They Couldn't Run in Sports Bras

This Woman's Essay Is Going Viral 

Rowan University is making headlines this week for policies that have been criticized as sexist and outdated: The school’s cross-country team was recently told to move its practices to another location, after female runners on the college’s track were reportedly deemed “distracting” to football players also practicing nearby.

Oh, and they were also told they couldn’t run in sports bras, thanks to a school policy that athletes must wear shirts at all times.

The controversy at the South Jersey school has gone viral, prompting discussions about double standards placed on women—including women athletes—and their bodies. The college has since revamped its "no shirt, no practice" policy and clarified that sports bras get the thumbs up. But questions still remain about why the issue was brought up in the first place, and whether the cross-country team is really being treated fairly.

Here’s how it all went down: Last month, the men’s and women’s cross-country teams at Rowan met for practice on the school’s only track, which happens to surround a football practice field. As their workout intensified, some members—of both sexes—removed their shirts, the New York Times reported.

A football coach approached the women’s cross-country coach and told him “that the runners were distracting the football players,” according to Outside Online. This isn't the first time comments like this were made to the female runners, team members told Think Progress this week, but it is the first time there were lasting repercussions.  

A few days later, the cross-country team was told that—per university guidelines—only one team could use that specific practice facility at a time, and that the football team had dibs. Also, per another guideline, they were informed that all athletes must wear shirts during practice.

The team’s choices were limited: They could change their practice time or move to the high-school track across the street. The athletes were frustrated that they were the ones asked to move—and with the message they felt the school was sending to women about their bodies.

Former cross-country runner Gina Capone heard from her friends on the team and wrote about the experience on the self-publishing platform Odyssey. “If you're running in a sports bra, then you must be asking for it, right?” she wrote. “Well, according to a football player at Rowan University, this is true.”

Capone’s powerful essay is resonating with women around the country—many who have also been told that tight or skin-showing workout wear is somehow inappropriate. (Who can forget the scandal that ensued when Brandi Chastain whipped off her shirt after the U.S. World Cup victory in 1999?)

“I'll have you know the real reason women run in sports bras, and it's not to show off our hard-earned abs,” she wrote. “Women, whether they have a six-pack or not, run in sports bras because, quite frankly, it's hot outside. We run in sports bras because our workouts are demanding, challenging, and vigorous. We run in sports bras because we are confident, hardworking student-athletes.”

Women do not run in sports bras, she continued, “as a way to show off our bodies in attempts to distract men.”

Capone wrote that all 15 members of the Rowan University women’s cross-country team believe that running in sports bras should be allowed at practice, even those who choose to cover up. She also pointed out that the women’s cross-country team is one of the only teams at Rowan that’s not provided a daily uniform for practices. “How is it expected for the women on this team to partake in a non-existing dress code?” she asked.

“The fact that the Athletic Department supports the claim of this being distracting, or the women ‘asking for it,’ is disgusting,” Capone wrote, calling out rape culture as the real issue at play. She also quotes an anonymous source—presumably a woman on the team—who points out that female runners aren’t the only ones who wear revealing workout clothing.

“As girls, we could look at the football team and say that their tight pants showing off everything is asking for it, but we don't,” the unnamed woman said. “When we are on the track, we are doing a hard workout that requires all our focus, so we aren't looking at them and what they are doing. If they are distracted by us, then their practices clearly don't require their full attention, or they just aren't as committed to the sport.”

The women on Rowan’s cross-country team don’t just represent their school, Capone wrote, but also a growing community of female runners. “It’s time women are allowed to embrace their bodies and not live in constant fear of being degraded by men,” she wrote.

The running community, of course, took notice. The controversy was tweeted aboutby Runner’s World columnist Peter Sagal and former U.S. track and field athlete Lauren Fleshman.

“Well isn’t that just the perfect micro example of how normalized it is in our country to control women’s bodies because men don’t want to take responsibility for their own,” Fleshman wrote. “From sports bra legality, to dress codes, to responsibility for sexual assault, to reproductive rights.”

