Your mental health and the care that you get may depend on the state you are in. For instance, if you are in Vermont, you are in good shape, but if you are in Texas, not so much. This is the second year that Texas topped the list of worst states due to having a large population of uninsured adults with mental illness. As per Forbes Advisor Health Insurance, seven data points were analysed to reveal the worst states for mental health care.

Out of the 10 worst US states for mental health care are located in the South, whereas 5 out of the 10 best US states are located in the Northeast.

Experts note that mental health care is also influenced by a person's beliefs and their place of residence. This is why urban and northern states have more positive overall mental health.

Which Are The 5 Best And Worst States?

5 Worst States for Mental Health Care

• Texas
• Georgia
• Alabama
• Florida
• Mississippi

Best States for Mental Health Care

• Vermont
• Connecticut
• Rhode Island
• Pennsylvania
• Massachusetts

The disparities between the South and Northeast highlight the need for more investment and attention to mental health infrastructure.

Is There A Reason For Texas To Rank So Low?

This state has 21.4% uninsured adults, the second highest in the US. On average 75% of young people with depression in Texas, do not receive any mental health service, while 19.4% of youth with private insurance do not have the education about mental health problems.

Texas also has a limited mental health infrastructure ranked the third lowest in the number of treatment centres, with only 8.4 per 10,000 businesses. On average, 62.3% of adults with mental illness in Texas go untreated.

Why Vermont Ranked The Highest?

Vermont has good access to services, comprehensive insurance coverage and strong support for mental health initiatives. The state also has a well-developed mental health care system with 34 treatment centres per 10,000 businesses. The number of uninsured individuals is also low in Vermont, with just 6% of them, whereas more residents have health insurance that covers mental health services.

The state also has one of the lowest percentages of untreated mental illness, just 43%.

Stigma Around Mental Health

A 2024 Lancet study titled Structural stigma in mental illness found that structural stigma of mental health disease refers to the “inequitable deprioritization, devaluation, and othering of mental health and substance misuse health (compared with physical health)” in healthcare systems.

The study also notes that for the hospital emergency department, the patient-to-nurse ratio for physical health is 3:1, whereas for mental health patients, it is 6:1. The 2008 Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act also requires health plans to provide physical and mental health benefits equality. However, the National Alliance of Mental Health points out that parity laws mean nothing if there is inadequacy with the provider and a lack of awareness.

What Mental Health Care Includes?

There are various ways one can access mental health care. This includes:

Talk therapy: this is general counselling, cognitive behavioral therapy and dialectal behavioral therapy.

Impatient hospitalization: this involves intensive mental health treatment, which could be voluntary or involuntary.

Partial hospitalization: it includes a structured program of psychiatric treatments during the day only.

Substance misuse treatment: it addresses drug and alcohol addiction.

Emergency psychiatric care: it is used as a crisis intervention, which may include self-harm or overdose treatment.

Medication coverage: this usually includes at least partial coverage of pharmaceutical treatment for mental health disorders.

Nothing ruins a hard workout like being benched by a thudding headache. Dehydration often gets the blame, but it's certainly not the only culprit. Post-exercise headaches, as it turns out, are more complicated than that, with multiple triggers including blood sugar drops, neck tension—and even in some instances, something more sinister.

Whether you’re a weekend warrior or training for your next triathlon, understanding the root cause of your post-workout headaches is essential to managing them and preventing them from coming back.

What Are Exercise Headaches?

Exercise headaches—also known as exertional headaches—are headaches that arise during or shortly after exercise. They're generally characterized by a throbbing sensation on both sides of the head and may persist anywhere from a few minutes to as long as 48 hours. Initially described by French physician Jules Tinel in 1932, the headaches have become a frequent complaint among fitness enthusiasts since.

The condition occurs in approximately 12% of adults, though prevalence is highly variable across studies—1% to 26%. Most cases are benign and transient, but frequent or severe headaches need further scrutiny, as they can be related to underlying illness.

Multiple Causes Of Exercise Headaches

While dehydration is a common headache trigger, it's usually not the sole cause. Here's a summary of other potential causes:

1. Primary Exercise Headaches

They arise without any concomitant medical disease. They're probably secondary to changes in blood pressure and flow within the brain during exercise. When blood vessels dilate quickly to meet increased oxygen demand, it can cause pain in the head. Women and people with a history of migraines appear to be more prone.

2. Heat and Environmental Conditions

Hot, humid climates can make a headache more probable. Your brain doesn't perspire like the rest of your body; rather, it cools itself with additional blood flow, which could add to intracranial pressure. Sunlight exposure is a factor as well—migraine sufferers can be especially sensitive to heat and light.

