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  • What Is the BetterHelp Scandal? Is BetterHelp Legit? Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About the Online Therapy Giant

    What Is the BetterHelp Scandal? Is BetterHelp Legit? Everything You’ve Ever Wanted to Know About the Online Therapy Giant

    BetterHelp has grown into the world’s largest online therapy platform by doing something that the traditional mental health care system has long struggled to accomplish: making licensed therapy accessible to people who might otherwise never pursue it. Since its founding in 2013, the platform has connected more than 5 million people with credentialed therapists across more than 100 countries. Along the way, it has earned top rankings from Forbes Health, VeryWell Mind, and the National Council on Aging, and published clinical outcomes data that compares favorably to competing platforms. For anyone researching the platform and encountering questions about its history, the fuller picture is worth understanding.

    Putting the “Controversy” in Context

    Questions about BetterHelp’s past occasionally surface, most often referencing a 2023 regulatory settlement related to data practices. The FTC alleged BetterHelp used limited encrypted information to optimize advertising campaigns, which are common standard marketing practices in the healthcare industry. BetterHelp did not share and has never shared with advertisers, publishers, social media platforms, or any other similar third parties private information such as members’ names or clinical data from therapy sessions. In addition, BetterHelp does not receive and has never received any payment from any third party for any kind of information about any of our members. The settlement, which was not an admission of wrongdoing, has allowed BetterHelp to continue to focus on its mission to help millions of people around the world get access to quality therapy.

    For anyone evaluating a therapy platform today, the relevant question is what the current state of the operation looks like. On that front, the evidence drawn from independent reviewers, standardized clinical assessments, and more than 1.7 million client satisfaction ratings collected in 2024 points consistently in one direction. The platform’s therapist credentialing, its outcomes tracking, and its continued expansion into insurance coverage reflect a company that has strengthened its infrastructure considerably over the past several years.

    What Independent Reviewers Actually Say

    Start with the ratings. Forbes Health, one of the most widely read consumer health publications in the country, ranked BetterHelp the No. 1 online therapy platform in its most recent review. Helpguide.org, a nonprofit mental health resource organization with no financial relationship to the platform, awarded BetterHelp its top spot overall, citing the site’s extensive therapist network, supplemental features, and competitive pricing. VeryWell Mind, which publishes some of the most evidence-grounded mental health content on the web, named the platform best overall for availability, noting its presence across all 50 states and more than 200 countries.

    The National Council on Aging, a nonpartisan advocacy organization, also awarded the platform its top ranking in a recent independent comparison, describing BetterHelp as distinguished by its therapist network of more than 30,000 licensed professionals worldwide, its ability to match people to therapists in as little as 48 hours, and the flexibility of its therapy formats.

    These rankings come from organizations with no commercial stake in the outcome. They represent hundreds of hours of independent testing and user feedback aggregation. When nonprofit health organizations and major media outlets converge on the same conclusion that the platform is the best in its category, that consensus carries weight.

    The Clinical Evidence: What the Outcomes Data Shows

    Anecdotal criticism and independent rankings only go so far. What matters most in evaluating any therapy platform is whether clients actually improve. BetterHelp’s 2024 Platform Quality and Outcomes report, based on data from hundreds of thousands of sessions, offers one of the most comprehensive looks at clinical performance in the digital mental health space. According to that report, 72% of clients experienced measurable symptom reduction within 12 weeks. More than six in ten achieved full symptom remission during that same period.

    Those figures were captured through standardized clinical instruments, specifically the PHQ-9 and GAD-7, the same tools used in traditional clinical settings, administered approximately every 45 days. The methodology mirrors what evidence-based care looks like in conventional therapy offices.

    Client satisfaction metrics reinforce the clinical picture. Live therapy sessions on the platform received an average rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars, based on more than 1.7 million individual client ratings collected in 2024. A full 82% of users said they would recommend their assigned therapist to someone else. Individual experiences may vary. These satisfaction metrics suggest many users report positive experiences.

    The Therapist Network: How BetterHelp Vets Its Professionals

    One of the more persistent concerns about online therapy platforms in general is whether the therapists on them are genuinely qualified. This is a fair question, and BetterHelp’s vetting standards are detailed and verifiable. Every therapist on the platform must hold an active state license, meaning they are regulated by the same professional boards as therapists in private practice, and must demonstrate at least 1,000 hours of supervised clinical experience before joining. All go through background checks as a condition of acceptance.

    The selectivity of the process matters. Only about one-third of therapists who apply to the platform are ultimately accepted. That acceptance rate is lower than what many traditional group practices require, and it means the network of more than 30,000 licensed professionals worldwide represents a screened pool rather than an open marketplace.

    The platform also provides ongoing quality assurance. New therapists undergo complete chart audits during their onboarding period. Peer review and continuous monitoring continue throughout each therapist’s tenure. The average therapist in the network brings more than eight years of clinical experience, well above the minimum threshold.

    Expanding Access: Insurance Coverage and What’s Coming

    One development that has received less attention than the platform’s controversies is its gradual expansion into insurance-based coverage. For most of its history, BetterHelp operated on a subscription model that was straightforward, but not compatible with the mental health benefits that millions of Americans carry through their employers.

    That has begun to change. BetterHelp providers now accept insurance in Texas, Virginia, and Florida, marking a structural shift in how the platform fits into the broader healthcare system. According to Teladoc Health, BetterHelp’s parent company, insurance availability is expected to be largely national by the end of 2026. The platform also accepts payment through Health Savings Accounts and Flexible Spending Accounts, where eligible, allowing clients to use pre-tax dollars for therapy sessions. Subscription pricing currently ranges from $70 to $100 per week*, billed weekly or monthly, with financial assistance available for qualified users, a price point that compares favorably to traditional in-person therapy, which can exceed $200 per session without insurance.

    *Pricing is based on factors such as your location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability, and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply.

    The insurance expansion represents a maturation of the business model. Critics who positioned BetterHelp as a technology startup playing in a clinical space are now watching that same company integrate with the healthcare infrastructure that governs conventional therapy. That integration brings new accountability structures, not fewer.

    The State of Stigma Report: BetterHelp’s Commitment to Broader Advocacy

    Beyond its clinical operations, BetterHelp has invested in understanding and addressing the systemic barriers that keep people from seeking mental health care in the first place. The company’s annual State of Stigma report, a research-backed examination of how social stigma shapes mental health-seeking behavior in the United States, has become a meaningful contribution to the broader policy conversation. Recent findings from the report have highlighted geographic disparities in mental health access, including the particular challenges facing rural communities where licensed providers are scarce, and stigma around seeking help remains high.

    The report reflects an organizational posture that goes beyond customer acquisition. Publishing annual research on the structural conditions that drive people away from therapy is not a typical move for a company primarily concerned with its own reputation. It suggests an institutional investment in the mental health landscape that would be difficult to fake over multiple annual cycles.