Former Olympic Marathoner Kara Goucher chimed in, as well. “No lie—I had to bring a note signed by my mom that said, ‘my daughter has permission to run around in her underwear’ after a group of us ran in sports bras at practice,” she tweeted. “That was 1995, I thought things had changed.”

Rowan listened—at least in part. Less than 24 hours after Capone’s piece was published, the school issued a statement addressing the controversy and blaming a “longstanding verbal protocol that all athletes must wear shirts, even during practice.” The administration promises to immediately develop a written policy “that allows women athletes to wear sports-bra tops without shirts during practices,” the statement read.

Some good has certainly come of this incident: Team members interviewed by The New York Times and Outside Online say they appreciate the university’s statement and their reversal of the old policy. Capone has also started an empowering discussion on Instagram, posting a photo of herself sans shirt and asking others why they work out in sports bras. “Let’s use our voices,” she wrote. “Let’s raise some hell.”

But the cross-country team is still unable to use the school’s only track, which is disappointing to Capone and her classmates. Advocates outside of Rowan’s community aren’t letting the school off that easily, either.

Kelly Roberts, creator of the #SportsBraSquad movement, told Outside Online that she wishes the school had stood up for female students from the start. “Until we stop telling women to cover up, we’re never going to solve the larger problem,” she said.


(Copied)

Woman Who Lost 350 Lbs.

Woman Who Lost 350 Lbs. Shares Her Excess Skin After Liposuction: 'It's a Big Insecurity for Me'

The Montessori preschool teacher, 31, lost 350 lbs. and now deals with excess skin, something she was body shamed for during two separate beach vacations.

 She’s undergone five skin removal surgeries — three on her upper body, one on the lower body and liposuction on her legs — but quickly learned that it isn’t an instant fix.

Adan has posted plenty of photos of herself since her surgeries, but for the first time, she decided to put up a video showing exactly what her legs — her biggest source of insecurity — look like now.

“This is getting very real, but I did want to be honest and open and share everything with you guys, so this is what we’re working with,” she said in an Instagram video on Monday. 

“They’re a lot more loose, as you can see. There’s a lot of it … There’s lots of dents, holes from the liposuction sucking out. This is kind of just what they are. They’re heavy, there’s a lot of it.”

Adan explained that she first had liposuction in January to get rid of some remaining fat in her legs, and is meeting with her surgeon this week to move on to the next step — skin removal.

“It’s a big insecurity for me, my legs, but at the same time, mentally it’s not just challenging, but physically,” she said. “As you can see, there’s a lot of weight. It’s heavy. Lifting my legs just to go up and down the stairs, in and out of bed, is hard because they’re so heavy.”

Adan said she decided to post this video to help her move past her insecurity.

“I wanted to share my legs with you because…well, because I am scared,” she wrote. “Even though I do not hate them anymore, I still feel very insecure with them. 

Even though I am insecure, I am not going to let them stop me from living my life or sharing them with you. This is real and this is me. This is what hard work looks like.”

And Adan — who certainly knows about body shaming — added that she refuses to be bothered by any negative comments about this video.

“You can call them ugly, nasty, big, fat, disgusting. Don’t worry anything negative you could ever say about them I have thought those things too,” she said. “I am now embracing my legs for what they are … I am not going to call them ugly anymore. These are my strong legs.”

It happened again. 
Last year on vacation, I was so nervous to wear a bathing suit and I was so nervous about how my body would look to other people.

 I was even pointed at and laughed at when I went to get into the pool. For a moment I froze, in complete embarrassment, before I decided to move on and not care. Guess what?

It happened again. It happened this year while I was on vacation again. 
Yes, I was walking on the beach and again I was pointed at and laughed and made fun of. 

As I was getting laughed at and pointed at something came over me. I was not embarrassed, I did not feel like I had to justify myself and I did not freeze or want to cry. I actually felt free! This time...I just did not care! 

I tried to go over every change inside my head as to why this year I just did not care. Then it finally hit me. I do not depend on the approval of others, and I do not care what others may or may not think about my body.

