So,here’s the thing: just like Memorial Day doesn’t mean that it is officially summertime (the summer season actually begins during the third week of June), Labor Day does not officially mark the end of it either (summer ends around the third week of September). This means that if this summer season has somehow gotten away from you, you’ve still got a few weeks to take a bit of a vacation — even if it’s a quick one.
And if what you plan to do is hit up a beach so that you can spend some time in the ocean, that can actually be rejuvenating on a few different levels. Not only has it been proven thatbeing around ocean water will de-stress you as it helps you to practice mindfulness, but some impressive health benefits come with drinking saltwater (not directly from the ocean, of course) and being in saltwater (because many oceans havea good amount of dissolved salts in them) as well.
So, as you’re in the process of confirming your reservations and packing your swimsuits, check out seven reasons that will have you wondering why you took so long to make some of your own saltwater (to consume) and get into somebody’s ocean (to rejuvenate in) before October rolls around.
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1. Saltwater Replenishes Electrolytes
The easiest way to describe electrolytes is that they are the minerals (likecalcium, sodium, and potassium) thatyour body needs tokeep you properly hydrated, your nerves and muscles working well and your pH levels regulated. Keeping that in mind, some signs that your electrolyte levels are a little “off” are if you’re constantly feeling fatigued, your muscles are always cramping up (like a charley horse) or you have inexplicable headaches; it should also go on record that something that can cause you to lose electrolytes is if you happen to sweat a lot.
Although foods like bananas, sweet potatoes, and dark leafy green veggies can help you replenish your system of lost electrolytes,adding a bit of salt to your water can do the same thing. I’ve got some tips for how to make some of your own saltwaterhere. Also, if you want to attempt to turn ocean water into drinkable water, you can learn how to do sohere. Oh, and if you’re wondering if sea salt or table salt is better for you in the long run, it’s a semi-complex answer; you can read more about the pros and cons of bothhere.
2. Saltwater Aids in Weight Loss
If you’re looking for a way to detox your system, you might want to look into the pros and cons of a saltwater flush. Since it has a reputation for doing things like helping to balance your hormones, keeping your metabolism working well, and removing fluid retention, that’s why it can also be used to help shed a few pounds (some say that it can help with constipation, too). Just make sure that you do thorough research before using saltwater in this fashion because, while many recipes call for two teaspoons in a quarter of water, that is actually double what’s recommended on a daily basis. This means that if you do this often, it could result in unwanted side effects like nausea, vomiting, and high blood pressure.
3. Saltwater Exfoliates Your Scalp
As far as ocean water goes, if you’re not planning on rocking a swim cap, you should definitely soak your hair in water from a shower before taking a swim.The reason why is the properties in saltwater can end up dehydrating your hair and, if your tresses are color-treated, stripping your hair of its applied hues as well. However, if you’re looking foranother saltwater trick, applying a mixture of sea salt and water to your scalp before washing your hair can be beneficial if you’re looking for an all-natural way to exfoliate your scalp — which can remove dead skin cells and product build-up — so that your hair follicles are able to flourish and you can end up with a head of strong and healthy hair. There is a quick and easy sea salt scalp scrub recipehere.
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4. Saltwater Is Great for Oral Health
Maintaining proper oral health is so important and doing periodic saltwater rinses is one way to keep your teeth and gums in good condition. That’s because saltwater has been proven to do things like remove the bacteria that ultimately leads to tooth decay, help restore the pH balance in your mouth, get rid of plaque, and speed up the healing process of various oral procedures (like extractions). Just make sure that you use warm water and no more than a teaspoon of salt in an eight-ounce glass to get the most effective results.
5. Saltwater Detoxifies the Skin
Since it’s been said that ocean water has trace minerals in it, that’s part of the reason why swimming in it can be great when it comes to helping to heal skin irritation and itchiness, inflammation, soothing eczema, exfoliating your skin, reducing acne-causing bacteria, unclogging your pores and even increasing blood circulation in your skin. Some skincare specialists even say that saltwater can loosen up dandruff flakes; again, just make sure that your hair has been prepped with water and, if you plan to be in ocean water for a long period of time, you may want to apply a leave-in conditioner to your locks too.
