The mind is as important as the rest of the body, and with increasing mental health awareness, conditions like depression are getting the attention they need. Even so, symptoms of mental health conditions may be difficult to identify because they may be confused with general mood swings and or mere sadness. What differentiates depression from such feelings is its severity and duration. So, here are some common and unusual depression symptoms: Common signs of depression Persistent feelings of sadness Everyone experiences phases of extreme sadness and despair, but for those with depression, these feelings are persistent for weeks or even months at a stretch. These feelings are so strong that they overpower all other emotions, distracting the person from all other usual activities. Extreme feelings of hopelessness People going through depression often develop an outlook of hopelessness, often pondering over questions about purpose and self-worth. Patients have reported feeling worthless; for them, even daily chores may seem to take up too much effort, making them believe that all the hard work ultimately amounts to nothing. Loss of interest in hobbies and activities A tell-tale sign of depression is when individuals lose interest in hobbies or activities that they used to enjoy earlier.

Preserving perishable food items has become essential in modern life. Throwing out a perfectly cooked meal or good produce just because it wasn’t stored properly can be heartbreaking, not to mention environmentally wasteful. So, one is advised to follow proper storage methods for perishables. Simply stuffing leftovers into the fridge does not always guarantee freshness. Each food item requires specific care. Here are some proven ways to keep food and leftovers fresh for a long time. Start fresh One way to store food for a long time is to buy fresh fruits and veggies in the first place. Look for richly colored leafy greens without limp or yellowing leaves. Root vegetables, cabbages, squash, and onions should feel heavy for their size and be free of blemishes or soft spots. If you rely on grocery delivery, choose produce types that last longer. Now, let’s talk about how to store them effectively. Containers matter It is important to ensure that the storage containers are all leak-proof. Resealable packages have airtight seals that do not expose food to air. These can include zip-lock bags or glass containers. One can also use wraps for the same purpose, but ensure they tightly secure the food and do not cause leakage or aerial exposure.

For those experiencing a slight tickle in their throat, body aches, and a sudden fever, these are the first signs of the flu. Recognizing these early signs is crucial and helps prevent the spread of the virus. It is especially critical for younger children, older adults, pregnant women, or people with health conditions that may affect their respiratory and immune systems to seek immediate aid. Here are some other early warning signs and their prevention. Early warning signs Here are some of the early signs that one should be careful of. Body aches This is an early sign before the onset of the flu and is easily noticeable. When body chills accompany the body ache, it is likely a flu symptom. This body ache points to seasonal illness unless one may have gone for a recent workout that led to sore muscles. One way to manage this symptom is to keep the body warm using blankets and warm clothing. Sore throat Coughing, related to the flu, is also known to lead to a sore throat in which the virus affects the food pipe and causes inflammation. Other accompanying symptoms include scratching and irritation when swallowing food, so noticing these signs is essential.

Mental illnesses are health conditions that can cause changes in thinking, emotional states, and/or behavior. Such changes affect daily lives and the ability to function in private, social, family, and work settings. Nevertheless, mental illnesses, like other health conditions, can be managed with appropriate medical intervention, guidance, and care. Further, early diagnosis can help with management. Here are a few other things one should know about mental health conditions: 1. Mental disorders are common Close to a billion people around the world live with a diagnosable mental disorder. Further, 1 in 5 people in the country may have a mental illness. While the prevalence of mental disorders varies with gender and age, anxiety and depressive disorders are the most common in both males and females. 2. Mental health exists on a scale Living with mental health conditions does not mean one is mentally ill or healthy. Mental health exists on a complex continuum, with experiences ranging from an optimal state of well-being to mental and emotional distress. So, it is not defined by the presence or absence of a mental disorder. While those with mental health conditions are more likely to experience lower levels of mental well-being, this is not always the case.

