that 70% of LGBTQ Americans surveyed said discrimination against the community has increased over the past two years — in the workplace, on social media, in public accommodations, and even within families. The annual study measures “Americans’ attitudes and ease toward LGBTQ Americans.”
Sarah Kate Ellis, president and CEO of GLAAD, says the increase isn’t surprising given the recent wave of legislation targeting LGBTQ people. This includes areas such as classroom censorship, book bans, health care restrictions, and access to school sports. In 2022 alone, nearly 250 anti-LGBTQ bills have been filed with state legislators across the country.
Click here to read Edward’s full report and learn more.
Seasonal depression isn’t just for winter. Summer can also trigger a mood disorder.
Seasonal depression is a patterned mood disorder. People usually associate it with winter, when colder months and shorter days make people feel sluggish, agitated, and even hopeless. But seasonal depression can also occur in the summer when the heat, more sunlight and social stressors take over.
“Seasonal affective disorder experiences symptoms of depression during a particular season,” says Dr. Christine Crawford, associate medical director at The National Alliance on Mental Illness. “The symptoms are sometimes severe enough to meet the criteria for major depressive disorder.”
My colleague Alia E. Dastagir spoke with Crawford about factors that can cause summer-season depression, who is most at risk, and how to cope with those who suffer.
Q: What Causes Summer Season Depression?
Crawford: (In) the summer months, even though there is a lot of sunlight, there are a lot of other factors, especially environmental and social factors, that can make people more likely to have symptoms of depression.
There is research that has looked at exposure to pollen levels and found that for some people in the summer months, when they are exposed to more pollen, it makes them more agitated and irritable, which can affect their mood and their daily routine. Vision on life.
Q: Are some people more vulnerable to seasonal depression in the summer?
Crawford: If you are someone who already has trouble sleeping, is able to fall asleep, and stays asleep on a regular schedule, it’s very important to talk to your primary care provider about what options are available to help ensure ensure you get a good night’s sleep. sleep. Not being well rested can increase your chances of developing symptoms of depression.
People with a family history of depression are also more at risk, and people who may experience significant stressors in their lives that affect their ability to maintain structure, routine, good sleep, exercise, and social support. All these things are important for an overall good mood.
Click here to read Alia’s full Q&A.
Should you exercise first in the morning or in the evening?
In this week’s medical column, board-certified emergency room physician Michael Daignault discusses a new study on when it’s best to exercise. Here’s a bit of what he breaks down:
Whether you’re considering starting an exercise regimen or a more experienced athlete, one of the biggest questions I hear is, “When is the best time to exercise?” Most people are quite protective when they exercise. Choosing to exercise in the morning or evening is often a product of a work schedule or childcare responsibilities. Or just whether you are a ‘morning person’ or a ‘night owl’.
But is there any science to support exercise in the morning versus exercise in the evening? A recent study in Frontiers in Physiology shed some light.
This was a relatively small study from Skidmore University that collected data from 27 women and 20 men who were already very active with a regular exercise routine. The participants were followed for 12 weeks. They did one of four different exercise routines for an hour four times a week — stretching, resistance training, interval sprints, or endurance training. One group did the routine between 6.30 am and 8.30 am and the other group between 6 pm and 8 pm
Click here for the full column to read the results and learn about other factors to consider.
Today’s Lectures
Today’s Pets
Meet Bagle, Baguette and Brioche!
Here’s an awesome trio known as @carbdogs on Instagram submitted by Erin Lewis of Rye, New York. “@carbdogs love their walks as much as we do! They love to bark at the bunnies overtaking our neighborhood and meet the other puppies in the area. With one dog per child, it’s a full, happy home!”