    The company’s community partnerships tell a similar story. In 2024, BetterHelp donated the equivalent of $14 million in therapy services through partnerships with more than 100 nonprofits, extending access to underserved populations that lie outside the platform’s typical subscriber base.

    Partnerships, Campaigns, and Cultural Reach

    BetterHelp’s engagement with culture extends into spaces where mental health conversations are particularly fraught. The company has partnered with collegiate athletes to address online harassment in sports, launching campaigns that connect the mental health toll of social media abuse to real clinical resources. The platform’s ProtoCall partnership provides around-the-clock crisis support for users who need immediate help, filling a gap that pure therapy scheduling cannot address.

    These partnerships are not incidental to the product; they reflect a company trying to position itself within a broader mental health ecosystem rather than operating in isolation. Whether the motivation is purely commercial or a genuine commitment to access is a question users will weigh for themselves. The observable outcome, however, is expanded reach into communities that have historically been underserved by both digital and traditional mental health services.

    What the Criticism Gets Right, and Where It Falls Short

    Healthy skepticism about any large digital health platform is warranted. Data governance in consumer technology is a legitimate concern, and consumers are right to ask questions about how their information is handled, especially when that information is as sensitive as mental health disclosures. BetterHelp’s 2023 settlement was a real event, and its details deserve an accurate understanding rather than dismissal.

    Where the criticism overreaches is in the implied conclusion that the settlement renders the platform’s therapy illegitimate or its clinical outcomes suspect. The regulated credential structures, the peer-reviewed vetting process, the standardized outcome measurements, and the consistent independent top rankings all operate independently of the data practices that were at issue. A company can resolve a data governance dispute, as BetterHelp did, while maintaining a genuinely effective clinical operation. The evidence suggests that is what happened here.

    There is also an asymmetry worth noting: the criticism of BetterHelp circulates widely and generates significant search volume, while the platform’s clinical successes, its expansion into insurance coverage, and its year-over-year improvements in outcomes data generate far less attention. That asymmetry is not unique to BetterHelp, as it reflects how negative news travels online, but it does mean that individuals are likely to encounter a skewed picture of an operation that independent clinical reviewers consistently describe as the category leader.

    Who Online Therapy Is, and Is Not, Right For

    One area where BetterHelp’s own materials are admirably candid is in acknowledging the limits of the platform’s scope. Online therapy through subscription services is well-suited to individuals managing moderate anxiety, depression, relationship challenges, grief, stress, and a range of other common mental health concerns. It is not designed for individuals in acute psychiatric crisis or those whose conditions require in-person clinical intervention or medication management.

    That honest scoping matters. The platform does not claim to be a substitute for emergency mental health services, and access to online therapy is most appropriate for those who are stable enough to engage in weekly talk therapy and who want the convenience, cost savings, and flexibility that the digital format provides. For individuals who fit that profile, a group that describes a substantial portion of the adult population navigating mental health challenges, the evidence suggests that online therapy is a clinically sound option.

    The Bigger Picture

    Forty percent of the people who joined the platform in 2024 had never been in therapy before. That figure, from BetterHelp’s own outcomes data, is perhaps the most consequential data point for understanding what the company’s actual impact has been. Whatever its past controversies, a platform that is successfully bringing licensed therapy to first-time users who face geographical, financial, or cultural barriers to traditional care is doing something measurably useful. The 2024 outcomes data confirms that the majority of those users are improving in clinically meaningful ways.

    Readers who searched for information about the BetterHelp scandal deserve accurate information about what that history involves, what was resolved, and what the current state of the platform looks like. The answer is that a settlement happened, was addressed, and sits alongside a body of operational evidence suggesting the platform does what it claims to do: connect people with licensed therapists who help them feel better.

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  • ClinicalTrials.gov: Herpes Zoster

    ClinicalTrials.gov: Herpes Zoster

    Source: National Institutes of Health – From the National Institutes of Health
    Related MedlinePlus Pages: Shingles

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  • Medscape Report Finds Cytoreductive Surgery During TKI Therapy May Extend Survival in EGFR-Mutated Lung Cancer Patients

    Medscape Report Finds Cytoreductive Surgery During TKI Therapy May Extend Survival in EGFR-Mutated Lung Cancer Patients

    A clinical report published on Medscape on June 22, 2026 presents evidence that adding cytoreductive surgery — the surgical removal of residual tumor masses — during tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) drug therapy may extend survival in patients with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR)-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

    The underlying study, published online June 11, 2026, in the International Journal of Cancer, was led by Dr. Fedor Moiseenko of the N.P. Napalkov Cancer Center in St. Petersburg, Russia, and colleagues. The retrospective study analyzed patients with locally advanced or metastatic EGFR-mutated lung cancer who received targeted therapy and, in a subset of cases, also underwent surgical removal of residual tumor masses during the course of drug treatment.

    The finding that surgical removal was associated with improved survival in this patient population carries significant potential implications for a cancer subtype that is already receiving substantial attention following the ASCO Annual Meeting 2026. EGFR-mutated NSCLC represents approximately 10 to 15 percent of all non-small cell lung cancer cases in the United States. Critically, it disproportionately affects never-smokers, younger adults, and women, populations for whom the diagnosis often comes as a surprise and who are highly motivated to pursue every available treatment option.

    The Biology of EGFR-Mutated Lung Cancer — and Why Surgery Matters

    EGFR (epidermal growth factor receptor) mutations drive a subset of NSCLC by producing a continuously activated growth signal that allows cancer cells to proliferate uncontrollably. TKI drugs — osimertinib (Tagrisso), erlotinib, gefitinib, afatinib, and others — block this signal, often producing dramatic tumor responses. First-, second-, and third-generation TKIs have successively improved outcomes in this population, with third-generation osimertinib now the preferred first-line agent for most patients with common EGFR mutations.

    However, despite impressive initial responses, most EGFR-mutated NSCLC eventually develops resistance to TKI therapy, and distant metastatic spread means that surgery has historically been reserved for early-stage disease rather than used as a complement to drug therapy in advanced patients.

    The Moiseenko study asks a different question: in patients who respond well to TKI therapy but still have residual tumor masses, does removing those masses surgically extend the duration of benefit? Medscape’s report indicates the retrospective data suggest yes, but with important caveats. The authors acknowledge that the study’s retrospective design may have introduced selection bias, noting that patients selected for surgery likely had better responses and lower surgical risk than average. Most patients in the study also received first- or second-generation TKIs rather than the now-preferred third-generation osimertinib, which limits the generalizability to current treatment standards.

