Today on the blog, we’re heading into the weekend with some good advice from writer Nicole McCray, whose piece is about so much more than a new year’s resolution list. If we’ve learned anything over the last two years during the global pandemic, it’s that taking care of our mental health and wellbeing is just as important as caring for our physical health. And the pandemic isn’t the only significant stressor we’ve been handed lately. Political, environmental, economic, and social challenges have sparked stress and anxiety for many. Here are some steps we can take to ensure mental health and well-being is a daily priority in our lives this year: 🌀30 mins of Self care each day 🌀Get out doors at least once a day 🌀Identify and avoid negative triggers 🌀Find time to connect with people 🌀Lastly, know that you aren’t alone. Being intentional in our actions is the key. Rather than trying to “get back to normal,” focus on adapting, adjusting, and moving forward in 2022. For more on these tips, head to the link in our bio, and don’t forget to B R E A T H E! 🌬 #breathe #mentalhealth #mindfulness #selfcare #positivity #newyear #pandemic #friday #advice #instagood #connect #health

If there is one thing COVID-19 has exposed, is the need to prioritize health issues that often get pushed aside or stigmatized by various factors. @evernow, a telehealth company based out of San Francisco is working to fill the gap and make women’s health a priority, amidst a healthcare landscape that is so fraught and complex when it comes to women especially. Evernow’s focus is specifically on women over 40, and they are doubling down on their mission with recent additions to their team. In December they announced that Dr. Leah Millheiser, an OB/GYN and expert in menopause and female sexual medicine, and Dr. Sonali (Allie) Sharma, an adult psychiatrist and co-host of the podcast Model Mentality, were joining their team. We wanted to speak with both experts about the work they are doing, and how they hope to empower women in their new roles: "Knowledge is power when it comes to menopause," says Dr. Millheiser. "The notion that women feel invisible after they go through menopause is real. I hear it from many of my own patients. They feel like the media and the medical community at large has forgotten about them. They are bombarded with messages about the importance of male virility, while the idea of marketing sexuality to the aging woman is still taboo. Evernow was created to address this unmet need and provide care by clinicians who are highly trained in the care of women in the menopause transition and beyond." "Mental health needs to be a part of how we think about menopause, how we talk about menopause and how we treat menopause," says Dr. Sharma. "My role as an advisor will be to focus on integrating mental health into all aspects of menopause care including education and advocacy. Read more on how Evernow are empowering women over 40 via the link in our bio! 💊 . . . #health #womenshealth #mentalhealth #menopause #stigma #evernow #expert #stigma #bodies #empower #sexuality #instagood #WCW #RX

@anastasiawash is the comedic voice of the future. The ‘bi-racial boss lady with curves, curls and sass’ is utilizing her many talents for good by breaking down barriers and giving a voice to those who need it. Anastasia utilizes her platform to educate her audience about topics such as police brutality, eating disorders, and color-ism. Her lengthy list of award-winning talents have given her many titles including: Actress, Comedian, Podcaster, Writer, Director, Singer, Curvy Model, Comic Con Panelist, and Dance Hall Queen. She’s seen the industry at its best and worst throughout her career, and is now working to be the change she wishes to see in the world. Throughout the pandemic alone, Anastasia was able to produce, write and star in a one-woman-show that played at the Black Voices Festival and Solo Fest called “50 Shades of Mixed: Confessions of your Ethnically Ambiguous Best Friend” and a web series called “Disordered”. Clearly she has zero spare time on her hands, but we managed to steal some of that to learn more about this badass boss lady and what she has in store for 2022. Here's why it's important for her to have open conversations about colorism as a bi-racial woman: "I felt isolated and alone and I didn’t want to feel that anymore, and don't want other people to feel alone, so they see themselves and their pain and concerns represented." Her dream project if budget was no issue: "I would create a wellness comedy festival. So that wellness doesn’t feel so unattainable to people. I want to have fun with it and reach more people and help people heal." What she wants to be known for: "I want them to think, 'she isn’t scared to tackle things that are hard and make us laugh. That she helps us heal through laughter and empathy'." Get familiar with all things Anastasia Washington via the link in our bio. 🙌🏾📢 . . . #comedian #biracial #women #blackwomen #colorism #policebrutality #healing #comedy #blacklivesmatter #bosslady #curvemodel #instagood #badass #inspire

Sex toys are typically designed for cisgender men and women. But transgender, non-binary, intersex and/or gender non-conforming folks can sometimes have a difficult relationship with sex toys as very few designers produce toys specifically geared toward their bodies. While in the past French entrepreneur Alice Derock, who founded @wetforher has focused on being a sex toy company “by women, for women,” her mission has shifted to where it should have been all along – a brand created by queer people for queer people. Every single person that is sexual should be able to feel empowered and affirmed when they use toys, whether they’re alone or with others. As a toy company founded by and for the LGBTQI+ community, Alice is focusing her attention where it needs to be by expanding WFH’s offerings to include products for and by the trans, NB, intersex and/or GNC community. We spoke with Alice Derock to learn more about the Wet For Her inclusive expansion, and why there is still so much stigma around sexuality in culture, especially for LGBTQIA folks. "I think most of the stigma originates from lack of awareness and spread of misinformation and certain beliefs which are simply not true! It’s always taboo to speak about sex, especially about sex for queer people. Cutting through the stigma and prioritizing creating a space for open conversation has proven, at least in my experience, to be the most effective solution to this. Wet For Her is a safe and inclusive LGBTQ webshop dedicated to them." To get on board the Wet For Her train, head to the link in our bio. 😻🍆💦🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ . . . #wetforher #sexuality #queer #LGBTQIA #inclusive #gender #french #entrepreneur #AliceDerock #friday #stigma #transgender #nonbinary #women #instagood