Orange and Blue magazine - Spring 2020 - The Happy Issue by UF CJC

happy ORANGE AND BLUE MAGAZINE

SPRING 2020 ISSUE

LETTER FROM OUR

JULIA C

OL L I N S

K AY L A

P R ICE

editors

At the beginning of 2020, we struggled to find a theme that we all truly loved. There was so much negativity around us and throughout the world. Fires, political tensions, death and a pandemic. We all hung on to what makes us happy, and thus was born the Happy issue of Orange and Blue Magazine. We wanted to create something that would bring others happiness but not overlook their sadness. Joy is an emotion that people tend to cling to like a child holds on to their mother; we need it and are desperate without it. Our wonderful social media editor, Christine, came up with the theme of Happy. We were all trying so hard to find the “perfect” theme that everyone would be passionate about. And when Happy was brought up, story ideas sparked around the room. You can read some of those original article ideas in this magazine. Thank you to Luly, Christine, Brooks, Victoria, Katherine, Morgan, Juliana and Savannah for all working together to create this magazine. And thank you, Nicole, for teaching us more than we all ever could’ve hoped to learn about what it takes to create a magazine. From round tables with tacos to Zoom meetings with spotty Wi-Fi connections, every meeting was filled with laughter and happiness, (with the occasional bit of stress, of course.) Our small staff has made it possible to maintain a happy environment, despite the challenges this year has thrown our way. We hope that in this time of uncertainty, we can help you find a little bit more happiness. From tattoos to toilets and Star Wars to social media, we hope you remember your happy place in this magazine. Warmly,

I could not be more proud of this amazing group of students who have come together, in a time of uncertainty and chaos to complete this amazing magazine. Each of them remained committed and focused and put forth 110% of themselves to create a magazine that they could be proud of and that could bring some happiness into your lives. We hope you enjoy! Sincerely, Professor Nicole Irving

3 Photo by Kather i ne Lugo

C ON T E N T S RELATIONSHIPS

6 HAPPINESS THROUGH FRIENDSHIP 7 HAPPY HEALTHY CONNECTION 8 BROKEN HEART BLUES 10 GUILTY PLEASURES 11 BEAMING ACROSS BORDERS: THE MEANING OF A SMILE IN DIFFERENT CULTURES

12 A GIRLS PLACE TO GROW

CULTURE

NATURAL

40 ENDORPHINS: THE HAPPY CHEMICAL 41 CBD LOUNGE HELPS GAINESVILLE LOCALS

MANAGE PAIN 43 THE SILLY FACES OUR FURRY FRIENDS M A K E 44 JUMPSTART YOUR HAPPINESS 45 NIGHT & DAY: HOW ANTIDEPRESSANTS HELP 46 NATURALLY HAPPY 47 FEELING SAD: SEASONAL AFFECTIVE DISORDER 48 THE CLOUDY CORRELATION BETWEEN CONTRACEPTIVES AND CONTENTMENT 50 JOLLY TIMES ON THE JOHN

16 ACTIVISM AND MENTAL HEALTH: WHERE'S THE BALANCE?

18 GAINESVILLE: HOME OF HAPPINESS 19 THE JOY IS FOUND IN THE JOURNEY 20 A TOUR THROUGH THE MAGIC 23 HAPPY HOUR IS THE BEST HOUR 24 SNACKS FOR SMILES 25 LET'S HAVE A PINT! 26 MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU 27 A DAY OF H A PPI N E S S ON A BU DGE T 28 THE ROOTS OF THE YELLOW HAPPY FACE 29 TIME FOR SOME GOOD N E W S 30 PERMANENT SOURCE OF HAPPINESS

SCIENCE

PEOPLE

52 DO WE DESERVE TO BE HAPPY? 54 A PASSION FOR CONSERVATION 56 COMEDIANS IN GAINESVILLE: THE

SAD CLOWN PARADOX 58 RUSH HOUR REMEDIES FOR A CALM COMMUTE 59 5 THINGS YOU CAN'T DO WITHOUT SMILING

60 GRAY HAIR, GOLDEN SMILES 61 HAPPINESS THROUGH THE AGES 62 JAMES BATES: THE MAN WHO WON’T STOP SMILING

32 SOCIAL MEDIA: THE TOBACCO OF TODAY 33 ARE SMILES CONTAGIOUS? 34 UNMASKING THE SADNESS 35 THE THEORY OF OUR SMILES 36 PRESS PLAY ON PODCASTS 37 THE SCIENCE BEHIND THE SMILE 4

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HAPPINESS THROUGH friendship

Story by Kayla Price | Photo courtesy of Julia Mitchem

From a young age, we are taught the importance of developing friendships. We like being surrounded by people we like, casually laughing over coffee or sending each other the latest funny meme. But why do we get so much happiness from being with others?

We have someone to talk to, someone to laugh with and a shoulder to cry on when we need it most. Our friends hold us accountable for our actions and help us make life-altering decisions. They are our voices of reason and our own personal cheerleaders.

Humans are mammals, and many mammals, by nature, like being with other mammals. When you see mammals in the wild – wolves, horses, buffalo – they’re usually in groups or herds. The bigger numbers give a sense of security and protection. Like pack animals, humans also take comfort in knowing that someone is there to watch out and care for us.

Developing friendships doesn’t just mean that you have someone to talk to and laugh with. It means you have someone to push you out of your comfort zone and then dive in right behind you. It also means that you can push them out of their comfort zone and help them to try new things. Sharing new and exciting experiences helps the friendship grow and develop into a lifetime of new adventures together.

Being with other people in a positive environment releases oxytocin, a 2013 study by Concordia University’s Centre for Research in Human Development found. Oxytocin is known as the “love hormone” or the “cuddle hormone” because it is released during social bonding and helps to reduce stress and anxiety. Friends also help to reduce cortisol levels and have a calming effect during stressful times, based on a study conducted by the academic journal “Developmental Psychology.” Cortisol is the body’s alarm system, the main stress hormone and is responsible for our “fight or flight” reactions. Combined with higher oxytocin levels and lower cortisol levels, friendships have proven themselves to be beneficial and improve overall quality of life. This is why we place such importance on developing and maintaining friendships throughout our lives. Simply put, our friends make our lives better.

Lauren Reho, 20, said that friendships help her make connections and share life experiences.

HAPPY HEALTHY connection Story and Photo by Victoria Fortier

Love is a sunny-side up egg on a Sunday morning or a chocolate dessert. Love can be a walk through the park in autumn or a dip in the pool when summer comes. Love can be anything to anyone. The most important part is that love is shared with others. But how do you know when your relationship is healthy? “There’s a couple parts to it,” Anita Amoroso, licensed marriage and family counselor, said. “Healthy is time together, respect for each other, open communication and intimacy.” Time together is just as important as being respectful and open. By being understanding of each other, they open the channel for communication. “They know they won’t be judged or put down,” Amoroso says.

“It’s nice to have people I can go to for encouragement when I’m feeling down,” Reho said. “My friends are always my hype squad.” Creating new friendships makes the University of Florida seem a little bit smaller by seeing a friendly face around every corner, Reho said.

Some healthy relationships tips are explained below, as well as warning signs of toxic ones, too. Keep in mind that these truths can apply to most relationships, whether it be with friends or romantic partners.

Friendships create a sense of home away from home, and often those friends feel like family. Their presence brings happiness to the soul and a smile to your face.

Healthy relationships are based on respect because it allows people to connect with one another. As Amoroso said, being respectful is a way of interacting with your partner without judgment. In a disrespectful relationship, people may yell or curse at each other. However, when you act with respect, you honor their feelings. Whether you agree or disagree, use kind words.

Whether you have a large group of friends or a small, intimate group, cherish and take advantage of those friendships. You have a lot to learn and a lot to teach. Give those friends a big hug and let the oxytocin flow.

Respect

Communication

When you’re in a relationship with someone, you talk to them! But how can you be truly open with them?

“Open communication is just that. You share experiences with your partner,” Amoroso says. “It’s being able to talk to them about things that are happening in your own individual life, knowing that your partner will support you, or even bringing up an issue if needed. Just be open.”

The Red Flag

Controlling behavior is a common thread of toxic relationships. If someone only wants things to happen their way and tell the other what to do, they are not in a healthy place. However, if a person has individual struggles, like anxiety, attempting to be in control may soothe them. How do you know the difference? “When somebody has anxiety, they’re not trying to control their partner,” Amoroso said. “They are trying to control their own feelings. In this case, it is important to determine where the behavior is coming from. If anxiety is the cause, it may be beneficial for the person to seek individual help.” However, abusive behavior, like forbidding a partner to see friends or attempting to manage their actions, should never be tolerated. In that case, speak up and seek guidance on how to leave that unhealthy relationship.

The Bottom Line

Don’t forget about yourself! Relationships may need date nights, respect, communication and intimacy but – they also need healthy people. Take time for yourself to be well. “What makes a couple healthy is a healthy individual. If you feel good and positive, your relationship will be healthier. A lot of times, people focus on the other person, but you have to focus on yourself,” Amoroso said.

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BROKEN HEART blues

Story and Photos by Brooks Bass

Our emotional responses to the way certain people make us feel are truly remarkable. It is so wild to think that just seeing a person you love and care about can completely change your mood because of the dopamine and oxytocin flooding your brain. But it is equally wild when you see someone you once loved but no longer feel the same way about. You wish that as soon as you saw that person you could just run away and hide. They broke your heart; not literally, but it feels like it’s actually broken. The time it takes to get over someone varies from person to person. But who says that during that time, you have to feel miserable? The typical response to getting your heart broken is to mope around and be sad, but what if you changed that narrative? It’s easier said than done, but what if, despite the circumstances, you tried to be happy? So, how do you become happy? You could start by finding a hobby. The Australian Government Department of Health found that people with hobbies have lower rates of stress and depression. Medical News Today reported that playing and listening to music can lower cortisol levels. So, if you are feeling stressed out from your heartbreak, maybe you should try picking up an instrument. Maybe you already have a hobby that you’re invested in. What about getting a pet? According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, owning a pet can reduce blood pressure levels and decrease feelings of loneliness.

On top of that, pets can also introduce new opportunities for outdoor activity and exercise. Speaking of exercise, according to Healthline, exercise can raise your serotonin levels, which can ultimately lead to a better mood. The runner’s high should really be called the happy high. Another great way to find happiness is to spend time with others. NBC News reported that people, on average experience higher levels of cortisol (the stress hormone previously mentioned) when they feel lonely. The levels of cortisol that you experience after having your heart broken are likely incredible. You need to spend time with people who really care about you and your mental wellbeing, especially during a time like this. Being happy is something that is easier said than done, though. While it is important to try and get over someone who has broken your heart, it is also important not to push the pain away and pretend it never happened. In psychologist Guy Winch’s book “How to Fix a Broken Heart,” in order to get over the heartbreak, you have to go through the pain it has caused. Don’t fret, though. Sometimes amazing things can come from that pain. Famous Mexican artist Frida Kahlo painted one of her most iconic works, “The Two Fridas,” following her divorce from her husband after he cheated on Kahlo with her sister. Kahlo’s paintings are now commonly sold for about $8 million.

Another person who created art from pain was Justin Vernon. He wrote and recorded the first Bon Iver album, “For Emma, Forever Ago,” after he broke up with his girlfriend, Emma, as well as his old band. He created that art in his stepfather’s cabin in the Wisconsin wilderness all while dealing with mono. “For Emma, Forever Ago” became highly regarded by critics and is considered one of the greatest breakup albums of all time. Brett Favre, a former NFL quarterback, played one of the best games in Monday Night Football history the day after his father passed away from a heart attack. Favre threw for over 300 yards in the first half of the game. There is a good chance that, if you are reading this article right now, you are not going to paint a masterpiece, record a critically acclaimed album or play a career-defining game in the NFL. But the emotional pain you have experienced is the same as the emotional pain that the people previously mentioned have experienced. Who’s to say that you can’t funnel the hurt you have into something amazing like those people have? Use the pain that you have, but remember that you’re bigger than it. If it’s a relationship you’re trying to get over, you need to realize it didn’t work out because you and that other person weren’t right for each other. If you are second-guessing your choice of leaving that person, you have to realize there is a reason why the thought of leaving them came to your mind in the first place.

If it is someone’s death you are trying to get over, it is important to remember those memories you shared. Remember the good times, but don’t let their death keep you from living. The loved one you are mourning would most likely want you to go about and live your life and find happiness. Heartbreak is like boxing. Like the last round of a fight, you have to embrace the pain, but you can’t let it knock you down. You can’t let it overtake you. You can also compare heartbreak to winning a boxing match. After going the distance (a relationship) and taking a few blows (the pain), you have now won the match, and I think that you can compare winning the match to finding happiness after the relationship. English poet Lord Byron once said, “The heart will break, but broken live on.” The pain that we experience from heartbreak messes with us psychologically. But if you bounce back after you’ve embraced the pain, you might find a happiness that you feel like you have never had before. Continuing with the boxing theme, Sylvester Stallone’s character Rocky Balboa from the “Rocky” franchise once said, “But it ain’t about how hard ya hit, it’s about how hard you can get hit and keep moving forward.” Breakups are tough, but you will come out the other end stronger.

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BEAMING ACROSS BORDERS :

GUILTY pleasures

THE MEANING OF A smil e IN DIFFERENT CULTURES

Story by Juliana Cuadra | Photo by Kayla Price

Story and Photo by Christine Guerrero | Illustrations by Katherine Lugo

Guilt-y pleas-ure (noun) - something, such as a movie, television program or piece of music, that one enjoys despite feeling that it is not generally held in high regard. That is Google’s polite definition saying,“that thing you really enjoy is actually bad for you, and it’s embarrassing.” But sometimes we need to remind ourselves to embrace our guilty pleasures every once in a while. They are what makes us happy. Some common guilty pleasures are sweets, alcohol, caffeine and occasional Nickelback throwbacks. So, how can guilty pleasures actually help us in the long run? “Whenever we have to use self-control, to resist temptation or to continue an unpleasant task, the strength of this ‘muscle’ is depleted,” said psychologist Leonard Reinecke. When we indulge our guilty pleasure every once in a while, it can lead to helping us maintain willpower with larger goals. People tend to believe when we give into our guilty pleasure, we feel defeated, weak or selfish. In 2015, Yale professor Ravi Dhar conducted a study to get insight into guilty pleasures and their impact on charitable giving. His first experimental group in the study was given the choice between donating $5 to a charity or using the money to buy a Starbucks flat white espresso. The second group was given the choice to donate or buy a $5 laundry detergent. More people donated the money. When given the choice of a good cause or a guilty pleasure, people still chose to give. “The things you feel in the moment, or the things you think in the moment, have a disproportionate effect on your choices, even if they’re irrelevant to the choice.”

It’s been one of those days where you can’t wait to be home. You kick off your shoes, rush to take off those annoying, tight work pants and put on an oversized T-shirt. You go to your secret hiding spot in the kitchen cabinet and grab a box of Ferrero Rocher chocolate. Don’t hesitate. Just eat it.

In American culture, a smile equates with happiness. As a society, Americans are always encouraged to smile — in pictures, in performances, when greeting someone or when interviewing for a job.

Or maybe you just worked a 12-hour shift that you regretted picking up for another employee. You are ready to lie in bed. You switch the TV on and slowly type in the search bar on Hulu.

However, while it is typically believed by Americans that smiling is the universal symbol of happiness, smiling can be associated with dishonesty or even a lack of intelligence in different cultures, according to a study published in 2015 by the National Center for Biotechnology Information.

T-H-E B-A-C-H-E-L-O-R. It’s OK (Bachelor Nation) to bingewatch it tonight. You worked hard for it. Kelly Goldsmith, a behavioral scientist, said, “It’s OK to indulge, and it’s nice to feel pleasure from indulgence. If you are eating the right thing most of the time, you don't have to worry about the ice cream that makes you feel guilty. Enjoy that pleasure – it's fine." Sometimes we need to turn down the negative connotation of guilty pleasures and just enjoy it. Nobody’s judging.

This or That Quiz: Guilty Pleasure Edition Keeping Up with the Kardashians or Jersey Shore Chocolate Truffles or Sour Patch Kids Wine or Coffee

Nickelback or Celine Dion McDonalds French Fries or Taco Bell’s Locos Tacos The Notebook or White Chicks Netflix or Hulu

Japan

"We smile around people we are close to, and we smile a lot at older people when they’re talking because it is a sign of respect, and respecting our elders is a big part of our culture.”

Russia

Russians are generally suspicious of strangers who smile at each other and tend to view people who smile excessively as unintelligent. Russians only display emotions with close friends or family and on special occasions. Therefore, their emotions are considered to be viewed as more genuine than those of Americans.

Smiling at strangers is considered to be unusual in Japan. Many people, especially women, even cover their smiles or laughs with their hands. In fact, showing teeth when laughing or smiling is even considered unladylike or lacking grace. Some Japanese people attribute this phenomenon to a Japanese practice called ohaguro, where women would dye their teeth black to indicate they were married or of high class.

University of Florida student Ivan Leonov, 22, moved from Russia when he was 9 years old. “When I talk to my Russian friends, about half of them say their parents show emotions or smile,” Leonov said.

“Japanese people don’t really smile around strangers,” said Kaito Yoshida, a 22-yearold University of Florida student.

In India, smiling is used as a greeting, but only with close friends and family. Smiling is viewed negatively by strangers and may evoke fear. However, social interactions between people who are close are very animated and emotional.

“While I consider my family to be more emotionally open, some others definitely aren’t.”

