When I was growing up, something that struck my mind was Taylor Swift’s fourth studio album from 2012, Red. The song ‘22’ especially had an impact on me. I looked at Taylor, she looked gorgeous in that red lipstick and so I started putting it on too. Little did I know that it would become ‘my thing.’

It gave me confidence and a sense of empowerment, which is what triggered me to write about it.

Is there any psychology behind red lipstick? Well, psychologist Dr Jennifer Baumgartner believes that red lipstick is a bold and confident colour and is associated with power and desire. In an interview with Dermaliscio, she said, “Red lipstick is the ultimate power colour. When a woman wears red lipstick, she is sending a message that she is confident and in control.”

A study by the University of Manchester also found that women who wore red lipstick felt more confident, attractive and successful.

Cultural Significance

In the ancient world, painted red lips were seen as the symbol of opulence and sophistication. In Egypt, both men and women would highlight their features with naturally available makeup. Queen Cleopatra would crush red ants and beetles to make the scarlet colour, say the historical records.

In Chinese culture, the colour red is also associated with luck and prosperity.

Historically too, red lipstick has been associated with women's empowerment. For instance, during the suffragette movement of 20th century, red lipstick became a symbol of self-identity and freedom. It was used as a tool to be heard. Experts suggest that the colour red draws one’s attention to it. If you wear the colour on your lips, it will draw people’s attention to your mouth and what you say.

“In order to gain more notoriety and attention to their cause, some ladies would wear lipstick to their public events. This was seen as the mark of the independent, emancipated woman, which at the time was thought to be quite scandalous. This subversive action would have brought censure from men, and some women who regarded these women as morally lacking.” said cosmetic historian Gabriela Hernandez in an interview toTeen Vogue.

Even during the World War II, red lipstick was used as a cultural weapon and as an image of ‘a modern woman.’ During this time the US government encouraged women to wear red lipstick while their partners, who were men, fought in the war.

How does it empower you?

Clinical psychologist Carla Marie Naly says that red tones suggest passion, power and sexual virility to men. Since it has been used as a cultural tool and image of control, it symbolises women’s agency over themselves in all aspects. “It can affect your self-confidence,” says Manly.

While clinical psychologist Holly Schiff says that while it is attention-grabbing, “red lips are also linked with confidence.”

These are the factors why wearing red lipstick makes one feel empowered. The most important part is that it lets women claim the spaces which they have been historically and institutionally denied to. This is also the reason why the international non-profit organisation which raises awareness about sexual violence is named Red My Lips.

Fridges have helped us in many ways, whether it is by prolonging the shelf-life of foods or helping us avoid heat-based illnesses. Many times, keeping foods at room temperature for a long time can promote bacteria growth. By keeping the food at lower temperatures, it can help keep the food fresh for longer. However, a recent study found that many people in the UK might be making choices that put themselves and others at risk of food poisoning.

Worrying Fridge Habits Uncovered

A survey by the Currys, a tech and appliance store, asked 2,000 people about their fridge habits and found some concerning trends. An expert has now warned that organizing your fridge correctly is "essential" to avoid getting sick.

The study found that more than one in five fridge owners didn't know the ideal fridge temperature should be between 0-5°C (0-41 degrees F), as recommended by the Food Standards Agency (FSA). Even worse, 42% admitted they don't regularly check their fridge temperature. This means potentially millions of people in the UK could be risking food poisoning.

When it came to specific items, 61% didn't know that dairy products like milk shouldn't be stored in the fridge door. The door is actually the warmest part of the fridge because its temperature changes every time it's opened and closed.

Raw Meat, Eggs, and Other Storage Surprises

The survey also revealed that 22% of people didn't know raw meat should always go on the lowest shelf in the fridge. A third of those surveyed even confessed to eating meat from the fridge without being fully sure it was safe.

Many people are also unsure about eggs. Google data shows over 31,000 searches in the UK for "should I keep eggs in the fridge," a 26% increase from last year. The FSA advises: "Store eggs in a cool, dry place, ideally in the fridge and keep them apart from other foods." Keeping eggs on the counter can affect their quality, especially with changing kitchen temperatures from weather or cooking.