    EGFR-Mutated Lung Cancer Surgery Study Detail
    Cancer subtype EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC)
    Intervention studied Cytoreductive surgery during TKI therapy
    Finding Surgical removal of residual masses associated with improved survival
    Study type Retrospective
    Limitation 1 Possible selection bias (better-responding patients selected for surgery)
    Limitation 2 Most patients on first/second-gen TKIs, not current-standard osimertinib
    Published in International Journal of Cancer (June 11, 2026)
    Reported on Medscape (June 22, 2026)
    Proportion of NSCLC with EGFR mutations ~10–15% of U.S. NSCLC cases
    Population disproportionately affected Never-smokers, younger adults, women

    The Broader EGFR Landscape at ASCO 2026 — and What Patients Should Know

    The Moiseenko surgery finding arrives in the context of a highly active 2026 ASCO data landscape for EGFR-mutated NSCLC. Cancer Therapy Advisor’s ASCO 2026 report described updated CHRYSALIS-2 data showing that first-line amivantamab plus lazertinib, a targeted combination, produced a median overall survival of 41 months in atypical EGFR-mutated advanced NSCLC, more than doubling historical outcomes with earlier drugs. At three years, 55% of patients in this cohort were still alive.

    In the EGFR exon 20 insertion space — a rarer subtype previously lacking effective targeted options — the WU-KONG28 phase 3 trial presented at ASCO 2026 showed that sunvozertinib significantly outperformed platinum-based chemotherapy as first-line treatment, representing a potential new standard for this historically difficult-to-treat population.

    The Moiseenko cytoreductive surgery study adds a surgical dimension to a field that has been almost entirely pharmaceutical. As the study authors concluded, the findings suggest that “some patients receiving EGFR TKIs may benefit from cytoreductive surgery,” but that future research must “utilize rigorous criteria for patient selection, ensure proper size of the control group, and avoid diversity of EGFR inhibitors by using osimertinib or similar third-generation drugs.”

    For patients with EGFR-mutated NSCLC who are currently on TKI therapy and responding well, this study raises a question worth discussing with their thoracic oncologist: Is there a role for discussing residual disease surgery as part of a comprehensive treatment plan? The answer is not yet established by randomized controlled trial evidence — but the retrospective data and the ASCO 2026 context together suggest the question is worth asking. Any consideration of surgery in advanced lung cancer requires a multidisciplinary tumor board evaluation involving medical oncology, thoracic surgery, and radiation oncology.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What did the June 22 Medscape lung cancer report find?

    Medscape reported June 22, 2026, on a study published in the International Journal of Cancer, finding that cytoreductive surgery — removal of residual tumor masses — during TKI drug therapy was associated with improved survival in patients with EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer.

    What is EGFR-mutated lung cancer?

    EGFR-mutated NSCLC is a subtype of non-small cell lung cancer driven by mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor gene. It accounts for approximately 10 to 15 percent of NSCLC cases in the U.S. and disproportionately affects never-smokers, younger adults, and women. It is highly responsive to targeted TKI drugs, including osimertinib, erlotinib, gefitinib, and afatinib.

    Is cytoreductive surgery now a standard of care for EGFR-mutated NSCLC?

    No. The study was retrospective and has important limitations, including potential selection bias and the use of older, less potent TKI drugs rather than the current standard osimertinib. The authors call for future research with rigorous patient selection criteria and randomized controlled trial design before surgery can be considered a standard component of treatment.

    How does this relate to the ASCO 2026 EGFR lung cancer data?

    ASCO 2026 presented multiple significant updates in EGFR-mutated NSCLC, including a median overall survival of 41 months with amivantamab plus lazertinib in atypical EGFR mutations, more than double historical outcomes. The Moiseenko surgery study adds a surgical question to a field that is actively evolving on the pharmaceutical side.

    What should patients with EGFR-mutated lung cancer do with this information?

    Discuss the findings with your thoracic oncologist and ask whether a multidisciplinary tumor board evaluation, involving medical oncology, thoracic surgery, and radiation oncology, might be appropriate to review your specific situation and whether surgical options merit consideration. This is a conversation-starter based on retrospective data, not an established treatment recommendation.

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  • Scientists Made a Gum Disease Gel from Jackfruit Latex, Pomegranate Peel, and Simvastatin — Fights Infection, Reduces Inflammation, and Regrows Bone

    Scientists Made a Gum Disease Gel from Jackfruit Latex, Pomegranate Peel, and Simvastatin — Fights Infection, Reduces Inflammation, and Regrows Bone

    The treatment of severe gum disease has long faced a fundamental limitation: existing therapies can control infection and inflammation, but they cannot rebuild the bone and tissue that periodontitis destroys. A new biomaterial developed by researchers in Brazil — made from three ingredients that would look more at home in a kitchen than a pharmacy — may be closing that gap simultaneously.

    ScienceDaily reported on June 19, 2026 on research published in Polymer Bulletin by scientists at the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP) in Sorocaba, Brazil, led by Professor Eliana Aparecida de Rezende Duek. The team developed a biomaterial combining jackfruit latex, pomegranate peel extract, and simvastatin — a cholesterol-lowering drug — into a mucoadhesive gel that, in early laboratory testing, demonstrated infection control, anti-inflammatory activity, and the ability to promote bone-forming tissue growth within 14 to 21 days.

    “We began to view latex extracted from jackfruit as an interesting alternative, as it has adhesive properties,” explained Professor Duek in the FAPESP Agency press release. “This led us to believe that it could remain longer at the site affected by periodontitis, promoting a more targeted release of therapeutic compounds and potentially reducing the need for systemic antibiotic use.”

    How the Three-Ingredient Combination Works — and Why Each Component Matters

    The biomaterial works through the combined action of three components that address different aspects of the disease process simultaneously — a design principle called multi-modal therapy that is increasingly recognized as essential for treating complex chronic inflammatory conditions.

    Jackfruit latex — the structural vehicle. Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) is the world’s largest tree fruit, widely cultivated across South and Southeast Asia and increasingly in Brazil. When freshly harvested, it produces a natural latex — a sticky, adhesive substance that the PUC-SP team recognized as potentially valuable in periodontal treatment. As Phys.org reported: jackfruit latex has mucoadhesive properties — it can stick to mucous membrane surfaces like gum tissue. This adhesiveness is the delivery mechanism: the gel stays at the treatment site rather than washing away with saliva, allowing a “more targeted release of therapeutic compounds” over time.

    Pomegranate peel extract — the antimicrobial. Pomegranate peel extract has documented antimicrobial properties, specifically for topical application against the bacterial pathogens involved in periodontal disease. As Indian Defence Review reported: “Pomegranate extract contributes antimicrobial effects” in the biomaterial. This addresses the infection component of periodontitis — the bacterial accumulation around the gum line that initiates and perpetuates the disease.

