Tag: 8. August 2023

Playboy model and OnlyFans creator Evie Leana has more than a few surprising facts to share.

For one thing, the mother-of-four hasn’t had any surgical or cosmetic enhancement, although it’s something that often shocks people when they find out. 

“I know it’s very common in this industry,” she says, “I do use filters on my photos, but my body and face is all-natural.”

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Another surprising insight? It was her daughter, 20-year-old Tiahnee, who convinced her to join the platform after herself finding success as a creator. 

 “She said she thought I’d do well at it,” explains Evie, who hasn’t looked back since launching her OnlyFans career.

But it’s the way the Adelaide woman (who makes upwards of $40k a month on the adult platform) harnesses her creative energy that sets her apart. A firm believer in working with the natural ebbs and flows of her cycle, the 38-year-old entrepreneur prefers to film content while she is ovulating. 

“When I’m ovulating, I feel like making content,” she explains. 

“I feel like going to the gym, I feel like dancing, I feel fit and sexy and like my body is begging me to have sex. I book an apartment during that time – for around five days or so – and film as much content as I can.”

“I’ve been tracking my cycle for a few years now and it’s been life-changing,” she continues.

“It’s helped me to be in tune with my body and plan my social calendar accordingly, as I know during the luteal and menstrual phase I might not feel like socialising and I like to allow for downtime. I plan work that doesn’t require me to be as active or use too much brain power as I can be mentally and emotionally exhausted at that time of the month.”

Evie Leana is one of a growing number of women using an understanding of their cycle to maximise their career success, in a strategy known as ‘cycle hacking’. 

Lucy Peach, menstrual advocate and author of Period Queen: Life hack your cycle and own your power all month long, loves to see it.

“Cycle hacking at its heart is about knowing where you are in your cycle first and foremost, then giving yourself permission to accept that,” she explains. “Then, it’s about using what you have.” 

The concept involves using knowledge of the ways in which your cycle affects everything from energy levels to creativity and extraversion to make the most of whatever phase you might find yourself in.

“For me, it’s always about reframing for power,” Peach continues.

When it comes to ovulation, Peach agrees it’s an excellent tool to harness. 

“Society has been so hung up on the blood part of the cycle that we’ve neglected the real heroine – ovulation,” she explains.

“Research shows that just before ovulation, with peak oestrogen, women and people who menstruate (who don’t use hormonal contraception) are six times more motivated. Think new business plans, increased capacity to build muscle, brain connections, rearranging furniture spontaneously. I call that the ‘Do Phase’ – time to slay.”

“Then, with ovulation at the peak of the cycle it’s afterwards, with a massive progesterone influx, that we can feel our most expansive and expressive. I call it the ‘Give Phase’ because from an evolutionary perspective you are wired for connection and support. Progesterone is the hormone that holds and takes care of things.”

For Evie, who has seen an uptick in subscribers since employing the strategy, listening to her body in order to live her best life – both in terms of productivity and in times of rest – just makes sense.

“My income has been all over the place, up until recently,” she explains.

“I was making anywhere from $25- $40k per month. I made $60k in one month, which was my record. Now, especially since hiring an incredible assistant,  it has been consistently growing and meeting every target.”

You’re out for a walk or a jog when your nose starts dripping like a tap. It’s irritating, distracting, and makes for an uncomfortable run to the finish line. It might even continue hours after you’ve wrapped your workout.

Beyond being annoying, it is actually a diagnosed condition called rhinitis, which causes the nose to drop when we exercise.

„Nonallergic rhinitis involves sneezing or a stuffy, drippy nose. It can be a long-term problem,“ the Mayo Clinic says.

You might even start sniffing and coughing while tucking into a spicy dish. That’s rhinitis too.

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Julie Moore, clinical respiratory physiotherapist at the Institute of Sport, Exercise and Health in the UK tells Stylist there’s more to rhinitis than just your nose dripping mid-run or walk.

It’s an inflammation of the nasal passages, and Moore says it’s important to strengthen your ability to nose breathe if you want symptoms to improve.