 I am so focused on living my best life, and I have been working so hard on loving me exactly how I am...loose skin and all- that I do not have time to worry about what others may think or say. 

I can finally say that I am at a place where I still have insecurities and a lot of loose skin, and yes mentally I still struggle at times, but I can finally say that my self love journey has been the focus of this past year.

And being at this place in my life where I can walk around in a bathing suit and genuinely feel confident, happy and not care what others may think or say, that is true transformation. That is true growth. 

So I am sharing this picture of me in a bathing suit for all of you. This is me. Right now. This is my body. This is what hard work, sweat, blood, tears, smiles, happiness, pain, love, and hard work look like.

 This is what it looks like to finally accept my body for what it is. This is me. And I am not making anymore excuses as to why I look the way I do...this is just me. Loose skin, cellulite, stretch marks and all. This is me. And I can finally say, I love me!

Head over to my YouTube channel to check out my full video where I share the exact moment I was made fun of and how it made me feel! 

Best Skin Care Products With Squalane

What Exactly Is Squalane? Plus, the Best Skin Care Products With Squalane You Should Be Using

You may have stumbled across the word "squalane" while scanning the ingredient list on a new skincare product, or maybe you caught wind of the buzzy term from some girlfriends over brunch. The bottom line? Squalene is something you should definitely know about, and you should consider adding products with squalane into your skincare routine. (You probably noticed a slight spelling change—that's because they're actually two different things.)

Squalene is a fatty molecule found in the skin that is highly versatile. "It maintains skin's moisture barrier and hydration, and is also an antioxidant that has anti-aging properties for neutralizing environmental damage," dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, tells Health. The human body actually produces squalene (a part of our skin's own natural moisture), but the amount made and retained in skin starts to heavily decline in our 20s. Enter: topical products that contain squalane.

What exactly is the difference between squalane and squalene? For starters, squalene is incredibly unstable, goes bad quickly, and can clog pores. "Squalene itself is very reactive and becomes oxidized quickly, but when it is hydrogenated, it becomes squalane, a much more stable ingredient," explains New York City dermatologist Debra Jaliman, MD. Squalane essentially comes from squalene, and is the more optimized, skin-friendly version with a much longer shelf life.

The ingredient you most often see listed in beauty and skincare products is squalane. It traditionally came from the liver of sharks, says Joshua Zeichner, MD, director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City. "However, cruelty-free and environmentally-friendly methods of extracting squalene from plant sources has become popular," he adds. In fact, cosmetic squalene can now even be derived from olives.

Not to be confused with hyaluronic acid (also found naturally in the skin), squalane actually plays quite nicely with this mega-hydrator. "Hyaluronic acid is a humectant that draws in and attracts water, while squalene is an emollient that seals in moisturize and minimizes moisture loss," says Dr. Nazarian. Apply your favorite skincare product with hyaluronic acid and follow up with layer of squalane for best results.

Also good? Squalane's molecular makeup is very similar to our own skin's cell membrane, which allows it to absorb rapidly, Dr. Jaliman says. It's super lightweight and has a non-greasy formula, making it safe for all skin types, including sensitive skin. It rarely causes acne or allergic reactions since it's naturally found in the body, Dr. Jaliman adds.

Ready to kick your skincare game up a notch? Below are dermatologist-approved products—from facial creams to hair oils to hand treatments—jam-packed with squalane, all under $100.

(Copied)

I Lost 100 Pounds In One Year

I Lost 100 Pounds In One Year After I Realized Losing Weight 

I've started and stopped weight-loss journeys more times than I can count. (I'm sure plenty of women can relate.) For as long as I can remember, I've been trying to change parts of my body I didn't like, or doing everything in my power to get to 'x' weight. Why? Because I believed that once I did, I'd finally be happy.

This struggle with my weight has been going on since I was a teenager. I was always searching for the best diet to get "skinny" and even resorted to starving myself at times. It didn't help that I was always told that I was a "big girl" and would never be "petite." Eventually, I accepted what people were saying as fact and began using food as both a reward and a punishment. 