Over the last few years, telehealth has become quite popular for those who would like remote access to quality healthcare services. This includes access to mental health care. Online psychiatrist platforms offer a convenient way to look for board-certified psychiatrists and psychiatric nurse practitioners (NPs). One can get consultations and diagnoses from the comfort of a private space. Here are some of the top ones for those looking for popular online psychiatrist platforms: 1. Brightside Brightside is an online platform that specializes in the treatment of anxiety and depression. It offers psychotherapy and psychiatry services in addition to providing streamlined and coordinated treatment plans. Besides, it is known for focusing on seamless tracking of patient progress, which ensures improvement of symptoms over time. This is done by asking patients to fill out surveys frequently. With this, medical providers on Brightside are also able to adjust the treatment and management plans. Also, the plans are quite affordable, at $95 a month, which gives access to one 15-minute psychiatric appointment, prescription delivery, and continual provider support. With Brightside accepting most major insurance plans, out-of-pocket costs can go lower. 2. Teladoc Health Teladoc Health is one of the leading online psychiatrist platforms with a highly intuitive and easy-to-use interface.

Most blood cancers start in the bone marrow, a spongy and soft material that forms the center of the bone. These make stem cells, which mature over time to become platelets, white blood cells, and red blood cells. Blood cancer starts in the bone marrow, affecting the blood cells’ production and impairing their function. As a result, several symptoms start to develop. So, here are some common warning signs of different types. Leukemia Leukemia is a type of cancer that originates in the bone marrow. It causes an abnormal increase in white blood cells, which live longer than they should. However, these excess cells do not function properly to fight off infections, leading to a weakened immune system and feelings of illness. The severity of symptoms depends on the rate at which the disease progresses. Sometimes, leukemia progresses quite quickly. In such cases, the first warning signs often include a sudden feeling of sickness, similar to coming down with the flu. Other times, leukemia may take years to cause any symptoms to occur. In either case, the first signs of the cancer are often apparent when a routine blood test shows abnormal results. Over time, the cancerous cells start to disrupt the growth and functioning of the healthy blood cells.

Gummies are chewable supplements that may help in improving various aspects of health. They often contain vitamins and minerals, giving the body another source of essential nutrients in addition to daily meals. Gummies can also help in achieving specific health goals. For example, certain gummies may help burn fat, allowing one to reach their fitness goals faster. But when opting for such supplements, one should avoid the following common mistakes: 1. Skipping research With many brands selling and advertising health gummies today, it can be hard to distinguish between genuine and false claims. Brands may use all tools, from influencer marketing and social media posts to innovative designs and clickbait, to sell their products. So, without adequate research, it may be easy to fall for the claims and buy the wrong product. That’s why one should be careful about the brands they choose. Further, one should be wary of the brand if it promises miraculous results within a few days of taking the gummies. It is important to choose a brand that is transparent about what goes into its product and shares substantial evidence that supports any health-related claims. 2. Not consulting a doctor As one does not need a doctor’s prescription to buy gummies, one may decide not to consult a doctor while choosing a product.

Quality sleep is one of the most important factors in maintaining one’s health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), a sleep duration of around seven hours or more per night is recommended for most adults. When one fails to get this required snooze, it is called sleep deprivation. This can be a short-term issue affecting one over a few days or a chronic condition lasting weeks and months. Warning signs of sleep deprivation Sleep deprivation can occur due to a variety of reasons, such as work stress, new parenthood, lifestyle, sleep disorders, health conditions, or environmental factors. Even 24 hours of missed sleep could impact one’s motor functioning and response times. There are various other warning signs of sleep deprivation to be aware of. Acne breakouts Some studies have shown a close relationship between lack of sleep and increased acne breakouts. This occurs because sleep deprivation can enhance the body’s cortisol levels, which increases inflammation and production of sebum, causing breakouts. Puffy eyes During the deep sleep stages, the body regulates hormones and works on tissue and muscle repair. Without adequate sleep, this becomes an issue, causing redness and/or puffiness around the eyes, dark circles, and deep eye bags.