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The 10 Best U.S. Cities to Visit for Music Lovers
No matter what type of music you listen to, the U.S. is full of places you need to get your jam on.
Erin Yarnall is a freelance reporter from the Chicago area. She's written for Eat This, Not That!, Best Life, Time Out, The Chicago Tribune, The Toronto Star, and Mashed, among other publications. In her free time, she likes traveling, running marathons very slowly, and being Lorde's #1 fan.
One of the coolest things about the U.S. is how much every part of it differs from the next. From region to region there’s unique food, landscapes, and of course, music. No matter where you travel to in the United States, you’re bound to find some local tunes. But if you really want to center your trip around your love of music, there are some destinations you should be stopping at first. Whether you’re going to a festival or just trying to see some live local jams, these are ten of the best cities in the United States to immerse yourself in the current music scene and get educated on the history behind it.
Sure, it’s cool to travel to a city to see a venue where an iconic band started out decades ago, or the club where your favorite singer once made their debut. But New Orleans, the home of jazz music, doesn’t just offer up a chance to live in the genre’s history, but also to immerse yourself in the current jazz scene. In NOLA, it’s easy to find yourself completely surrounded by the genre in the city that birthed it.
“Live music, played all day and night long on Bourbon St., wafts into the French Quarter air for all to enjoy,” says Christopher Falvey, the co-founder of Unique NOLA, a ghost tour company based in New Orleans. “At night on Frenchmen street you can always find multiple local bars hosting live jazz. New Orleans isn't just the birthplace of jazz, it is a live daily museum to it.”
Not a jazz fan? That doesn’t mean you have to cancel your travel plans. The city, which was ranked the third best city for nightlife in the country by U.S. News & World Report, is also a great place to catch blues, rock, hip hop, and zydeco music.
2 | Detroit, Michigan
Daniel J. Macy/Shutterstock
The music made by Motown records in the late ’50s and early ’60s helped to shape a generation, and is still treasured to this day. The city that helped to shape that music? That’s Detroit, of course — the city is nicknamed Motown to this day because of the label’s influence. The city’s musical importance didn’t end in the ’60s though, it’s still a great destination for checking out live music today.
“There are a few great music venues in Detroit that are worth checking out,” says Becky Moore, the founder of travel blog Global Grasshopper. “The Fillmore Detroit is a popular spot that features a variety of musical genres. Another great option is the Masonic Temple, which is known for its grandiose architecture and incredible acoustics. For a more intimate setting, the Magic Stick is perfect.”
In addition to the city’s great and historic venues, it’s also been called home by a number of successful musicians and performers like Aretha Franklin, Bob Seger, and Eminem. Fans of any artist that has called the Motor City home can spend a day following in their favorite musicians’ footsteps and visiting their old haunts.
“The city has been home to many different genres of music over the years, from Motown to punk rock,” Moore says. “The city has a long history of producing great musicians and music, and it continues to do so today.”
3 | Austin, Texas
GSPhotography/Shutterstock
Claiming the title of the Live Music Capital of the World, the Texas capital, Austin, is a can’t-miss city for music lovers of any and all genres. The city’s claim on that title isn’t just grasping for straws either, Austin is home to more than 250 music venues, ensuring that live music is an easily-attainable experience when visiting the city.
“On any given night, you can find everything from rock concerts to country music showcases to blues jams happening at different locations around town,” says Jeanelle Douglas, a web content specialist at the travel website TripShock.
The city, which was ranked as one of the best nightlife destinations in the country, is also home to dozens of annual music festivals, including Austin City Limits and South by Southwest (SXSW), which bring hundreds of thousands of visitors to the city every year.
Minnesota is known for its thousands and thousands of lakes (10 thousand to be exact), but it should also be highly-regarded for the thousands of great songs that have come from musicians and artists based out of the Twin Cities.
Most visitors who take a musically-inspired trip to the Twin Cities make it a priority to stop at Paisley Park, the former home and studio of arguably Minneapolis’ most famous son, Prince. Since Prince’s 2016 death, the complex has been opened up as a museum celebrating the artist’s life and music.
“The ‘Minneapolis Sound,’ pioneered by Prince, influenced artists like The Time and Vanity 6, as well as historic producers Jimmy Jam and Terry Lewis,” says Dayna Frank, the owner and CEO of Minneapolis concert venue First Avenue. “The diversity of genres and styles coming out of the music scene here is unmatched, from Prince to The Replacements, Soul Asylum, to Rhymesayers, and pop superstars like Lizzo, the fans here turn up and support live music like no place else.”
5 | Memphis, Tennessee
Chad Robertson Media/Shutterstock
What list of the best cities for music lovers would be complete without Memphis? Some of the most influential artists in American music have emerged from the city, including B.B. King, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, just to name a few. Check out memorabilia from those artists at some of the city’s many museums dedicated to its impressive musical history.
“Memphis boasts such incredible music museums as the Rock 'n' Soul Museum, the Stax Museum of American Soul Music, Sun Studio, the Blues Hall of Fame and, of course, Elvis's Graceland,” says travel bloggerAshley Smith.