India

Geetha Gangidi, 47, moved from India to the U.S. in 2000 after her husband’s job had them relocate. "Stoicism is looked down upon because it is viewed as being aloof. People in India are very animated, with a lot of emotion put into social interactions,” Gangidi said. “Smiling among the youth could be viewed as a flirtatious move. However, smiling among adults is very transient and typically a form of respect when interacting with family and friends.”

Egypt

Though Middle Eastern countries are often stereotyped as being stoic, Egypt actually has a reputation for being warm and welcoming. Fawzy Ebrahim, 48, the owner of Zeezenia International Market, moved from Egypt in 2000 to earn a doctorate degree from the University of Georgia. “We really value the smile and are very openly emotional people,” he said. “People there will greet you with a smile and ‘al salam alaikum,’ which means ‘peace upon you.’” Though a frequent, casual smile may not be common internationally, a genuine smile shared with loved ones is priceless in every culture.

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A GIRLS PLACE TO grow Story and Photos by Julia Collins

“Why are they pink?” she asked the group of young girls. The girls looked at the flamingos, looked back at her, and said, “Well, I don’t know!” The woman gently gestured her head to the plaque in front of the birds, and suddenly it clicked for the second graders. “They’re pink because of the food they eat!” the girls shouted. A few minutes later, as the group continued wandering in the zoo, the woman felt a tug on her shirt. Looking down, one of the girls said to her, “Ms. Lynn, I think I should be browner.” The woman looked confused, so the little girl added, “I think I should be browner. I eat a lot of chocolate.” “It took everything in me not to laugh at it,” Lynn Little said. “It really did.” Stories like that happen every day at Girls Place. Little, 56, is the program director of the after-school program at the Girls Place, located at 2101 NW 39th Ave. Girls Place, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, is a warm environment where Alachua County girls from kindergarten to eighth grade can go after school and meet new friends, learn new sports and even get homework help. “I’m stupid,” a third grade girl said. Little looked down into her watery eyes, assured her she was not stupid and then asked what the problem was. The little girl explained that there was a new math game at school that day where you had to see who could say the answer to the math problem the fastest. She was upset because she had not won any of the rounds. Little decided to sit down and help her with her math facts. A few weeks later, the girl came bursting into the room with an energy so happy you’d think she’d won the third grade lottery. “I beat three people today with math facts!” Little smiled and was proud of her for bettering her math skills, but even prouder that she gained the confidence to stand up there and say, “I can do this.” The support system Girls Place provides is unwavering. Girls from 14 different schools in Alachua County all flock to Gainesville for it. The girls are put into small age groups so that they can make friends and do activities together, like homework, art, sports and learning how to have confidence. Sometimes, the adults who work at Girls Place do not even understand their impact on these girls until later. “We touch so many more lives than we realize at Girls Place,” Charlie McKnight, athletic director, said. “They learn to give their heart, to respect others, to own their genius and to also win with trust.”

Those are the “house rules” at Girls Place. They came to be when the directors asked the girls in the program what they thought the most important things to learn would be. They were originally established when Girls Place was founded over 30 years ago by the Gainesville Junior Women’s Club. According to their website, they “began investigating the need and interest for a girls club in the community with surveys and public meetings.” “The girls who come through Girls Place then take those [rules] out and pass it on to people who don’t come to Girls Place,” McKnight said. “We’re spreading so much more love than I think we realize sometimes.”

Impacting Others

A sixth grader in Girls Place was sitting in the office with her body turned toward the window, gazing outside. She had some tough stuff going on at home, and did not want to talk to anyone and did not have an interest in participating in anything. Nevada Smith, one of the program directors, decided to go in to talk to her. Smith was in charge of the younger girls at the time, so she had never met this sixth grader. But Smith just talked and talked to the girl without any response from her. The next day, Smith came into work to find out that the girl’s mother had called and said, “I don’t know who this Nevada girl is, but she really helped my daughter out yesterday.”

Many people feel a similar connection to the organization like Smith does. Currently, two of the high school counselors who help out with the girls were once in Girls Place themselves. One of them was in the program since she was five years old. “I was so happy that we were able to get her hired,” Smith said. “She felt our mission, felt the care and then decided to actually become a part of our GP family.” There are familial elements in Girls Place. McKnight was hired right out of college after graduating with her degree in sports management, and has been working at Girls Place for over two years. “I was a summer camp counselor for three years, too, so working around kids kind of comes second nature, now,” McKnight said. Because the COVID-19 pandemic forced Girls Place to suspend inperson operations for the time being, they have had to be creative with how everything functions. The employees called every girl to make sure they were okay at home, and figured out ways to stay in their lives. “We’re part of their normal, scheduled day, and we don’t really realize it until we can’t have it,” McKnight said.

Smith, 31, said that experience really stuck with her. After five years working at the grassroots organization, Smith has developed a bond with everyone there.

As the athletic director, McKnight focuses on introducing a variety of sports into the girls’ lives, including volleyball, track and basketball.

“The fact that I’m born and raised in Gainesville, it means a lot to me working for a place that was started here,” Smith said.

During this past winter’s basketball season, one of the first-graders asked her parents if she could play on a team with her big sister, who was a fifth grader.

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The first grade girl had never played basketball before, but everyone decided to let her try and play with her sister. On the court, the little girl had the ball and managed to shoot it over the big fifth grader’s head on the other team and made it in the basket. As all the parents and coaches went wild, McKnight looked at the first grade girl beaming with pride, because, “It was so nice seeing us give that confidence to a first grader.” Currently, there are about 140 girls in the after-school program. They also run a summer day camp program where girls from five to 15 can attend and get the true Girls Place experience. One of the main things that sets Girls Place apart from other programs is the mental health services it offers. They have a full-time licensed mental health counselor who does one-on-one sessions with the kids, family counseling and a weekly social emotional learning group for the girls. Those mental health services are light years ahead of comparable programs, and even university mental health programs. Having stability built-in at such young ages creates a positive environment for the girls, and even for the employees. Little joined Girls Place over nine years ago. She used to work at a charter school that shared a space with the Girls Place program. Little said it was a difficult decision to switch jobs at the time, as she loved her job, but she ultimately made the change because she wanted to make more of a difference in people’s lives. Now, she runs the tutoring and daily homework assistance program of Girls Place called ACHIEVE during the school year and runs the entire summer program as well.

“I don’t know if you know anything about kindergarten; it is not what it used to be,” Little said. “It is definitely school now, and you’re learning lots.”

“It definitely pushed me in the way of having more female empowerment,” Smith said. “It’s amazing to be working for a place that truly practices what they preach.”

A Fresh Beginning

The only thing Smith wishes was different is that there was a “Boys Place” in Gainesville.

A brand-new kindergartner came to Girls Place on the very first day of this school year. She did not have a lot of fundamental skills, like recognizing her written name or knowing the alphabet or shapes. Little and her team tried a few different approaches for teaching the girl all those things but to no avail. Finally, they discovered that the little girl was receptive to music. They created different chants and raps to help her remember her numbers and shapes. “The only way that she could remember it was through music,” Little said. “One of our counselors helped her make up a little rap song so she could remember how to spell her name.” All the good that the people at Girls Place do is being expanded; they are constructing three new classrooms, which will allow them to take in 45 more girls. The girls are the core of the place. When you take a tour of Girls Place, they give the tour. And when Smith first applied to work there, the girls took her on a tour of the space. She said it is what really sold it to her. “It just really had me get that great feeling of like, ‘Okay, I’m getting into something I think I’m really gonna enjoy,’” Smith said. And after being there for five years now, it is clear she has enjoyed it.

“That’s what we’re missing here in town,” Smith said. “There’s a lot of other after school programs, but nobody else is based the way we are.” Girls Place is structured to help girls in every aspect of life. They have ACHIEVE for school help, Brainpower for mental health resources, sports involvement and the house rules of GROW. It stands for “give your heart, respect comes first, own your genius and win with trust.” “Trying to get them to understand them is pretty funny when you have a kid look at you and say, ‘I can’t give you my heart,’” Smith said. Girls Place does cost money to attend. According to their website, it is $20 a year for one girl’s membership, but they also have family deals where it is $40 for two or more girls per year. Other fees apply for athletics and the summer day camp. You can donate to Girls Place on their website at girlsplace.net/give/.

Little has been offering Zoom calls with the girls to continue to help with homework, and she is also doing Zoom calls with parents if they want help creating a schedule for their kids or if they need any other guidance during this time. Little is accustomed to intervening where people need it. At her old job at the charter school, she was an intervention specialist, which involved coming up with ways to improve kids’ grades and attitudes toward school. Because Girls Place is all girls, though, “not having boys around makes things a little different,” Smith said. “In some ways, it allows you to be a little more open with the kids because they’re all girls and we’re all going through the same thing. In other ways, they’re all girls, and that poses a challenge.” Unafraid of a challenge, Little, Smith and McKnight continue along the path of boosting girls up, no matter what obstacles they face. Whether the challenge be remembering math facts, learning letters, teaching why flamingos are pink, how to win a basketball game with trust or talking to a girl struggling at home, the people at Girls Place do it with grace. After all, the “house rules” are to give your heart, respect comes first, own your genius and win with trust. And we could all learn something from that.

The licensed child care facility fosters love and confidence in their girls. Being physically away from them because of COVID-19 restrictions has been difficult on both the 140 girls and the 21 employees.

culture “And we’ll have to be like, OK, let’s order some food right now, promise me you’re gonna go to sleep at 10 p.m., you know, and just hold each other accountable.”

“I think the way you stave off depression is you just try to figure out, well, what can I do?” Payne said. “That’s how I do it. What can I do?”

Osorio highlighted the importance of accessible systematic mental health resources and said Dream Defenders recently started a counseling program. The statewide organization now provides its members with a hotline to talk with counselors if they are having a hard time managing their work.

Payne added that she finds gardening a helpful way to clear her mind in between her “paid job” and countless meetings a week for organizations such as the Alachua County Labor Coalition. She also enjoys doing yoga and walking, a testament to the powerful role endorphins play on one’s mood.

“Dream Defenders realizes health care isn’t affordable for all of us, so they’re willing to supply it,” Osorio said.

Self-described as a “high-anxiety person,” Payne said aging has also taught her to have more patience with tough matters.

Osorio also noted how certain marginalized groups, such as people of color, immigrants and transgender people, may have a harder time accessing mental health care.

Payne’s husband, Paul Ortiz, who is a professor at the University of Florida’s history department, said he believes the push for self-care has come about as a result of the infinite accessibility of news due to social media.

“Depending on different identities…some people are more susceptible to mental health issues because of stereotypes, but also lack of access,” Osorio said.

Story, Photo and Illustration by Morgan Goldwich

The turn of the decade has already brought with it a global pandemic, fears of war and, soon, a polarizing presidential election. It’s nearly impossible to consume any media without being bombarded by warnings of climate change or inequity among marginalized groups. Yet being informed about all of these heavy topics is not only key to being a responsible citizen; it is sometimes necessary for a person’s well-being. This is true for groups such as immigrant organizers. “A lot of us live in fear of retribution,” said Manu Osorio. “A lot of us live through anxiety of like, my work is affecting so many people’s livelihoods.” Osorio has been an activist since high school. Now at 24 years old, she dedicates time every day to work with activist groups in the Gainesville community. “The work is really intense,” Osorio said. “I don’t know if people know that, when you become an organizer, it kind of takes over your life in many ways.” For Osorio, this may look like having anywhere from one to five meetings a day, hosting public events or doing direct action with organizations in Gainesville. “Most of the time, a lot of the causes we’re working on have caused a lot of pain in communities,” Osorio said. Aside from the profound problems activists work to combat, Osorio said stigma toward certain organizations increases the group’s risk and is an additional roadblock to getting mental health resources.

One 2018 study in the Cultural Diversity & Ethnic Minority Psychology Journal found that, while activism may serve as a protective factor to mitigate racial or ethnic discrimination, politically active black college students experience exacerbated rates of stress and anxiety than their less politically involved counterparts. Osorio said she can’t name a single organizer whose mental health hasn’t suffered from their activism work. “We try to hang out with each other doing fun things so that when we are working together, we are in a better headspace,” Osorio said of the other organizers she’s friends with.

“These voices need to be specifically prioritized and not just that. At any mental health center, there should be [counselors] who represent all types of people. We need solutions that are helpful for people considering their cultural and gender identities. I think some [organizations] are doing great at that, but I think some places could improve that.” Gainesville resident Sheila Payne, 63, has been an activist for almost 50 years but has only heard the phrase “self-care” be used in the past 10. She said she finds the antidote to being “bummed out” by difficult topics to be actually doing activist work to mitigate those issues.

“I came from the old school, where you would call people,” Payne said, recounting a time when she would call up to 100 people a week during an eight-year-long campaign for farmworker’s rights. “Now, everyone wants to do it all on social media, and there’s just not a sense of community.” To adjust to these modern times, Payne said she doesn’t watch the news on TV and turns off notifications from news outlets on her phone as a way to filter out the constant influx of information. While this helps Payne, it’s important to find what works for you. Whether you’re a community organizer like Osorio and Payne, or just doing your part to remain up-to-date with what’s in the news, one thing rings true: self-care is the key to balancing these hard but important topics.

She considers practicing self-care to have a personal dimension and a collective dimension. Osorio individually prioritizes exercise, follows a plant-based diet and plays in a band as a creative outlet. “For me, a good self-care tool is, when I feel all of these difficult emotions coming up, I do separate myself from the physical space or the emotional space, and I go do something else while I can,” she said. Dream Defenders is one of the human rights organizations Osorio is a part of. The group, which focuses on freedom for people of color, encourages members to regularly do check-ins during meetings. “We will literally ask each other, ‘Hey, what have you been doing for self-care this week?’ And a lot of people will say, ‘Oh shit, I actually haven’t eaten today, I barely slept, I am having a hard time paying attention at this meeting,’” Osorio said.

culture

GAINESVILLE: HOME OF happiness

Story and Photo by Juliana Cuadra

Story and Photo by Kayla Price

Gainesville, Florida, has a diverse pool of people. Our city brings together people of all backgrounds, ethnicities, cultures and careers. With so much variety, there is an abundance of opportunities to find your very own happy place. When searching for your own happy niche, Depot Park is a great place to start. Depot Park was opened in 2016 and boasts a play area for children–with a splash zone, of course –a pavilion to picnic under, paved paths, a conservation area and a hill right in the middle that overlooks everything. The park regularly hosts different events like yoga or festivals. And the best part is it’s free, so bring the whole family or your best friends. The Kika Silva Pla Planetarium at the northwest campus of Santa Fe College offers something for everyone, from the aspiring astronaut to an astrology major. The planetarium has suggested shows for different age groups, but are open to space lovers of all ages. Complete with a space art gallery, you’re sure to have an out of this world experience! Located in Newberry, Dudley Farm Historic State Park offers a chance to escape our busy, technology-dependent lifestyle of today and go back in time. Dudley Farm was established in 1859, with many of the original structures intact. At the farm, you can walk the nature trail, watch the native birds, and immerse yourself in the historic site with the staff dressing and using tools from the 1800s.

THE joy IS FOUND IN THE journey

If the fine arts are more your thing, you can find your happiness at the Hippodrome, Gainesville’s only professional theater. When the stage isn’t utilized for the classics like “A Christmas Carol” and “It’s a Wonderful Life,” The Hipp is also home to jazz nights, swing and salsa dance classes and improv nights.

It is no surprise that traveling is on the rise. In today’s age, there are Instagram accounts dedicated solely to traveling, flooded with influencers paid to take breathtaking pictures in the world’s most gorgeous destinations. It’s easy to see why people flock to these locations renowned for their breathtaking scenery.

The theater and its company work hard to give Gainesville a taste of the big city.

So, why does it seem like more and more people are being bitten by the travel bug?

Calling all wine lovers! Downtown Wine and Cheese offers wine tasting every Thursday night, along with wine classes and education. The wine bar is a great place to hang out with friends or reserve it for a special occasion.

Besides the envy-inducing travel photos spamming your feed, a study from psychology professor Thomas Gilovich at Cornell University reveals that it might have to do with how we measure happiness.

If you like what you taste, be sure to check out the retail shop for a worldwide selection of wines, cheeses and chocolates.

“One of the enemies of happiness is adaption,” said Gilovich. “We buy things to make us happy, and we succeed. But only for a while. New things are exciting to us at first, but then we adapt to them.”

Arguably the happiest place in Gainesville, especially on a fall Saturday with a winning Gators football team, is Ben Hill Griffin Stadium. Affectionately known by Gainesville locals as “The Swamp,” the stadium seats just shy of 90,000 football fanatics. During the week or in the offseason, the stadium becomes a popular photo spot, especially for those anxiously awaiting their graduation. Others incorporate the many steps and ramps in the stadium into their fitness regime. No matter where you go, happy memories are waiting for you. Challenge yourself to step out of your usual routine, find your new favorite places and make some memories. If you’ve already found your happy place, share it with friends and family, and let the good times roll.

Furthermore, Gilovich said, “Our experiences are a bigger part of ourselves than our material goods. You can really like your material stuff. You can even think that part of your identity is connected to those things, but nonetheless, they remain separate from you. In contrast, your experiences really are part of you. We are the sum total of our experiences.” For this reason, traveling can be the perfect antidote for when you are down in the dumps or need a change of pace. Even just the anticipation of a trip can keep you motivated and excited for the future, thus boosting your happiness.

