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Donald Trump will officially become the 47th President of the United States on Monday, January 20, but there are far better ways to spend your time than watching the convicted felon’s second inauguration. Set to officially start at noon, we have some suggestions, for the sake of your anxiety and stress levels, that will make for a far more enjoyable day than watching the Grifter in Chief reassume power,
For example, it is Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, a federal holiday, which means plenty of people fortunate enough to be employed might have the day off. That means folk will be home, turning on their TV’s and perhaps noting that all the major networks will be broadcasting the inauguration. While there are those curious, and pro-MAGA, readily tuning in to see who continues to kiss the ring and hear newscasters ultimately sane wash convicted felon Trump, millions of folk ain’t trying to hear or see all that.
Here’s a list of activities to keep you busy while next wave of lies, gaslighting and corruption kicks off for another four years. Just saying.
1. Get more more familiar with the late, great Martin Luther King, Jr.
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Martin Luther King, Jr. represents the best of what humanity has to offer, and the Civil Rights leader was instrumental in getting the the Civil Rights Act of 1964. But in 2025, many on the far right would dismiss him as “woke,” which is now often a replacement for the n-word on the lips of those who seek a thinly veiled alternative to the slur. Today would be a good time to study up on the full spectrum of Dr. King’s vision, and how close we or have not come to achieving it. Start at the King Center, and go down the rabbit hole.
2. Watch NBA on MLK Day Games
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Speaking of, the NBA on MLK Day schedule of games, with an emphasis on honoring Dr. King’s legacy, has become a proper event over the years. 2025’s lineup features eight games of NBA action including the Wolves vs. Grizzlies at 2:30 pm ET and the Celtics vs. Warriors at 5 pm ET, both on TNT. Kicking off at noon, same as the inauguration (hint, hint) are the Mavs vs. Hornets, if you have NBA TV.
3. Let’s Organize
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Spring cleaning does not have to wait until the Spring. It has been exhaustively reported that decluttering and organizing your home or office space all kinds of mental health benefits to aid any anxiety, stress and generally boost your mood. And you don’t even need to take any drugs to [loses signal.
4. Watch ‘The Twilight Zone’ on streamers
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Watching The Twilight Zone marathon is a staple of New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. It just hits different at the top of the year considering the series is readily available on Prime Video (Seasons 1 – 5), Pluto and other streaming services. And if the black and white OG version is a little too vanilla—Jordan Peele’s update, which was only a short-lived two seasons, it well worth a binge watch (also on Prime).
5. Log Off
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Contrary to popular believe, the world will not end if you don’t check in your various social media timelines (Facebook, Instagram, BlueSky, Spill…you’re off Xitter, right, soon?). Of course, this does not mean, for example, to go AWOL from the job that pays, to fail to feed your children or other such examples of handling your business and responsibilities. But it’s safe bet the world will go on if you simply log off for a spell, trust.
6. Listen to Black women.
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Hey, if Michelle Obama can skip the inauguration, so can you.
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The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a ban on red dye No. 3, a popular food additive used in food, drinks, and some drugs. The FDA established decades ago that red dye No. 3 had links to certain types of cancer and will no longer be used in the United States.
The FDA issued a constituent update this past Wednesday (Jan. 15) stating the agency’s decision to ban the use of the food additive, citing the “Delaney Clause” from the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).
From the FDA:
The FDA is revoking the authorization for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 as a matter of law, based on the Delaney Clause of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act). The FDA is amending its color additive regulations to no longer allow for the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and ingested drugs in response to a 2022 color additive petition. The petition requested the agency review whether the Delaney Clause applied and cited, among other data and information, two studies that showed cancer in laboratory male rats exposed to high levels of FD&C Red No. 3 due to a rat specific hormonal mechanism. The way that FD&C Red No. 3 causes cancer in male rats does not occur in humans. Relevant exposure levels to FD&C Red No. 3 for humans are typically much lower than those that cause the effects shown in male rats. Studies in other animals and in humans did not show these effects; claims that the use of FD&C Red No. 3 in food and in ingested drugs puts people at risk are not supported by the available scientific information.
The Delaney Clause, enacted in 1960 as part of the Color Additives Amendment to the FD&C Act, prohibits FDA authorization of a food additive or color additive if it has been found to induce cancer in humans or animals. This is not the first time the agency revoked an authorization based on the Delaney Clause. For example, in 2018, the FDA revoked the authorization for certain synthetic flavors based on the Delaney Clause in response to a food additive petition.