Tips To Keep Your Fridge Safe

According to the University of Minnesota Extension, keeping your refrigerator at the right temperature is one of the best ways to prevent food poisoning. Experts like the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) say that food should be stored at 40 degrees F (about 4 degrees C) or colder. Research even suggests that if all refrigerators were kept below this temperature, a serious illness called listeriosis could be reduced by a huge 70%. Yet, a study from the University of Tennessee found that very few people, only about 9%, actually own a fridge thermometer. Here are some important tips to keep in mind for your fridge safety.

Keeping your fridge organized and at the right temperature is key to preventing foodborne illness. Here's how to keep your food safe:

Store raw meats on the bottom shelf

Always place raw meat, poultry, and seafood on the lowest shelf in trays or pans. This stops their juices from dripping onto and contaminating other foods below.

Check your fridge temperature regularly

Make it a habit to check your refrigerator's temperature often, ideally every day or at least once a week. This ensures it stays at a safe temperature (40°F or below).

Refrigerate cooked food quickly

Make sure to put prepared meals and any leftovers into the fridge within two hours of cooking.

Cool leftovers properly

To help leftovers cool down fast, divide them into small, shallow containers before placing them in the refrigerator. Once the food has cooled, you can cover it.

Don't overfill your fridge

Avoid packing your refrigerator too full. Cool air needs to circulate freely around your food to keep everything at a safe temperature.

A Texas woman of 71 died tragically from a brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri, commonly referred to as the brain-eating amoeba. The source? A simple sinus rinse using tap water from her RV's potable water system. The woman, as a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) case report indicates, suffered severe neurological disease shortly after nasal irrigation. She died within eight days of symptom onset.

This incident, although uncommon, has brought with it renewed international debate regarding water safety, sound nasal hygiene habits, and the life-altering risks of ignoring water sterilization protocols.

The case, who was reported to be healthy before the accident, had utilized the tap water from her RV's faucet to fill a nasal irrigation device—frequently employed to alleviate sinus pressure or allergic conditions. Four days thereafter, she showed symptoms of sudden onset of fever, severe headaches, and confusion. Her illness rapidly progressed to seizures and changes in mental status. She died eight days from the onset of symptoms despite immediate medical treatment.

Laboratory examinations diagnosed the Naegleria fowleri in her cerebrospinal fluid—a diagnosis with a mortality rate of more than 97%.

What Is The Brain-Eating Amoeba?

Naegleria fowleri is an amoeba which is free-living and microscopic and occurs naturally in warm freshwater bodies like rivers, lakes, and hot springs, as well as in soil. The organism usually infects humans when contaminated water enters the body via the nostrils—most often during swimming or rinsing of the nasal passages.

After entering the nasal passages, the amoeba moves into the brain through the olfactory nerve and results in Primary Amebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM), a rare and lethal infection of the brain. The infection is not spread by drinking contaminated water, nor is it passed between people.

While very uncommon, PAM is nearly always fatal. As of the CDC, out of 157 U.S. cases from 1962 to 2022, only four individuals have survived.

Risk of Using Tap Water for Nasal Rinses

The CDC's inquiry into the Texas case discovered that the woman had done sinus rinses several times with tap water from the RV's potable water tank. The tank, it turns out, had been refilled three months earlier—prior to the purchase of the RV—and had probably contained stagnant, contaminated water. Moreover, the RV's municipal water system that provided the RV could also have contributed to the contamination.

These results point out an important safety issue: tap water—even considered "potable"—is not necessarily safe for direct nasal application. It may harbor trace amounts of organisms that, when breathed into the nose, lead to serious infections.

Early Warning Signs Of PAM

The symptoms of PAM usually start between one to 12 days after exposure, and the majority of cases develop quickly. Early warning signs are:

• Fever
• Headache
• Nausea or vomiting
• Stiff neck
• Altered mental status

As the disease progresses, signs of neurological impairment like confusion, hallucinations, seizures, and coma ensue. Alas, too often the rapid development of the illness leaves scant opportunity for effective action.

Since early manifestations of PAM are so similar to those of bacterial meningitis, the CDC recommends that individuals—particularly those who have recently been in contact with warm freshwater or have used nasal irrigation—to consult a physician at once if the following symptoms occur.

