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Photo + Info: @stassischroeder

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Originally posted at: Stassi Schroeder’s Ivory Embellished Mini Dress

Maintaining optimal health involves more than just diet and exercise; it encompasses various interconnected aspects of well-being, including metabolic health and auditory function. Research has highlighted significant correlations between weight, metabolic health, and hearing health, particularly in women.

If you or someone you know would like more information on hearing health, I invite you to explore our certified and vetted member clinics at www.excellenceinaudiology.org.

Here’s an insightful exploration into these interconnected factors.

Weight and Its Impact on Hearing Health

Excess weight, especially obesity, can influence hearing health in several ways.

Inner Ear Function

The inner ear is sensitive to changes in blood flow and metabolic function. Obesity is often associated with impaired blood circulation, which can affect the delicate hair cells in the inner ear responsible for transmitting sound signals to the brain.

Inflammation

Obesity is linked to chronic inflammation throughout the body. This inflammatory state can extend to the cochlea, the auditory portion of the inner ear, potentially compromising its function over time.

Diabetes and Hearing Loss

Obesity increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Diabetes, in turn, is a known risk factor for hearing loss, particularly sensorineural hearing loss, which affects the inner ear’s ability to transmit sound signals effectively.

How Poor Metabolic Health Affects Our Hearing

Metabolic health refers to the body’s ability to efficiently process nutrients and maintain stable blood sugar levels. Poor metabolic health, often associated with conditions like insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome, can impact hearing in the following ways:

Vascular Health

Metabolic disorders can lead to vascular complications, including reduced blood flow to the cochlea. This can impair the delivery of oxygen and essential nutrients to the inner ear structures, potentially contributing to hearing loss.

Oxidative Stress

Imbalances in metabolic processes can increase oxidative stress in the body. Oxidative stress has been implicated in age-related hearing loss by damaging cochlear cells and accelerating cellular aging.

Hormonal Factors

Hormonal imbalances associated with metabolic disorders may also affect auditory function. For example, fluctuations in insulin levels can influence the health of auditory nerves and their ability to transmit signals effectively.

Understanding the intricate relationship between weight, metabolic health, and hearing health underscores the importance of comprehensive health management strategies. So what can you do?

As always, I encourage you to maintain a balanced diet rich in nutrients, engage in regular physical activity, and manage weight effectively. This can support overall metabolic health and potentially reduce the risk of hearing impairment.

Regular monitoring is key. Routine health check-ups should include assessments of metabolic health markers such as blood sugar levels, cholesterol, and blood pressure, alongside hearing screenings to detect early signs of auditory changes. Awareness and education can facilitate early intervention and targeted management approaches.

By recognizing and addressing the interplay between weight, metabolic health, and hearing health, women can take proactive steps to preserve their auditory function and overall well-being throughout their lives. Taking a holistic approach to health can yield significant benefits, enhancing quality of life and promoting long-term vitality.

Understanding these connections empowers women to make informed choices that support their hearing health alongside their broader wellness goals.

If you need more insight on hearing healthcare, feel free to reach out at keith@excellenceinaudiology.org or visit www.drkeithdarrow.com.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Here are five thoughtful discussion questions designed to engage those who may be struggling with weight, metabolic health, and its impact on hearing.

• Have you ever considered how your weight or metabolic health could influence your hearing or overall ear health? What surprised you about the connection?
• What challenges have you faced when trying to maintain a healthy weight or manage metabolic conditions like diabetes or high blood pressure?
• Have you noticed any changes in your hearing (like ringing, muffled sounds, or difficulty hearing in noisy environments) that you haven’t discussed with a healthcare provider?
• What kind of support or resources do you think would help you take better care of your metabolic and hearing health?
• How do you prioritize your overall health, and where do hearing health and weight management fit into your current wellness routine?

Until next month, please continue to take care of your ears!

8 Adorable Bravoleb Dresses You Can Wear Right Now

August is in full swing and that means we’re starting to think about Fall fashion. So I’ve rounded up the perfect seen-on-Bravoleb dresses that you can wear right now and in the fall. So whether you’ve got a boat day on the horizon, labor day plans or want to look stylish in September thanks to these stylish celebs there’s something for you.