Red dye No. 3 is a synthetic food dye derived from petroleum and erythrosine is its true chemical name. The dye isn’t used as widely as other dyes but appears in candies, cakes, cookies, frozen desserts, and ingested drugs. Food manufacturers will have until January 15, 2027, to eliminate the dye from their products. Comparatively, drug companies have until January 18, 2028, to do the same.
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With a new strain of norovirus afflicting more people nationwide, we take a look at its effects and how to prevent yourself from it.
The viral stomach bug commonly known as norovirus is raging, as the Centers for Disease Control published its findings about the wave of cases Monday (Jan. 13). In tests performed over the New Year’s holiday nationwide, 28% came back positive, which is double the result for the number of tests for the virus that were performed last March. In New York City alone, 1,264 cases were reported in December – less than 500 cases were reported to the city’s Department of Health in the last two years. Cases have notably been higher in the Northeast and Midwest regions, according to sewer sampling reports from WaterWasteSCAN.
Experts cite a new strain, GII.17, which has demonstrated an ability to evade immunity, as part of what’s fueling this rise. Seven out of 10 cases are currently linked to it, per the CDC. The virus can be spread through contact with someone else who’s infected or through eating contaminated food or touching contaminated surfaces. Norovirus normally surges during the winter, and those who are afflicted with it are contagious for up to two weeks afterward.
For those who come down with norovirus, more often than not they wouldn’t need professional medical attention unless they have a high fever, severe abdominal pain that lasts more than three days, and feeling as if they’ll lose consciousness. Treatment includes constant hydration, especially for at-risk segments of the population. “That’s especially true for young kids and elderly people because in those people, fluid shifts and dehydration can be a lot more dangerous than for a 30-year-old with no medical problems,” said NYU Langone Health gastroenterologist Dr. Rabia De Latour when interviewed.
According to Dr. Jessica Justman, an epidemiologist at Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health, those working in environments where it can be more prevalent should be extra cautious. The CDC has recommended a solution of bleach and water to disinfect surfaces along with soap and hot water. They also recommend thoroughly washing one’s hands with soap and water and avoiding eating raw shellfish such as oysters in addition to thoroughly washing fruits and vegetables.
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With Dry January in full swing, several people are opting to abstain from alcohol for the entire month while others are employing a Damp January tactic and lowering the intake with lighter sips. U.S. Surgeon General Vivek Murthy is urging alcohol brands to add a warning label that drinking can cause cancer, prompting a new debate about the ingesting of adult beverages.
Surgeon General Vivek Murthy issued an advisory last Friday calling for warning labels to be placed on bottles of alcohol meant for drinking highlighting the cancer risk links. In the advisory, Murthy says that drinking can lead to the cause of seven types of cancer – mouth, throat, voice box, esophagus, breast, liver, colon and rectum.
In a statement, Murthy clarified his office’s findings.
“Alcohol is a well-established, preventable cause of cancer responsible for about 100,000 cases of cancer and 20,000 cancer deaths annually in the United States – greater than the 13,500 alcohol-associated traffic crash fatalities per year in the U.S. – yet the majority of Americans are unaware of this risk,” said U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy. “This Advisory lays out steps we can all take to increase awareness of alcohol’s cancer risk and minimize harm.”
In the United States, around 100,000 alcohol-related cancer cases are active along with an annual total of 20,00 alcohol-related cancer deaths. The statement adds that many factors go into determining one’s cancer risks including biological, environmental, social, and economic factors. Currently, the standard of two drinks a day for men and one drink a day for women is considered moderate drinking and assumed to not bear any significant risks.
Congress would need to approve the warning labels and there would need to be quantifiable data findings to get this through the chambers. There has already been some resistance to the advisory by opinion writers who cover the health industry with one columnist suggesting that the same should be said of recreational marijuana.
With the incoming Trump administration, it isn’t known how much roadway this advisory will have with President-elect Donald Trump, who reportedly does not drink.
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All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Billboard may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes. Distracting yourself while you work out requires music, but carrying around your phone can leave your hands full and your pockets […]
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Daylight saving time will occur during the first week of November, signaling shorter days and longer nights for all but two states across the United States. Daylight saving time also typically clashes with those who suffer from Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) and we explain how the two are often connected.
Daylight saving time, or DST, is when clocks are set an hour ahead in the warm months to extend daylight hours, especially the late sunset times of summer. In the spring, hence the term “spring forward,” clocks are set one hour ahead while during the fall months, the term “fall back” signifies the clock going back one hour to what is known as standard time.