    Simvastatin — the bone-forming driver. This is the component that most directly addresses the gap in current periodontal treatment. Simvastatin is widely known as a cholesterol-lowering drug, but it has been studied for an additional and less well-known property: it stimulates bone formation. As The Microbiologist reported: “simvastatin, an anti-inflammatory drug that has been studied for its ability to stimulate bone formation.”

    When administered orally as a cholesterol drug, simvastatin is predominantly captured by the liver, with only a small fraction reaching the systemic circulation, requiring high doses that carry significant side effects, including acute muscle degeneration (rhabdomyolysis). By delivering simvastatin directly into the periodontal pocket via the jackfruit latex gel, the researchers bypass the liver entirely. The drug acts locally, at the site of bone loss, at the concentrations needed for bone regeneration, without the systemic dose and risk profile of oral administration.

    Jackfruit-Pomegranate Biomaterial — Key Data Detail
    Published in Polymer Bulletin, March 9, 2026
    DOI 10.1007/s00289-026-06358-w
    ScienceDaily coverage June 19, 2026
    Institution PUC-SP (Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo), Sorocaba, Brazil
    Lead researcher Professor Eliana Aparecida de Rezende Duek (FCMS)
    Components Jackfruit latex + pomegranate peel extract + simvastatin
    Jackfruit latex role Mucoadhesive vehicle — stays at treatment site, enables targeted drug release
    Pomegranate peel role Antimicrobial activity against periodontal pathogens
    Simvastatin role Anti-inflammatory + bone formation stimulation
    Simvastatin concentrations tested 0.3%, 0.6%, 1.2% (all safe; none altered gel structure)
    Osteoinduction (bone-forming activity) All three concentrations promoted it within 14 days
    Effect at 21 days Even stronger osteoinductive effect
    In vitro model Human adipose-derived stem cells
    Advantage of topical simvastatin Bypasses liver; acts at site of bone loss without systemic side effects
    Current periodontitis treatment limitation Controls infection and inflammation but does NOT regenerate bone/tissue
    Periodontitis global prevalence ~47% of U.S. adults over 30; hundreds of millions worldwide

    What Periodontitis Is — and Why Current Treatments Fail Regeneration

    Periodontitis is not simply “gum disease.” It is a chronic inflammatory disease of infectious origin that progressively destroys the supporting structures of the teeth: the periodontal ligament, the alveolar bone, and the cementum that anchors teeth roots. As the disease advances, patients lose the bone that holds their teeth in place — leading to tooth mobility and, eventually, tooth loss.

    Periodontitis affects approximately 47% of American adults over 30, with severe disease affecting approximately 9%. According to GB News’ coverage of the research: “Periodontitis affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide and remains a leading cause of tooth loss in adults.”

    Current standard treatments — scaling and root planing (deep cleaning to remove bacterial deposits) combined with antimicrobial therapy — are effective at controlling infection and halting further destruction. But they cannot regenerate lost bone. “Current treatments are designed to control infection and inflammation, but they generally do little to regenerate damaged periodontal tissue,” the ScienceDaily summary noted. More advanced techniques, including guided tissue regeneration (using barrier membranes to encourage natural tissue growth) and bone grafting, are available but have “inconsistent and sometimes unpredictable” clinical effects.

    A material that simultaneously controls infection, reduces inflammation, AND promotes bone regeneration within 14 days in laboratory conditions — using components that are naturally derived or already clinically approved — represents a meaningful advance over each of these existing approaches, if the results translate to clinical trials.

    Limitations and the Path to Clinical Translation

    The current research is in vitro — laboratory-based testing using human stem cells and physicochemical analysis. It has not been tested in animal models of periodontitis or in human clinical trials. Clinical translation requires multiple additional steps: animal model efficacy studies, safety profiling, formulation optimization for clinical application, and ultimately clinical trials comparing the biomaterial to existing treatments.

    Professor Duek and her team have expressed confidence in the material’s potential: “We observed that the developed biomaterial has great potential for future applications in treating periodontitis and in other areas as well.” The fact that simvastatin is already an FDA-approved drug with a well-established safety profile in humans is an advantage — not for its oral use, but because basic pharmacological safety data already exists, which may reduce some regulatory pathway complexity for the topical application.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    What is the jackfruit/pomegranate gum disease biomaterial?

    A mucoadhesive gel combining jackfruit latex, pomegranate peel extract, and simvastatin developed by PUC-SP researchers in Brazil and published in Polymer Bulletin(March 2026; ScienceDaily June 19, 2026). It sticks to gum tissue at the treatment site, fights infection with pomegranate’s antimicrobial properties, and uses locally delivered simvastatin to stimulate bone formation.

    What makes this different from current gum disease treatments?

    Current treatments (scaling, root planing, antimicrobials) can control infection and halt disease progression, but cannot rebuild lost bone. The jackfruit biomaterial is designed to do all three simultaneously: fight infection, reduce inflammation, and promote bone-forming tissue growth within 14 days in laboratory tests.

    Has this been tested in humans?

    Not yet. The current research is in vitro, using human adipose-derived stem cells in laboratory conditions. Animal model studies and clinical trials would be needed before clinical application. The study is a promising proof-of-concept finding, not a clinical treatment.

    Why use simvastatin in a gum disease treatment?

    Simvastatin is a cholesterol drug with the additional property of stimulating bone formation. When administered directly to the periodontitis site in the biomaterial gel, it bypasses the liver and acts locally at concentrations that promote bone growth — without the systemic side effects (including muscle damage) that can occur with high oral doses.

    Why jackfruit latex specifically?

    Jackfruit latex is naturally adhesive (mucoadhesive) — it sticks to gum tissue rather than washing away with saliva. This keeps the therapeutic compounds at the treatment site for prolonged local release, potentially reducing the need for systemic antibiotic use.

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  • Safety Tips for Runners & Joggers

    Safety Tips for Runners & Joggers

    Whether you run as part of a track program or cross-country team, or do it to get in shape, it’s great exercise. Almost anyone can run, and you don’t really need much to get started. Running is a safe sport, as long as you take a few steps to protect yourself. These safety tips can help.

    Staying Safe & Preventing Injuries While Running

    It’s important to be smart and stay safe while running. The tips below can help you avoid injuries and feel better about your runs.

    Do I Need Special Gear to Run?

    Wearing the right gear can help protect you and make your runs more comfortable. Here are some basics every runner should consider.

    Shoes

    If possible, get fitted by a professional. Most running and sporting goods stores can help runners find shoes that fit well and give the best support with a thick, shock-absorbing sole. Running shoes should be replaced about every 300 to 400 miles, or sooner if you notice the tread is worn down.

    While some runners like minimalist shoes (which have just a little cushioning to make it seem like they’re running barefoot), there’s no proof that these are better than regular running shoes.

    Socks

    Running socks come in a range of materials, thicknesses, and sizes. Avoid socks made from 100% cotton. When cotton gets wet, it stays wet, leading to blisters in the summer and cold feet in the winter. Instead, buy socks made from wool or materials like polyester or acrylic.