She has traveled to Aruba, Costa Rica, the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, Jamaica, Mexico, France, the Cayman Islands, St. Thomas and St. Martin. She said that she enjoys planning trips and learning about people that are different from her. “My favorite part of traveling is seeing different parts of the world and learning about different cultures,” Hunter said. “It makes me feel good to talk to people from other countries about our culture and vice versa.” Besides providing you with fresh, fun experiences in a new place, traveling is also proven to decrease stress and boost creativity, with 89% of respondents noticing a significant decrease in stress just after a day or two of traveling, according to a 2013 study done by The Global Commission on Aging and Transamerica Center for Retirement Studies and the U.S. Travel Association. Sabrina Williams, 50, is also a member of the GCC and has traveled to several U.S. states and the Bahamas. She said that she loves seeing new people and sites, experiencing life from different perspectives and relaxing when traveling. “When I travel, I am truly carefree and relaxed,” Williams said. “Traveling is a big impact on my happiness. I strive for happiness.” So, what are you waiting for? Plan a trip and pack your bags. From planning to making life-long memories, it will be well worth it. After all, happiness is found in the journey, not just the destination.

Delatrone Hunter, 51, is a member of the Gainesville Crusin Crew Travel Group (GCC).

culture

A TOUR THROUGH THE

magic

Story by Christine Guerrero and Victoria Fortier Photos by Katherine Lugo and Christine Guerrero

People from around the world flock to the place where they say dreams come true. Walt Disney World, nestled on 27,258 acres in the heart of Orlando, Florida, opened on Oct. 1, 1971. On average, it captures 52 million visitors’ hearts per year. Disney World’s magic was created by the man himself, Walt Disney. Walt was born on Dec. 5, 1901, in Chicago, Illinois. Disney became passionate about drawing and attended the Academy of Fine Arts while in high school. Then, in 1928, Mickey Mouse was created and made an appearance in the famous cartoon, “Steamboat Willie.” Not only was Walt able to bring Mickey Mouse alive, but his idea for an amusement park came shortly after. On opening day in 1971, Mickey led the very first guests into Magic Kingdom. However, Disney’s idea for the theme park originally began in the 1960s. He wanted to create another park similar to Disneyland in California, which had already opened in 1955. The concept for both places was simple: people of all ages could go there and have fun. It’s hard to decide why Disney is considered the happiest place in the world, but it isn’t tough to find all the reasons that it could be. Disney annual passholder Gabby Nuñez can’t get over Disney’s magic. “It doesn’t matter your age or who you are. Whenever you’re there, you just feel special. You get to escape reality a little bit and feel like a kid again at all the theme parks,” Nunez said. Whatever combination of nostalgia, cleanliness and art it is, Walt Disney World always feels like there’s pixie dust in the air. Here are some exciting things you can look out for at each Disney park.

Magic Kingdom

Home to Cinderella’s castle, Magic Kingdom is the nostalgic park that brings everyone back to their childhood. In a 2020 Twitter poll, we asked people which Disney park is their favorite. The winner was Magic Kingdom. As you stroll through, lines are out the door at Edy’s ice cream shop and children take pictures with Mickey and Minnie Mouse. There’s even a high-intensity roller coaster that makes you feel like you’re taking off in space, Space Mountain. Another famous ride, “It’s a Small World,” was originally created for the 1964-1965 New York World’s Fair. It was later recreated as Walt Disney World’s Opening Day attraction and was a huge hit. Now, it has been replicated at Disney theme parks around the world.

Fun Fact

You’ve heard of the Disney tunnels, but do you know why they’re used in Magic Kingdom? Not only do they make travel more efficient, but they help Magic Kingdom maintain its theme. In Tomorrowland, cast members’ costumes are futuristic. It wouldn’t make sense for a futuristic character to walk through Fantasyland, where Snow White and the dwarfs live. For this reason, cast members travel through the tunnels -- nothing is ever out of place!

Epcot

Epcot stands for Experimental Prototype Community of Tomorrow. It’s a combination of the world showcase and the future world. Walt Disney envisioned Epcot to operate like a small city that real people would live in. However, he passed away before its creation, and team members didn’t feel they could operate an entire city without him. As the story goes, many were still intrigued by this idea of a small city and eventually created the theme park. The world showcase makes anything feel possible. It’s designed for guests to walk through different countries in an immersive experience. Each country is complete with food and decor to match its heritage.

One of Disney’s most popular series, Toy Story, has been recreated into the ultimate kid experience (yes, you can still order “adult beverages” here). And if you are a Star Wars fan, check out Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge. Bring out your inner dark side with intense starship rides, lightsaber battles and learn about the history of the movies. Alex Nuyianes, Executive Communications professional intern for Walt Disney World., sums it up, “You feel the magic and hope instilled in you and it’s a feeling like no other that makes you want to come back and experience it again and again.” You can’t help but smile when in the Disney environment. The laughter. The screams as people plunge down Splash Mountain. Children dressed as Disney princesses and Jedis. The happiness the Disney experience creates is undeniable.

Mexico displays a replica of a steep Aztec temple. Morocco presents a turquoise and beige prayer tower. In France, an Eiffel Tower stands tall above petite shops. In total, there are 11 countries in Epcot. The Future World does not have multiple countries, but multiple pavilions that explode with creativity. On Test Track, guests can ride the fastest attraction in Disney World, reaching 65 mph in eight seconds!

Animal Kingdom

Animal Kingdom dedicated to Disney’s passion for animal conservation and natural environment. Not only is Animal Kingdom an attraction, but it’s accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums and the World Association of Zoos and Aquariums. This means Animal Kingdom has exceeded its standards for education, conservation and research. “It was really eye-opening to see Disney’s commitment to conservation,” former editorial Disney intern Cayela Cuevas said. Not only does the park have animals and rides, but it’s home to the newly built Pandora World. Avatar fans can see Pandoran creatures or go on a Na’vi riverboat ride. You can also spend some time with extinct creatures at Dinoland U.S.A.

Hollywood Studios

Hollywood Studios is all about entertainment. Here, movies come alive. Have you ever wondered how stuntmen slide through fires for a living? Guests can watch a car chase stunt show and learn how those tricky special effects really work. If the Disney princess magic is more your speed, you can head down to Sunset Boulevard and sit in The Beauty and the Beast’s outdoor theater. Cast members recreate the tale as old as time with Broadway-styled music.

culture

HAPPY HOUR IS THE best HOUR

Story and Photo by Luly Hernandez

It is the happiest time in the day – it's in the name. This is the time of day where bar and restaurant owners seem to take advantage of the fact that, in between typical lunch and dinner hours, working people are starting to clock out of their nine to five shifts. Gainesville is widely known as a college town, and this is likely due to the fact that so much of the population can be traced to having ties with the University of Florida. Even though it’s a college town, it doesn’t mean residents and visitors should be confined to spending those couple of hours after a long shift of work to partying like a college student. Midtown Gainesville is generally known to be dedicated to the UF undergraduate population where drink specials are made out to be games, like beat the clock and sake bombs, and usually happen in loud club-like settings. However, downtown Gainesville is just a quick drive away but offers a much different atmosphere than the former. Between different kinds of bars and restaurants, it seems to be a go-to destination for those who want to step away from the crowded student populated scene and enjoy crafted drinks and plates that make the term happy hour live up to its name/reputation. West University Avenue and South Main Street are lined with bars, restaurants and everything in between. The next time the clock strikes happy hour, you’ll know exactly where you want to go. Dragonfly Sushi and Sake is a top choice for Gainesville sushi lovers. In the heart of downtown, it is just a few steps from the Hippodrome State Theatre and Bo Diddley Plaza. With ample indoor and outdoor seating, Dragonfly offers happy hour specials on food and drinks from Sunday through Thursday, from 5-7p.m.

Photo by Luly Her nandez

A cocktail-exclusive happy hour is available from 4-5p.m. on Friday and Saturday. The Shōchū Mojito and the Crunch Roll are strongly recommended. Madrina’s is a Cuban-inspired cocktail bar with typical Cuban saint statuettes and other knick-knacks throughout the small space. This bar delivers quality drinks during all hours, but the happy hour specials pick out some classic favorites. A happy hour menu is offered from Tuesday through Saturday, from 4-7p.m. Sunday is the day where these specials are available from open to close. Each drink available on the menu during these times are $6 – with the exception of the classic daiquiri, which is $5. It’s hard to pick just one drink, but one can’t go wrong with the Old Fashioned and a classic Mojito. A couple of doors down from Madrina’s is Cry Baby’s. Both food and drinks can be found on the happy hour menu from Monday through Saturday, from 5-7p.m. This bar has a particularly tropical spirit, with plants scattered throughout and palm trees adorning the wallpaper behind the bar. The cocktails don’t stray from the theme either. A section of their menu is strictly dedicated to “tiki” cocktails. However, the happy hour menu sees deals on fries, burgers and all of the classic cocktails – the Pisco Sour and the nachos are top choices. Despite being a quick drive away from UF, downtown Gainesville is a refreshing escape from the college town craziness. The fact that there are so many happy hours to take advantage of makes it even better. Time to taste-test all the discounted daiquiris this city has to offer. * Always drink responsibly and never drink and drive.

culture

DISNEY

SNACKS FOR smiles

Story Victoria Fortier | Photo by KC Osmani

“What we put into our body directly impacts everything,” Kait Richardson, a dietitian nutritionist at Nutrition Awareness in Orlando, said. According to Richardson, gut biome and brain are connected, which affects moods and energy. “When we eat something nutritious and healthy, we have energy to go on with our day,” Richardson said. According to Gill Paul, author of “Eat Yourself Happy,” when eating the right foods, your body gets proper nutrients. A balanced diet creates a balanced life. There are a few main groups to stick to. Some of those are: protein, B vitamins, healthy carbs, fish, vitamin D, and gut health.

1. Protein

Proteins increase happiness because they’re building blocks, helping create serotonin. Good proteins are eggs, chicken or pumpkin seeds. According to the Dietary Reference Intake, the average person needs 0.36 grams of protein per pound. When lacking protein, you eat more because you’re not full.

2. B Vitamins

There are eight, but B6 and B12 boost your mood. They control the nervous system; when your nervous system is healthy, you’re at lower risk for depression. Paul recommended staying balanced with high B vitamin foods like bananas, avocados or whole grains. While there’s not a universal milligram amount, it’s safe to say if feeling low, don’t forget the Bs.

3. Healthy Carbs

Good carbs, like brown rice or vegetables, help maintain blood sugar levels because they’re low in sugar and reduce sugar intake. When blood sugar is stable, you don’t have bad mood swings or low energy.

The Dietary Guidelines recommend that carbs provide 45%- 65% of a person’s daily caloric intake.

4. Fish

Paul said fish provide the body with omega-3s. Omega-3 oils help the brain build better connections. Your brain will stay active and receive mood-boosting neurotransmitters, like serotonin. The Food and Drug Administration warns that pregnant women, breastfeeding mothers and young children should limit fish consumption due to potential mercury levels, but an average person can eat at least 8 ounces of fish per week.

5. Vitamin D

Sitting in the sun isn’t the only way to get your vitamin D dose – you can eat it in fish and eggs! Low levels of vitamin D are linked to depression. The U.S. Institute of Medicine of the National Academy of Science says that there are different levels of vitamin D the body needs based on age. People under the age of 50 should shoot for 200 IU. People aged 50 years old to 70 years old need more; about 400 IU. People 70 and up would benefit from at least 600 IU. Don’t overdo it; vitamin D is beneficial, too much is unsafe.

6. Gut Health

A healthy stomach is happy because it regulates anxiety and stress. Avoid triggering depression by eating foods with probiotics, like yogurt. The National Institutes of Health says the perfect amount of probiotics depends on the dose and strain (there are over 18). Talk to your doctor if interested in finding the right level for you. * Always consult your doctor before adding aditional vitamins to youe diret.

Story and Photo by Katherine Lugo

LET'S HAVE A pint!

There are two types of people. There are the ones who enjoy going into a bar and having the options of cocktails, wine, beer and spirits. They can go from one drink to the next on what seems like an endless list of drinks. Then there are the ones who know exactly what they want and go out to the nearest brewery to get exactly that. But if you had to choose a brewery over a bar, it’s important to know what makes breweries so good. If you enjoy trying different beers and being surprised by the different hops, yeasts and malts, you are bound to find the taste you’re craving or one that surprises you at a brewery. Breweries and microbreweries have boomed in the last decade, and it’s easier than ever to find one around the corner. According to the National Brewers Association, in 2018, craft brewer sales scored 4% by volume, reaching 13.2% of the U.S. beer market by volume – all thanks to microbreweries. These establishments concentrate on crafting their own beer with original flavors that cater to their community. Here are a few local breweries:

First Magnitude

Created by four friends in 2012, they wanted to make great beer, raise awareness and appreciation for Florida’s springs and create a community space for people to come to enjoy a pint. You can buy their beer at the store, join them at one of their Florida’s spring awareness events or visit them during their annual Oktoberfest to try their German-inspired beers.

Big Top Brewing Company Gainesville

Dive into the Downtown Gainesville scene and enjoy Big Top’s crafted beer and food with the chef’s daily specials!

Blackadder Brewing Company

Step into this tavern-looking establishment and enjoy the old-world atmosphere of Blackadder. They have Belgian-inspired beers and live performances. For owners Chris and Sissy Hart brewing beer is a big part of their lives. They’ve brewed beer for over a decade and are members of Gainesville’s local homebrew club. Collectively, they’ve won over 30 medals in homebrew competitions across the U.S.

Swamp Head Brewery

If you are looking for a scenic view while enjoying a homebrewed pint, Swamp Head Brewery is the place for you. Founded in 2008, they have established themselves as Florida’s brewery. “Have a look around, from our brewery to our logo and branding, to our beer, you can see that we live, love and are Florida. From now until the horizon, Swamp Head Brewery is inherently Floridian,” the website reads.

Downtown Gainesville House of Beer

“It has games you can play while drinking like apples to apples and giant Jenga. They show English premier league games and those have a really fun atmosphere,” local guide Sean Moran said. He also noted that there are about 40 different beers available on tap and even more available in the fridge.

Cypress and Grove Brewing Company

“There is a wow factor here! Cool clean and probably the ultimate Brewing facility. They top the charts!” customer Richard Squires said.

culture

On May 25, 1977, “Star Wars: Episode IV – A New Hope” was released. It became another blockbuster hit for Lucas. The movie grossed a total of $775 million, surpassing the highest-growing film at the time, “Jaws.” The movie gained a fan base instantly. One of the most famous phrases of the movie series is “may the force be with you.” It has been popularized and used for years by fans. According to the Pop Culture Dictionary, May 4 has become the unofficial holiday celebrating the “Star Wars” franchise. “May the fourth be with you” is the famous pun for the celebration. Of course, nothing could make “Star Wars” fans happier than coming together one day of the year to celebrate something they all love. One of Gainesville’s own fans is Kenson Sales. “I saw ‘A New Hope’ when I was 6 years old,” Sales said. “But I wouldn’t say that’s when I became a fan yet. I just knew spaceships were cool. I was around 12 years old and rediscovered my father’s VHS box set. I convinced my mother to play each movie after school till I had seen all three. That time it clicked.”

and Blue M a

Happy

It all started with a man named George Lucas. Back in the 1970s, Lucas directed the blockbuster hit film “American Graffiti.” After winning five Oscars, Lucas wanted to pursue something different for the world. He wanted to create some sort of “space opera.” That space opera eventually led to the beginning of “Star Wars.” Boy, aren’t we thankful for George Lucas’s imagination.

Story and Photos by Morgan Goldwich

Story by Christine Guerrero | Illustrations by Katherine Lugo

ON A

MAY THE FouRTH BE WiTH You

A DAY OF HAPPINESS

spring 2020

Over 120,000 people, of diverse backgrounds and all corners of the globe, call Gainesville home. This Northern Florida city was reported to have a median household income of $34,000 in 2017, almost half the national average, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Whether you’re a student, a business owner, a parent or any other type of Gainesville resident, a day off from your typical routine doesn’t have to break the bank. Here’s a jam-packed day of joy for less than $20. If you feel like being immersed in nature but aren’t looking to do anything too strenuous, Alfred A. Ring Park, which is thick with old-growth trees, and Morningside Nature Center are both worth a visit.

One of Sales’ favorite episodes is “Revenge of the Sith.” “I know this will give me a lot of grief from certain fans, but it is,” Sales said. “‘Star Wars’ as a whole [shows] the story of Anakin Skywalker, but Episode 3 is the turning point of that story, literally. It really brings out the ‘war’ in ‘Star Wars,’ and it has the best lightsaber duel.” Some fun ways to celebrate May 4 is by heading to Disney World’s Hollywood Studios. The park recently built “Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge,” which has become an authentic experience for “Star Wars” fans everywhere. If you are hosting the ultimate dark-versus-lightside party, you can check out the official site of “Star Wars,” where they share May 4 ice cream party and snack ideas. Nothing better than a Tatooine specialty. Another great way to celebrate is by checking out your local library, museum or comic store. Most places host events and activities for fans of all ages. Jacksonville Zoo has held “Star Wars” themed events before. You can see more ideas at starwars.com.

budge t

Stop 4: Fur-Real Fun

Stop 1: Let’s Eat

Swing by El Indio on 13th street to start your day. The Tex-Mex restaurant offers a scrambled egg, potato, cheese and salsa stuffed breakfast taco, and for just $1 a pop, it can’t be beaten. Plus, you’ll be supporting a long-standing local business in the process. This energy-packed meal will fuel you for a great start to your day!

To all the Jedi masters across the galactic universe, may the fourth be with you this year. Fun Fact: According to Pop Culture Dictionary, the pun originated when British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher was elected, and fellow members of her conservative political party wrote out, “May the Fourth Be With You, Maggie. Congratulations,” on a full-page ad in the London Evening News.