As with many things, DST’s implementation in the States was motivated by a desire for productivity and commerce with many citizens claiming that the longer days that DST provides lowers energy consumption due to fewer lights, encourages more outdoor activities, and more. Only Hawaii and much of Arizona do not employ DST. Outside of the states, where it is called “summer time” in the United Kingdom and portions of Europe, DST is only observed by a small portion of other nations. DST is not observed for countries near the equator because there is little variation in sunrise and sunset times.
According to Johns Hopkins Medicine, Seasonal affective disorder is considered a form of depression with two onset periods which we’ll examine below. Primarily, the “fall back” period of DST is mostly connected to Seasonal affective disorder as the overarching explanation is that shorter days and longer nights can trigger chemical changes in the brain and thus the onset of depression.
While the fall and winter seasons are seen as the periods where most SAD episodes materialize, they can occur in individuals during the warmer months. However, the most recognized school of thought is that with less sunlight, those aforementioned chemical changes occur most often. Further, the hormone melatonin, which helps to regulate sleep cycles, increases in the dark and is highest at night, hence the feelings of restfulness. The hormone has some tangential links to SAD but studies are still determining the connection.
As we shared earlier, SAD manifests itself in individuals in two ways. Fall-onset, the most common form, starts in the late fall and extends into the winter months and is sometimes called winter depression. For some, the depressive episodes last into the summer. Spring-onset, as the name suggests, can happen in late spring and extend through early summer. It is also called summer depression and isn’t as widely reported as winter depression.
People who suffer from SAD exhibit a variety of symptoms which include fatigue, weight gain, physical pain, anxiety, loss of interest in social activities, problems with focusing, increased appetite for sugar and carbs, decreased sex drive, and other ailments.
If one is diagnosed with SAD, there are several pathways for treatment that are not dissimilar to treatment for anxiety and depression. For winter depression, exposure to the sun, taking walks during the day, or sitting by a window and getting natural light can be a mood booster. Other treatments can include light therapy under the guidance of a healthcare provider, psychotherapy, and antidepressants.
To be proactive in treating SAD, the first thing most experts suggest is seeking professional help. From there, a treatment plan can be developed with a healthcare provider better suited to help one tackle their episodes. Another method is to not isolate and instead reach out to friends, family, and loved ones for social activities. Being mindful of your diet and increasing physical activity are also helpful tactics. One of the most important ways to get help is to allow those who care about you to help them lift you out of the darkness.
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Depression isn’t a condition that one can will away overnight and several underlying factors contribute to the negative feelings. Seasonal affective disorder is no different and there is no such thing as a quick fix.
With time, and with some of the suggested ways to seek help, most individuals will find their way back to their brightest and best selves. Overall, remember to be kind to yourself as you forge ahead in the journey to better mental health.
For more details, please visit this page from the National Institute of Mental Health, which goes over much of what we covered here.
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Seeing your favorite artist live can be a euphoric experience, but it also comes with high noise levels that are damaging to your ears. Exposure to loud environments can cause temporary to permanent ear damage, like tinnitus — even if it’s just a one time occurrence. Rather than succumb to prolonged ringing in your ears, concert earplugs brand Loop has released a sleek and luxurious pair of adjustable earplugs that let you control exactly how much noise reduction you want.
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Hearing is measured in decibels (dB) with anything above 85dB being the point of ear damage range, according to Chicago Hearing Services. Most concerts tend to range from 90dB to more than 120 dB the site reports, which means whether or not you regularly attend festivals and tours, your ears (if unprotected) can become overwhelmed and suffer some major damage.
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Loop’s Switch 2 lets you adjust the volume level between three settings depending on your desired noise level or type of environment you’re in. There are four metallic shades to choose from — black, green, gold or silver — offering an elevated take on the classic foam earplugs you have to twist and finagle into your ears. Plus, they’re reusable, meaning you don’t have to constantly invest in a new pack of concert earplugs, which will save you money over time.
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Switch 2
With a pair of Switch 2, all that you need to do is take each earplug out of the included compact carrying case, choose what size earbud you need and place them in your ears. There are three modes you can pick from, including Engage for chatting with friends while reducing background noise; Experience, which will protect ears during concerts and gigs without sacrificing sound quality; and Quiet mode, which offers the most noise reduction for a more calming environment whether you’re commuting or sleeping.
Even professional DJs have given Loop their stamp of approval, with DJs Nostalgix and Oguz having used the brand at Tomorrowland 2024. ShopBillboard had the opportunity to review Loop’s Experience earplugs for the brand’s Tomorrowland collaboration and can attest that they’re not only effective at blocking out noise while maintaining crisp sound quality, but are also comfy for long time wear.