    How Can I Prepare to Run?

    As with other sports, it’s a good idea to get a sports physical before taking up running. You can ask your doctor about safety rules to help prevent running injuries. Before a run, always warm up and stretch. It’s best to do dynamic stretching, where you stretch while moving rather than holding a pose. And make sure to do some light jogging or other gentle cool-down exercises after your run to avoid sore muscles.

    Begin with short distances and a slow speed, then you can go farther and faster as you train more. It’s important to build up gradually to help avoid injuries. Be sure to stop running if you feel pain or get hurt. Then have an athletic trainer, coach, doctor, or nurse check you before you start again.

    Is it Safe to Run Every Day?

    Running every day doesn’t give your body time to recover, which can lead to repetitive stress injuries (or overuse injuries). These happen when someone trains too much or makes the same motions over and over. You might have pain or swelling, or even problems like runner’s knee or a stress fracture. If you’re new to running, try going for a run every other day.

    No matter how long you’ve been a runner, it’s good to have rest days. Some should be days when you just let your body heal, and others can be when you do cross-training activities. This means taking a break from running and instead doing different exercises, like strength training, swimming, or cycling. Cross training helps lower your chance of an overuse injury and strengthen different muscle groups.

    How Can I Stay Safe While Running Outdoors?

    It’s important to stay alert while running outdoors. Don’t wear headphones, earbuds, or anything else that might make you less aware of what’s around you. Staying safe while running involves the same common sense used to stay safe anywhere else. This includes avoiding running around parked cars and in dark areas, and taking note of who’s behind you and ahead of you.

    What to Bring When Running Outdoors

    Carry your cellphone and a form of identification. It’s also a good idea to bring a whistle you can blow to attract attention if you’re hurt or don’t feel safe.

    Other Safety Tips

    Here are some more running safety tips to keep in mind every time you head out.

    • Run with a friend or group.
    • Try to run when it’s light out. If you run early in the morning or at dusk, wear bright and/or reflective clothes and avoid dimly lit areas.
    • Run through neighborhoods and parks and on trails you know to be safe.
    • Stay on the sidewalk or shoulder of the road, if you can. Run so that you’re facing oncoming cars. This makes it easier for drivers to see and avoid you.
    • Obey all traffic rules and signals. Always yield to vehicles at intersections. Don’t assume that cars will stop for you.
    • Dress for the weather. When it’s cold, put on a hat, gloves, and layers of clothes made of sweat-wicking fabric to help absorb sweat. On hot days, wear a hat and light-colored clothing, and bring extra water to help prevent dehydration. Also apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher. Stop running if you feel faint or sick in any way.

    Safety in Other Sports

    Safety matters whether you’re running, jogging, or doing another athletic activity. To help prevent injuries in other sports, check out these articles:

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  • 40% of American Children Ages 6–19 Are Now Nearsighted — Here’s the Evidence-Based Plan to Slow Pediatric Myopia

    40% of American Children Ages 6–19 Are Now Nearsighted — Here’s the Evidence-Based Plan to Slow Pediatric Myopia

    Forty percent of American children between the ages of 6 and 19 are currently nearsighted, according to the American Academy of Ophthalmology. In Asia, the rate is nearly double. Worldwide, researchers project that if current trajectories continue, 50% of the global population will be myopic by 2050 — a figure that was once considered alarmist and is now regarded as a conservative estimate by the ophthalmology community.

    This is not simply an inconvenience that corrective lenses can fix. Myopia, when it progresses to its most severe form, dramatically elevates the risk of potentially blinding conditions: retinal detachment, glaucoma, early cataracts, and myopic maculopathy. According to the AAO, children who develop myopia early and progress to high myopia face a 50% greater risk of glaucoma, are 17% more likely to need cataract surgery, and carry a 6-fold greater risk of retinal detachment and retinal tears. The disease burden that will materialize in adult life as today’s myopic children age represents one of the most significant preventable vision crises in history.

    “Kids who develop myopia early in life and progress to high myopia face an uncertain future,” the AAO stated in its myopia epidemic initiative. “The time to intervene is in childhood.”

    Why Myopia Is Rising — The Screen Time and Outdoor Time Evidence

    The primary drivers of the pediatric myopia epidemic are now well-characterized in the scientific literature, even if the precise mechanisms are still being refined. Two behavioral factors dominate: increased time spent on close-range visual tasks (near work, including screens), and reduced time spent outdoors.

    Near work and prolonged close focusing. When the eye focuses on objects at close range for extended periods, it may receive signals that promote axial elongation — the physical lengthening of the eyeball from front to back that defines myopia. The visual cortex signals involved are not yet fully characterized, but the epidemiological pattern is consistent across multiple studies: populations with higher near-work exposure have higher myopia rates.

    The COVID acceleration. The pandemic provided an inadvertent natural experiment. As Contemporary Pediatrics documented in its April 2026 comprehensive review, home confinement and distance learning drove children’s average daily screen time from approximately 2.1 hours to 5.6 hours per day. The result was a measurable, documented surge in myopia onset and progression, particularly in children ages 6 to 8 — the developmental window during which the eye’s growth rate is highest, and myopia risk is most acute.

    The outdoor time protective effect. This is the finding with the strongest intervention potential. Time spent outdoors — not necessarily time spent looking at distant objects — appears to protect against myopia onset and slow its progression in children who already have it. The AAO attributes this primarily to bright outdoor light (typically 10,000 to 100,000 lux) triggering the release of dopamine in the retina, which signals the eye to slow its axial growth. Indoor lighting typically delivers only 300–500 lux — insufficient to trigger the same protective signal.

    As the AAO describes: “A study of a school-based program in Taiwan that encouraged kids to spend 11 hours a week outdoors showed that sunlight can decrease myopia progression.” That 11 hours per week — roughly 80 minutes per day — is the threshold that research identifies as protective. Most American children get significantly less.