Stop 2: Visit Nature

Gainesville is home to many free nature trails. Beginner trails can be found in Bivens Arm Nature Park or Loblolly Woods, where you’ll encounter some of Gainesville’s abundant flora and fauna. For more experienced trekkers, the 16-mile Gainesville-Hawthorne State Trail makes for a historic and scenic bike ride or hike on a path which once accommodated railroad cars.

Stop 3: Culture Bound

When a break from the Florida elements calls, the Florida Museum of Natural History offers free admission and features exhibits that will guide you through the state’s rich history and offer a glimpse into what future life may look like. Art lovers can find inspiration at the Harn Museum of Art, which has over 11 galleries and five garden spaces. If you’re ready for a bite to eat, the Camellia Court Café is located inside the Harn and offers hearty soups, salads, and sandwiches, all for under $10. The newly opened Cade Museum for Creativity and Invention is the perfect spot for those fascinated by the world of science. Admission is $12.50 for adults, but discounts are offered for students, seniors, veterans, and first responders.

For an alternative to museum-going, Earth Pets of Gainesville has a kitten nursery that will flood your brain with endorphins. You can access the cage-free, no-kill rescue center filled with fluffy kittens ready to play for a recommended donation of just $2. All cats are eligible for adoption, and although this may bust your anticipated budget, a cuddly companion is often worth.

Stop 5: Stargazing

As the day begins to wind down, find a good spot to watch the sunset. This priceless activity is most favored to be observed overlooking the acres of savanna at Paynes Prairie, or pack a picnic and head over to Depot Park. May the vibrant colors illuminating the setting sky remind you that the best things in life are free, and this especially rings true in Gainesville.

culture

THE ROOTS OF

THE YELLOW HAPPY fac e Story by Katherine Lugo

You have seen it everywhere; from your teachers drawing it on your exam, on a glossy small sticker or in emoji form. The truth is, we’ve all seen the recognizable symbol of happiness - the bright yellow happy face. But where does it come from?

1994

Let’s start with the 1994 film Forrest Gump. As Forrest ran along, a man wanted to put his face on a T-shirt, but he didn’t have a camera nor was he good at drawing. So, when a truck drove by, splashing Forrest with mud, the man offered him a yellow T-shirt and said, “Here use this one, nobody likes that color anyway.” Forrest wiped his face and left. To the man’s surprise, a happy face was imprinted on the shirt. Although it is a cute scene, Gump is not the creator of the yellow happy face.

1972

1963 In 1963, in Worcester, Massachusetts, after The State Mutual Life Assurance Company (now Allmerica Financial Corporation), went through a series of difficult surges and acquisitions, the company was looking for ways to pick up morale. Harvey Ross Ball, a graphic designer, was commissioned to create something to boost the mood. In less than 10 minutes, Ball created the iconic yellow smiley face and was paid $45. The State Mutual Life Company went on to create posters, buttons and signs as an attempt to get their employees to smile more. Although the icon became popular instantly, neither Ball nor the company gave thought to copyright the icon.

It didn’t take long for others to catch up on the popularity of the yellow happy face. According to the Smithsonian Magazine, after making some slight changes to the yellow happy face created by Ball, French journalist Franklin Loufrani registered it for commercial use in 1972 and used it to highlight good news in his newspaper, France Soir. Loufrani created The Smiley Company and since then it’s become a global empire. So, if Ball and Lofrani claimed to have created the popular icon and have rights to it, who can use it? Throughout the years, many companies have used a version of the yellow happy face for commercial purposes. There is Nirvana’s “Smells Like Teen Spirit” with two “X”’s for the eyes. There’s also Marc Jacobs’ “The Grunge” with “M” and “J” for the eyes. In November 2019, Nirvana Inc. filed a copyright claim against Marc Jacobs over the smiley face T-shirts. Consequently, U.S. District Judge John Kronstadt ruled that Nirvana’s ownership claim was sufficient for the case to proceed. How can you use the image without getting into legal trouble? You could get permission in writing from the copyright holder, use free or stock images (make sure to look for ownership signs such as artist name, copyright symbols, year of creation or trademark) or create original work.

TIME FOR SOME goo d NEWS

Story and Photo by Luly Hernandez

It seems like every breaking news headline is riddled with bad news and seemingly negative content – a war, the political climate in the country, an environmental or humanitarian crisis taking place. While it’s important to be educated on what’s happening in the world, there have been some good things happening recently that will make everyone smile.

The 116th Congress became the most diverse in US history According to a profile report by the Congressional Research Service, 131 women serve in the 116th Congress. This class also sees 50 Hispanic or Latino Members; 20 Asian Americans, Indian Americans or Pacific Islander Americans serving as members and four Native Americans. All of these are record numbers. There are also 53 African American Members of the House and three in the Senate. The previous class saw a less diverse demographic, which suggests our congressmen and women are gradually representing the melting pot that is the U.S.

30 thousand pounds of leftover Super Bowl food was donated to charity

The Monday after the 2020 Super Bowl, volunteers visited the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens to collect leftover food from concession stands, suites and other areas throughout the stadium. The donations were made to Camillus House, the Miami Rescue Mission, the Broward Outreach Center, Broward Partnership for the Homeless and Lotus House Shelter. ESPN reported that Food Rescue U.S. Miami director Ellen Bowen said 25,000 to 30,000 pounds of food was expected to be donated, and 20,000 people will be fed.

Polio is near irradiation due to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

According to the foundation’s website, immunization efforts have reached almost 3 billion children, and the prevalence of polio has decreased by 99%. India was once thought to be the most difficult place to end the disease but hasn’t reported a case since 2011. Now polio is only found in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Nigeria and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation continue to fundraise so the Global Polio Eradication Initiative can continue its work.

The crowns in five major beauty pageants were all held by black women In 2019, 23-year-old Toni-Ann Singh from Jamaica was crowned Miss World. Zozibini Tunzi, 26, from South Africa, was crowned the winner of Miss Universe 2019. Kaliegh Garris was crowned Miss Teen USA 2019, Nia Franklin was named the Miss America 2019 and Cheslie Kryst, 28, was named Miss USA 2019. These wins show how these competitions are evolving to acknowledge and embrace black beauty.

NASA astronaut broke the record for the longest continual space flight for a woman

After taking residence in space on March 12, 2019, Christina Koch returned to Earth on Feb. 6 after 328 days on the International Space Station (ISS). She participated in a number of experiments, especially those concerning the effect of microgravity on the human body after nearly a year in space. Following Koch’s expedition, NASA will observe whether prolonged space travel affects women differently from men. Aside from accomplishing record-breaking undertakings, Koch is setting a standard for women taking a role in space.

While you won’t get in trouble for drawing a happy face in your notebook, you might want to remember copyrights and consult an attorney if you wish to use it commercially.

culture

1K WORDS

PERMANENT SOURCE OF happiness Story and Photos by Luly Hernandez

Tattoos have been a form of human expression for thousands of years. Discovered on mummified people dating back to 3100 B.C. it isn’t a newfound practice. Some records indicate that the areas of Greece and Rome would use tattoos as a means of identifying criminals, prisoners and slaves.

“It is a way for me to remember my brothers in arms who have been lost,” he said.

Sailors have historically used tattoos as a way of documenting their journeys and as a means to identify their bodies. The idea of ornamenting one’s body with permanent ink as a form of art and self-expression may have just started becoming socially acceptable, but tattoos have always held significance.

“I definitely think some have an addiction to tattoos, but it is different for everyone,” he said. “I believe some [like] the pain, some like expressing themselves, some think it makes themselves more appealing to the eye or more attractive… I do not feel I have an addiction, though. I have one or two more and then I am done.”

Using our bodies as a canvas for art is being viewed with more of an open mind. In 2019, an Ipsos poll found that 30% of Americans have at least one tattoo and of those, 92% of them say they are happy with the body art. With that, we acknowledge that being in possession of quality art comes with sacrifices.

It's not unheard of that being tattooed requires some discomfort. Scientifically speaking, tattoos make some people feel good because of our body’s chemical reaction to experiencing pain – a rush of endorphins.

In this case, being tattooed has been known to be a particularly painful process. So why do people say that once one tattoo has been completed, the urge to get another is always there? Are tattoos actually considered addictive? The American Psychiatric Association explains addiction as being a condition where uncontrollable substance use becomes apparent despite there being harmful consequences. Those with addictive disorders are usually unable to stop even if they want to. Whether someone may enjoy planning for more tattoos or just really really wants another, doesn’t mean they’re addicted. Matt Lee is 37 years old and retired from the Marine Corps in February. He said he was never one to consider getting tattooed until he joined the military.

When regarding the reputation tattoos have for being addictive, Lee can understand where the intense desire for more comes from.

“It is a different type of pain,” Lee said. “But again, this is a way for people to express themselves anyway they want. That is part of the beauty in it.” Sandra Chalkley is a 21-year-old kennel technician and University of Florida student. While she hasn’t necessarily been the one to put the needle to skin, she was involved in the tattoo process in a different way. She recently started her own business, Diamond Lion Designs, through which she helps the vision of others come to life. In addition to designing the tattoos she wears on her own body, Chalkley has been commissioned to design the tattoos that adorn others. “So for me, tattoos are art and the body is a canvas of expression,” she said.

Some of her favorites to have had a role in designing have been one for a family member in the military and another for a father which represented his two sons.

Michael Carrington, 56, owns and operates Artistic Vision Ink in Hawthorne, Florida. He has been a tattoo artist since 1987 and has even given himself tattoos.

Regarding the idea of the body ink being addictive, she is always ready to go back for more. Chalkley said that when she got her first tattoo, she was ready for another.

While he says it is hard to explain the different reactions people exhibit to being tattooed, he thinks that there is a tattoo addiction all the same.

“I was pretty afraid of needles for a while,” she said. “But tattoos just make me wanna go back for more bigger and beautiful ones… pain is temporary, but the beauty of the tattoo is forever! It's not everyone's ballgame, but it's about the art and artist. It's not an easy thing to do or sit through. But the joy, again, is having that piece of art and showing it off. A lot of the time it speaks volume about your life and who you are!”

Some use tattoos as a release, others use them to show love for a loss, or in remembrance of something special or tragic, Carrington said. He finds that some areas of the body are not so painful, and depending on the meaning behind a tattoo, some people may want to endure the pain.

Meloney Scott, 40, lives in Williston, Florida, and owns an essential oils company. Currently, she has four tattoos – with one being an underwater scene that extends from her foot to her knee. Scott has experienced the feeling of being addicted to tattoos and believes there is one. “It is a release of feeling for me,” she said. “When your body endures pain, your brain releases endorphins. The rush of those endorphins [through] your body creates a high that, afterwards, is very calming for me. And I’m sure I’m not alone.”

Regardless of why people think tattoos are addictive and what the psychology is behind that generally accepted idea, the fact still remains the same – tattoos bring people happiness. Tattoos have always held meaning. From human’s early history to now and every moment in between. Some people create music, write poetry, paint murals or even assemble monuments as a way of expressing emotion. Others choose to endure some pain and show off their bodies and artistic additions with pride.

Scott believes that people find joy in tattoos “that they are proud of the art they put on their skin [and] they are willing to tolerate the pain to have the beauty.”

science

SOCIAL MEDIA: Story by Julia Collins | Photo by Katherine Lugo

THE tobacc o OF TODAY

“Wait — renegade, renegade, ah ah, boom boom boom boom,” Katie said. She had her iPhone precariously positioned as she took a TikTok video of herself. It had been a long Monday and Katie just wanted to unwind with some fun on social media. After editing and posting the video, she put her phone down and made dinner, feeling satisfied with her day. In the next room was her younger sister, Beth. Beth was also making a TikTok, except for her, it was her fifth video of the day. For five hours, Beth alternated between Instagram, Twitter, Snapchat and TikTok. She didn’t really know why she felt so compelled to scroll, she just knew she had gotten into a hole she wasn’t equipped to get out of. By the sixth hour, Beth’s head hit the pillow as she fell asleep feeling exhausted, isolated and unhappy. The next morning, Katie woke up feeling refreshed and hopped in the shower. The second Beth opened her eyes, she instinctively reached for her phone and started reading notifications. After 30 minutes, she glanced at the time and realized she was running late for school. A 2017 study performed by Harvard University found that “social media has a significant detrimental effect on the emotional wellbeing of chronic users and their lives, negatively impacting their real-life relationships and academic achievement among those still in an educational setting.” Though social media platforms are designed to connect people, they can also be addictive.

As with anything, though, there are ways to find a balance with it. In the anecdote, Katie used social media to brighten her day up and had the ability to put her phone down. Her sister Beth, on the other hand, felt controlled by social media and was exhibiting addictive tendencies. For someone who chose to make social media a part of their campus involvement, Camilo Vivas has mixed feelings about it. “Social media can have a pretty bad impact on your life if you don’t know how to prioritize,” Vivas said. Vivas, a pre-med student, is a member of the official University of Florida social media team. He helps create TikToks and has worked with the team since late September. He described his personal social media as something he doesn’t care much about, but he said he enjoys making videos for TikTok and being creative. Beth and Katie each use social media in their own ways. But as the official Addiction Center website said, “While social media platforms have their benefits, using them too frequently can make people feel increasingly unhappy and isolated. These negative emotional reactions are not only produced due to the social pressure of sharing things with others but also the comparison of material things and lifestyles that these sites promote.”

ARE smiles CONTAGIOUS? Story by Victoria Fortier | Photo by KC Osmani

When was the last time you smiled? Was it in satisfaction at your favorite restaurant when you finally got a taste of the savory first bite on your plate? Or maybe in contentment when you curled up with your family on the cozy couch after a long day of work.

During this process, the simulation is basically telling you how it feels to make that expression. For example, when you see someone smile and when you return it, or “simulate” it, you realize that the smile means happy.

What about the times you have smiled at someone else? When you made eye contact with a stranger at the grocery store, or perhaps when you welcomed a new client at work?

Through this process, you understand the emotion through facial expression. By understanding the emotion, you can also better communicate in a social setting.

Whatever your reason for smiling may be, it’s true that no matter how different they are, we all do it. And most of the time, we return other people’s smiles too.

This is because when you share the expression, you also share the experience, according to Niedenthal. So, when someone smiles at you and you smile back, you both are sharing in on the happiness. You can share happiness as well as any other emotions you may recreate. Although seeing a frown probably won’t make you sad for days, when you see a sad face, you will still recognize the sad emotion. On the bright side, being able to recognize the emotion may also help you be more empathetic!

According to a statistical report from Wayne State University and DePauw University, Hellen Chen said adults actually smile about 20 times a day. While it might not be easy to track down every single reason for those 20 smiles, it is safe to say that all of them were used as some form of expression -- and there’s a reason for that. In a 2016 study, social psychologists Paula Niedenthal and Adrienne Wood of Wisconsin explained that humans understand each other’s emotions by mimicking them. This is why facial expressions are so contagious! When you see someone else smile, or even frown, you need to understand it. So, your face ends up recreating it. The action of this recreation, or “simulation,” uses the same part of your brain that relates to forming facial expressions. This causes you to mimic it in real life.

According to Niedenthal, your reaction after sharing the expression is the key. By mimicking the expression, you can now decide what it means, and can then process how to react to the person you are sharing it with. The bottom line is that no matter who you are or what you’re feeling, your facial expression can be a little contagious! Humans understand each other by mimicking each other. Whether it is sharing one of those 20 smiles a day, or any other feelings, we are all in this together.

science

THE THEORY OF OUR smiles

Story and Photo by Katherine Lugo

Somewhere along the line, we started to show our teeth. Whether it is to greet a friend, to laugh, show happiness, hide sadness or unconsciously when we are mesmerized by what’s in front of us, we smile and show our teeth. Not too long ago, our smiles were somewhat different from today. In Critical Studies in Media Communications, the author, Christina Kotchemidova, explains in her article “Why We Say Cheese: Producing the Smile in Snapshot Photography,” that smiling for the camera did not become popular until the 20th century. Prior to that time, Victorian families would pose in front of their properties to show contentment. One of the reasons behind this theory has to do with how long it took to take a photograph or a painting. Because of it, subjects would give a more serious stare into the lens, rather than smiling for a long time into the camera.

UNMASKING THE sadness Story by Julia Collins | Photo by Niki Collins

Take a deep breath. Eat a proper meal. Get eight hours of sleep.Go for a jog. All of those seem like basic things you should do on a consistent basis, but they’re actually more than that. Sometimes people don’t show how they are really feeling, whether it be by pretending to be happy when they are actually sad or using humor as a coping mechanism. Dr. Carol Lewis, 60, is a clinical associate professor at the University of Florida. With her 30 years of experience and research in psychiatry, Lewis is well-versed in the art of taking care of your emotional well-being. According to Lewis, people aren’t honest about how they’re feeling because they don’t understand their emotions. When practicing healthy habits, your ability to understand and regulate your emotions is heightened. “There can be gendered expectations with regard to how much emotional expression should happen,” Lewis said. “And often that’s that men are not supposed to show emotions and are considered weaknesses.” But contrary to some societal expectations, Lewis explained, properly expressing your emotions is necessary to reach your full potential. Not everyone, though, is taught how to understand what they’re feeling, let alone process and communicate it. “Mindfulness is learning how to be aware of thoughts without being swept away or hijacked by them,” Lewis said. “And the big question here is: how do you know how you feel?”