The List

Back in Stock Best Seller Camila Coelho Moroccan Midi Dress

Fab Under $70 Find Free People Women’s Slip Dress

Brand With a Buzz Hill House Home Elizabeth Nap Dress

Versatile Vibes Banana Republic Shirt Dress

On the Bubble Simkhai Fifi Bubble Dress

In Check Veronica Beard Beard Mackey Dress

Spot on Style Free People Butterfly Babe Dress

Summer Southern Charm Hill House Home Kimmy Nap Dress

Camila Coelho Moroccan Midi Dress Seen on Amanda Batula

Amanda Batula wore this perfect corset dress earlier this summer and in turn is sold out. Lucky for us it’s back in stock in brown and black and perfect for late summer and early fall events.

Free People Women’s Slip Dress Seen on Tamra Judge

$68 for a seen on Bravoleb dress? That’s wild. Kind of like the leopard print on Tamra Judge’s tie shoulder dress. And since we all know animal print is a neutral that knows no season it’s time to snag the multi-season midi before it’s gone.

Hill House Home Nap Dress Seen on Nia Sanchez

It seems like I can’t go long without hearing someone talking about Hill House Home nap dresses. Spotted on Nia Sanchez in the short version, they’ve been seen in one variation or another on a laundry list of celebs including Taylor Swift and Anne Hathaway. I bought one for my recent trip to Napa and they are really easy to throw on and go.

Banana Republic Shirt Dress Seen on Margaret Josephs

Margaret Josephs popped up in Italy wearing this extremely versatile poplin shirt dress. It comes in 3 colors and can be put on with sandals, heels or even sneakers for a sophisticated on-the-go look.

Simkhai Fifi Dress Seen on Stassi Schroeder

As someone who owns a Simkhai bubble dress and skirt I obviously think the style is adorable. This is the perfect end of summer dress and can even be worn in early fall if you live in a warmer climate or do not subscribe to the “no white after Labor Day” rule like me.

Veronica Beard Beard Mackey Dress Seen on Lindsay Hubbard

Lindsay Hubbard’s brown and white gingham halter dress is a pretty, preppy look that will give you a ladies who lunch vibe. It’s giving preppy Hamptons vibes as you can see on miss Hubbs above.

Free People Butterfly Babe Dress Seen on Bronwyn Newport

If Bronwyn Newport is wearing something that is under $200 (or $1000 for that matter) you know it’s good. And this silk polka dot dress is the perfect piece to slip into right now.

Hill House Home Kimmy Nap Dress Seen on Cameran Eubanks

Though this dress is giving summer, if you’re like me and Cameran and live somewhere warm it’s a great dress to close the summer out in. If the print is too summery for you scoop it up in a darker color and layer it with a denim jacket when you start to feel a chill in the air.

Originally posted at: 8 Adorable Bravoleb Dresses You Can Wear Right Now

It happened last night – the moment I knew was coming. Exactly one month into retirement.

I was sitting at a long table at a Mexican restaurant, next to a man I barely knew, celebrating the birthday of a mutual friend. In true Elaine fashion, I leaned in with genuine curiosity – asking about his work, his life, what he sees on the horizon. Eventually, perhaps out of politeness, he turned to me and asked:

“So… what’s going on with you?”

Oh boy. There it was. The dreaded question.

I took a breath and replied, “Well… I retired last month.”

I swear his face changed instantly. Maybe I imagined it, but he looked uncomfortable. Or bored. Or both. Either way, he broke eye contact, and I was left with the sinking feeling that I had suddenly become… uninteresting. Like I had nothing valuable to share – like I needed to justify my existence.

Let me be clear: I’m not an uninteresting person. My friends would say I’m the life of the party – the one who brings the laughter, dives into deep conversations, and turns vulnerability into a party trick. But, in that moment, I felt small.

And I realized… my title used to do a lot of heavy lifting.

“I’m a professor.”

I loved saying those words. I mean, really – how sexy is that title?!

“I direct a center that helps rural schools become healthy, joyful places for students and educators.” I had purpose. I made a difference. I was a woman in leadership doing meaningful work. The director. I had a team. I set the vision. I was an academic, female badass. I felt instantly validated to be a human here on this Earth.

And that’s when it hit me: the loss of a title can shake your identity more than you expect.

Why Retirement Messes with Your Identity

Retirement is beautiful. The freedom! The mornings without alarms (YUM!)! The ability to linger with my coffee, cat, and book (Double YUM!)!