How to Safely Perform Nasal Irrigation?

Nasal irrigation is a well-known and beneficial technique for easing sinus pressure and controlling allergies. It is only safe if done with water that has no microbial contaminants. According to the CDC, only the following should be used for sinus irrigation:

• Distilled or sterile water
• Boiled tap water (boiled for 3–5 minutes and cooled)
• Water filtered through a filter with an absolute pore size of 1 micron or smaller
• Items such as neti pots, bulb syringes, and sinus rinse bottles need to be properly cleaned after every use and completely air-dried.

This instance serves as a grim reminder that the ease of omitting the use of water treatment can result in deadly consequences, particularly for non-traditional water systems such as those found in RVs, which potentially go without strong maintenance or sterilization.

The disaster also points to weaknesses in water systems—especially in non-traditional dwelling places like RV parks, where drinking water systems may not be subject to the same level of review as urban systems. Lack of maintenance or management of such systems can lead to the introduction of unusual but lethal pathogens into daily life.

In addition, the changing climate might be making the population more vulnerable. While global temperatures are increasing, Naegleria fowleri is moving its habitat into regions not previously thought to be too cold, thus posing new public health threats. Summer season, characterized by warmer water bodies and higher recreational activity, is now particularly dangerous for exposure.

After diagnosis, treatment of PAM includes aggressive administration of antifungal and antibiotics such as amphotericin B, rifampin, azithromycin, and miltefosine—a newer antiparasite found to be effective in a few survivors. With immediate medical treatment, nonetheless, survival is still very low because the amoeba kills brain tissue so quickly.

Early diagnosis is essential but notoriously challenging because initial care is nonspecific and the condition develops at an alarming rate.

Have you ever felt a sudden, sharp pain when you stretch? It can be really uncomfortable, whether you're stretching in the morning, during the day, or at night. Muscle cramps are a common occurrence, not just for athletes, but also for others. Sometimes it can be just as simple as stretching your legs or arms, that causes you to have sudden and sharp pain.

So why do these things happen? And how does one prevent this discomfort from taking place? A doctor named Doctor Sood, a Board-Certified MD, practicing Germantown, MD office, who shares health tips on TikTok, explained why this happens. That painful feeling is actually a muscle spasm.

Common Reasons for Muscle Cramps

These involuntary muscle tightening can be quite intense. While they often go away on their own, understanding why they happen can help you prevent them. Doctor Sood points out several common reasons for these muscle spasms.

• Not drinking enough water (dehydration)
• Using your muscles too much
• Tired muscles
• Poor blood flow
• Pinched nerves
• Lack of important minerals like magnesium, calcium, or potassium

When you don't have enough of these minerals, your muscles can't hold onto fluids properly, which makes you more likely to get cramps.

When to Be Concerned About Cramps

While muscle cramps are often harmless and caused by simple things like dehydration or tired muscles, it's really important to pay attention if they become frequent, unusually painful, or seem out of the ordinary for you. In some less common situations, persistent muscle spasms can actually be a clue that your body is experiencing a more serious underlying health problem.

Therefore, if you notice that you're getting cramps very often, or if they're particularly severe, accompanied by other unusual symptoms, or simply don't resolve with typical remedies like stretching and hydration, it's a very good idea to consult with your doctor.

Treating and Preventing Muscle Cramps

To really get rid of cramps, the best thing is to find out why they're happening. This might mean a visit to your doctor to understand the main reason. If you're in pain, you could try a pain reliever like ibuprofen, but always talk to your doctor first before taking any medicine.

Drink plenty of fluids

Make sure to drink lots of water and sports drinks all day long. These help your body get back the fluids and important minerals, like electrolytes, that your muscles need to work properly. Staying hydrated is key to avoiding cramps.

Use heat

Putting heat on the cramped area can really help. A hot shower, a warm bath, or a heating pad can relax tight muscles, get your blood flowing better, and ease the discomfort. This makes your muscles less likely to cramp when you stretch.

Stretch softly

If you feel a cramp, keep stretching gently and slowly. This gentle movement can help the muscle spasm go away by slowly making the muscle longer. Doing regular, gentle stretches also makes your muscles more flexible and improves blood flow, which helps stop future cramps during your day.