Lewis said you know how you feel by starting with the four domains of awareness: thoughts, emotions, body sensations and behaviors. And when you become in tune with all of those, you can start to understand how and why you feel a certain way and then work on how you want to react in the future, instead of hiding the sadness. Though not understanding your emotions is one reason why you may be putting on an emotional mask, there are other factors. According to Dr. Kevin K.W. Wang, the program director for Neurotrauma, Neuroproteomics and Biomarketer Research at UF and a Research Health scientist at the Brain Rehabilitation Research Center at the Malcolm Randall VA Medical Center, there are often social reasons for masking your emotions. If you’re hanging out in a group of friends, and you are acting differently than normal because of depression, your friends are typically not accustomed to that or have “mechanisms to deal with it,” Wang said. But he also said that if you hung out with the same group of friends and couldn’t walk as fast as everyone else because of a broken leg, that would be more socially acceptable. The stigma surrounding mental illness needs to be lessened, and people shouldn’t blame themselves for their illness or feel responsible. Wang said that, instead of feeling responsible, try to feel what it actually is of “abnormally low serotonin levels in the brain for one reason or another.” Whether you hide your emotions because of society’s expectations, not knowing how to process things or not taking care of yourself, you are still valid. Life is richer when you live your fullest truth.

Others, like Angus Trumble, the director of the National Portrait Gallery in Canberra, Australia, and the author of “A Brief History of the Smile,” suggest that closed-lip smiles found in portraits and painting in the 19th century and before might have had to do with dental hygiene. Because of the lack of resources at the time, yellowing and deterioration of teeth were common and could be the reason why people hid their teeth in photographs. Fun fact: Queen Victoria of England, is believed to be the first monarch ever to show her teeth in a photograph. With the advance of science and technology, plenty of circumstances and behaviors that could only explain from a psychological and behavioral point before, can now also be backed up by scientific proof. In the 1970s, psychologists at the University of California at San Francisco, Paul Ekman and Wallace Friesen captured the precise muscular coordinates behind 3,000 facial expressions in their Facial Action Coding System, known as “FACS.” In a study conducted with Richard Davidson from the University of Wisconsin, Ekman, and Friesen, were able to confirm the link between positive emotions and what is known as the Duchenne smile, named after French anatomist Guillaume Duchenne. He studied emotional expression by stimulating various facial muscles with electrical currents, and his studies revealed a difference between a smile and a genuine smile, or as he called it “sweet emotion of the soul” in 1862. By using FACS, Davidson, Ekman and Friesen were able to catalog the smiles of their test subjects. The neural data revealed that Duchenne smiles produced greater activity in the brain’s left anterior temporal region, a positive region. Many studies and theories have shed some light on the notion of smiling with our teeth. And the truth is, it is a combination of emotions and circumstances. Whether it is Angus Trumble’s theory on dental hygiene, Christina Kotchemidova’s history of photography, or Paul Ekman and Wallace Friesen FACS’s stud, at the end of the day, the way we smile serves as bridges that connect and emit our emotions to others.

science

PRESS play ON PODCASTS Story and Photo by Kayla Price

Happiness can be found in every genre. In the wide world of podcasts, just searching the word “happy” on Apple Podcasts brings up over 30 shows. Spotify has playlists dedicated to mindful happiness. Whether you just want to laugh, be inspired or learn something new, there’s a podcast (or 20) waiting to be discovered.

Young’s favorite podcasts are “Dr. Death” and “Serial.” “Dr. Death” details the malpractice conviction of a Texas surgeon after 31 of his patients were left critically injured after surgery and two died. “Serial” is an investigative journalism podcast, which narrates nonfiction stories.

A 2018 study by Edison Research found that 44% of Americans listen to podcasts, and that number is continuing to rise. Podcasts are audio files that users can subscribe to via the internet or apps, and are usually available as a series, where subscribers are notified of new installments. Podcasts help give motivation and entertainment throughout the day. Paired with a cup of coffee, they serve as a morning stimulus to get your day started off on the right foot. Plugged into an auxiliary cord in a car, they can be a peaceful moment alone. Playing softly in the background as you go to bed, they can be a break from visual stimuli.

While the Edison Research study on podcasts found that 22% of people listened in their car, many people, like 19-year-old barista Hallie Thomas, listen at night to wind down. “I listen to podcasts because they help me fall asleep,” Thomas said.

As of January 2020, there are over 850,000 podcasts available across platforms, such as Apple and Spotify, to listen to, according to an Edison Research study on podcasts. That translates to over 30 million episodes. Some of the top ranked podcasts include “The Daily” by The New York Times, “Up First” by NPR, “Happier” hosted by Gretchen Rubin, “Serial” and “This American Life” which are both hosted by Sarah Koenig. Whether on the go or in the comfort of your own home, podcasts bring a sense of happiness and enjoyment to listeners. Vanessa Young, 25, a scribe at North Florida Regional Medical Center, likes listening to podcasts because of their easy accessibility. “I like them because I can do other things while listening to them. It’s like reading without the effort,” Young said.

“TV shows are usually too stimulating, just voices help me focus on something else.” Thomas’ podcast genre of choice is true-crime. Podcast apps on smartphones are easily accessible, and allow users to quickly find their favorite or new shows. “If I didn’t have an iPhone, I wouldn’t listen to them,” Thomas said. With such a variety of shows to listen to, the opportunity of finding your new favorite podcast is ever increasing. The next time you go on a long car ride, or even while enjoying a cup of coffee in the morning while getting ready, try to listen to a podcast that you haven’t listened to before. And if you haven’t listened to a podcast, here is your sign to do so. Just by simply scrolling through top shows and episodes, it becomes clear that so many different genres make us happy. Some people prefer daily news snippets, some true-crime or thrillers and others motivational series. With 30 million episodes, listeners can concoct their perfect recipe of genres to listen to exactly what they want, exactly when they want and all at the tips of their fingers.

THE SCIENCE Story by Savannah Phillips | Photos by Emma Davis

BEHIND THE

smile

Everyone on this planet wants to be happy. Everything we pursue in life – careers, families, money, relationships – is ultimately in the pursuit of happiness. It is human nature to constantly look for our next source of happiness, whether that is instant gratification or sustainable joy.

“In the same way you may use exercise to build the capacity of your muscle memory and strength, engaging in activities such as keeping a gratitude journal or noticing positive aspects of your day can strengthen neural connections in different regions of the brain related to happiness,” Peace said.

So, if “happiness depends upon ourselves,” as Aristotle said, what scientifically makes each and every one of us happy?

One example of the kind of activity that can help promote a happier life is regularly practicing mindfulness. Mindfulness is “the selfregulation of attention with an attitude of curiosity, openness, and acceptance,” according to Psychology Today. A large part of engaging in mindfulness is practicing meditation. There is research related to the benefits of mindfulness meditation, and it can be a helpful tool to learn to approach situations with an attitude of acceptance and openness rather than judgment, Peace said. Physical activity and spiritual connection can also contribute to an increased sense of connection to oneself and others.

Dr. Perry Peace has had the opportunity to explore the answer to that question more than most people. As a licensed mental health counselor, Peace has seen heart-wrenching pain, overwhelming joy and nearly every emotion in between. Peace first became interested in becoming a therapist when she was volunteering as a phone counselor at the Alachua County Crisis Center in 2002 where she spent hours on the phone with people who were in immense pain and felt alone, alienated and suicidal. While working full time at the crisis center, Peace began her doctoral studies at the University of Florida where she earned her doctoral degree in 2015. Today, Peace provides individual counseling, group counseling, workshops, and consultation at her practice, Peace Counseling & Consulting, in Gainesville. While there are many factors (individual and universal) that contribute to the overall ability to feel happiness, there is research that suggests that one’s experiences can change the neural structures of the brain, according to Peace. This means that the brain can be “rewired” to a certain extent by engaging in activities that promote optimism and gratitude, Peace said.

Of course, there are factors that can have an equally strong effect on one’s happiness, such as trauma, depression and anxiety. Stigmas around mental health, misconceptions about depression and anxiety, and strategies used to cope with trauma can all ultimately hinder the pursuit of happiness. As a therapist, Peace has witnessed the impact of various forms of trauma and the strategies those who endure trauma use to cope with these stressful situations. Although the strategies may be effective and often necessary in that unbearable moment, they ultimately become barriers to connection once they are no longer needed, according to Peace. This can leave the person feeling stuck in that trauma, further preventing happiness.

science “Trauma can be transformative in that it allows us to see the strength and resilience we may not realize we possess; however, it can also create a barrier to feeling happy or fulfilled if left untreated,” Peace said. People often make the mistake of looking to external sources, like relationships or achievement, for happiness, Peace said. The uplifting effect from these external sources is often short-lived and unsustainable. Focusing internally, such as on a sense of selfworth, is a much more sustainable way to foster happiness. “One must be willing to look at everything (good and bad) and really be honest about what makes them feel happy and fulfilled,” Peace said. “Finding a sense of meaning or purpose in life can help guide someone to make choices that lead to living a happier life.” As humans, we all have some universal basic needs that need to be met first in order to provide a solid foundation upon which happiness can be built. These include getting an adequate amount of sleep, eating foods that provide our bodies with nourishment and energy, and maintaining healthy relationships. Because humans are social in nature, Peace said, it is often necessary to cut out the toxic relationships and focus on healthy relationships in order to promote happiness within our social lives. While we all have the same basic needs that should be met first to encourage a more joyful life, there is no step-by-step guide to becoming happy. Those sources of happiness will be unique to each of us, Peace said. “I’d love to tell you there is a magic formula for leading a happy life, but I don’t think it’s as simple as that,” Peace said. “In my experience, it’s often the times of pain and sadness that allow us to fully appreciate being happy.” Peace’s experience as a mental health counselor has exposed her to the meaningful self-transformations that are often necessary to make when someone is unhappy with his or her life.

It is when we develop this courage to confront the parts of ourselves that cause us fear or discomfort that we can begin to allow happiness to grow within. “My work in the area of crisis and trauma has given me perspective and often reminds me to not take life for granted,” Peace said. “I’m reminded that I’m vulnerable to pain or having bad things happen in my life in the same way my clients are, so I need to value my relationships with family and friends.” At the end of the day, there is not any specific action or activity that can make all of us happy. It truly does depend upon ourselves, as Aristotle said, to find self-acceptance, compassion and gratitude within in order to welcome happiness into our lives. Once we are able to do that, the answer to the question “What makes us happy?” becomes much more clear.

“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” – Aristotle

Photo by Ch r isti ne Guer rero 39

natural

ENDORPHINS: Story and Photos by Christine Guerrero

THE happy CHEMICAL

When we think about working out, we think about counting down the minutes until we are done with it. We think about the last minute on the treadmill, the last minute of running up that hill or the last mile of the marathon. You feel your body shaking lifting a 50-pound weight – but then you gain that second wind. Your breathing becomes easy. Your workout feels simple. Your muscles are relieved. The dumbbell suddenly feels like a feather. You’re not counting down the minutes anymore, but instead you’re counting how many more you can go. How much more weight you can add. That is, with the help of your endorphins. According to Health and Wellness: The Way You Make Me Feel, the most common neurochemicals that make us happy and give us a sense of well-being are dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins. The article states that “endorphins, literally translated, are selfproduced morphine and can help us withstand rigorous exercise and minimize pain.” World-class endurance athlete Christopher Bergland calls endorphins “the pain-killing molecule.” When talking about this neurochemical, he said endorphins are connected to the “feeling no pain” aspect of aerobic exercise, and larger quantities are produced during high intensity anaerobic cardio and strength training. When looking at the science of endorphins and how they stimulate our brain and body, it proves that one of the factors of true happiness is measured by endorphin levels. Even though exercise can be dreaded, if you push through long enough, you can experience the stimulation of happiness. The pain will go away and the workout will feel like it’s restarting.

Exercise isn’t the only thing that activates endorphins; laughing does too. Pat MacDonald, a group psychotherapist, said research has shown that laughter releases healing endorphins and expands the epithelial lining of the arteries. This means there is an increase in blood flow to our heart and brain. When we laugh, we are reducing stress and pain. Some doctors even recommend laughing on a regular basis. As they say, laughter can be the best medicine. After reading this, you may be telling yourself to go for a run or try working out an extra 10 minutes on the elliptical. You may even be telling yourself to make time to laugh through your busy schedule (New Girl on Netflix is a great way to do that). But it is important to remind yourself of the great health benefit you can get out of all of this: happiness. Next time you experience that “runner’s high,” you can thank your endorphins, along with its other neurochemical friend group, in sparking that feeling in you. Try to boost those levels every once in a while. A great start is slowly building endurance. For a week, try to run at least 1 mile a day. The next week, you can run 2 miles a day, the 3 week three miles a day, and so on. You will be pushing through like it’s nothing, and there will be no pain before you know it. Also, don’t forget to laugh.

CBD LOUNGE

HELPS GAINESVILLE LOCALS manage PAIN

Story by Savannah Phillips | Photos by Luly Hernandez

Sandra Wilcox, a 40-year-old Gainesville mother, lives with degenerative disc and joint disease that once prevented her from doing what she loves: performing theater, dancing and hugging her kids.She didn’t experience pain relief until her neurosurgeon recommended a compound found in cannabis. The compound that had such a significant impact on Wilcox is commonly known as CBD. “CBD has given me some of my life back,” Wilcox said. “It is helping cushion my joints and slowing the progression of degeneration.” Wilcox has used CBD-infused vapes, lotions, distillates and flowers to help with her pain management for five years. There are often stigmas around the use of CBD products because they come from the cannabis plant. “CBD has many benefits on it’s own, but it also enhances and boosts THC efficacy, so pairing them is the complete medicine,” Wilcox said. “CBD works like a vitamin for your body, nourishing the right receptors to make you healthy – not high.” Tyler King became interested in using cannabis as medicine when he did a project on it in eighth grade. He also began collecting glass-blown art pieces when he was 16 years old. Although his two longtime interests may not seem related, they would eventually provide the foundation for King’s future business.

King moved to California to open his own dispensary; however, when Florida laws surrounding the medical use of cannabis started to change, King decided to move back to Florida “where his heart was” to pursue his dream in his home state. “He was probably destined to end up doing something like this,” William Phillips, general manager of Swamp City Gallery Lounge, said. King opened Swamp City as a CBD store in April 2018. Two years later, Phillips and King see their business as more than a CBD store. They see it as a “community center.” King began learning more about CBD, hemp and how people were using them to help with pain management. Phillips was knowledgeable himself about using CBD as a medicine. They joined forces and went into business together; King as the owner and Phillips as the general manager. In addition to the CBD products, Swamp City would also feature an outdoor beer garden, a craft beer and wine bar, a game room and glass art pieces. “It ended up being a hodgepodge of things we love,” Phillips said. “We wanted a safe space where people could chill and talk about medicinal cannabis, recreational cannabis and over-the-counter CBD … and not be all ‘whispery’ about it.” CBD stands for cannabidiol, which is a chemical compound in the cannabis sativa plant.

natural

THE silly FACES

THC is the compound in cannabis that causes the traditional “high” people think of when it comes to marijuana. What we traditionally know as “hemp” is actually just the cannabis sativa L plant, bred specifically to increase the CBD count and reduce the THC count. Congress approved the use of hemp-based products in 2018, according to First Coast News. In order for a cannabis plant to be considered hemp, it must contain below 0.3% of THC. CBD retailers like Swamp City are required to pay $700 to the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services in order to receive a license to legally sell CBD. CBD can be used both recreationally and medically. Phillips said that some of Swamp City’s customers include people with lupus, fibromyalgia, Parkinson’s and epilepsy. CBD is an antiinflammatory and reduces the swelling and pain up to 20 times better than aspirin, Phillips said. “Cannabis was the original medicine,” Phillips said. “Obviously we were meant for the plant, and the plant was meant for us because that’s the best healing without side effects for us.” “CBD has been touted for a wide variety of health issues, but the strongest scientific evidence is for its effectiveness in treating some of the cruelest childhood epilepsy syndromes, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome (LGS), which typically don’t respond to antiseizure medications,” Dr. Peter Grinspoon wrote in Harvard Health Publishing. “In numerous studies, CBD was able to reduce the number of seizures, and in some cases it was able to stop them altogether.” Swamp City offers a variety of CBD-infused products that each fall into one of three categories: inhalation, ingestion or absorption. Inhalation products include anything that can be smoked, such as dabs, vaporizer cartridges and the smokable CBD hemp flower. Ingestion products are anything edible infused with CBD.

Phillips said ingestion works best when using CBD as a medicine because your liver will pull more of what it needs out of the edible. These typically take about 30 to 45 minutes to start working and effects can last upward of eight hours. Some of the edibles Swamp City offers include CBD-infused ice cream, gummies, chocolate bars and granola. Customers can even add a 20 milligram CBD shot to their craft beer at Swamp City’s bar. The final category is absorption, which includes lotions and creams. Phillips said absorption products target specific areas of pain. Suffering from osteoarthritis, Phillips said he uses CBD lotion every day to help with his pain management. Swamp City was the first lounge in Gainesville to sell CBD and beer in the same store, Phillips said. Since its opening, there have been more stores popping up with the same model. Because they have outgrown their current location, Swamp City is relocating to a new location on Main Street that’s almost three times the current store’s size. Phillips said they hoped to have the new store up and running by May 1, though that will likely be pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The larger building will give them more space to host educational events about cannabis, allow bigger musicians to perform and have food truck rallies featuring local cuisine. “One of the things we’re happy about with the new space is being able to focus on Gainesville as a community,” Phillips said. “Besides doing what we already do here, we’re just going to do more of that.” *Always check with your doctor before using CBD-infused products for any reason.