6. Saltwater Improves Your Breathing
When you get a chance, check out the article, “With Every Breath You Take, Thank the Ocean.” Apparently, over half of our oxygen comes from things in the ocean, like phytoplankton and seaweed. Not only that, but since you probably already know that saline can serve as a natural decongestant and saline is basically saltwater, it would make all of the sense in the world that taking in the air from ocean water would be good for your respiratory system too. I’ve even read that the salt, iodine, and magnesium that are found in the air that’s around the ocean can help to break up mucus that’s in your system. Plus, ocean air has very little air pollution in it which is always a major plus.
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7. Saltwater Improves Your Quality of Rest/Sleep
If you’ve ever taken a vacation, got a hotel room that was right off of the beach, and realized that you have super fond memories of it being some of the best rest and sleep that you’ve ever experienced in your life — there is definitely a science to that. There is plenty of research out here to support the fact that chilling out around the ocean (or sea) can help to decrease anxiety and depression levels, increase your serotonin levels and, if you’ve got arthritis, a dip in the ocean before turning in can help to reduce bodily inflammation as well.
As a bonus, grounding (which is basically when you walk on the beach by the water) can help your bare feet absorb electrons from the earth and the water which also can help to reduce bodily discomfort. Just one more reason to get a beach weekend in before summer officially ends — and to pack up some salt (to consume) while you’re at it. Don’t cha think? Definitely.
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It's kinda wild that, in 2025, my byline will have appeared on this platform for (what?!) seven years. And yeah, when I'm not waxing poetic on here about sex, relationships and then...more sex and relationships, I am working as a certified marriage life coach, helping to birth babies (as a doula) or penning for other places (oftentimes under pen names).
As some of you know, something that I've been "threatening" to do for a few years now is write another book. Welp, October 2024 was the month that I "gave birth" to my third one: 'Inside of Me 2.0: My Story. With a 20-Year Lens'. It's fitting considering I hit a milestone during the same year.
Beyond that, Pumas and lip gloss are still my faves along with sweatshirts and tees that have a pro-Black message on them. I've also started really getting into big ass unique handbags and I'm always gonna have a signature scent that ain't nobody's business but my own.
As far as where to find me, I continue to be MIA on the social media front and I honestly don't know if that will ever change. Still, if you need to hit me up about something *that has nothing to do with pitching on the site (I'm gonna start ignoring those emails because...boundaries)*, hit me up at missnosipho@gmail.com. I'll do what I can. ;)
For Us, By Us: How HBCU Alumni Are Building Legacies Through Entrepreneurship
Homecoming season is here, and alumni are returning to the yard to celebrate with their friends and family at the historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) that have changed their lives forever.
No matter where their life journeys have taken them, for HBCU students from near and far, returning to where it all started can invoke feelings of nostalgia, appreciation for the past, and inspiration for the future.
The seeds for these entrepreneurs were planted during their time as students at schools like Spelman, North Carolina A&T, and more, which is why xoNecole caught up with Look Good Live Well’s Ariane Turner, HBCU Buzz’s Luke Lawal and Morehouse Senior Director of Marketing and Comms and Press Secretary Jasmine Gurley to highlight the role their HBCU roots play in their work as entrepreneurs, the legacy they aim to leave behind through the work that they do, and more as a part of Hyundai’s Best In Class initiative.
On Honoring HBCU Roots To Create Something That Is For Us, By Us
Ariane Turner
Courtesy
When Ariane Turner launched Look Good, Live Well, she created it with Black and brown people in mind, especially those with sensitive skin more prone to dryness and skin conditions like acne and eczema.
The Florida A&M University graduate launched her business to create something that addressed topical skin care needs and was intentional about its approach without negative terminology.
Turner shared that it is important to steer clear of language often adopted by more prominent brands, such as “banishing breakouts” or “correcting the skin,” because, in reality, Turner says there is nothing wrong with the way that our skin and bodies react to various life changes.
“I think what I have taken with me regarding my HBCU experience and translated to my entrepreneurial experience is the importance of not just networking,” Turner, the founder and CEO of Look Good, Live Well, tellls xoNecole.
“We hear that in business all the time, your network is your net worth, but family, there’s a thing at FAMU that we call FAMU-lee instead of family, and it’s very much a thing. What that taught me is the importance of not just making relationships and not just making that connection, but truly working on deepening them, and so being intentional about connecting with people initially, but staying connected and building and deepening those relationships, and that has served me tremendously in business, whether it’s being able to reach back to other classmates who I went to school with, or just networking in general.”
She adds, “I don’t come from a business background. As soon as I finished school, I continued with my entrepreneurial journey, and so there’s a lot of that traditional business act and the networking, those soft skills that I just don’t have, but I will say that just understanding how to leverage and network community and to build intentional relationships is something that has taken me far and I definitely got those roots while attending FAMU.”