This continued—treating my body poorly and eating emotionally—up until I gave birth to my second child at 29 years old. Before I got pregnant with him, I was already overweight. Then, I took "eating for two" to a whole other level: I used being pregnant as an excuse to eat anything and everything. Not to mention, I believed I needed to rest all the time, which contributed to even more weight gain.

Post-pregnancy, I knew something had to change. There wasn't one exact light-bulb moment—it was just lots of little things that added up. My family had long been urging and inspiring me to be healthier and I wanted to be a role model for them too. I wanted to be around to see my two boys grow up and live a long happy life with my wonderful husband.

So in July of 2017, I decided it was time to regain my health. I knew that this time was going to be different because I didn't make drastic changes—like try a crazy diet or go nuts in the gym—right away. Instead, I gradually made small changes and, looking back, it was those simple steps that eventually led to big changes.

To start, I knew I had to change my attitude toward weight loss. This time, I was going to think of weight loss and happiness separately. I made an effort to find things about my body that I loved just as it was. I'd focus on those things instead of the things I didn't like—my arms. At first, it was tough. I had to try really hard to find things about my body that I appreciated because my whole life, I'd looked in the mirror and picked out my flaws. But after weeks of telling myself that I was worthy of self-love, that my body was amazing for giving birth to two healthy children, and that it was capable of accomplishing anything, it became easier and easier to find the positives and push away the negative thoughts.

I began to accept my body as it was, but also enjoyed improving it. (More: You Can Love Your Body and Still Want to Change It) Instead of wanting to be "skinny," I wanted to be strong and fit. Sure, the actual loss of weight also helped with my confidence and being happier and more comfortable. But I really think that the mental shift in how I looked at myself—from the beginning—made losing the weight a lot easier.

Changing my diet was part of this too, but I didn't follow a rigid plan. I decided not to make any food off-limits—and I still don't. I've found that the more you deny yourself of something, the more you want it. (That goes for anything in life, not just food.) Knowing you can eat something if you really want to kind of removes the urge to "cheat" or overindulge.

I did, however, focus on being in a calorie deficit and making sure that each and every one of my meals was balanced: I started having protein with each meal and including a wide variety of nutrient-dense whole foods like vegetables and fruit. I also made sure to include food I enjoyed eating, like the occasional chocolate or some chips. My food consumption became mindful and I really enjoyed it—mostly because I didn't feel like I was necessarily giving anything up. (Here's why eating more might actually be the secret to losing weight.)

The next step for me was to start being more active—but first, I needed to change the way I looked at exercise. I knew I had to separate my exercise intentions from my weight-loss goals. I worked hard on not viewing being active as a punishment or simply a means to lose weight. I began approaching it as a way to feel good and reward my body. It helped that, within a few weeks, I started seeing my body change. From there, I was hooked. (FYI, science found the best workout to overcome your weight-loss plateau.)

What started as a couple of at-home workouts per week turned into a routine—one that I continue to follow today. On top of running around with my two kids all day, I lift weights four times a week. (Two are upper-body days and two focus on lower body.) My diet varies but is still centered around sufficient protein and nutrient-dense foods with a good splash of what people might consider "treat food." (Here's why you seriously need to stop thinking of foods as "good" or "bad.")

Yes, I've lost 100 pounds so far—but the most welcomed change in my life has been emotional. In the past, if I was busy or stressed, exercise would be the first thing to drop from my schedule. Now, in situations like that, it's what helps keep me grounded and makes me better at handling stressful situations. Overall, I'm much calmer and I don't get upset as easily. I'm also now able to see my body as strong and capable and am so thankful for it after all it has been through.