3. Role of Dehydration

Sweating during exercise results in fluid loss. If not replaced, it can result in dehydration—a established cause of headache severity and frequency. But surprisingly, dehydration might not itself cause the headache. Instead, it raises the burden your body is bearing during exercise, and this makes a headache more probable.

4. Low Blood Sugar Levels

Exercising on an empty stomach or without sufficient fueling will lower your blood glucose below 70 mg/dL, resulting in a state of hypoglycemia. Symptoms range from shakiness and dizziness to headaches. Consume a carb-rich snack 30–60 minutes prior to exercising to stabilize the glucose levels.

5. Poor Posture and Bad Form

Weightlifting while having overstraining neck muscles or poor posture in yoga exercises can lead to cervicogenic headaches, which are caused by the cervical spine and muscles and neck and shoulder areas. Such headaches may not be present with neck pain and thus are difficult to diagnose.

6. Tight Gear and External Compression

Helmets, caps, or even tightly fitting goggles can cause pressure headaches by squeezing the scalp and overlying tissue. Called external compression headaches, they generally clear within an hour of taking off the equipment.

When Should You Worry? Red Flags to Look Out For

Most post-exercise headaches are harmless and go away on their own. Nevertheless, if you have the following symptoms, you should get medical help:

• Sudden, severe headache (thunderclap headache)
• Visual disturbances or confusion
• Neck stiffness, nausea, or vomiting
• Headache that lasts more than 24 hours
• Newly developed headaches after the age of 50
• Headaches accompanied by fever or seizure

These symptoms can indicate serious illnesses such as a subarachnoid hemorrhage, reversible cerebral vasoconstriction syndrome, or a cervical artery dissection.

How to Prevent Exercise-Induced Headaches?

Although there is no single solution to preventing these headaches, a number of simple steps can help minimize your risk significantly:

1. Focus on Warm-Up and Cool-Down Procedures

Bouncing right into high-intensity work can stun your system. A gradual warm-up lets your circulatory vessels adjust, and a cooldown restores circulation to baseline levels.

2. Hydrate Before, During, and After

For the light to moderate workout, drink water. But for heavy sweating or exercising longer than 90 minutes, use drinks that have electrolytes to replenish sodium and potassium lost in sweat.

3. Fuel Up Smartly

Avoid working out on an empty stomach. Instead, eat a balanced pre-workout snack that includes carbohydrates and a small amount of protein. For example, a banana with peanut butter or a smoothie with oats can sustain your energy and help prevent blood sugar dips.

4. Be Mindful of Environmental Conditions

Don't exercise at the hottest part of the day or in extremely hot conditions. Work out in shady spots or indoor facilities with air conditioning when necessary.

5. Practice Proper Form and Technique

No matter if you're doing weights or a plank, poor posture can cause muscle strain and tension headaches. Think about getting help from a certified trainer or physical therapist to hone your form.

6. Get Proper Gear Fit

Ensure helmets, goggles, or headbands fit tightly but not so tightly that pressure is felt. Ensure adjustable accessories and rest in case of discomfort.

When to See a Healthcare Provider?

If you find yourself repeatedly struggling with post-exercise headaches even after making these changes, it's time to speak with a healthcare professional. While the majority of examples can be assessed with a physical examination and medical history, additional testing such as a CT or MRI will be considered in exceptional circumstances.

Pregnant women or those who have underlying medical issues should always speak with their healthcare professionals if exercise headaches persist or shift pattern.

Exercise headaches are a nuisance, but they're not usually dangerous. The trick is determining your personal triggers—whether dehydration, heat, blood sugar, posture, or equipment and taking preventative measures. With a few conscious changes to your routine, you can have headache-free workouts and get back on track.

While fun, big weekends can sometimes lead to an unwelcome surprise on Monday morning: nagging body aches and stiffness. It's easy to overexert ourselves, whether it's from a long hike, dancing the night away, or even just spending more time on our feet than usual.

This extra effort can leave our muscles feeling tight and sore, making it tough to even roll out of bed. However, you do not need to worry much, stretching is a fantastic way to gently help your body back to comfort. By lengthening tight muscles and improving blood flow, stretches can help relieve that post-weekend body pain and get you moving more freely.

Important Stretches To Re-energize Your Body

Even just 10-20 minutes of stretching each day can work wonders for your body and mind, helping you feel brand new. This short daily practice can significantly improve your flexibility, making everyday movements easier and more comfortable. Beyond the physical benefits, stretching is a fantastic stress reliever, calming your mind and promoting a sense of well-being. Here are some you should try.