How do you do this? Cease mouth breathing while you exercise, she says. “Not treating rhinitis will make you avoid breathing through your nose, which is detrimental to your breathing pattern,” she says.

“Breathing through your mouth is OK for short periods of time, but the nose has the essential job of filtering air and protecting the lungs and body.” Moore says, “The more you use your nose to breathe, the stronger and clearer it will get. Avoiding breathing through your nose is not the answer.”

Though it is tempting when you’re fending off the dreaded drizzle mid-workout.

Another benefit of breathing through your nose when you exercise is the safeguarding of your throat and lungs.

“The nose also warms the air, and because the lungs are mostly water, they can dry out very quickly due to chronic mouth breathing. This can lead to irritability and sensitivity in the throat and lungs, as well as causing a cough and tight sensation in the upper chest,” Moore explains.

The bad news is, breathing through your nose 24/7 won’t stop rhinitis in its tracks entirely if it is an allergic variant caused by pollution, dust, fumes, weather conditions, swimming, or medications.

“Unfortunately, there is no way to prevent this common condition, which affects up to 74 per cent of athletes,” she says.

And most importantly, see your doctor.

“Those who suffer from allergic rhinitis are advised to take antihistamines to help reduce the effects of the condition. Nasal decongestants are also recommended, but only for short-term use, as they can cause rebound congestion,” Moore concluded.

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved Zurzuvae (zuranolone) as a once-daily pill taken for two weeks to treat postpartum depression (PPD), and it will hit the American market later this year.

“Postpartum depression is a serious and potentially life-threatening condition in which women experience sadness, guilt, worthlessness – even, in severe cases, thoughts of harming themselves or their child,” Tiffany R. Farchione, MD, director of the Division of Psychiatry in the FDA’s Centre for Drug Evaluation and Research said in a statement.

“Postpartum depression can disrupt the maternal-infant bond, it can also have consequences for the child’s physical and emotional development,” so “having access to an oral medication will be a beneficial option for many of these women coping with extreme, and sometimes life-threatening, feelings.”

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Participants in a trial showed an improved mental state within three days of beginning their course of Zurzuvae.

This was demonstrated in two randomised, placebo-controlled studies using women who showed symptoms of PDD in the third trimester or within four weeks post-delivery.

In the first study, the women either received 50mg of Zurzuvae or a placebo once daily in the evening for 14 days.

In the second study, the women received another product using 40mg of zuranolone or a placebo once daily in the evening for 14 days.  

“Patients in both studies were monitored for at least four weeks after the 14-day treatment,” the FDA said. “Patients in the Zurzuvae groups showed significantly more improvement in their symptoms compared to those in the placebo groups.”

What’s more, the treatment’s effectiveness was maintained four weeks after the last dose of Zurzuvae.

Zurzuvae’s side effects

According to the FDA, users might suffer from:

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Diarrhea
• Fatigue
• The common cold
• Urinary tract infection

More worryingly, the FDA noted that Zurzuvae may cause suicidal thoughts and behaviour, and even foetal harm.

According to the Black Dog Institute, one in seven Australian women experience postpartum depression, or postnatal depression as it’s commonly known. For around 40 per cent of those suffering, their symptoms begin during pregnancy.

Symptoms of postpartum depression

According to Black Dog Institute, sufferers may experience:

• Loss of enjoyment in usual activities
• Loss of self-esteem and confidence
• Loss of appetite and weight, or weight gain
• Difficulty with sleep (irrespective of the baby’s routine)
• A sense of hopelessness and of being a failure
• A wish not to be alive
• Suicidal thoughts or ideas
• Panic attacks
• Loss of libido
• Fears for the baby’s or partner’s safety or wellbeing.

If you or someone you know needs help, call Lifeline on 131 114, Beyondblue on 1300 22 4636 or Kids Helpline on 1800 55 1800. In an emergency, call 000. For a correct treatment plan, book an appointment with your GP.

For more information on mental health and treatment options, visit Beyond Blue, Black Dog Institute, Lifeline, RUOK or Headspace.