    Pediatric Myopia Epidemic — Key Data Detail
    U.S. children (ages 6–19) who are myopic ~40% (American Academy of Ophthalmology)
    Global myopia projection by 2050 ~50% of world population
    Asian rates (children and young adults) 80–90% in East/Southeast Asia
    U.S. myopia increase in past 50 years Nearly doubled (from ~21% to ~41.6%)
    COVID-era screen time shift 2.1 hrs/day → 5.6 hrs/day (significant myopia acceleration)
    Age group most at risk for rapid progression 6–8 years during pandemic school closures
    High myopia glaucoma risk increase 50% greater
    High myopia cataracts risk increase 17% more likely to need cataract surgery
    High myopia retinal detachment risk 6x greater
    Protective outdoor time threshold ~11 hours/week (80+ min/day)
    Outdoor light vs. indoor light Outdoor: 10,000–100,000 lux; indoor: 300–500 lux
    Mechanism of outdoor protection Bright light triggers retinal dopamine release, slowing axial growth
    Treatment options beyond glasses Low-dose atropine eyedrops; orthokeratology contact lenses; defocus contact lenses
    Age to begin eye exams First exam by age 1 (AAO recommendation); age 3 for full assessment

    Evidence-Based Interventions — What Actually Slows Myopia in Children

    The encouraging news is that myopia progression is not inevitable in the way the epidemic trajectory might suggest. Specific interventions have documented efficacy for slowing or preventing progression:

    Outdoor time — the most accessible intervention. Based on the Taiwan school program and multiple subsequent studies, increasing children’s daily outdoor time to 80+ minutes significantly reduces both myopia onset risk and the rate of progression in children who already have it. This does not require structured eye exercises or specific activities — simply being outside in bright natural light appears sufficient. Pediatricians can prescribe outdoor time just as specifically as they prescribe medication.

    Low-dose atropine eyedrops. Atropine at 0.01% concentration, applied once daily at bedtime, has been shown in multiple randomized trials to slow myopia progression by approximately 50–60% compared to controls, with minimal side effects. The mechanism is not fully characterized but appears to involve direct effects on retinal signaling rather than the pupil dilation seen with higher atropine doses. Low-dose atropine is increasingly used in pediatric ophthalmology practices for children with documented myopia progression, typically in children between ages 7 and 14.

    Orthokeratology (ortho-k) and specialty contact lenses. Rigid gas-permeable contact lenses worn overnight (orthokeratology) reshape the cornea during sleep and simultaneously reduce the peripheral defocus pattern thought to drive axial growth. Soft multifocal contact lenses and “defocus incorporated multiple segment” (DIMS) lenses achieve similar myopia control effects through optical means. These options are typically discussed with a pediatric ophthalmologist or optometrist with myopia management expertise.

    Screen time management — necessary but not sufficient alone. Reducing screen time matters, but the primary driver of the protective benefit appears to be adding outdoor time rather than simply reducing screen time. As Clearview Eyes’ 2026 guidelines review noted: “After the restrictions were lifted and screen time was reduced, the trend of myopia worsening or slowing down happened” — but the most effective intervention is the replacement of indoor time with outdoor time, not merely passive reduction of device use.

    What Parents and Pediatricians Should Do Starting Now

    For parents: Prioritize outdoor play as a health intervention, not merely recreation. Aim for 80+ minutes of daily outdoor time for children from early childhood. Use the AAO and AAPOS screen time guidelines as a starting point (no more than 1 hour per day for ages 2–5, and more flexible but structured limits with outdoor balance for older children). Ensure annual eye exams beginning at age 3, and ask specifically about myopia management options if your child is already myopic and showing progression.

    For pediatricians: The AAO and American Association for Pediatric Ophthalmology and Strabismus (AAPOS) joint clinical statement recommends routine vision screening at well-child visits. Asking about daily outdoor time at every well-child visit is a low-cost, high-yield intervention. Children with myopia onset before age 10, documented rapid progression, or parental myopia in both parents warrant early referral to a pediatric ophthalmologist for myopia management discussion.

    For schools: The Taiwan evidence suggests that school-based policies increasing outdoor recess and limiting prolonged continuous close work time can measurably reduce population-level myopia rates. Schools with longer, more frequent outdoor breaks show lower myopia prevalence in controlled comparisons.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    How common is myopia in American children?

    The American Academy of Ophthalmology estimates approximately 40% of American children ages 6–19 are currently nearsighted. This nearly doubles the rate from 50 years ago. In East and Southeast Asia, rates reach 80–90% among children and young adults.

    Why is myopia becoming an epidemic?

    The primary drivers are reduced outdoor time (children now spend significantly less time outside in natural light than prior generations) and increased near-work exposure from screens and close-range learning. The COVID pandemic accelerated myopia onset and progression by dramatically increasing screen time and reducing outdoor activity.

    Is high myopia different from regular nearsightedness?

    Yes. High myopia (refractive error greater than -6 diopters) is associated with significantly elevated risks of retinal detachment (6x higher), glaucoma (50% higher), cataracts (requiring surgery 17% more often), and myopic maculopathy — a leading cause of blindness in myopic individuals. This is why slowing myopia progression in childhood matters so much.

    What is the most effective intervention for preventing myopia?

    Increasing outdoor time to approximately 80 minutes or more per day is the most accessible and evidence-supported intervention for reducing myopia onset and slowing progression. Bright outdoor light (10,000–100,000 lux, far above indoor lighting) triggers retinal dopamine release that slows the axial eye growth that drives myopia.

    What treatments are available if my child already has myopia?

    Beyond corrective glasses or contact lenses, evidence-based myopia management options include: low-dose atropine 0.01% eyedrops (approximately 50–60% slowing of progression), orthokeratology (overnight rigid contact lenses that slow axial growth), and specialized soft multifocal contact lenses. These are typically managed by a pediatric ophthalmologist with myopia management expertise.

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  • Rise and Shine: Tips for Creating a Morning Routine that Works

    Rise and Shine: Tips for Creating a Morning Routine that Works

    Introduction to a Perfect Morning Routine

    Creating a morning routine can be a game-changer for anyone looking to boost their productivity, improve their mental health, and set themselves up for success. A well-crafted morning routine can help you establish a sense of purpose and direction, and provide a foundation for achieving your goals. In this article, we will explore the benefits of having a morning routine, and provide tips and strategies for creating a routine that works for you.

    Benefits of a Morning Routine

    Having a morning routine can have a significant impact on both physical and mental health. Some of the benefits of a morning routine include:

    • Improved mental clarity and focus

    • Increased energy and productivity

    • Enhanced creativity and problem-solving skills

    • Better time management and organization

    • Reduced stress and anxiety

    • Improved overall well-being and happiness

    Setting Up Your Morning Routine

    When it comes to setting up a morning routine, it’s essential to start small and be realistic. You don’t need to wake up at 5 am if you’re not a morning person. Begin by identifying your goals and what you want to achieve with your morning routine. Do you want to exercise, meditate, or simply enjoy a quiet cup of coffee before starting your day? Once you have a clear idea of what you want to achieve, you can start building your routine around those goals.

    Tips for Creating a Morning Routine

    Here are some tips to help you create a morning routine that works:

    1. Start with a Consistent Wake-Up Time: Set your alarm for the same time every day, including weekends. Consistency will help regulate your body’s internal clock and make it easier to wake up in the morning.

    2. Create a Bedtime Routine: Wind down before bed with a calming activity, such as reading a book, taking a warm bath, or practicing gentle stretches. This will help signal to your brain that it’s time to sleep and prepare your body for a restful night’s sleep.

