What Your Breakouts Could Be Telling You About Your Health
Like the saying goes, great skin starts from the inside out. Our skin is our largest organ, so it definitely makes sense that what we put inside of it, or whatever stress we are dealing with, would have an effect on our skin. Have you ever noticed that you tend to get breakouts in specific areas of your face? It might be around your cheeks and jawline, or your forehead, or in your nose. According to Ayurvedic and Chinese medicine, your body might be telling you there's something happening internally that's making you break out. This practice is called face mapping.
According to face mapping, the face is split into sections, including your chin/jawline, cheeks, forehead, and nose. When you have breakout in these specific areas, it can mean anything from respiratory issues, to poor diet to hormonal fluctuations. Let's break it down, shall we?
What Breakouts On Your Jawline Mean
Raise your hand if you can tell when your period is about to start because you experience a breakout. Is it around for your jawline? According to face mapping, jawline breakouts are due to hormonal imbalances, hormonal fluctuations, and kidney issues. There is even a theory that breakouts along your jawline can also tell you when you are ovulating, and on which side you are ovulating. This hasn't been proven, but I still think it's pretty amazing.
What Breakouts On Your Cheeks Mean
If you break out around your cheeks, it could be something as simple as dirty pillowcases or cell phones, but it could also be too much sugar, stress, overeating, or lung/respiratory issues. If you're a smoker, you might want to watch out as smoking could possibly be the cause of breakouts on the cheek. There's a debate going on between researchers as to whether smoking and whiteheads or acne on the cheeks are linked. Super interesting stuff!
What Breakouts On Your Forehead Mean
Breakouts on the forehead could be from wearing dirty hats, having bangs, or not properly rinsing out your hair products when you wash your hair. It could also indicate issues with your digestive system, stress, irregular sleeping schedule/not enough sleep, and a poor diet. If you find yourself with frequent forehead breakouts, try getting at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep a night, along with eating leafy greens and drinking more water.
What Breakouts In Between Eyes And Nose Mean
Acne in between your eyes and around your nose could mean that you have a poor diet, are constipated, bad circulation or high blood pressure. If you break out in between your eyebrows, that could be a sign that you have a food allergy. If you are lactose intolerant, you may also find that you have breakouts in between your brows. Again, it might be worth it to take a look at your diet and eliminate processed sugar, fast food, alcohol, and increase water intake.
Personally, I always break out on my jawline about 4 to 5 days before my period, and without fail, I breakout of if eat too much sugar. On the rare occasion I drink soda or have a little too much alcohol, I can always expect to get a few whiteheads the next day. It's annoying, but at least I know the cause!
Face mapping is not an exact science. It's true that what is happening internally can affect our skin, but if you suffer from cystic acne or are concerned about the state of your skin, please see a dermatologist who can better assess your skins' condition.
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ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LIST HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:
Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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