Reviewers also can’t stop raving over the Switch 2 claiming they’re “the most comfortable earplugs I’ve worn.” Having the ability to switch volume levels have been a game changer for shoppers who say, “I love being able to adjust the sound quality and volume for different circumstances without having to keep taking out and putting in earplugs constantly.”
For more product recommendations, check out ShopBillboard‘s roundups of the best venue-approved bags, travel necessities and commuter gadgets.
Chhappell Roan recently canceled two shows just one day before they were due to take place, saying that she felt overwhelmed and needed to take a break. She’s not alone — over the past few years, artists including Adele, Rihanna and The Rolling Stones have all done something similar, and likely at an eye-watering cost for all involved.
People will always get sick, but the kind of health issues artists state are often more complex. While it seems that labels and management companies have put an increasing amount of investment into mental health programs over the last few years, is there anything more that could help cancellations like these to be prevented?
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One area of the business slow to change is allowing adequate recovery time on tour for emerging artists. Costs are high and labels want to get the maximum amount of exposure for new artists, but scheduling proper breaks is so important when it comes to preventing illness, overwhelm and vocal issues. A quick glance at Chappell Roan’s tour dates shows her playing in three different cities on three consecutive nights. Combine this approach with a meteoric rise in profile and you’ll have an exhausted, overwhelmed artist in no time.
It is in this state that pre-existing health issues can raise their head. Exhaustion and stress will do that to any of us. No amount of mental health support can compensate for an over-tired artist who can’t cope. But also, for artists, exhaustion and stress impact their live performance in ways that executives often forget. An artist experiencing visceral symptoms of overwhelm, as Chappell stated, will find it incredibly hard to perform. She even said: “I want to be present when I perform and give the best shows possible,” suggesting that her current state is preventing her from doing that.
For singers, their body is their instrument, and signs of tiredness, illness or stress will show in their voice. Tension in the body can result in feelings of tightness, vocal fatigue and an inability to reach high notes. Sharing their music onstage with fans is incredibly meaningful to artists, so they want to be fit and strong enough to do the material justice. The world of social media is brutal — any significant vocal issues or performance mistakes will likely end up being shared online, inviting a wealth of stress-inducing (and often unfair) criticism. No artist wants to go onstage worrying that their voice might give out at any point, so they need to be properly supported to prevent this from happening. Additionally, increased stress can raise performance anxiety levels to unmanageable states, even for those who haven’t suffered from it before.
How can things change? Firstly, executives need to work with artists to find out what a reasonable tour workload is for them, remembering that everyone is different. Be mindful that promo is tiring for the voice, and the body doesn’t process a TV or radio appearance as a “day off” from performance, no matter how tempting it is to squeeze an opportunity into a scheduling gap. Travel days are also exhausting.
Many major artists further along in their careers now demand recovery to be built into their tour schedules, but it’s harder for younger acts to feel they can ask for this. It can also be tough for teams to facilitate — it’s well-documented how long it takes for touring to become profitable, especially when taking into account the rising costs faced by the industry post-pandemic. However, it’s worth taking a long-term view. As we mentioned earlier, cancellations are also expensive and risk harming the important dynamic of trust between artist and fan.
Secondly, invest in some proper performance psychology training for artists. Classical musicians know the importance of this — all major conservatories around the world now educate their students on how to perform under pressure, using virtual reality and mental skills training techniques, among others, to help musicians cope with the challenges of a high-level performance career.
Researchers have suggested that performing live can be compared biologically to sky-diving, in terms of the levels of stress in the body. Without proper management, recovery and support, cortisol levels can stay heightened, contributing to health issues in the long term. This is why management of performance anxiety is vital. All artists need a pre- and post-performance routine to help the body, mind and voice prepare for, and recover from, performance. You’ve probably heard of them from the world of sport, where they’re commonplace for athletes. Classical musicians use them too, but pop is slow to catch on — and to its detriment.
Finally, a routine performance health check-in with artists should be mandatory. These look at vocal health, performance psychology, hearing health, musculoskeletal issues and general mental health. Research suggests that musicians are slow to seek help for health issues, leaving problems until they become chronic, at which point many are harder to deal with and can even be career-ending. These early, cheap interventions can prevent problems from escalating. A standardized offer across the industry for all artists to access support would make a huge difference in reducing performance health-related cancellations long-term.
