Happy Paris Olympics! This week, we’ve got some great Olympic reporting plus tips on calming anxiety, and our weekly “joy” snack. But before that …
By Tara Parker-Pope
Johnson says she doesn’t mind. “I wish that someone had had some hair and skin care tips for me when I was coming up,” she said.
She wants to encourage more young women to dive into the pool, so she’s happy to answer questions that will help them overcome any reluctance. After a practice, Johnson agreed to show us what years of experimentation have taught her about keeping hair and skin healthy. Check out her tips by clicking the article below.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/07/31/ashleigh-johnson-water-polo-skin-hair-tips/
What’s up with rugby sevens?
When Alex “Spiff” Sedrick dashed more than 100 yards up the pitch to score in the waning seconds of the U.S. women’s rugby sevens team’s bronze medal match against Australia, she did more than secure Team USA’s first rugby sevens medal. She introduced scores of Americans to the sport — and probably lit the dreams of countless fans who thought, “Wow, I want to do that.”
We spoke to coaches and players about rugby sevens, which we learned is a fast, intense and wildly entertaining 14-minute variation of rugby. Learn more by clicking the link below.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/08/01/how-to-play-rugby-sevens/
These simple tricks can calm your heart rate
I can feel my heart beating quickly when I’m feeling anxious or stressed. What can I do about it? Is this normal?
You can slow a rapid heart rate, caused by anxiety and even cardiac arrhythmias, using a classic technique called vagal maneuvers. These are simple actions that engage the vagus nerve — the major nerve connecting the brain to your internal organs.
There are two main options I recommend:
- The straw trick: Place a straw in your mouth and pinch the other end closed. Blow for about 15-20 seconds. If you don’t have a straw, place your finger in your mouth and blow against it as if it were a straw. The technique is one example of a “Valsalva maneuver” — named after the Italian physician who discovered it.
- The diving reflex: Fill a bag with ice, hold your breath and place the bag on your face for 20-30 seconds — or as long as you can comfortably hold your breath. Make sure the coldest areas hit your eyes, sinuses and nose. If you don’t have ice, use a bag of frozen vegetables, or fill a bowl with chilly water and immerse your face — it’s just a little more messy that way.
To learn more, read our latest Ask a Doctor column. Our columnist is Trisha S. Pasricha, an instructor in medicine at Harvard Medical School.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/wellness/2024/07/29/anxiety-high-heart-rate/
Find your joy snack!
Here are a few things that brought us joy this week.
- At the Paris Olympics, Snoop Dogg is NBC’s ‘ambassador of happiness’
- Katie Ledecky, the oldest of U.S. swimmers, has a golden moment
- Simone Biles made her name in women’s gymnastics with these skills
- Stunning photo of Olympic surfer’s midair celebration goes viral
Want to know more about “joy” snacks? Our Brain Matters columnist Richard Sima explains. You can also read this story as a comic.
Please let us know how we are doing. Email me at wellbeing@washpost.com. You can also find us on TikTok.
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