OUR furry FRIENDS MAKE

Story by Katherine Lugo | Photos by Katherine Lugo, Chris Barbee and Ana Lopez

In the nine years that Rambo has been part of my family, one thing has remained a constant; the silly faces he makes. Rambo is my family’s 9-year-old Labrador Retriever. He is everything you could ever want in a dog; he is loyal, friendly, playful and smart (even too smart for any pet owner’s own good). But above all, he is, in my opinion, one of the silliest looking dogs I’ve ever seen. It could be the guilty face he makes with his big eyes when he’s been caught red-handed eating a bottle cork. Or it could be the giddy, almost childlike, expression he makes when my dad says, “good boy!” when he brings him something he found on the floor rather than eat it (often napkins). My dog’s silly faces never cease to amaze me. While you are reading this, you have probably imagined your own dog or a dog you love making thesilliest faces you’ve ever seen. As it turns out, there’s an explanation for the silly faces dogs make. According to a study made by Juliane Kaminski, professor Bridget Waller, Jennifer Hynds, and Paul Morris from the Department of Psychology at the University of Portsmouth in the United Kingdom, dogs use facial expressions to communicate with humans. By utilizing the Dog Facial Action Coding System, or “DogFACS,” a scientific observational tool for identifying and coding facial movements in dogs, they were able to discover why dogs have so many facial expressions. “Dogs produced significantly more facial movements when the human was attentive than when she was not,” Kaminski said in her study. “The food, however, as a non-social but arousing stimulus, did not affect the dogs’ behavior.”

The study further suggests that the facial expressions of dogs are voluntary and are meant to communicate their emotions to their owners. Sites like iHeartDogs and PuppyToob have put together lists of some of the most notorious breeds for making silly faces. Here are some quick stories about some of those dogs. 1. Labrador retrievers, aka the Attention Junkies: This happy fellow enjoys getting his owner’s attention by balancing rubber ducks on his head in exchange for treats, said owner, Chris Barbee of his pup, Joe.

2.Husk ies, aka the Happy-Wolves: Wherever Adam goes, Pomo is right by his side. Whether they are in a campaign meeting as Adam Christine runs for congress, or at soccer practice, you can find Pomo chasing after his owner and stealing the show with his silly expressions and his tendency to threading through the crowd waggling his fluffy tail. 3. Australian Shepherds, aka the Serious Goofballs: “He loves to touch my dad’s stuff with the tip of his nose. My dad will whistle to him and Dylan will run around the house and press his nose to his stuff. It’s their thing” says Ana Lopez, owner. 4. Bulldogs, aka the Rolls of Happiness: This loving animal is wellknown for its short stature, the excess of skin that creates rolls, and their happy personality.

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Here are new jump rope moves you can try on their own or add to your workout routine. Don’t forget to stretch and warmup before you begin, and always have a water bottle. Ready, set, get jumping!

The Low Jump

Start by standing as you normally would, or feet shoulder-width apart. Swing the rope overhead and jump over it once it nears your feet. As the name suggests, jump just enough so your feet will clear the rope, like you are hovering just above the ground. Continue the motion for one minute, or until you establish a smooth rhythm. Rest for 20 seconds. Repeat the move one more time before going on to the next.

The One Leg Jump

Lift your right leg. Bend at the knee, behind you, so that your right calf is angled toward the back of your thigh. Keep your left leg firmly planted on the ground. Squeeze your abs to stay balanced. Once you feel steady, swing the rope forward. Jump off the ground using only your left leg.

Workout inspired by @officialjumpropedudes on Instagram.

Because there are over two dozen different kinds of antidepressants on the market and everyone reacts to them differently, it often takes testing multiple kinds before finding the right fit. Richard Folmer, 52, was diagnosed with bipolar depression and anxiety over eight years ago. He tried five different antidepressants before he found the combination that worked best. “It was so frustrating to have hope and then the meds let me down, only to have to start all over with a different med,” Folmer said. “Paxil has made a huge difference and allowed me to make a full recovery.”

AntiDepressants

Rx Orange and Blue SPRING 2020

“I never knew that it was possible to feel any different than I always had,” Zwick said. “I had no idea that this tiny white pill could have such a substantial effect on my well-being.”

Caitlyn Adams, a yoga instructor and owner of Energy Healing with Caitlyn, has also struggled with depression and anxiety. She found that a combination of traditional medicine and alternative healing helped her.

Antidepressants have helped millions of people who deal with clinical depression. Although she had been dealing with depression and anxiety for her entire life, Zwick said that it slowly got worse over time. After meeting with her psychiatrist and describing how she felt, he recommended she take Lexapro. Her doctor said she would notice a difference in her mood even after starting on a small dosage.

"By lifting that fog and heaviness a little bit, we have the energy and mental focus to practice meditation, exercise, and begin to heal what’s deep inside,” Adams said. Adams, Zwick and Folmer all experienced a positive change when on medication. “I’m so thankful that I’m able to take this medicine to help me overcome the hardships of my mental health that were prohibiting me from living the life I wanted to,” Zwick said. “The difference in my well-being is truly night and day.”

Zwick did notice a difference in her mood just two weeks after starting on Lexapro, although it takes some people closer to four weeks to feel the effects. Although it didn’t make every mood better, Zwick stopped overthinking things as much, felt less sad and anxious and was more content in her everyday state of mind. One in every 10 people takes antidepressants, which are some of the most commonly prescribed medications in the U.S., according to Harvard Health Publishing. There are four categories of antidepressants that all work in slightly different ways.

Blue

“I was actually planning on jump roping myself,” Hamadeh said. “Because it’s really good to practice bouncing on the balls of your feet.”

The Crossover Jump

Start by standing as you normally would, or with your feet shoulder-width apart. Hop over the rope just enough to clear your feet over it -- but get ready to use your arms. After you swing the rope overhead, cross your arms in front of you as the rope comes forward. Jump through the loop. Swing your arms like normal for the next jump. Then cross over for the next. Alternate between crossing your arms and circling them forward for every other jump. Continue for one minute, rest for 20 seconds, and repeat.

There has never been a time in her life that she does not remember dealing with depression and anxiety. From a young age, Emma Zwick, a 21-year-old public relations major at the University of Florida, recalls overthinking the small things, feeling sad for unknown reasons and having existential crises about her life. It wasn’t until the spring of 2019 that she began to experience a life less inhibited by those negative feelings.

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According to Hamadeh, jump roping also improves your step because it requires ankle stability.

The Jog Jump

Instead of jumping over the rope, use your legs to “jog” over it. Start by standing comfortably, or with your feet shoulderwidth apart. Then, swing the rope overhead. Jump just enough to clear the ground. The “jog” movement comes in when you land. Land on your left foot. Jump, clear the rope, and land on your right. Continue this alternation motion for one minute. Rest for 20 seconds and repeat.

Story by Savannah Phillips | Illustrations by Katherine Lugo

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“Jump roping is way more efficient and spikes the heart rate more than a jog outside would,” Adil Hamadeh, face-toface trainer of Gainesville Health and Fitness said. “So one could burn more calories in a shorter amount of time.”

Continue the motion for one minute. Rest for 20 seconds, then repeat the motion with your left leg up.

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There is a tool that can help you burn calories, improve cardiovascular health and better your coordination. It doesn’t cost as much as a fancy new gym membership, and you’ve probably seen it before. It’s a jump rope, and it is here to help you start a healthy new habit.

HOW ANTIDEPRESSANTS help

ts ssan pre

Story and Photo by Victoria Fortier

NIGHT & DAY

iDe Ant

JUMPSTART YOUR happiness

However, “They all target chemical messaging systems in the brain that help regulate mood,” Harvard Health Publishing said.

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Some Common Seasonal Depression Symptoms: - Feeling of sadness or depressed mood

- Marked loss of interest or pleasure in activities once enjoyed

- Changes in appetite; usually eating more - Change in sleep; usually sleeping too much - Loss of energy or increased fatigue despite increased sleep hours List provided by The American Psychiatric Association

NATURALLY happy Story by Kayla Price | Photo by Larry Price

Go for a run around the neighborhood. Take your dog for a walk. Dive into one of Gainesville’s many local springs. Tailgate with your best friends before a Gators football game. Watch the sunset at Paynes Prairie. What do all of these things have in common? Nature. Being outside and in Gainesville’s flora and fauna is a great source of vitamin C, fresh air and possibly an escape from your neverending thread of emails and phone calls. It’s an easy way to find your bliss and take a break from the busyness of a typical day at work. Henry David Thoreau said, "Live in each season as it passes; breathe the air, drink the drink, taste the fruit, and resign yourself to the influence of the earth." By following his advice, we can reap abundant health benefits by simply enjoying the great outdoors. Being in nature increases overall health, and reduces risk of cardiovascular disease, asthma and mental distress. By spending at least two hours in nature a week, health and well-being increase, a 2019 study by Matthew White et al found. Lucky for us, Gainesville and neighboring areas are home to a multitude of natural spots to wind down in. Gilchrist Blue Springs State Park is located just outside of Gainesville, and is open 365 days a year. The park offers canoeing, camping, horseback riding and public access to the spring if you are just planning a day trip. The park is full of happy campers, often gathered with friends and family who want to enjoy their time together.

Since the 1880s, Devil’s Millhopper has attracted visitors to its rainforests and sinkhole. The famous sinkhole is home to Florida’s past, with researchers finding artifacts such as shark teeth and fossils of extinct land mammals. The park is open five days a week for those who need some natural Zen. Others find their happy place at Paynes Prairie, like 21-year-old Nick Anschultz. He described being in nature as relaxing and peaceful. “It’s a chance to break away from your responsibilities,” Anschultz said. Anschultz enjoys the peacefulness and beauty of being in nature, and tries to spend between five and 10 hours per week outdoors, depending on work and school. While admiring all that nature has to offer, Anschultz spends his time fishing, his favorite way to relieve stress while being outdoors. Nature can have a calming effect on those who choose to embrace it. The gentle breeze, the quiet chirping of birds, the rustling of fallen leaves soothes the soul. Amid the hustle and bustle that our busy lifestyle brings, it’s easy to see why so many people turn to nature as an escape. Its many ecosystems don’t care about our jobs or fancy cars. It is simply there, in the now, adapting to and overcoming whatever is thrown its way. Nature provides a home and place of comfort for everyone. The next time you feel lost or stressed, try to find yourself and your happiness in the great outdoors.

FEELING SAD

SEASONAL affective DISORDER

Story and Photo by Luly Hernandez | Illustration by Katherine Lugo

The winter months are a frustrating time for many – especially those who tend to fall victim to seasonal affective disorder (SAD). This disorder is a type of depression that leaves those who suffer to be overcome by a feeling as if their normal personalities are leaving them. It is common to dislike winter and feel particularly lazy during the colder months However, experiencing sleepiness or fatigue shouldn’t be thought of as an automatic SAD diagnosis. According to the American Psychiatric Association, SAD is likely caused by shorter daylight hours and less sunlight in winter, which triggers a biochemical imbalance in the brain. The change in the seasons brings about a change in people’s biological internal clock and can lead to them falling out of their routines. While it is more common in women, seasonal depression occurs in about 5% of adults in the U.S. Despite the autumns and winters in Gainesville not being remarkably cold, residents can still feel the effects of SAD. Kim Dupree is a 29-yearold service coordinator who has grown up in Florida and currently lives in Gainesville.

“I'm way less motivated or interested in even my favorite hobbies,” Dupree said. Video games are her favorite pastime and notices that her engagement in them lessens while she experiences seasonal depression. “Even my body suffers things like weight gain and my skin looking dull.” It isn’t unheard of for those who suffer from this particular disorder to leave their homes to move someplace warmer. Paul Gleason, 37, works for USDA-Natural Resources Conservation Service as a district conservationist in Georgia but will soon move to the Alachua area for work. He relocated to the South in 2016 after experiencing extreme seasonal depression in the country’s most Northwestern continental state. “I grew up in western Washington state,” Gleason said. “It’s cloudy, drizzling or foggy for eight or nine months of the year, typically. When I was young, the lack of sunshine didn’t seem to bother me. But by my early 30s, it really started bringing me down to the point where I found myself really depressed.”

In early 2016, Gleason escaped the gloomy weather in Washington and took a trip to visit his parents in Arizona. This weeklong trip convinced him to set a goal of moving to a warmer climate once he flew back home. If moving to a different climate isn’t feasible, there are some other things to do to help combat SAD. The American Psychiatric Association recommends cognitive behavioral therapy, antidepressant medication, exposure to sunlight and being mindful of your health and wellness. For example, take part in some outdoor activities and eat healthily! Even though Gainesville is relatively warm, time and seasonal changes can have a greater effect than we think. Let’s do whatever possible to be one step ahead of SAD and go take a walk in the sunshine state.

natural It was like, actually hard to get out of bed some days. And … taking an IUD out is just a lot different than just stopping taking pills.”

The only positive to the implant, she said, was the elimination of her excruciating cramps.

There are two main hormones found in common birth control. Progestin is a synthetic version of the naturally occurring hormone progesterone. It is used in contraceptives such as the implant and hormonal IUDs and thickens the mucus on the cervix. It can also stop eggs from leaving the ovaries. Estrogen is the other hormone commonly found in birth control and, along with the aforementioned effects, can treat acne and create lighter menstrual cycles, according to online birth-control service Nurx.

Prill endured these mood changes and extended menstrual cycles— bleeding up to four months at a time—for two years until she went onto the pill about a month ago. Her doctor said it would take about three months for her body to regulate and feel any side effects.

Adams sometimes works in the women’s clinic at the UF infirmary and said she has had “plenty of opportunity to talk with the providers there and gather information” about birth control options. She also said she has observed people come in to request stopping their birth control and to talk through options that may work better for them.

THE CLOUDY CORRELATION BETWEEN contraceptives AND contentment

Story and Photos Morgan Goldwich

Birth control can play an important role in personal freedom. It can be a useful option not only for people who are avoiding pregnancy but also for those who are looking to regulate menstrual cycles, prevent sexually transmitted infections or alleviate painful periods and other health complications. Options for contraceptives come assorted and abounding: there’s intrauterine devices, vasectomies, implants, internal and external condoms, birth control pills and many more. Some methods act as physical barriers, while others rely on releasing hormones, such as estrogen and progestin, to regulate the menstrual cycle. The Guttmacher Institute found that about 60% of “women of reproductive age” were using a contraceptive method in 2018. Of them, 72% used nonpermanent and primarily hormonal methods such as the pill, patch or implant. Despite this large population size, there is little definitive research on how contraceptives affect mood. A 2013 study in the American Journal of Epidemiology found that hormonal contraception may actually reduce levels of depressive symptoms among those who take them. Conversely, an extensive 2016 analysis in the Psychiatry Journal of the American Medical Association found a small but significant risk of depression with hormonal birth control. Personal essays across the internet document an abundance of anecdotal evidence linking the two, and depression was also found to be one of the most common reasons people stop using birth control pills, according to Healthline.

And a 2016 study in the Nature Reviews Endocrinology journal contends that, though a link between mood disorders and hormonal fluctuations “has long been known … the direction of this correlation has been questioned.” Julia Adams first went on the pill when she was 20, but about two months into taking it, she was miserable. At the time, the now-22year-old thought she was just going through a rough time because of a family history of mental health issues. But on a Christmas vacation to New York, she quickly decided something was wrong.

“There are plenty of options, and people often end up finding one that they are happy with,” Adams said. “It’s just a shame that we have to go through the struggle to find one that we are happy with.” Marissa Prill, 20, also struggled with finding a good contraceptive. She went to the Planned Parenthood Gainesville Health Center when she was 18, where she was presented with options such as the pill, IUDs and Nexplanon. She chose Nexplanon, a birth control implant that goes in the arm, but soon felt her emotions spiral downhill. “I was beginning to feel more irritable about literally everything,” she said. “I was also much more sensitive to things at times and would cry much more frequently than pre-procedure.”

Accessibility of contraceptives is another factor that people might have to consider when exploring their options. For those without health insurance, methods such as IUDs or implants may be off the table, as they can cost up to $1,300, according to Planned Parenthood’s website, though the organization offers comprehensive financial aid. Some contraceptives, such as the birth control implant, hormonal IUDs and the birth control shot, contain no estrogen, making these better methods for those whose bodies are sensitive to it. Completely hormone-free birth control options exist and include the Paragard IUD, which is wrapped in copper, an effective spermicide, internal and external condoms, diaphragms, birth control sponges and fertility awareness. A contraceptive method that works well for one person may not function the same for another. Some people sing the praises of their contraceptives for regulating their cycles, eliminating acne and allowing them to be in charge of their sexual health. At the end of the day, there still isn’t enough definitive research to say for sure how mood and birth control may be linked. But, if you’re looking into contraceptives, it’s important to educate yourself on the available options, talk to healthcare providers about your needs and give yourself the time to determine what works best for you.

“Everything was so beautiful and perfect, but I was feeling so crappy,” the UF behavioral and cognitive neuroscience and preprofessional biology senior said. “I found myself crying in the middle of Times Square, which was my dream destination, and I realized that it just wasn’t right.” Adams stopped taking the pill but went to see her doctor about a year later to discuss other options. “I explained to [my doctor] what happened, but she expressed to me that I was on the lowest dose of estrogen so, unless I wanted to try a different method, I should just try the pills again,” Adams said. “So I started taking them again, and basically the same exact thing happened, so I stopped.” Adams said that the copper IUD, which does not affect hormone regulation, isn’t an option for her because of how its potential side effects of increased bleeding and cramping could make her “already bad” periods worse. “I may try a plastic [IUD] next because it releases progesterone, rather than estrogen like the pills do,” she said. “Maybe my body will have a better reaction. I haven’t done it yet, though, because I’m so worried it’s going to make me miserable again.

