Mary Mary’s album “Something Big” has moved us, shaped us and inspired us. This newest video is a reminder that we are all survivors. Without further words here is the second single from the successful “Something Big” album “Survive”. Taking it back to the beginning, the video for the 2nd single “Survive” was directed by Darren Grant, who lensed their first breakthrough hit single “Shackles (Praise You).” Mary Mary partnered with the Red Cross for their new video as it includes poignant images from recent tornadoes and other disasters here in the U.S., underscoring an uplifting message of survival. Are you a survivor? Make sure you are following @Elev8official for stories like this and more. For more from Oretha Winston follow her on twitter here
Mary J. Blige’s admission of being the victim of childhood molestation on her “ Behind The Music ” has triggered discussion of the connection between molestation and addiction. She survived. Many victims never come out of the downward spiral of addiction. Amy Winehouse’s Death Makes Us Think About Helping The Addicts In Our Lives Victims of rape or sexual assault may turn to alcohol or other substance s in an attempt to relieve their emotional suffering. In the U.S., victims of sexual assault report higher levels of psychological distress and the consumption of alcohol than non-victims, in part, to self-medicate. Some victims use substances to cope with the reality of what happened to them or to cope with the symptoms of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, a common reaction to an extreme situation like sexual assault. However, it is not a healthy way to deal with the trauma of sexual assault and can cause additional problems, such as addiction or dependence, that hinder the healing process. Survivors of sexual assault or sexual abuse in childhood may abuse drugs to help them “numb out” and push away the painful memories of sexual violence. Victims may also turn to drugs instead of true recovery resources, such as counseling; they may not think that friends or family will understand them, they may not know where to access recovery resources, or they may be embarrassed to talk about what happened. When compared to non-victims, rape survivors are 3.4 times more likely to use marijuana, 6 times more likely to use cocaine, and 10 times more likely to use other major drugs. It may be helpful for a survivor to share their experiences and concerns with a qualified service provider (i.e. counselor or psychologist). A general physician can suggest community resources as well as prescribe medications to control cravings and withdrawal symptoms while the user seeks further help. Are You An Emotional Eater? If you feel you are suffering from substance abuse: Reach out to a trusted friend or family member and ask for help. Contact the free Substance Abuse Treatment Referral Helpline. 1.800.662.HELP(4357) Contact your doctor. Contact your doctor immediately if you are suffering from a cough that won’t go away, fever, continuing feelings of depression, jaundice, mild tremors, leg swelling or increased abdominal girth. Call 911 or go to a hospital’s emergency department immediately if you are suffering from severe abdominal pain, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, severe tremors, numbness, or suicidal thoughts. If you know or suspect someone you love is suffering from substance abuse Contact the free Substance Abuse Treatment Referral Helpline for support and advice on helping your loved one. 1.800.662.HELP (4357) Do not “cover up” for your loved one. It is important that he or she get the help that they deserve. Choose a time to speak with your loved one when he or she is sober, when both of you are fairly calm, and when you have a chance to talk in private. It is also best to speak to your loved one shortly after a substance-related problem has occurred (like a serious family argument or accident). Gather information in advance about treatment options in your community. If the person is willing to get help, call right away for an appointment, and offer to go with him or her for support. It is time we bring this out of the darkness into the light. Make sure you are following @Elev8official for stories like this and more. For more from Oretha Winston follow her on twitter here .
