| |  | | How to Become Your Own Biggest Fan With Actress KJ Smith | | | | On today's episode, I talk with actress KJ Smith. She shares the story of how she got started by moving to Los Angeles to pursue a career in acting, landing appearances in a variety of shows over the years, and working her way into bigger roles. | Currently, she has a lead role in the BET comedy-drama series "Sistas" and she is also going to star in the upcoming season of Starz' "Power Book III: Raising Kainan."
She isn't shy about talking about her mental health. She has become an advocate for therapy and self-care.
Why KJ Smith Is Mentally Strong
KJ says she has faced some ups and downs in her career and she has learned that it's important to become her own biggest fan.
Her rise to fame has taught her a lot about herself, how important it is to have boundaries, and be her authentic self.
She is very open about her struggles with mental health and the steps she is taking to stay mentally strong.
When I was in school, you only had three people telling you what's cool and what to do and what to wear and how to be and what not to do. Now people have 7 billion people influencing their decisions, influencing their ears and their brain and their thoughts."
What You'll Hear on the Show
- How KJ learned to be comfortable with her emotions
- What happens when other people aren't comfortable with her emotional expressions
- How she learned to become her own biggest fan
- How she fills her mind with helpful, positive things
- The modifications she makes to her environment that help her stay mentally healthy
- How she establishes boundaries with people
- How she got through several bouts of depression
- How she uses music to manage her mood
- How she uses social media in a healthy way
- How she chooses to give other people grace
- How to tune out the noise around you when you're trying to make decisions
What You'll Learn About Mental Health and Mental Strength
KJ talks about having bouts of depression. Periods of depression can be common. Some people have serious depressive episodes, others have mild depressive episodes.
Some people get better without professional help. Others require treatment, like medication or therapy, to feel better.
Depressive episodes aren't a sign of weakness. Despite your best efforts, they may still happen to you from time to time. This may stem from your brain chemistry or it may depend on environmental factors.
Building mental strength may help prevent some depressive episodes but not all. Feeling depressed isn't a sign of weakness. It can happen to anyone.
Meditation is essential because you have to silence your thoughts to really hear what's true." | | | | | | | | Follow: Apple Podcasts / Spotify / Google Podcasts / RSS | | | | | | | You are receiving this newsletter because you subscribed to the Healthy Mind newsletter. If you wish to unsubscribe, please click here. | | A DOTDASH MEREDITH BRAND 28 Liberty Street, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10005 | | | | | | | 
I recently heard a Radiolab episode about the placenta.  |  | By Stephanie Cornwell, Editorial Assistant | | I recently heard a Radiolab episode about the placenta. Despite being essential to fetal development, it turns out the pregnant person's body is at war with the placenta until the baby is born. Cool, right?
Speaking of cool things, let's talk about some good news regarding vaccination during pregnancy. | | | Today's Top Story | | COVID Vaccine During Pregnancy Protects Babies |  | When the COVID vaccines came out, there was a lot of uncertainty regarding their effects on pregnancy and fertility. However, recent data from the CDC shows that babies born to a person who was fully vaccinated while pregnant are 61% less likely to be hospitalized with COVID.
Researchers say antibodies from the vaccine are transferred across the placenta to the fetus. This immunity only lasts for three to six months after birth.
It's unclear when during pregnancy is the ideal time to get vaccinated, but protection appears stronger when people receive both shots later in their pregnancy. | | Know More | | The immunity from the vaccine that is passed to a baby usually wanes between three to six months after birth. This is normal. The antibodies inherited from the parent are metabolized and slowly disappear. That's why it's still important to limit the amount of people exposed to a newborn. | | Feel Better | | The CDC has affirmed that the COVID vaccines are safe for pregnant people and do not cause complications. Most COVID hospitalizations these days are among the unvaccinated, so experts urge all pregnant people to get their shots for themselves and their babies. | | |  | | Eating Flavonoid-Rich Foods May Help People With Parkinson's Live Longer | | A new study found that eating foods high in plant compounds called flavonoids may help reduce the risk of developing Parkinson's disease or experiencing early death from it. Colorful fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, purple potatoes, citrus fruits, apples, tea, cacao, and legumes are all flavonoid-rich. Thanks to their anti-inflammatory effects, these foods are great additions to any diet. | | | | 7 Ways to Ease Seasonal Depression | | Seasonal affective disorder (SAD), or seasonal depression, is usually triggered by a change in sunlight. Therefore, things like light therapy or taking vitamin D supplements are often recommended to combat it. Learn what other tips experts suggest for combating seasonal depression, and when it might be time to pay your doctor a visit. | | | | | | | |  | | In an interview with Verywell, Kathleen Antony, MD, explains that babies may not be ready to return to pre-COVID life. |  | | Limiting the number of people in contact [with], handling, holding, and snuggling the baby can be helpful. | |  |  | Kathleen Antony, MD
Associate professor of maternal-fetal medicine, University of Wisconsin Hospital
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Lifting weights isn't just for athletes or bodybuilders, it's for all of us, especially older adults. It's by far one of the most important things you can do for your body, and here's why. | | | |  | | | EDITOR'S PICK OF THE WEEK | | | | Get Delicious
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