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Spice Girls reunite at Victoria Beckham’s 50th birthday party
The Spice Girls had a reunion on Saturday and even put on an impromptu performance. The girl group linked up at Victoria Beckham‘s 50th birthday party, and the fashion designer’s husband gave fans a behind-the-scenes look at their reunion.
“Baby Spice” Emma Bunton, “Scary Spice” Melanie Brown, “Sporty Spice” Melanie Chisholm and “Ginger Spice” Geri Halliwell attended the star-studded bash for Beckham, who was known as “Posh Spice” in the pop band.
The group danced to their song “Stop,” recreating their old dance moves. Video of the performance posted by David Beckham went viral, raking in more than a million views on Instagram.
The band broke up in 2000 after releasing three studio albums. Several of the band’s members continued solo careers and Beckham went on to become a fashion designer.
The band went on two reunion tours, but Beckham did not join them on their most recent tour in 2019. The last time the five performed together was at the closing ceremony of the 2012 London Olympics.
After the birthday party, Brown, known as Mel B, teased an upcoming tour on Instagram, sharing Beckham’s video and writing “tour dates coming soon.”
Other famous faces in attendance included Eva Longoria, Gordon Ramsay and hairstylist Ken Paves. The Beckhams’ four children, Brooklyn, Romeo, Cruz and Harper, were also at the party.
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Federal investigation launched into racist texts targeting Black Americans across 10 states
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How to build a “dopamine menu” to combat the fall and winter blues
Worried about slipping into the winter blues? A “dopamine menu” could help.
Popularized on social media, a dopamine menu is a list of positive activities that people can do to feel better during a tough period, family physician Dr. Mike Sevilla told CBS News.
“People normally go to social media to get their dopamine hit, which is basically making them feel better, but usually after something like that they don’t feel as good,” he said.
Dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain, plays a crucial role in mood and motivation. Dopamine menus may be particularly helpful for neurodivergent people, as well as for combatting seasonal slumps, explains Michelle Hunt, a psychotherapist at Empower Your Mind Therapy.
“Neurodivergent individuals tend to have reduced (or) limited dopamine, which impacts every function in the body,” Hunt said, but she adds that anyone can benefit from trying out the method. “Understanding and addressing dopamine levels can significantly enhance an individual’s ability to cope with the ups and downs of seasonal changes.”
While anyone can use this technique any time of year, Sevilla says it can be especially helpful as days get shorter, darker and colder.
“That’s usually when people isolate themselves, they get more depressed, and they tend to go to these unhealthy behaviors like social media,” he said. “Especially as we’re getting into the winter months, it’s really great to for people to be prepared. A dopamine menu is a lot about just being prepared.”
Dopamine menu ideas
So, what should go on your dopamine menu? Anything that brings you joy — with bonus points for something active, Sevilla said.
“Physical activity does give you a dopamine hit, so you would physically feel better, but it also is better for your well-being,” he said, suggesting simple activities like walking your pet. “Not only is it very functional, it also is good for you.”
Other ideas include:
- Fall or winter baking
- Grabbing a coffee (or having a call) with a friend
- Going on a fall foliage walk
- Cleaning up your home while listening to music
- Reading a book
“It doesn’t have to be a big event (or) be an all-day thing,” he said. “Maybe it’s an hour or two, and that can be enough of a dopamine hit to to get you feeling better and to get you making better choices.”
Dopamine menu template
Hunt likes to break down dopamine menus into different categories, which can be tailored to a person’s needs in different moments.
Appetizers — These include limited-effort activities with immediate reward, she explained. For example:
- Watch a funny short video
- Wash your face or some other form of self-care
- Run up and down the stairs or stretch for a couple of minutes
Entrees — These are still accessible, but with a bit more effort.
- Have dinner with someone you are close to
- Clean a room of your home or complete a task
- Play a board game
Sides — These are supportive activities that complement more challenging tasks.
- Call someone to catch up
- Listen to an audiobook or podcast
- Take a bath
Desserts — These are activities that can be indulged in periodically, but which should be kept limited.
- Play a game on your phone
- Take a nap
- Order takeout
- Purchase something you want
Specials — These are more of an effort (and expense) but can be enjoyed periodically when accessible.
- Plan a trip
- Explore a new restaurant or event
As you discover what works for you, Hunt suggests keeping all your senses in mind.
“For the dopamine menu, it is recommended to use tailored sensory input to shock the body into being more present by increasing dopamine. If watching a video isn’t helpful, maybe something with smell or texture may be more appropriate,” Hunt said.