If you are an avid music lover like myself, you most likely woke up this morning with a song floating around in your mind. That song followed you through your daily routines, rolling around in your head like the apple in your lunch bag, causing you to hum along and maybe even dance a bit while accomplishing your goals for the day. While not everyone has the same song that they consider “pump up music” in their life, the idea that music can improve your mood and be a catalyst for people in their daily lives is important to acknowledge. According to an article on NPR about a new book called The Power of Music , the author Elena Mannes “sees so much potential in music’s power to change the brain and affect the way it works.” From that perspective, music can be anything from a life-changer for stroke victims to a daily remedy for the average person suffering a bad day. The sounds of singing and instruments, no matter the genre, have the effect of medicine on an ailing brain in times of need. The tunes can range from slow jams to fast-paced anthems or classical pieces, but it ends up being the general melody and placement of lyrics that triggers memories and feelings associated with emotional growth. The knowledge of sounds, whether they be the natural rhythms of the heart or the pounding beat of an r&b song, can be detected as early as in the womb. Music is ingrained in our lives even prior to our birth, which gives strong validation to the idea that listening to the sounds around us is good for our health! 5 Ways To Find Inspiration From Within While this book is mostly associated with the affects of music therapy on patients with serious ailments, people with every day problems in love, family, or work can relate to music bringing uplift and restorative properties into their lives. After a long day caring for the children or sitting in an office cubicle, listening to a popular song from the radio or turning on your iPod to your favorite song can be a therapeutic and often leave more positive feelings in its wake. From personal experience, music has been both the optimistic friend that cheers you up and the “Debbie Downer” that helps me revel in my negative emotions. Both of these uses can be have a purposeful outcome in that when you need that emotional release, sad music can be a good coping mechanism, but when positivity is in order, there is always a crutch for that arm. It depends on what you are looking for from the music that you are listening to, as different moods bring varying degrees of needs. The improvement of health from putting on your headphones and feeling free from the strains of every day life is one of the strongest unifying properties of the listening experience, as people from all walks of life can experience the strong emotional value of music. Music is powerful in that with its melodic and healing properties, health can improve based on immersing oneself in your favorite song on your iPod or waking up to a song floating around in your head. The musical experience surpasses cultural or generational boundaries, therefore, it already has strong effects on the way people live. The instruments, lyrics, and voices of the performers are all very ingrained in human connection, therefore, bringing music therapy to light as having a strong effect on health is a powerful step in the right direction. As health becomes a main concern in the aging process, music can have the power to uplift, add passion, and center your life. Turn up your music and enjoy the vitality that your favorite song brings you! 5 Ways To See Beyond Expectations & Embrace The Unknown Tupac Shooter Confesses To 1994 Crime Shaq Involved In Sex Tape Scandal! FACT OF THE DAY: Faith Evans Sang Back Up For Al B Sure!
Kelly Rowland and her best friend Lala Vazquez are featured in this month’s Shape magazine, giving step-by-step instructions on their effective “BFF Workout.” Kelly and Lala show readers how to do a Seesaw Press, Piggyback Curl, Tabletop Dip, Hot Potato, Side Plank Row, and V-Sit Pass. The full-body exercise works your shoulders, butt, legs, biceps, triceps, core, chest, back and abs. We all know exercising with a friend is easier than being alone – it makes the time go faster and allows you to catch up while doing other things than pigging out. Kelly Rowland Shows Off Long Legs In London [PHOTOS] Kelly Rowland’s Estranged Father Wants To Reconnect: “I Hope It’s Not Too Late”
Another birth control revolution may be on the horizon. Fifty years after the pill was introduced, free contraception for women in the U.S., may be in effect thanks to the new health care law by the Obama administration. According to the LA Times , the Obama administration, is recommending that all U.S.-approved birth control methods — including the “morning after pill,” taken shortly after intercourse to forestall pregnancy — be added to the federal government’s list of preventive health services. The IOM noted that women with unplanned pregnancies were more likely to put off or neglect prenatal care and to smoke, drink or experience depression. The recommendation to add birth control is a big gain for organizations like the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and Planned Parenthood, but is likely to stoke opposition from conservative and religious groups. Other services recommended by IOM include screening for gestational diabetes, testing for human papillomavirus (HPV) in women over 30, counseling for HIV and sexually transmitted infections, lactation counseling, screening for domestic violence and yearly wellness visits. This would be a groundbreaking moment for women in the U.S. President Obama Visits Alabama: “I’ve Never Seen Devastation Like This” President Obama’s Plan To Back Community Colleges Draws Heat