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JOLLY TIMES ON THE

john

Story by Brooks Bass | Photos by Katherine Lugo

The commode, the John, the loo, the porcelain throne, the crapper, the potty, the lavatory. No matter what you call the toilet, it is estimated that you will spend anywhere from three to seven months of your entire life sitting on it. According to ABC News, the average American can spend up to an hour a day using the toilet. It’s a time that so many view as sacred because, for most people, it’s the only time of day they get to spend alone. Between the hustle and bustle of the busy world, trying to balance school or work with a social life and family, the time people spend on the toilet is something that so many look forward to. It feels like a timeout in a world where time seems to fly by. A survey from BankMyCell found that three out of four Americans use their phones while on the toilet. Of those surveyed, over half (54%) admit that they used social media apps more than any other kinds of apps while using the toilet.

If you don’t regularly eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fruits and vegetables, you can have serious issues with your bowels. However, it is important to introduce high fiber foods into your diet slowly.

From a hygienic standpoint, this is absolutely disgusting. The same survey from BankMyCell found that the average cellphone can have up to 10 times more bacteria than a toilet seat. So think about this: it would be cleaner to put a toilet seat up against our face than the piece of technology that we usually press against our check multiple times per day. On top of that, one in six of Americans have dropped their phones in the toilet. There is no amount of rice you can place your phone in that would remove the shame your phone has.

Flooding your stomach with totally different meals than it is used to consuming can mess up your digestive system at the beginning stages of changing your diet. Drinking plenty of water is also important for acclimating your body to a new diet, and for your bowel movements in general.

But does using your phone while doing your duty have any other consequences? The links between social media and mental health issues are especially prevalent amongst Generation Z. The BankMyCell study also found that 96% of Gen Zers use their phones while using the bathroom. Depression and anxiety can lead to irritable bowel syndrome. That means that using your phone while sitting on the toilet could also be harmful for your health. This time, which so many people view as being private and relaxing, may not be so relaxing after all. It is merely a pseudo effect that you get because we associate using our phones with relaxing, even though it is actually causing us to feel more stressed. You can’t tell me that seeing breaking news of a horrifying event on Twitter while you are using the bathroom isn’t going to affect how you drop a deuce. While looking at your phone may affect your bowel movements, it does not have as much of an impact as what you put into your body.

Exercising is also something that can ease your bowel movements. Cardio allows for more muscle and nerve movements, as well as the consumption of more water, which will allow for smoother bowel movements. According to Jennifer Bayliss from Everyday Health, doing a 30 minute walking exercise or multiple 10-15 minute walking exercises can help you function more efficiently while using the bathroom. Why is it, though, that so many people find comfort in the privacy they get from using the bathroom? For many people, it does not seem to be an enjoyable process, yet so many people feel that sitting on the toilet is some sort of mini-vacation. I think that it says a lot about our society. We put so much value on the few minutes that we get to take a poop because it is our alone time. It is recommended by medical professionals that we spend at least 20 minutes every day alone. When you spend this time alone, it shouldn’t be with your phones, where everyone else’s thoughts but your own are staring back at you on a screen.

Spend this time alone with your own mind. This time should also not be spent trying to drop a turd in the can. This time should be spent thinking, not multitasking. So, let’s say you’re someone who falls under one or all of the categories above, and you know that your bowel movements could be better, but you’re wondering where you even start. If you’re someone who is obsessed with bringing your phone to the toilet, try bringing an informative piece of literature with you instead. While this may not be the most sanitary solution, at least you will be learning something rather than just entertaining yourself. Eventually, you want to get to a place where you can focus on your bowel movements rather than just trying to rush them along. If you’re someone who struggles with mental health issues, seek help from a professional. Doing this will help you begin a journey to living a happy life. I bet you didn’t think an article about pooping would talk about mental health. Lastly, if you are trying to change your diet, encourage someone to do it with you. Diet changes are always tough when it seems like you are the only person who isn’t eating “good” food. Having someone to go through the struggle of changing your diet by your side will help. The key to happiness on the toilet is to not put so much emphasis on it. Treat it as the place where you take care of your business - because that was all it was ever meant to be. It’s the place where you poo, nothing more than that.

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DO WE DESERVE Story by Brooks Bass | Illustration by Katherine Lugo

People are prone to messing up. But why do so many people dwell on their mistakes? Why is it that so many people ruminate in their failures and let it define so much of their self-worth? It seems like anxiety plagues a lot of people today, and it’s easy to see why. We have more access to information now than ever before. But having all of that information comes at a cost. You can literally get on the internet right now and find something that will upset you within a matter of seconds. This ease of access to information has caused so many people to live in a perpetual state of sadness. According to the most recent information from the National Institute of Mental Health, over 62 million U.S. adults suffer from anxiety and over 23 million suffer from depression. It’s not just the events of this world that make us upset. According to statistica.com, over 2.65 billion people in the world scroll through social media, and a lot of them compare themselves to others. This isn’t something limited by age. You might be in your mid-40s looking at pictures of your old friend’s perfect family while you haven’t started one of your own. Or you might be on the cusp of graduating college, seeing all of your classmates get amazing job offers to go work for huge companies while you still haven’t heard back from any of the places you filled out an application for. Social media has caused us to compare the mundane events of our lives to everyone else’s highlight reel. The point I am trying to make is this: your happiness depends on absolutely no one but yourself. What kind of a life are you living if your primary emotion is fear, sadness or jealousy? A huge part of finding happiness is accepting who you are. There is only one you. Even if you have an identical twin and your own parents have trouble telling you apart from your sibling, you are still a unique individual. Just like there will never be another Leonardo DaVinci who will paint the Mona Lisa, there will never be another you. But even if you don’t paint the most iconic painting in history, you still have value. Not every person is going to break records and accomplish legendary feats in the eyes of millions, but every person can be successful in their own right. Doing the best you can at everything you do is something that can bring you the happiness and peace you long for. At the end of the day, being able to say you put it all on the line is something to be proud of.

TO BE

happy?

Kindness is also something that can bring you happiness. Being nice to someone is something that anyone can do, although it seems so rare today. We live in a world full of hatred. It seems like belittling others and “throwing shade” is far too prevalent. Being kind to someone takes little effort. It can become a part of your routine if you are deliberate about it. Make it a point to be nice to someone. That stirring in your heart after someone genuinely appreciates what you’ve done for them is what is going to bring you happiness. Even if the person you are being kind to doesn’t acknowledge what you’ve done for them, at least you can be confident in the fact that you were doing the right thing. It seems easier sometimes to be kinder to a complete stranger than it is to be kind to someone we have some sort of relationship with. Why is that? I think that, when we form a close bond with someone and become comfortable around them, we slowly become less considerate of their emotions. But when we have a disagreement or falling out with this person, we become upset with ourselves because we feel like we weren’t good to them in the relationship. To be happy in a relationship on any level, you have to consider the other person’s emotions. So, do we deserve to be happy? As shitty as most people are, probably not. We all inherently suck, because we’re all human. And since we’re all human, I think the question we should ask ourselves is, “What will make me happy?” You have to really evaluate what you enjoy in your life and what you don’t. There’s a good chance that, if you’re reading this and you feel like you’re a happy person, you have something in your life that you love and that you are deeply passionate about. And if you haven’t found something you’re passionate about yet, that’s OK. I don’t think happiness is something we all get automatically. I think it’s something you have to search for. It’s important to remember, though, that happiness isn’t a material thing. It’s a feeling. While we’ve all heard it before, it still rings true; no amount of money in the world is going to ever truly fill your desire for happiness. Our desire to be happy is fulfilled by our relationships with ourselves and with one another. Like I said earlier, you have to accept who you are. Wanting to be a better version of yourself is a good thing, but wanting to change so you can be like someone else is not. True happiness comes from being content with the unique person you are. The happiness you get from accepting who you are needs to be positively reinforced by the relationships you have. Surround yourself with people who will love you and want what’s best for you, and that is how you will find the happiness you deserve.

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A PASSION FOR conservation Story and Photos by Julia Collins

Gina Hawkins gazes at a waterfall in astonishment. It’s her senior year of high school, and she’s on a camping trip at Blackwater Falls in West Virginia. The beauty of the nature surrounding her is overwhelming. All she can think is, “I have to conserve this.” And for many decades, she’s done just that. Hawkins, 60, fights to protect the planet every day. Since her senior year of high school, she’s graduated with a bachelor's degree in environmental studies from the University of Maryland, worked in preserving the environment in multiple states and is now the executive director of Keep Alachua County Beautiful. Nestled in a small complex off of Southwest Fourth avenue, the Keep Alachua County Beautiful headquarters is modest but homey. The staff and volunteers there act like family, and they are all united by their passion for preservation. People of all ages flock to this nonprofit to greatly impact the community. Hawkins is the leader of them all. With her easy smile, welcoming attitude and open heart, she’s the type of person you would gladly chat within a long line on a hot day. It’s clear she cares just as much about others as she does the environment. “A lot of folks look at beauty as something purely aesthetic,” Hawkins said. “When we improve a community…it removes blight. Blight will steal your joy.” Hawkins also said that the quality of the environment greatly impacts your health, and “your health is probably the number one thing, that, if it were gone, you would be very unhappy.”

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, many studies have found direct links to a clean natural environment with people’s mental and physical health.

Another intern that is just as passionate as Currin at Keep Alachua County Beautiful, Philip Thomas, had a different experience growing up with sustainability.

The Great American Cleanup is, according to its website, the “nation's largest community improvement program.” Ingram also mentioned he went to school with Hawkins’ son.

Some of the projects Keep Alachua County Beautiful work on are litter prevention and cleanup, cigarette litter prevention, graffiti abatement and Adopt-A-Road. But the nonprofit will take as many new ideas, volunteers or interns as possible.

For Thomas, 20, care for the environment has been a lifelong interest, and he even worked his way up to an Eagle Scout. Thomas described how his college experience has been about “marrying” his strengths and interests and how he feels fulfilled in doing that at Keep Alachua County Beautiful.

Growing up, Ingram said he would frequent a nearby creek, where he would see plastic bags floating along the river.

“You’re allowed to find your own place in this nonprofit,” Casey Currin, 20, said. Currin is a business management intern at Keep Alachua County Beautiful and just started interning there this semester. As a biology major with a minor in business at UF, Currin’s life focus shifted in a mirrored way to Hawkins’ when she was close to his age. Hawkins originally intended to pursue physical therapy or something in the health field before that transformative moment surrounded by the West Virginian nature. Currin also originally intended to go into the medical field, but now he has found more of a passion in sustainability. One of the nonprofit’s new big projects Currin is helping out with is called “SWAG,” which stands for Southwest Advocacy Group. SWAG volunteers travel to Alachua County schools and educate students on the importance of environmental awareness as an after-school program. “We teach students about environmental awareness through fun activities and in meaningful ways that hopefully they’ll start to incorporate environmental thoughts into their daily lives,” Currin said.

One thing that’s evident is that there’s no one right path to follow. Whether it be efforts in sustainability and preserving the environment, finding your passion or otherwise, there is no one correct way to do it. The key thread that joins all the volunteers, interns and staff at Keep Alachua County Beautiful, though, is staying positive despite negativity. “For me, the big thing with staying personally positive is having seen the personal impact on the environment,” Andrew Ingram said. Ingram, 27, is one of the full-time staff members at Keep Alachua County Beautiful. His role at the nonprofit is the volunteer and program coordinator, which involves connecting volunteers to different projects and staying organized with all the locations and projects they have going on. Ingram, with an incredibly deep voice, gentle mannerisms and a reddish beard, shared that, as a lifelong Gainesville resident, he’s been able to experience firsthand the positive effects beautification projects have. He went to school here and graduated from Santa Fe College. Ingram said he came to be at Keep Alachua County Beautiful because he and his dad were involved with a similar organization: The Great American Cleanup.

When talking about the plastic straw and bag bans in Gainesville, he described how those two legislations were a reminder of the real impact groups like Keep Alachua County Beautiful can have on the community. The plastic straw ban went into effect on Jan. 2, 2020, and the plastic bag ban is still under debate as of February 2020. Currin, Hawkins, Thomas and Ingram are all in different stages of life, but they all come together through their relentless expedition in environmental preservation. They all share a fairly positive attitude surrounding the future of sustainability, despite some negative attitudes haters may have. The big event Keep Alachua County Beautiful works toward all year is Gainesville’s version of the Great American Cleanup. This past April 4 marked the 29th anniversary. If you want to learn more about Keep Alachua County Beautiful or get involved, you can visit their website at kacb.org. You can also check out their social media on Instagram @keepacbeautiful Twitter @ALitterFreeAC Facebook https://www.facebook.com/keepalachuacountybeautiful.

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COMEDIANS IN GAINESVILLE: T HE SA D clown PA R A DOX

Story and Photo by Juliana Cuadra

Robin Williams. Kate McKinnon. Pete Davidson. Jim Carrey. Kenneth Williams. These are just a few comedians who have brought so much light and laughter to the world - allowing people a momentary escape from their lives while unable to break away from their dark realities of depression. “The Sad Clown Paradox,” or the association between comedy and mental illness, is a phenomenon developed through psychological research conducted by Seymour and Rhoda Fisher in 1981. The psychological experiments resulted in the conclusion that comedians have certain behavioral traits that are not matched in actors such as a feeling of isolation of deprivation that cause them to seek out humor as a coping mechanism. Later research from psychologists Scott Barry Kaufman and Aaron Kozbelt indicates that besides serving as a coping mechanism, comedians utilize humor as a means of gaining acceptance and forming relationships. Alan Tyson, 32, was born in Gainesville and has been a stand-up comedian for five years. Suffering from depressive bouts, Tyson said that comedy gives him a chance to be social. “I started comedy because I felt isolated and was looking for a community for a support system, in a way,” he said. “I think that comedy attracts people who have had trauma and are using humor as a coping mechanism. Getting laughs when I’m doing stand-up is instant validation that I’m not a freak.” AJ Wilkerson, 31, also a Gainesville native, suffers from depression and was diagnosed with autism.

He has been doing stand-up comedy for about a year and said that he cannot imagine his life without it. “I have a hard time expressing emotions and connecting with people, but I have always had the ability to make people laugh,” he said. Although comedy often acts as a coping mechanism, there can also be a disconnect between the persona of a comedian and the personal struggles they face as real people. Some jokes that make people laugh may be at their own expense. Emma Porter, 19, from Gainesville, has also been doing stand-up for a year. Though she said that comedy has a positive effect on her happiness as a creative outlet and hobby, sometimes she feels that it can have a negative impact. “Sometimes I’m just not in a great place, and I still go onstage and get everyone to laugh at me and I feel like a little, dancing monkey.” Alainna Whatley, 24, from Polk County, Florida, who has been performing stand-up since December 2018, said, “Comedians, by necessity, have to be in touch and reflect what society needs as catharsis. Everyone is struggling, and so more and more comedians use their voice or their own darkness to make light of what so many are going through.” With comedy providing laughter and happiness in a dark world that could use some light, humor seems to help both comedians and their audiences. Humor unites us as all as flawed humans and reminds us that we aren’t alone in our struggles. Laughter is the best medicine!

57 Photo by Morgan Goldwich

5 THINGS YOUsmiling CAN'T DO

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WITHOUT

Story by Savannah Phillips | Illustration by Katherine Lugo

FOR A cal m COMMUTE

Keysha Coleman has only lived in Gainesville for a little more than half a year, but she has already experienced some of the city’s most congested hours on the road. The 36-year-old customer service representative often has to use Newberry Road to get to her job, but the early morning traffic can be an aggravating start to her day. “It’s annoying, having to wait in traffic just because I have to be to work by 9,” Coleman said. And she isn’t alone in this sentiment. A 2019 study published in Sensors, a journal on the science and technology of sensors and biosensors, found city driving to be more stressful than highway driving. Traffic jams were also found to significantly increase stress. Another analysis, done by the Texas A&M Transportation Institute in 2015, found Americans average 42 hours in traffic annually. So, how can people alleviate almost two full days a year of this added stress? One solution can be to utilize traffic apps, such as Waze, which helps find alternative routes, alerts drivers of accidents and suggests the best times to leave to one’s destination. Charity Ricks, 42, a Gainesville resident since 2007, navigates daily traffic with the help of technology. “Learn the back roads,” Ricks suggested. “This is the only way to avoid the stress.” Driving responsibly also helps to ease the nuisance of traffic congestion. Though it might be tempting to try to strategically weave in and out of lanes to reach your destination, avoid being an aggressive driver.

Try listening to a podcast or audiobook as you’re responsibly driving. Al Colvin, 49, recently moved to Gainesville after enduring years of California traffic. He said podcasts were a key to managing gridlock. Longtime Gainesville resident Linda Moss, 57, echoed this sentiment. “I listen to podcasts about serial killers. It calms me down,” Moss joked. If you really can’t bear the thought of driving in traffic, try an alternate mode of transportation. A 2015 research study on traffic psychology and behavior at McGill University found driving to be significantly more stressful than transit riding or walking. Gainesville’s extensive Regional Transit System has hundreds of stops around the city and can be a convenient alternative.

When all else fails, put on some of your favorite traffic jams. Michelle Holmes finds this especially helpful while driving near UF Health Shands Hospital during rush hour. “I crank up Stevie Nicks and sing my heart out,” Holmes said. “I think sometimes cars get out of line to get away from my singing.” Stay calm and drive on, Gainesville.

Hearing Children Laugh

Singing and Dancing

Hugging your loved ones

“Nothing makes me happier than hearing children (specifically my own) giggling over the most mundane things,” said Danielle Mihalic, a mother to a toddler and a newborn. “It melts me.” Similar to the positive neurological effect dogs have on us, holding babies also increases our oxytocin levels, according to Live Science. The effect is especially strong in mothers as oxytocin encourages bonding between a mother and her child.

Remind yourself that everyone around you is a real person, not just a vehicle, and they are all experiencing the same thing as you.