But even when it feels good, it can still feel weird.

When you’ve spent decades introducing yourself with a title – when your identity is so deeply tied to what you do – suddenly being “retired” can feel… disorienting. Like you’ve left a role you played for years, but no one handed you the script for what comes next.

I get it. There’s something validating about having a title or a business card that says, “I matter.” But the real work of retirement is discovering that you don’t need a role to take up space on this beautiful Earth.

And let’s be kind to ourselves.

Think about your own history of accomplishments and accolades. Over the years, who did you call to share good news – promotions, stellar reviews, praise from a colleague?

We’ve been conditioned to have our self-worth affirmed by others. And in turn, they’ve done their part by saying, “I’m so proud of you.” It’s a cycle we’ve lived in for so long, we don’t even realize we’re in it – until it’s disrupted.

Retirement doesn’t come with gold stars – or “Best Pajama Productivity” awards.

So we either need to find new ways to feel that validation… or do the deeper work of giving it to ourselves.

If you lived a day that lit you up, could you celebrate it – without needing anyone else’s approval?

I’m working on that. Slowly but surely.

The Coaching Safety Net

For me, starting a retirement coaching business was a gift to both myself and (hopefully) the women I serve.

It gave me a soft place to land after decades of structured work. A way to use everything I know and love – supporting women, designing programs, creating impact – and repurpose it for this next chapter.

I often catch myself saying, “Thank God for my coaching business.” And I mean it.

It’s helped me re-anchor my purpose. It’s also helped me realize that everyone needs their own version of a retirement plan – whether that’s part-time work, volunteering, or simply giving yourself permission to invest in yourself for the first time in decades.

That’s the question I ask every woman I work with…

What kind of life do you want in retirement – and what’s standing in the way?

Learning to Validate Yourself (Without the Gold Stars)

Something else is happening, too: I’m learning how to be my own validator.

I no longer get praise from colleagues or performance reviews saying, “You nailed it.” Those external gold stars? Gone.

So now I’m tuning in to a new voice – my own. And day by day, it’s getting stronger.

These days, I picture my 80-year-old self – wise, unapologetic, and totally at ease in her own skin. She doesn’t wait for permission or applause – and she definitely doesn’t worry what anyone else thinks. She’s more grounded than the 57-year-old me writing this… and she’s cheering me on with the biggest grin, reminding me what really matters.

She wants me to stay in my pajamas ‘til 3 p.m. if I’m devouring a great novel.

She’s thrilled I finally have time to bake that family recipe I remember my mom making.

And she’s saying:

“Elaine. I’m proud of you. You’ve done good. Now go listen to the birds. Make a new friend. Paint something weird. Live.”

Shedding the Shell

Recently, I learned that cicadas live underground for up to 17 years. (You know – those insects that get so loud in the summer, you half expect your phone to buzz with a “Cicada Volume Warning.”) And when they finally emerge, they shed their hard shell… and grow wings.

Seriously. You can’t make this stuff up. It’s nature.

And I think that’s what this moment is for many of us. We’re emerging from decades of roles and responsibilities. Shedding old layers. Growing wings.

Retirement reinvention isn’t about starting over – it’s about remembering who you are.

Be like the cicada.

Just… less annoying.

You’re Not Lost – You’re Becoming

If you’re feeling unsure of who you are now that you’re no longer introducing yourself with a title, you’re not alone. It doesn’t mean something’s wrong with you. It just means you’re in the middle of a transformation.

One that can be awkward, liberating, sometimes loud – and ultimately beautiful.

One that invites you to become more you than you’ve ever been.

Ready to Reclaim a Piece of Yourself?

If any of this hits home, I put together something that might help you take the next small step.

It’s called “Who Am I Now?” – a quick, surprisingly powerful worksheet designed to help you rediscover who you are, beyond the roles you’ve played.

It only takes 10 minutes – and your 80-year-old self will totally high-five you for actually sitting down and doing it. (And unlike a cicada, you don’t have to wait 17 years to come out of your shell.)

Download the Identity Reboot Worksheet

Let’s Keep the Conversation Going:

How are you rediscovering your sense of self in this next chapter? Have you felt awkward after dropping your professional identity? I’d love to hear what’s unfolding for you.

This one comment about living in the UK was apparently the start of Harry and William’s feud.