For anyone who might feel like they've been in my shoes and are thinking of building a healthier lifestyle, I've got one small piece of advice: Make it simple. (More evidence: How Making Small Changes to Her Diet Helped This Trainer Lose 45 Pounds)

You don't have to do crazy fad diets with hard-to-follow rules. Find a diet that you can stick to—one that you can enjoy for the rest of your life, not just for a few months. A diet is only ever going to be as good as your ability to stick to it. So if you can't live without bread and a diet is telling you that you have to cut it out, it's probably not going to be good for you. (See: Why You Should Stop Restrictive Dieting Once and for All)

Also, find a supportive network that knows what you're going through, even an online community. Find an exercise that you actually enjoy, and don't just look at working out as a way to lose weight but as a time to do something valuable for your body. Finally, be patient and celebrate small victories. Remember that small achievements = big results. That's the key to creating a healthy lifestyle that's lifelong—and to actually being happy.

(Copied)

Are We In Danger for ORAL Health

Definition of Oral health:

Oral health is the health of your mouth, including your teeth, gums, throat, and the bones around the mouth.

Oral health problems, such as gum disease, might be a sign that you have other health problems. Gum diseases are infections caused by plaque, which is a sticky film of bacteria that forms on your teeth. If left untreated, the bacteria in plaque can destroy the tissue and bone around your teeth, leading to tooth loss. The bacteria can travel throughout your body and make you sick. Infections in your mouth can also affect your unborn baby if you are pregnant.

How often should You brush and floss your teeth?

Dentists recommend that everyone brush their teeth at least twice a day with fluoride toothpaste and floss once a day. Flossing removes plaque between your teeth, a place that you can't reach by brushing. You can also remove this plaque with tools other than floss. These tools, called interdental cleaners(link is external), include wooden or plastic picks and water flossers.

How often should you visit the dentist?

Most people should go to the dentist once or twice a year.

Your dentist may suggest that you come more often if you have a health problem such as diabetes or a weakened immune system. These health problems can make you more likely to develop gum disease or other dental diseases.

Women are also at higher risk of gum disease during pregnancy. And gum problems and bone loss may happen more quickly in women after menopause. Talk to your dentist about how often you should visit.

How do women's hormones affect oral health?

Changing hormone levels at different stages of a woman's life can affect oral health. When your hormone levels change, your gums can get swollen and irritated. Your gums may also bleed, especially during pregnancy, when your body's immune system is more sensitive than usual. This can cause inflammation (redness, swelling, and sometimes pain) in the gums. Regular, careful brushing and flossing can lessen gum irritation and bleeding.

Other causes of changing hormone levels that may affect your oral health include:

• Your menstrual cycle
• Hormonal birth control
• Menopause

How does you menstrual cycle affect oral health?

Hormone levels go up and down throughout your menstrual cycle. During ovulation and a few days before you start your period, higher levels of the hormone progesterone may cause swelling in your gums. Your gums may be red and bleed more than usual.

You may also get canker sores more often during your menstrual period. Canker sores are small ulcers that have a white or gray base and a red border. Canker sores are not the same thing as cold sores, which are caused by herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1). Canker sores are inside the mouth. Herpes cold sores are on the mouth and lips. You can't pass canker sores to another person, but you can pass herpes cold sores to another person.

How does birth control affect oral health?

Hormonal birth control, such as the pill, shot, vaginal ring, or hormonal intrauterine device (IUD), can raise the levels of the hormones estrogen and progesterone in your body. These higher levels of hormones may make your gums sensitive, red, or swollen.

Hormones can also affect how your mouth heals after getting teeth pulled or having other dental treatments. After the dentist pulls a tooth, a clot forms over the empty space, or socket. Women who take hormonal birth control have a higher risk of this clot falling out (called dry socket), which exposes the nerves in your gums and can be painful. If you are going to have a tooth removed, tell your dentist about all the medicines you take, including birth control. You can also ask your dentist if you can reschedule your visit for a time when you are taking the inactive pills or have removed the ring or patch.

How does pregnancy affect oral health?

Pregnancy can make brushing difficult. Some women experience nausea from strongly flavored toothpastes. Switching to a neutral-flavored toothpaste may help.