On Solving A Very Specific Need For The Community
Luke Lawal Jr.
Courtesy
When Luke Lawal Jr. launched HBCU Buzz, his main focus was to represent his community, using the platform to lift as they climbed by creating an outlet dedicated to celebrating the achievements and positive news affecting the 107 historically HBCUs nationwide.
By spotlighting the wonderful things that come from the HBCU community and coupling it with what he learned during his time at Bowie State University, Lawal used that knowledge to propel himself as an entrepreneur while also providing his people with accurate representation across the internet.
“The specific problem in 2011 when I started HBCU Buzz was more so around the fact that mainstream media always depict HBCUs as negative,” Lawal says. “You would only see HBCUs in the mainstream media when someone died, or the university president or someone was stepping down. It was always bad news, but they never shed light on all the wonderful things from our community."
So, I started HBCU Buzz to ensure the world saw the good things that come from our space. And they knew that HBCUs grew some of the brightest people in the world, and just trying to figure out ways to make sure our platform was a pedestal for all the students that come through our institutions.”
“The biggest goal is to continue to solve problems, continue to create brands that solve the problems of our communities, and make sure that our products, our brands, our companies, and institutions are of value and they’re helping our community,” he continues. “That they’re solving problems that propel our space forward.”
On How Being An HBCU Alum Impacts The Way One Shows Up In The World
Jasmine Gurley
Courtesy
Jasmine Gurley is a proud North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University alum. She is even more delighted with her current role, which enables her to give back to current HBCU students as the Senior Director of Brand Marketing and Communications and official press secretary at Morehouse College.
“It was a formative experience where I really was able to come into my own and say yes to all the opportunities that were presented to me, and because of that, it’s been able to open the doors later in life too,” says Gurley of her experience at North Carolina A&T. “One thing I love about many HBCUs is that we are required to learn way more about African American history than you do in your typical K through 12 or even at the higher ed level."
She adds, “It allowed us to have a better understanding of where we came from, and so for me, because I’m a storyteller, I’m a history person, I’m very sensitive to life in general, being able to listen to the stories and the trials that our ancestors overcame, put the battery pack in my back to say, ‘Oh nothing can stop me. Absolutely nothing can stop me. I know where I came from, so I can overcome something and try anything. And I have an obligation to be my ancestors’ wildest dreams. Simultaneously, I also have a responsibility to help others realize that greatness.
Gurley does not take her position at an HBCU, now as a leader, lightly.
“People think I’m joking when I say I’m living the dream, but I really am,” she notes. “So I wake up every day and know that the work that I do matters, no matter how hard it might be, how frustrating it may be, and challenging it. I know the ripple effect of my work, my team, and what this institution does also matter. The trajectory of Black male experiences, community, history, and then just American advancement just in general.”
On the other hand, through her business, Sankofa Public Relations, Gurley is also on a mission to uplift brands in their quest to help their respective communities. Since its inception in 2017, Sankofa PR has been on a mission to “reach back and reclaim local, national, and global communities by helping those actively working to move” various areas of the world, focusing on pushing things forward for the better.
“Through Sankofa, we’ve worked with all different types of organizational brands and individuals in several different industries, but I would think of them as mission-based,” says Gurley.
“So with that, it’s an opportunity to help people who are trying to do good in the world, and they are passionate about what they’re doing. They just need help with marketing issues, storytelling, and branding, and that’s when my expertise can come into play. Help them get to that moment where they can tell their story through me or another platform, and that’s been super fulfilling.”
Join us in celebrating HBCU excellence! Check out our Best In Class hub for inspiring stories, empowering resources, and everything you need to embrace the HBCU experience.
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The End Of The Road? Zoë Kravitz And Channing Tatum Reportedly Split
Rumors are circulating that Zoë Kravitz and Channing Tatum's engagement has come to an end. Adding to the intrigue, two hours prior to the news of their split becoming public, Channing celebrated the exciting announcement that he and Zoë would reunite for an upcoming alien invasion movie entitled Alpha Gang.
Some folks are saying that October is now “uncuffing season” as partners won’t have to deal with the weight and expectations that come with this time of year. From matching Halloween costumes to voting to Thanksgiving and Christmas, it seems the new cuffing season has moved to January.