Finding a stress-management technique that works for you can also be beneficial. Licensed mental health counselor and Gainesville resident Jorelle Degen, 37, said a method to “defuse from distressing road-rage thoughts is to imagine the cars as cows. It works!” Other techniques are taking deep breaths and even smiling.

Appreciating Nature

Whether it’s the beach, the mountains, a sunset or a sunrise, spending time in nature reminds us of all the beauty our universe holds. David Strayer, a researcher at the University of Utah, found that our bodies are both physically and mentally healthier while spending time outside, according to Greater Good Magazine. Brianna Martin, a marketing manager, said that the smell and feel of a new season always brings a smile to her face. “There’s nothing like being in fall, knowing cold is coming, and smelling that first crispness,” Martin said. “It’s absolutely amazing.”

RUSH HOUR REMEDIES Story and Photos by Morgan Goldwich

It doesn’t matter if you’re with your friends or by yourself, at a concert or listening to your favorite song in your room, but dancing and singing allows you to let go and live in that moment. Jessica Mink-Rudenick owned a dance studio for 15 years and has been a dancer since she was 3 years old. “I love the mental escape that dancing gives me from day-to-day life,” Mink-Rudenick said. “It helps me not think about anything else in that moment.”

Playing with Puppies

Maybe it’s their smell, their squishy faces or their velvety ears, but there is something about puppies that makes any bad day a little bit brighter. Multiple studies have shown that spending time with dogs increases your levels v oxytocin, a neurotransmitter that naturally relaxes you, while also lowering cortisol, the hormone that causes stress, according to Psychology Today. “The selfless love that dogs give to anyone willing to accept is hard not to make you smile,” said Troy Gainer, a business development specialist and dog owner.

Having friends, family and loved ones by our side makes this life a whole lot easier and a whole lot brighter. That infamous oxytocin also plays a role here. According to Healthline, the “cuddle hormone” raises our happiness levels when we embrace or touch someone. The next time you hug someone you love, squeeze them a little tighter and smile a little bigger. “Because who doesn’t like a good hug?” Isabelle Oleck, a 21-year-old UF student, asked.

people “I believe that rules were made to be broken,” Reid proclaimed with a certain kind of confidence and swagger that can only be found in someone who has truly lived life to the fullest. Like Reid, Julie Shrader, 91, has, in her own words, “lived a long life.” Growing up in Tampa, Shrader inherited having a love of people from her father. Shrader’s father was a lawyer, and he used to take 12-year-old Julie to visit a variety of his friends, who she described as “ordinary, run-of-the-mill people.” Julie’s love of people carried throughout her childhood and into her adult life. “I think of most people as being good, not bad, although I acknowledge the bad,” Shrader said. Shrader believes the key to truly finding happiness is to not dwell on the negative. However, she admits that can be tough, especially if you’re a naturally gloomy person.

Gray Hair, Golde n Smiles Story by Brooks Bass | Photos by Katherine Lugo

About 6 million Americans over the age of 65 suffer from depression. Much of this has to do with an overall decline in health that comes naturally with age. While it is difficult for many elderly people to find joy despite their circumstances, it is not impossible. Here is some advice from two souls who have aged like fine wine. Winston Reid, 75, moved from Jamaica to Toronto in his 20s. Reid said he was wearing shorts when he first landed in Canada, where the temperature was in the negatives — and the airport did not have a terminal. Reid later moved to Gainesville, where he was a city bus driver for 20 years. Today, you can typically find Reid on the back lawn at Parklands Care Center, where he resides. Reid usually sits outside in his wheelchair for a few hours every day while he smokes 305s. Despite facing many hardships, including losing the toes on his right foot in a freak accident, Reid is still able to trudge ahead in life. You would think it would be difficult for a man who has been through a divorce, dealt with alcohol abuse and lost his home to find joy. But Reid is able to do just that. What’s his secret? It’s in the way he treats others. “If you treat people right, they’ll treat you right,” Reid said. "Having a little fun, maybe even too much fun, is the best way to find glee," he said.

“When people are being negative, I always try to show them the positive side of things,” Shrader said. When it comes to looking back on life and regrets, Shrader has only one. “I only regret that I couldn’t do more good in the world,” Shrader said. A consistent theme you can see lying in the roots of both Reid’s and Schrader’s happiness is their relationships with others. They love people, and in return, they feel loved. The way these two are able to remain so happy is through their abilities to be kind to others and have the favor returned to them.

HAPPINESS THROUGH THE

ages

Story by Juliana Cuadra | Illustration by Katherine Lugo

“Let us never know what old age is. Let us know the happiness time brings, not count the years.” - Ausonius Happiness. A word that even the greatest philosophers couldn’t seem to find a universal definition for. The beauty of happiness is that it is unique to each individual, but studies have found that the age of a person plays a significant role in the universal pursuit of happiness as well. The phenomenon of the U-curve of happiness is known as the decline of happiness in the middle of a person’s life. This idea was developed from multiple satisfaction surveys and has shown time and time again that humans are happiest at the beginnings and ends of their lives. Research suggests that simplicity and stability at older and younger ages contribute to increased happiness, while turbulence and instability during middle ages may contribute to a lack of happiness. In other words, age does affect happiness. Forest, 2, lives in Gainesville with her parents and is a firm believer in the principle of enjoying the simpler things in life to achieve happiness. “Go to the park. Cheese. Motorcycles. Juniper. Gracey (her friend and friend's mom),” she said. She also offered some tips on how to cheer up on gloomy days. “Happy football. Happy mommy and daddy. Cupcakes. Go to the park. Kick a ball,” she said. Her mother, Kori Brooks, is a 29-year-old yoga instructor and also offered her own input of what happiness means, though her definition was a bit more complicated.

“I used to believe I was supposed to be happy all the time, and if I wasn't happy, then something was wrong. I also believed that the fleeting emotion of happiness was something worth striving for, even though it can come and go as quickly as the wind can change.” Brooks said. “I believe contentment and inner peace is what we should be focusing on over happiness, as happiness is fleeting, while inner peace can be cultivated and sustained even in circumstances like the ones we find ourselves in now where there is so much uncertainty and fear.” Marc Lefton, 45, runs an advertising and marketing agency in Gainesville called Marketing General Contractors and said that we often overlook happiness. “I think happiness is recognizing in the moment that you’re going to look back fondly at this time. Sometimes it’s hard to realize you’re happy,” Lefton said. “We mostly focus on when we’re not.” Penny Dodd, 80, a Waldo resident, manages the Waldo Area Historical Society. She believes that her key to happiness is independence and making her own decisions. “Different things make different people happy. Doing what you like and enjoy. Having a job you enjoy, which isn't really a job then,” Dodd said. “When I was young, 10 years old or so, different things made me happy. Having some money of my own (from babysitting, etc.). A wristwatch was very important to me then.” Although there will never be a universal definition of happiness, the pursuit of happiness is a timeless desire.

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JAMES BATES: THE MAN WHO WON'T STOP smiling Story by Christine Guerrero | Photos courtesy of James Bates

Pure happiness is not just a feeling, but it almost becomes a trait in a person. Whether it is enjoying a song more each time it’s heard or simply enjoying the little things in life, there is always that one person who represents pure happiness. It is the person who you could tell the world is going to end, but they would still find the positive in it. The person who walks into a room grinning cheek to cheek and makes everyone else want to grin just as big. That person is James Bates. Bates grew up in Sevierville, Tennessee, with a successful football background and eventually went on to play for the University of Florida, where he owes much gratitude. After graduating UF, Bates went on to explore his talent of art, becoming a broadcaster for the ACC network and is even teaching back at his own college. But what’s the story behind his happiness? What makes James Bates the person he is today?

Football

There was no question about the impact of football on Bates’ life. Growing up, he was practically born into the sport. His father, Jim Bates, was always coaching at either the college or professional level. He coached from schools such as the Universities of Tennessee, West Virginia University and the University of Florida to NFL teams such as the Cleveland Browns, Dallas Cowboys, Tampa Bay Buccaneers. James Bates recalls a phase in his life where he became interested in hockey. He would go to a hockey rink every day to teach himself how to skate and get better. It got to the point that his commitment to hockey was scaring his father a little bit. Hockey didn’t last too long in the picture. Bates started playing football at a young age, when he was living in Texas. As he got older, Bates’ father wanted him to play quarterback. His father would even invite other coaching staff and friends to come over and run quarterback practice drills with him. Deep down, Bates knew he always wanted to be a linebacker. And that eventually led him to some of his biggest accomplishments in life. “At 18 years old, out of all the decisions I’ve made, I feel so fortunate that I decided to come to the University of Florida, and that I had the opportunity to come to the University of Florida because I owe so much to that decision,” Bates said. During his time as a college football player at UF, Bates went on to win four consecutive Southeastern Conference championships, become a co-captain of the 1996 NCAA Division 1-A Football Championship team and an All-Star SEC linebacker. You could say Bates lived his college career to the fullest. But he had one special moment immediately come to mind when talking about his most cherished memory at UF. Being a Tennessee native, most people thought Bates was going to end up playing football for the University of Tennessee. “A lot of people couldn’t believe that anybody that had the chance to play football at the University of Tennessee would leave. … But I wanted to be a part of what Coach Spurrier was doing down here,” Bates said.

Back in the day, the UF and UT games were one of the biggest games of the season. “Whoever won the Florida-Tennessee game was going to win the SEC,” Bates said His senior year, UF traveled up to Knoxville and won against Tennessee for the fourth time in a row. Bates had an interception against Peyton Manning, who played for UT at the time, and the team was pumped the whole ride home.

Artwork

One of James Bates’ not-so-hidden talents is his artwork. “I always tell people I should’ve taken art classes or majored in art at UF because I was drawing a little bit too much anyways in all my classes,” Bates said. “The problem was they weren’t art classes that I was drawing in.” Over the years, Bates has had his artwork hung on the walls of popular restaurants in Gainesville and even designed the 25th anniversary student T-shirt that UF students received before the football season. Bates recalls a time Jerri Spurrier, Steve Spurrier’s wife, reached out to him to design something for UF’s swimming and diving team while he was in college. Jerri knew Bates enjoyed drawing, but this was the first time someone had requested a design from him. Bates was dating his now wife, Tina, who was a swimmer for UF. He was eager to do the favor if it meant he could impress Tina even more. Bates went on to design a T-shirt for the swimmers to wear to their upcoming SEC championship meet.

But wait, the story gets better. He still has the shirt he designed to this day. His and Tina’s daughter Talia currently swims for UF, and at her first SEC Championship meet, Bates wore the shirt. You could say it has become a family momento. Bates always knew he loved to draw, but what made him the successful artist he is today? He started experimenting with canvas and paint after he graduated from college. Bates had originally reached out to his old roommate at UF, who was an art major, to help paint a picture of the spot where Bates and Tina got engaged in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, on a river. It was going to be Bates’ Christmas gift to his wife. His former roommate fell through but was willing to help teach Bates how to paint on canvas. “I knew then that doing that painting, I would have to do more paintings,” Bates said. “I knew it wasn’t going to be my last.” His passion for art grew even more. While doing some filming in Miami one year, Bates explored different art galleries in the city. Bates said he was blown away by all the different pieces of art and wanted to have art like that on the walls of his house. He went on to paint his own pieces using the inspiration he gained from looking at the canvases in Miami. Most of his art in the beginning was landscapes, but Bates knew there was something special about storytelling. “I love to incorporate text and to be able to kind of storytell some of these people I’ve been around, like Coach Spurrier or Nick Saban or teammates and players,” he said. “I really enjoy telling the story through the art even if there isn’t any text there. Sometimes the painting itself will do all the talking.”

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Around 10 years ago, people pushed Bates to stop hoarding his artwork and start sharing it with the world. He knew this would turn into something really special because it gave him more time to spend at home with his family, and he loved doing his artwork for others.

His success on the screen led him to one of his greatest opportunities About three years ago, the chair of UF’s College of Journalism and Communications, Ted Spiker, reached out to Bates and asked if he’d be interested in teaching a play-by-play course at the college. Bates said he remembers getting goosebumps all over.

“The fact that people will say to themselves, ‘I want to do something special for my wife’ or ‘I want to do something special for my friend, or my house’ … and that they could come to me, trust me,” he said. “That my art makes them feel a certain way and that I’m the one of anywhere they could go and anything they could do … and they feel that my art could make their house brighter or their spouse happier.” Bates’ face lights up as he shares the motivation to his artwork.

He knew that if the same class was offered when he was in college, it would have made the University of Florida that much more attractive, he said.

“There’s something about art that I don’t feel like I ever hesitated.”

“Just trying to do my best to make people better and just trying to be a positive influence on anybody that I can be. And when you’ve got a class like this, it’s not like I’m rolling into an Algebra II class and have to be there.

Broadcasting/Teaching

When going off to college, Bates wanted to be a part of UF’s Journalism and Communications school. He had a strong interest working on television and being a broadcaster. Growing up with a successful football career, Bates made a lot of connections with reporters and analysts. After his short-term time in the NFL, Bates started reaching out to those connections asking to do some work for them to gain some opportunities.

Bates was confident that the information he could bring and teach students would be interesting and exciting. He said he wants to have a positive impact on his students because he absolutely loves teaching them.

People that sign up for my class know what they’re getting into. A lot of times they’re motivated and want to be there. So, they’re kind of yours. It really does feel like a team, and so that, to me, is just the coolest thing,” Bates said.

“Because I was a player, everybody always wanted to put me in the analyst chair. I enjoyed that, and I’m actually doing that currently for the past four, five seasons, but I started realizing that I was really drawn into storytelling and the human-interest side of it, more so than the X’s and O’s,” he said.

When reflecting on these moments and the opportunities Bates had, it is obvious he made the best of them. You can’t help but laugh along with Bates and his fascinating stories or be put into amazement with all of his accomplishments in life. As you learn more about Bates, you can see where his pure happiness comes from, whether it be with his family, his art or his opportunity to teach.

For about eight years, Bates did play-by-play for basketball, football and baseball on various networks, such as the MountainWest Sports Network. As his talents grew on the TV screen, Bates became very versatile in what he could do, and he takes pride in all his work.

“For somebody to associate you with the word ‘happy’ is like, well, ‘Alright, I’m good,’” Bates said cheerfully. That’s an accomplishment within itself. As Bates takes on every task and every opportunity in his life, it’s easy to see he did it happily and with a smile. It’s safe to say James Bates’ happiness is contagious. Pure happiness has become one of his traits.

questions Q: Favorite Drink? A: IPAs or Gatorade (depends on the time of day) Q: Favorite Food? A: Sushi, but you could never go wrong with pizza Q: Favorite Movie? A: Waiting for Guffman Q: Favorite Happy Song? A: Thank You Lord by Bob Marley Q: Favorite Color? A: Blue and orange (but not University of Tennessee orange) Q: If you could travel anywhere in the world right now, where would it be? A: Costa Rica Q: If you could bring only 3 items on a deserted island with you, what would it be? A: A knife, my wife and a boat, so if we ever got tired of that deserted island, we could just row our way back to the mainland.

Crazy Fun Fact:

James Bates was actually in Adam Sandler’s classic comedy, “Water Boy.” How did that opportunity come to happen? At the time, Bates was living in Houston, Texas, working a job selling windows. Let’s just say, it wasn’t the job for Bates. The wife of a former teammate was doing some acting and found out that Adam Sandler’s movie was looking for former football players to read some lines in Orlando. Bates immediately got into his car and drove from Texas to Florida to audition for the part. Unsurprisingly, Bates landed the role and played an offensive lineman in the movie. To fit the role of a huge offensive lineman, Bates made a visit to UF’s equipment room and took some extra pads to fit under the uniform. 65

MEET THE ORANGE AND BLUE

SPRING 2020 staff

Kayla Price - Editor in Chief I'm happiest when... I’m traveling and exploring new places with my friends and family.

Katherine Lugo Graphic Designer I am happiest when… drawing and drinking coffee.

Juliana Cuadra - Blog Editor I am happiest when… I am singing and/or dancing to music, traveling or cuddling my dog.

Christine Guerrero Social Media Editor I am happiest when… I’m traveling and hanging out with my family!

Brooks Bass - Copy Editor I am happiest when... I am eating allyou-can-eat wings on Monday nights at Gators Dockside with my bros.

Julia Collins - Editor in Chief I’m happiest when... I’m cuddling with my dog, Cali!

Victoria Fortier - Photo Editor

I’m happiest when...I’m at my aunt’s restaurant in New York, eating a raspberry stuffed French toast with my family.

Savannah Phillips Marketing Director I’m happiest when…. I am surrounded by the people I love!

Morgan Goldwich - Copy Editor

Luly Hernandez -Copy Editor

I am happiest when… I am visiting new places, laughing with my friends or petting cats!

I’m happiest when… my little dog, Norman, picks my lap as a perfect place to sleep!

Thank you to our advisers... Nicole Irving, Diana McFarlin, Ted Spiker, Spiro Kiousis, Helga Williams, Matt Sheehan, Hal Herman, Mike Foley, Rob Witzel and the Summer Jornalism Institute. Orange and Blue is published semiannually by the University of Florida College of Journalism and Communications students enrolled in Applied Magazines. This issue was printed by Publications Printers. Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. No part of this magazine may be reproduced or transmitted in any means without written permission. Orange and Blue is protected through trademark registration in the United States. Send letters to Box 118400 College of Journalism and Communications, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL 32611.

Photo by Luly Her nandez

BLUE

OR AN GE Magazine

Photo by Luly Her nandez

Orange and Blue magazine - Spring 2020 - The Happy Issue

Articles inside

LET'S HAVE A PINT

A DAY OF HAPPINESS ON A BUDGET

THE ROOTS OF THE YELLOW HAPPY FACE

MAY THE FOURTH BE WITH YOU