During pregnancy, your hormone levels also go up and down. This raises your risk for several oral health problems:

• Severe gum disease (periodontitis). Changing hormone levels during pregnancy can make gum disease worse or lead to severe gum disease in as many as 2 in 5 pregnant women. Periodontitis is an infection of the tissues that hold your teeth in place. It's usually caused by not brushing and flossing, or brushing and flossing in a way that allows plaque — a sticky film of bacteria — to build up on the teeth and harden. Periodontitis can cause sore, bleeding gums, painful chewing, and tooth loss.Women who do not get regular dental care and women who smoke are more likely to have periodontitis.
• Loose teeth. The tissue supporting your teeth may loosen during pregnancy since many of your joints and tissues loosen in preparation for childbirth. Taking good care of your mouth can help prevent tooth loss.
• Wearing down of your tooth enamel. If you have morning sickness that causes vomiting, the stomach acid that comes up during vomiting can erode tooth enamel (the hard, protective coating on the outside of your teeth). Heartburn, another common pregnancy discomfort, can also wear down your tooth enamel over time if stomach acid is coming up into your throat and mouth. To prevent this erosion, the American Dental Association recommends rinsing your mouth with 1 teaspoon of baking soda mixed in a cup of water 30 minutes before brushing your teeth.

If you pregnant. Is it safe for you to get a dental checkup?

Yes. You need to continue your regular dentist visits to help protect your teeth during pregnancy.

• Tell your doctor you are pregnant. Because you are pregnant, your dentist might not take routine x-rays. But the health risk to your unborn baby is very small. If you need emergency treatment or specific dental x-rays to treat a serious problem, your doctor can take extra care to protect your baby.
• Schedule your dental exam early in your pregnancy. After your 20th week of pregnancy, you may be uncomfortable sitting in a dental chair.
• Have all needed dental treatments. If you avoid treatment, you may risk your own health and your baby's health.

How does menopause affect oral health?

Very low levels of the hormone estrogen after menopause can affect your oral health. You may experience:9

• Pain. Many women feel new pain or a burning sensation in their mouth during or after menopause. Researchers are not sure if this pain is related to menopause.
• Dry mouth. The lower levels of estrogen after menopause also decrease the amount of saliva, or spit, you have in your mouth. Dry mouth can cause sore and sensitive gums, cavities, ulcers, infections, and tooth decay.
• Osteoporosis. Osteoporosis happens when your bones become weak and break easily. A very low level of the hormone estrogen after menopause raises every woman's risk of osteoporosis. When your bones are weakened from osteoporosis, gum disease can happen more quickly. If you lose bone in your jaw, you could lose your teeth.

How are oral health problems related to other health problems?

Oral health problems can be a sign of other health problems, such as diabetes. Your risk for oral health problems is also higher if you have certain health problems, such as HIV and eating disorders.

• Diabetes. Gum disease can make diabetes worse. People with diabetes have a higher risk of gum disease. If you have diabetes, your risk is also higher for dry mouth. Thirst is often a symptom of undiagnosed diabetes. If you have high blood sugar, you are more likely to develop problems in your mouth. By managing your blood sugar, brushing and flossing every day, and visiting a dentist regularly, you can help prevent gum disease.
• Eating disorders. Vomiting, or purging, and eating only small amounts of food can affect your oral health. Stomach acids from throwing up can stain and erode your teeth. If you aren't getting enough to eat, your teeth and jawbone may also become brittle and weak because you aren't getting enough calcium.
• HIV. HIV weakens the immune system, which can lead to oral infections. These problems can make it difficult to eat because they can cause mouth pain or tenderness and difficulty chewing and swallowing, and they can lessen your ability to taste the flavors of food. Talk to your doctor or dentist if mouth pain makes it difficult to eat.

How can you prevent oral health problems?

You can help prevent oral health problems by taking the following steps:

• Visit your dentist once or twice a year. Your dentist may recommend more or fewer visits depending on your oral health. At most routine visits, the dentist and a dental hygienist (assistant) will treat you. During regular checkups, dentists look for signs of disease, infections, and injuries.
• Choose healthy foods. Limit the amount of sugary foods and drinks you have. Lower your risk for tooth decay by brushing after meals and flossing once a day.
• Don't smoke. Smoking raises your risk of gum disease and mouth and throat cancers. It can also stain your teeth and cause bad breath.
• Drink less soda. If you drink soda, try to drink less, and replace it with water. Even diet soda has acids that can erode tooth enamel.