In August 2021, Zoë and Channing were first rumored to be romantically involved after being photographed riding together through the streets of New York City on a BMX bike. The following month, they were seen leaving the Met Gala together, and Tatum confirmed their relationship on Halloween by posting a picture of them wearing a couples costume from Martin Scorsese's iconic 1976 film Taxi Driver on Instagram.
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After collaborating on Zoë's directorial debut, Blink Twice, where Channing played a starring role, their relationship blossomed into a full-out romance. Approximately a year later, the Step Up star popped the question.
Because the streets are always watching, PEOPLE reported that Channing joined Zoë in seeing a production of a play by Blink Twice costar Levon Hawke in New York City's Red Hook neighborhood on Oct. 6. Most recently, Kravitz has been seen in public without her engagement ring, notably during an outing with her Big Little Lies co-star Shailene Woodley.
So the news of the split kinda comes as a surprise as we were just oozing over the couple’s undeniable chemistry during their Blink Twice press run in August. Channing and Zoë openly discussed their relationship and collaborated on multiple videos that went viral.
Even proud papa Lenny Kravitz gave his approval. During an interview with BBC’s Radio 2, he said, "He was raised well. So, you know, he’s got manners. He’s charming. He’s a soulful human being. And so, he’s become part of the family quite quickly. He fits and they're in love. We’re going to have a wedding next year."
As we mourn this breakup, let’s run back some memorable moments from the possibly uncoupled pair.
"Art is our love language."
When asked about future collaborations with her boo during the premiere of Blink Twice on Aug. 23, Zoë shared, "I think it's what we love, and we love talking about it, and experiencing it, and supporting each other.” Channing chimed in saying, “This is what I'll say about creating with someone that you are with or love: I suggest it. If you are thinking about having a kid or if you're thinking about getting married, go find the hardest possible creative project with your partner.”
“I got you forever.”
Channing took to Instagram to share an adoring photo of him holding Zoë. He captioned the photo, “This little sweet. She So tired bro. Every time I wondered if she’d break…. She just kept going and going and going. Always on the dig for truth. She pour’d every single ounce of her into this film. I’m so proud to stand ten toes down for her, this film and everyone in it. forever. Knowing what it took to make it. No one will ever know.”
The last line took us out: “Thank you for finding me and seeing me. I got you forever. Me and you back to back against it all. I’ll never blink. Let’s go. #blinktwice”
GOAT Talk
On Complex’s GOAT Talk, a show where stars are prompted to reveal their favorites of all time, Channing and Zoë disclosed their go-to song for singing in the shower, their beloved ad-lib line from Blink Twice, and their stance on conspiracy theories and their favorite rapper. The moment Channing challenged Zoë’s answer that Catwoman is the best superhero of all time was just too cute.
“The Lie Detector determined…”
The cast of Blink Twice underwent Vanity Fair's well-known lie detector test, facing a barrage of probing questions. Among the inquiries were: Did Channing Tatum and Naomi Watts ever irritate Zoë Kravitz during the filming of Blink Twice? Did Naomi ever pilfer anything from the set? Did Channing's portrayal of Gambit in Deadpool & Wolverine surpass his personal expectations?
Best of all were the moments you saw Zoë and Channing look at each other adoringly and when they would finish each other sentences. “We are equally cool,” Zoë beamed.
Puppy Love
The pair hung out with BuzzFeed and a slew of adorable puppies while chatting about their favorite improvised moment on set, who has the best rizz — which is apparently Channing according to Zoë — and their first impressions of each other. Not only did they binge-watch Love Island together but they also boasted they would win Love Is Blind if they were on the show.
The Pressure
Zoë Kravitz recently sat down with Esquirefor an interview and got real about her thoughts on becoming a parent. She shared that she's always kinda thought motherhood might not be her thing. “For a long time, I felt like there was something wrong with me. I was waiting for this light to go off in my head, and it never did. When you’re younger, you’re like, ‘Well, I can’t have kids. I’m too young! It’d be crazy.’”
Her viewpoint on childbirth and parenthood has evolved as she has matured and witnessed the societal pressure placed on women to reproduce. While she recognizes the immense strength and courage required to carry and raise a child, Kravitz believes that women should not be made to feel obligated to do so.
Zoë continued, “For a lot of people that have children, it is this giant, life-changing event – and I do think there is a certain amount of focus and respect that they should get from their community. There’s a lot of pressure on women to have children, and there’s a feeling that if you don’t, you don’t have purpose here.” The director feels a special connection to her new movie akin to giving birth.
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