We cover all of this and more in the upcoming international edition of our health-focused career guide for artists (and those who work with them), Sound Advice, which aims to help prevent health and performance issues before they escalate, through a combination of research, interviews, professional advice and resources.
There’s been so much discussion and headway made on the health issues faced by artists in recent years. However, as Chappell Roan’s example and many others show, there are big gaps in care and provision that need to be addressed if the industry wants to prevent last-minute cancellations and move towards a more sustainable (not to mention ethical) future.
Rhian Jones is a respected freelance journalist who specializes in the business of music. She writes for The Guardian, Music Business Worldwide and Hits, amongst others.
Lucy Heyman runs a performance health and psychology consultancy, Elevate, where she works with industry organizations, advising artists and those that work with them on how to optimize performance. She has an MSc in Performance Science from the Royal College of Music and has published original research on the health and well-being experiences of artists in popular music.
Australian indie-pop singer-songwriter Gretta Ray has provided an update on her health, announcing the cancelation of all her remaining 2024 shows to focus on her recovery from a serious heart infection.
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Earlier this month, Ray revealed she was hospitalized in London due to an unknown illness, with the news prompted an outpouring of support from fans worldwide. On July 16, she took to Instagram to thank her followers and shed light on her situation.
“I’m overwhelmed by the outpouring of love on my latest post, you are all so incredibly kind and it really means the world to me, thank you x,” Ray wrote.
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“I wanted to clarify that luckily I’m not having to deal with this experience on my own – due to the seriousness of my condition my family are here in London taking care of me I am in good hands here in a really good hospital. Just taking it day by day. Lots of love.”
On July 30, Ray updated her fans again, revealing her diagnosis of infective endocarditis, a severe heart infection.
“I wanted to let you know that the sickness I am recovering from is a rare disease called infective endocarditis – a severe infection in the heart that for me, caused a multitude of distressing repercussions,” she explained in her Instagram post.
“It happened very suddenly and frighteningly, and as a result, took a moment to be diagnosed. Nonetheless I am so, so lucky that I caught it early, and landed in such a great hospital here in London that took amazing care of me. I was then transferred to a second hospital – one that is famous for dealing with this particular disease.”
Ray confirmed that she will need surgery due to the impact on her heart, but for now, she is focusing on regaining strength after completing a long course of intravenous antibiotics and being discharged from the hospital.
“The toll this has taken on my heart means that at some stage I will need to undergo surgery,” she continued. “For now, it’s been a week since I finished a long course of intravenous antibiotics, and two weeks since I was discharged from hospital. Due to the fact that I am stable, the doctors have encouraged me to spend time regaining some strength and immunity outside of hospital.”
Although she is still dealing with some complications, Ray expressed relief at being able to enjoy the world outside the hospital.
“While I’m still dealing with some complications, it’s already been healing being back out in the world… I just take it one day at a time (my mum is also still in London with me x),” she wrote.
All dates are off for the foreseeable future, including her appearance at BIGSOUND 2024.
Ray concluded her update by expressing her gratitude for her fans’ unwavering support, saying, “I know I will be telling this story in more detail when the time is right, but for now I’m processing the trauma and taking things slowly.”
“I can’t tell you how much your kind and thoughtful messages and comments have meant to me in this challenging time, I’m so grateful… sending all my love to you from London, and we’ll speak soon.”
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As the first day of summer appears, so does a massive heat wave that has overtaken much of the eastern half of the United States. Over the weekend, several temperature records are under threat of being shattered as health officials sternly warn of the many health risks associated with the high heat.
Accuweather reports that the current line of the heat wave stretches from far west as Tennesee upwards to the state of Maine. The website adds that around 135 million residents will be under the threat of records hovering well past 90 degrees with Washington, D.C. potentially reaching 101 this coming Sunday. If that happens, it will break a record set in the 1980s and will be the first time the city has reached the 100-degree mark since 2016.
“As high pressure continues to build in the East, the Ohio Valley and Northeast will see daily temperature records challenged on Thursday. High temperatures will be between 90 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit and pose a risk for heat-related illnesses across the region,” AccuWeather Meteorologist Alex Duffus shared in a report.
One of the many inherent risks of high heat include poor air quality, risk of stroke, dehydration, and more. Health officials from several states are warning their residents to stay indoors during the height of the day if possible and to keep themselves hydrated and cool as possible. The heat wave will also put a strain on electrical grids across the affected regions as the high temperatures persist.
At particular risk are the elderly, those who suffer from respiratory issues, and young children. Several cities, including Washington, have opened cooling centers and pools to offer a reprieve.
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