Neck Stretches

These stretches help loosen up the very top of your shoulders and neck. Stand with your feet apart and arms relaxed. Gently tilt your head to the side, trying to touch your ear to your shoulder. Hold for 10 seconds, then switch sides. Repeat 3 times on each side.

Shoulder Rolls

This is an easy way to stretch your shoulders and release tension. Stand with feet apart. Breathe in and lift your shoulders up towards your ears. Roll them back, squeezing your shoulder blades together. Breathe out and drop your shoulders down. Repeat this movement 10 times.

Pendulum Stretch

This gentle stretch uses gravity to improve shoulder movement. Stand and lean forward, supporting yourself with one hand on a table. Let your other arm hang freely. Gently swing it in small circles for 30 seconds to 1 minute, then reverse direction. Repeat with the other arm.

Cross-Body Arm Swings

These swings help warm up your shoulder joint and increase its movement. Stand with feet apart. Swing your arms out to the sides, then gently cross them in front of your body, alternating which arm is on top. Keep your arms straight. Do this 10 times.

Cross-Body Shoulder Stretch

This stretch helps loosen the back of your shoulder. Stretch one arm straight across your body. Use your other forearm to gently pull the stretched arm further, feeling it in the back of your shoulder. Hold for 20 seconds, then switch arms.

Child’s Pose

This is a gentle yoga pose that helps stretch the back of your shoulders. Kneel on the floor with knees apart and big toes touching. Sit back on your heels as you lean forward, reaching your arms out in front. Breathe deeply and hold for a minute or more.

Ragdoll Pose

This forward-bending yoga pose can help release tension in your shoulders and neck. Stand with feet apart and knees slightly bent. Bend forward, letting your head hang heavy. Hold onto your opposite elbows. Stay in this relaxed pose for at least one minute.

Eagle Arm Stretch

This stretch helps make your shoulders more flexible. Stand with feet apart. Cross one arm under the other in front of you, bending your elbows. Try to bring your palms together, or hold the backs of your hands. Take a few deep breaths, then switch arms.

Working long hours, sitting at a desk and prolonged hours in front of laptops can do a number on their backs. With these jobs becoming more common, corporate job workers have normalized back pain, neck pain, and other lifestyle issues. To tackle these issues, one can try yoga and not just any type of yoga, desk-top yoga.

Desk-Top Yoga Poses You Can Try

Desk yoga is a great way to combat the physical and mental effects of sitting for too long, especially for office workers. It involves gentle stretches and poses done at your desk, like seated twists, shoulder rolls, and forward bends, that can relieve tension and improve focus. These exercises can help you strengthen your back, as well as ensure you are not straining yourself more than you are supposed to.

Seated Cat-Cow Stretch

This well-known yoga move is excellent for waking up your spine and making it more flexible. It helps loosen your back muscles, which often get stiff from sitting. By gently arching and rounding your spine, you can bring more movement and comfort to your whole back.

Seated Spinal Twist

This easy twist is perfect for releasing tightness in the middle of your back. It helps your spine move better, easing any stiffness from long hours at your desk. Doing this stretch regularly can improve your posture and reduce general back discomfort.

Desk Pec Stretch

Spending a lot of time hunched over a keyboard can make your chest muscles feel tight. This stretch helps to open up your chest, countering that rounded posture. It's great for improving your overall alignment and making you feel less constricted in your upper body.

Seated Side Bend

This simple pose targets the sides of your body, effectively relieving tension in your side muscles and upper back. It helps to lengthen your torso and can reduce stiffness that builds up from sitting still. This stretch provides a nice release for your entire side body.

Seated Figure-Four Stretch

This stretch is fantastic for opening up your hips, an area that often gets tight from sitting. Tight hips can contribute to lower back pain, so this pose helps to relieve that pressure. It brings relief to your lower back by addressing hip stiffness.

Wrist and Finger Stretches

Even though these stretches aren't directly for your back, keeping your wrists and hands healthy is very important. Tension in these areas can easily travel up your arms to your neck and upper back, causing discomfort. Regularly stretching them can prevent this radiating tension.

Neck Stretches

Looking at computer screens all day often leads to stiffness in your neck and upper back. This stretch helps to relieve that common tension in your neck. By slowly tilting your head, you can loosen tight neck muscles and reduce strain from holding your head in one position.

Standing Forward Fold (with chair support)

This pose is a good way to decompress your spine and stretch your hamstrings, which can get tight from sitting. Using your desk for support makes it accessible and safe. It helps to lengthen your back and provides a refreshing stretch for your entire body.