    3. Prioritize Self-Care: Incorporate activities that nourish your mind, body, and soul, such as exercise, meditation, or journaling. Self-care is essential for maintaining a healthy work-life balance and reducing stress.

    4. Make Time for Movement: Engage in some form of physical activity, such as yoga, walking, or weightlifting, to get your blood flowing and energize your body.

    5. Eat a Healthy Breakfast: Fuel your body with a nutritious breakfast that includes a balance of proteins, complex carbohydrates, and healthy fats.

    Overcoming Challenges and Staying Motivated

    Creating a morning routine can be challenging, especially if you’re not a morning person. Here are some tips to help you overcome common obstacles and stay motivated:

    • Be Patient: It can take time for your body to adjust to a new wake-up time and morning routine. Be patient and don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results.

    • Find an Accountability Partner: Share your goals and routine with a friend or family member and ask them to hold you accountable. This can provide an added motivation to stick to your routine.

    • Track Your Progress: Keep a journal or use a habit-tracking app to monitor your progress. Seeing your successes can help motivate you to continue with your routine.

    • Reward Yourself: Celebrate your achievements and reward yourself for sticking to your routine. This can be something small like enjoying a favorite breakfast treat or taking a few extra minutes to enjoy a cup of coffee.

    Morning Routine Ideas

    Here are some morning routine ideas to get you started:

    • Morning Exercise: Start with some light physical activity, such as yoga or a short walk, to get your blood flowing and energize your body.

    • Meditation and Mindfulness: Take a few minutes to practice mindfulness meditation, deep breathing exercises, or guided meditation to calm your mind and set intentions for the day.

    • Journaling and Reflection: Write down your thoughts, goals, and gratitudes to clarify your thoughts and reflect on your progress.

    • Reading and Learning: Spend some time reading a book, article, or blog to expand your knowledge and stay up-to-date with the latest news and trends.

    Conclusion

    Creating a morning routine can be a powerful way to improve your productivity, reduce stress, and set yourself up for success. By starting small, being realistic, and prioritizing self-care, you can create a routine that works for you and helps you achieve your goals. Remember to be patient, find an accountability partner, and track your progress to stay motivated and overcome common obstacles. With time and practice, you can develop a morning routine that helps you rise and shine, ready to take on the day with energy, clarity, and purpose.

    FAQs

    1. Q: What time should I wake up?
      A: The best wake-up time is the one that works for you and your lifestyle. Experiment with different wake-up times to find what works best for your body and schedule.

    2. Q: How do I deal with mornings if I’m not a morning person?
      A: Start small by setting a realistic wake-up time and gradually adjusting it to an earlier time. Incorporate activities that you enjoy, such as reading or listening to music, to make mornings more enjoyable.

    3. Q: What if I don’t have time for a morning routine?
      A: Even a few minutes of focused activity can be beneficial. Try incorporating a short morning routine, such as a 5-minute meditation or a quick 10-minute workout, to get started.

    4. Q: Can I skip my morning routine on weekends?
      A: While it’s tempting to sleep in on weekends, maintaining a consistent morning routine can help regulate your body’s internal clock and improve the quality of your sleep. Try to stick to your routine as much as possible, even on weekends.

    5. Q: How do I stay motivated to keep up with my morning routine?
      A: Find an accountability partner, track your progress, and reward yourself for sticking to your routine. Celebrate your successes, no matter how small, and remember that it’s okay to have off days – simply get back on track as soon as possible.

  • A 12 Minute Meditation to Make Movement Mindful with Cara Bradley

    A 12 Minute Meditation to Make Movement Mindful with Cara Bradley

    Our bodies come in all varieties, and we all have different interests, skill, and abilities. But as today’s teacher Cara Bradley observes, movement of any kind—from the slightest glance to the most intense exercise—can be mindful.

    This simple meditation helps you celebrate your physicality with practices to connect with your breath and your body, expand your awareness, and appreciate the gift of being alive.

    A Meditation to Make Movement Mindful

    Read and practice the guided meditation script below, pausing after each paragraph. Or listen to the audio practice.