We know that traveling can be stressful with all of the pre-planning that’s necessary. Don’t let that empty duffel bag in the corner give you more anxiety. We have put together a packing guide to help you pack light and jump the gun on your summer trip planning! One important thing to keep in mind when you’re packing is that you will probably have to carry your bag for most of your trip: so, pack light! You want to try to fit as much of your stuff in a small amount of space, so be smart with your folding. I have found that the best way to pack clothing is by rolling it , kind of like a wrap. The clothes get much smaller and you can layer them! Now we get to the specific essentials. First and foremost, toiletries : Bag 1: Liquids Shampoo/Conditioner/Body Wash Toothpaste Hand Sanitizer Sunscreen/Bug Spray (depending on where you’re venturing off to) Bag 2: Non-Liquids Hair Brush Toothbrush Razor Q-tips Antiperspirant Make-up bag Band-aids (you never know) It’s always a good idea to divide your toiletries into two bags to avoid the typical “shampoo exploding and ruining everything” disaster. Keep in mind that these should all be travel-sized. You do not want to be carrying around giant bottles of shampoo just to have them taken away at the airport. Next, the rest of what you need should be relative to where you’re going . Here are some ideas to keep in mind: Camera Raincoat Extra Flip-Flops Map of the area _ Lastly, there are always “just in case” items that can impede your packing. So avoid packing these items and make your travel experience more comfortable: Expensive Jewelery Too many extra layers Lighters Do you have tips for packing? Fill us in! Summer Travel Guide: The Top 4 Places You Need To Be 5 Vacation Hotspots To Put On Your Bucket List
Did you know that Vitamin D is really important for your general health, especially for African Americans, but most people are lacking it in some way. Sunlight is the best way to get Vitamin D, but with people spending less time outdoors than they have in the past, it’s not shocking that people need to step up their game and get more Vitamin D into their system. Why’s Vitamin D so important and what does it do for your body? The benefits of having lots of Vitamin D in your blood are: bone health, fighting multiple diseases, and lots of protection against heart attacks and strokes, as well as other things like immune system health. Some symptoms of not having enough Vitamin D are: chronic pain, fatigue, depression, and osteoporosis, just to name a few. The newest recommendation for Vitamin D consumption is 1,000 to 2,000 units daily, which is 5 to 10 times higher than previous recommendations due to the low ramifications being severe for not being sufficient. This is a health risk that should definitely have more focus in the news media, as it’s important to keep your immune system up to par and stay healthy, especially in the Summer heat! How To Treat Sunburn African Americans And Chronic Disease…The Ugly Truth
As far as treating sunburns are concerned, prevention is the best cure, as treatment may take a longer period in completely getting rid of it. Most of the sunburns are first degree burns that are the affected skin is only red and painful, which can be easily treated with home remedies. However, there are certain conditions where sunburns can cause blisters, peeling and itchiness which can lead to complications. A number of people fail to realize the fact that sunburns can occur even in mild temperature. The term actually means the prolong exposure to sun rays. ‘Ethnic’ Dermatology On The Rise Treat mild sunburn as you would any minor burn injury with cool compresses and analgesic sprays or ointments. If you sustain a severe sunburn (such as those falling asleep while in the sun), immediately take a cool bath or shower. Then apply a mild steroid cream such as hydrocortisone to all areas of the body involved. If blisters are formed, do not puncture them! If the blisters break on their own, gently remove the dead skin fragments with a sterile pair of tweezers. Then apply an antibiotic cream and bandage with a clean dressing which will help protect the wound from infection. Aspirin, ibuprofen or other no steroidal anti-inflammatory medication may be taken several times a day to relieve fever, pain and swelling. If you are allergic to these types of medications, then take either paracetamol or acetaminophen. 3 Things That Ruin Your Skin Make sure your tetanus vaccination is up-to-date. Severe cases of sun and heat exposure can result in high fever, chills, nausea and delirium. In these cases, a doctor should be consulted and possibly admission to a hospital.
Emmy Award- Winning Writer, Producer, Director, Keenen Ivory Wayans was moved to tears during his American Black Film Festival (ABFF) Entertainment Icon Award acceptance speech. The event was the culmination of the four day festival which took place July 6 – 9th. Keenen Ivory Wayans To Be Honored At ABFF During his speech he reflected on his 30 year friendship with fellow filmmaker Robert Townsend. ABFF Premieres: Robert Townsends’ Gritty “In The Hive” [EXCLUSIVE VIDEO] It was when Keenen Ivory Wayans began to thank his brother, Damon, for his support during the “In Living Color” days that he become emotional. Check out the video of his full speech here. Related Articles: ABFF: Black Cinema’s Annual Retreat Returns To Miami ABFF: “Elated, I Pitched My Script” Testimony [VIDEO] Keep checking back for Robin Downes’ exclusive updates and videos from ABFF. Check out additional articles by Robin Downes on Elev8.com
Americans took on more debt in May and used their credit cards more for only the second time in nearly three years. Consumers stepped up their borrowing just as the economy began to slump and hiring slowed. How College Students Can Build A Simple Budget The Federal Reserve said Friday that consumer borrowing rose $5.1 billion in May, the eighth straight monthly increase. It followed a revised gain of $5.7 billion in April. Borrowing in the category that covers credit cards increased, as did borrowing in the category for auto and student loans. Borrowing is a sign of confidence in the economy. Consumers tend to take on more debt when they feel wealthier. That boosts consumer spending. Ultimately, it gives businesses more faith to expand and hire. But an increase in credit card debt can also be a sign of people falling on harder times. 7 Affordable Gifts That Build Wealth The economy added just 18,000 jobs in June, the fewest in nine months, the Labor Department said Friday. It was the second straight month of feeble job growth. The unemployment rate rose to 9.2 percent, the highest rate of the year. Economists have said that temporary factors, in part, have forced some employers to scale back hiring plans. High gas prices have cut into consumer spending, which fuels 70 percent of economic activity. And supply-chain disruptions stemming from the Japan crisis have slowed U.S. manufacturing production. Economists don’t expect consumers to load up on debt the way they did during the housing boom. During that period, Americans felt wealthier and more willing to take on increased debt because of the soaring value of their homes. The Federal Reserve’s borrowing report includes auto loans, student loans and credit cards. But it excludes mortgages and loans tied to real estate.