What if you are afraid to go to the dentist?

Some people avoid the dentist because they are afraid of the physical pain. Women who experienced trauma or violence may also have trouble sitting or lying in a dentist's chair because of post-traumatic stress or fear.

Talk with your dentist about your concerns and ways to make you more comfortable before the exam begins. For example, you may prefer to see a female dentist or to have a female assistant in the room during the visit. It may also help to bring a friend or loved one to the dentist with you.

Your dentist can also make you feel more in control by:

• Explaining what will happen next throughout the visit
• Agreeing to stop at any time if you signal to do so. You may want to decide upon a signal beforehand. You can tap your leg or raise your hand.

Your dentist can also help you relax by playing music, having a TV in the room, or using other relaxation techniques. Some dentists may suggest giving you medicine to help you relax. One common type of medicine is nitrous oxide, also known as laughing gas. Nitrous oxide can help relieve pain and anxiety, but it may not be a good option if you worry about losing control.

If anxiety prevents you from going to the dentist, you may want to talk to a mental health professional, such as a psychologist. Therapy may help reduce your fear. Oral health is a vital part of overall health, so removing fear or anxiety about the dentist is worth the time and effort.

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS

MENTAL HEALTH

Growing a mustache or beard is fun, but the symbolism behind it is what this month is all about.

Movember Community Development Manager Keith Sexton says it's to raise awareness and build a support system for men battling cancer, a mental health illness or something else.

"Most men aren't doing anything about their health, they're not taking action, they're not talking about anything and they're dying too young. On average, men die about six-years younger than women and it's really mostly from preventable causes," Sexton said.

Sexton says three out of every four suicides are men taking their own lives.

"We're losing one man a minute across the globe," Sexton said.

Growing a mustache or a beard is the most popular way to show support for men battling cancer or a mental health issue, but not everyone can do so.

Sexton says there are other ways both men and women can support the cause.

"We have a challenge called the moo challenge which is all about running or walking 60-miles throughout the month of November which represents the 60-men that take their own lives every hour," Sexton said.

Sexton says you could also host an event like breakfast at work, a pot-luck dinner or even a corn hole tournament, all great ways, he says, to support the cause and get involved.

Another one of those ways to show support is to be a listening ear.

"For men, it's all about opening up a little bit and seeking that help when it's needed," Sexton said. "When it comes to mental health, if you are feeling down and having some issues talk it out with a trusted friend. For everyone else, if you notice a man in your life that might need some help be open to listening to him and hearing him out. You don't need to solve the problem you just have to be there and listen to him and that could mean the world to somebody and make a huge difference in someone's life."

WHY MEN’S HEALTH AWARENESS MONTH (NOVEMBER) IS SO IMPORTANT

There is this fear or macho-man attitude many men have about getting checked by a doctor for cancer, a mental health disorder or something minor in comparison.

"When it comes to prostate and testicular cancer, they're actually very curable if they're caught early enough and so we really want to encourage men to make sure they are checking themselves or going to the doctor for that," Sexton said.

With mental health, it's about being there and encouraging someone going through a rough patch to talk about it.

"It's trying to get rid of that stigma that men can't be vulnerable and can't express their feelings and talk to somebody," Sexton said.

He said talking about your feelings takes more courage but helps more than burying them deep within.

IN NOVEMBER, HELP MEN FIGHT CANCER — THE BEST CHARITIES & HOW TO DONATE

Movember is a separate movement and organization than No-Shave November but both raise awareness about the causes on display this month.

"The Movember Foundation is the leading charity dedicated to changing the face of men's health in the U.S. and around the world," Sexton said. "We really want men to live happier, healthier longer lives and we're doing that by investing in three critical areas which are prostate cancer, testicular cancer and mental health and suicide prevention."