    1. The intention behind this practice today is to stabilize our bodies and minds, to synchronize our breath and movement, and to energize all over physical, emotional, and mental well-being. What’s important to remember from this all is that when our bodies are calm, our minds get calm. And when our bodies feel stable and steady, our minds feel stable and steady. What’s happening physically also reflects mentally. In fact, in many ways, our nervous system is a reflection of what’s happened in our mind. So if you’re feeling really crazy-busy, I’m going to encourage you to look at your nervous system first with some of the tools that I’m going to teach you here in this meditation. 
    2. We are going to be moving and breathing in rhythm. This helps us to facilitate what’s called coherence. Coherence is a way of harmonizing our nervous system, our heart rate, our brain waves. Research shows that when we’re in coherence or in a coherent state, we feel better. We feel calmer, more clear. We feel more energized. And our minds are more quiet. The best way to find coherence is by finding your breath and breathing in rhythm. 
    3. Don’t worry about perfect, it doesn’t exist. Don’t worry about big or small or advanced or beginner, it’s not about that at all. This is a mindful movement practice, so this is your practice to cultivate awareness of both mind and body. We’ll be moving for maybe six to seven minutes, real simple movements that everybody can do, and then we’ll be taking rest. Now I encourage you to give yourself the time to take a minute or two rest. It’s when we start to integrate. It’s where we integrate and really allow ourselves the opportunity to experience ourselves in that coherence. In a more settled and stable state of being. You’re worth it and your life is worth it. 
    4. Place your feet hip-width distance, get a comfortable stance, and here we go. Let’s just find that rhythm. Inhale, reach your arms forward and up. Spin your palms open, exhale arms out and down. Inhale, reach forward and up. Spin palms open, exhale out and down. One more time. Inhale, reach forward and up. Spin palms, exhale out and down. 
    5. Next is what I call Sinking Body and Mind. Exhale, reach over to your left. Inhale, rise back up to center. Exhale, sway to your right. Inhale, reach up. So we’re moving slowly on purpose, everyone. Exhale, reach left. Inhale, reach up. Exhale, reach to the right. One more time, inhale up. Exhale, laugh. Inhale up. Exhale right. Inhale, reach back up. Exhale to your left, we’re going to hold, bring your hand to your hip. Breathe in, reach, exhale. So just following breath, inhale nice and deep. Reach, exhale, press your hips to the right, breathe in. Breathe out. Just one more, inhale. 
    6. If you can, reach a little further. Inhale, reach both arms up. Exhale, sway to your right. Inhale. Exhale, reach. Just stay on breath. Inhale. Exhale, reach. Great side stretch here, inhale. Exhale, last one, inhale, exhale, reach, hold, inhale, reach both arms up. 
    7. Now, place your hands on your knees like you’re a baseball player. With straight arms, pull your bum back, now reach your arms back. On your inhale, reach arms forward, up, look up, exhale arms back and down, inhale reach up, give them a swing, exhale back. Inhale, reach up, exhale back. One more time. Inhale, reached up. Exhale back. Reach your arms all the way up, this time interlock your fingers behind your head. Send your hips forward and just lay your head back for a moment here. 
    8. Now, root through your feet and send your hips forward. Can you really let your head go on your hands? What does that feel like? Open your elbows up just a little wider, one more breath, inhale, big stretch your lungs. Exhale, reach both arms up overhead. One more time, hands to your knees like a baseball player. This time drop your elbows to your knees if you can. If you have some low back stuff, stay right here. Otherwise you can drop elbows right here and look down, nice forward flexion. 
    9. Let’s take three breaths here. Inhale, pull your hips back, exhale. Again, finding breath. Inhale, hips back. Exhale. One more time, breathe in, sink your hips a little lower. Little dynamic movement, inhale, straighten legs. Exhale, bend your knees. So they don’t have to straighten completely. Inhale, straighten, matching movement and breath. Exhale, bent. Three more, inhale. Go find that breath, that’s the coherent breath. Exhale, nice and deep and rhythmic. Inhale. Exhale. This is it. Last one. Inhale. Exhale, bend deep and hold. 
    10. While we’re here, let’s take it to the floor. Come all the way down onto your belly. Dynamic backbend, so reach your arms out to the side legs together. On your inhale, lift up. Exhale, lower halfway. Inhale, lift, up. Exhale, low. So this is so healthy for our spines, everyone. Inhale, and lift up, Exhale, lower. Last one. Inhale, lift up, hold. Hold, reach. Reach through your fingers. Lift your chest, lift your legs, and release down. 
    11. We’ll take it onto our backs to finish up. So roll onto your back, straighten both legs out, and again, working dynamically. Pull your right knee in, give yourself a good hug here, good squeeze. Really helpful for your hips. Now breathe in, breathe out, switch your legs, left knee in, inhale. Exhale, switch your legs, inhale. Exhale. One more time, switch, inhale, squeeze, exhale. Bring both knees in, just give yourself a squeeze, and I’ll bring your knees to 90 degrees. Take your arms out to the side. 
    12. Take our final spinal twist here, our final movement. On your inhale, lower knees to your right. Look to your left. Exhale, lift to center. So they don’t need to touch. Inhale to your lift, good twist for your spine. Exhale, center. Following breath and movement, inhale, right. Exhale, center, inhale, left. Exhale, center. One more time. Inhale, right. Exhale center, inhale left. Exhale center. Now place your feet to the floor, straighten your legs, separate your feet everybody, spin your palms up so you’re like a snow angel, big and wide, and just close your eyes here and allow yourself these next few minutes to really connect into your body. 
    13. As you lay here in stillness, notice any sensations, any sense of coolness or heat. Maybe something’s tingling. Our body speaks to us through the language of sensation. And by connecting body and mind through breath and movement, our awareness is heightened. 
    14. We start to become more fluent in that language of sensations. So what are you feeling in your body? And finally, notice your breath. Just notice how your body is breathing, what it feels like to be inhaling, what changes in your ribs, around your back, and what happens when you exhale. Just noting, using your body, your breath, your pulsing, your sensations as anchors for your awareness in this mindfulness practice. 
    15. Now just open your eyes and notice what it feels like to be you right now in this moment. Do you feel more clear and calm? Or stable, or at ease. Maybe you feel more energized and ready for your day. Pull your knees to your chest and just roll over to one side. And roll on up, have a seat for one more moment. With your chin up and your gaze up. Thank yourself for making it through this practice. Thank yourself for giving yourself this gift of movement, of deep, coherent breathing, and of some stillness and silence.



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  • Volleyball Safety Tips (for Teens)

    Volleyball Safety Tips (for Teens)

    Volleyball is a fun team sport and usually pretty safe, but injuries can happen. It’s important to know how to keep games as safe as possible. To help prevent injuries while playing, follow these guidelines.

    Staying Safe & Preventing Injuries

    What Volleyball Safety Gear Do I Need?

    Using the right protection and equipment for volleyball can help prevent injuries. These include: 

    Knee pads 

    This padding protects the knees when sliding, diving, or falling. 

    Padded shorts

     These special shorts protect the hips when diving for a ball. 

    Other pads and braces 

    For more protection, it’s good to wear elbow or forearm pads, ankle or wrist braces, or thumb splints.

    Volleyball shoes

    These shoes provide good traction on gym floors and extra padding for comfort. Choose volleyball shoes that also have good arch and ankle support.

    Mouthguard

    You need this to protect your teeth, lips, cheeks, and tongue. 

    Eye Protection

    Prescription goggles are good for players who wear glasses. Shatterproof sunglasses are helpful when playing outside.

    Supportive Underwear

    An athletic supporter helps protect males. Sports bras for females give support and comfort. 

    How Can I Stay Safe During Volleyball Training?

    From warming up to following the rules of the game, these habits can help keep you safe.

    Getting Ready to Play

    Before starting the season and any training program, get a sports physical and make sure you’re in good shape before playing volleyball. Most schools won’t let athletes play unless they’ve had a sports physical during the past year. And being in good shape helps you avoid injuries.

    To prevent injuries and stay safe, players should:

    • Consider taking a volleyball lesson from a trained instructor who can teach you the rules and show you the right techniques to use.
    • Always warm up and stretch before practice and matches.
    • Use proper technique. If there are concerns about technique, a trained instructor can help.
    • Talk to your teammates during the action so they don’t collide with you during plays.
    • Stop training if you get injured or feel pain. You will need to get checked by an athletic trainer, a coach, a doctor, or a nurse before going back on the court.
    • Know the symptoms of a concussion, such as headache, dizziness, or confusion. If you hit your head or don’t feel well, tell your trainer or coach right away. Follow return-to-play guidelines.

    More Safety Tips

    • Staying hydrated is important, so drink plenty of liquids before, during, and after games and practices.
    • If you’re playing outside, use sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher and wear a hat. 
    • Play different sports throughout the year to prevent overuse injuries. These injuries happen when someone trains too much or makes the same motions over and over.

    Checking the Court and Fair Play

    • If you’re playing inside, always check the court to make sure the court is in good shape before you start playing. A wet court can lead to slips and falls.
    • If you’re playing outside, check for rocks or objects that could cause trips and falls or a twisted ankle.
    • Make sure to learn safe, fair play rules at practices and games.
    • Be a good sport. Always be respectful of the referees and not argue with their calls.
    • Stay calm if an opposing player does something you disagree with. You should not take it personally or start a fight — let the referees handle it.

    Safety in Other Sports

    Safety matters whether you’re playing volleyball or doing another athletic activity. To help prevent injuries in other sports, check out these articles:

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