While its musical history is impressive, it’s not a city that’s solely stuck in the past either. There’s live music to be found every night of the week at bars and venues across the city.
“Memphis's music heritage is everywhere you turn here and it's also a fantastic city for live music as well,” Smith says.
6 | Jackson, Mississippi
Chad Robertson Media/Shutterstock
You can find great blues clubs all over the country, but if you want to travel to where the genre got its start, you have to head to the Deep South. Jackson, the capital of Mississippi, is also known as the City with Soul, because of its contributions to blues, gospel, and jazz music.
“Jackson is the City with Soul, not least because of its musical legacy,” says Yolanda Clay-Moore, the director of communications at Visit Jackson. “One of the nation’s biggest blues scenes took over the city and today live music is woven through Jackson’s fabric. Visitors can learn about the musical history or experience it all live with any number of performances each day.”
To help explore a bit more of the city, check out the 15 Jackson-based stops on the Mississippi Blues Trail, an initiative started by the Mississippi Blues Commission that helps point out important locations that contributed to blues music throughout the state.
“The Mississippi Blues Trail is a remarkable journey that takes hardcore blues fans and casual travelers alike through the state that gave birth to modern popular music,” says Clay-Moore. “Notable markers in downtown Jackson include information about the Edwards Hotel, Ace Records, and the Subway Lounge.”
7 | Los Angeles, California
James Kirkikis/Shutterstock
While the southern California city is more known for its contribution to film, Los Angeles is one of the best cities in the country to visit for music lovers of nearly any genre. As the country’s second largest city, and a hub for the entertainment industry, Los Angeles is an ideal place to check out artists that are trying to get their big break. Influential musicians and groups have been popping up out of Los Angeles every decade, including the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Doors, and NWA.
The city has been ranked as one of the best nightlife cities in the country, according to U.S. News & World Report, and it’s home to an endless amount of storied concert venues, like the Whiskey a Go Go in West Hollywood and the Hollywood Bowl, which was named one of the 10 best concert venues in the country by Rolling Stone.
No music-lover's trip to Los Angeles would be complete without stopping by Amoeba Records, one of the largest record stores in the world that regularly has live performances and signings by artists including Billie Eilish and Jack Harlow.
When you think of Hawaii, beaches, palm trees and relaxation probably come to mind. But if that’s all you take away from the collection of islands, you’re surely missing out. Unlike most of the other contiguous states in the country, Hawaii has its own culture and language, developed when it was an independent kingdom, and it has continued to develop that culture since it became the country’s 50th state. Music is one major aspect of Hawaiian culture, sung sometimes in English and sometimes in the native Hawaiian language, or ‘Ōlelo Hawai'i.
“The most recognizable genre from Hawaii is what we call ‘Hawaiian Music,’ with contemporary or traditional styles with lyrics that are usually written in ‘Ōlelo Hawai'i (the Hawaiian language),” says Jaslyn Loftin, a singer and songwriter who lives in Honolulu. “Hawaiian music consists of acoustic guitar, ukulele, bass and/or percussion elements. ‘Island Reggae’ music is also a prominent genre that combines dub, reggae, and pop to form a unique and catchy sound only found here.”
Experience Hawaiian music by going to a live performance in Honolulu, which is filled with concert venues including Aloha Tower, Hawaii Theatre, and the Waikiki Shell, or stop by the Hawaiian Music Hall of Fame to learn more about the greats in the genre.
9 | New York, New York
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A list of the best cities to visit for music lovers would never be complete without including New York City. The city, home to Broadway for you musical lovers, has produced some of the most notable musical names in the country’s history, from folk singer Joan Baez, to punk band the Ramones, and of course, East Coast rappers like Jay Z, Nas, and DMX have called the city home as well.
Stop by the Museum of the City of New York for an exhibit highlighting some of the city’s contributions to music, or stop by any of the 120 concert venues for a look at what’s happening in music currently.
Not only is the Big Apple ranked as one of the best nightlife cities in the country by U.S. News & World Report, the website also ranked it as one of the top places in the country to visit in general.
10 | Nashville, Tennessee
Eric Glenn/Shutterstock
Tennessee is well-represented in this list, and that’s for good reason. While Memphis is the home of blues music, Nashville is a crucial stop for travelers who like any kind of music, especially country.
“[Nashville] was known for its fiddling back in the 1700s,” says Axel Hernborg, the CEO and founder of travel website Tripplo. “Today Nashville is one of the places musicians consider moving to if they want to make it in the music industry. Thus, it is called the ‘Songwriting Capital of the World’ and continues to grow as a music city.”
Additionally, the city is home to the Country Music Hall of Fame, where you can see artifacts from country music’s history like a cowgirl-inspired dress worn by Patsy Cline, or Johnny Cash’s black boots, or learn how to play a mandolin in the Taylor Swift Education Center.
It Ends With Us opened to $50 million at the domestic box office, but rumors about a behind-the-scenes rift between director Justin Baldoni, 40, and Blake Lively, 36, continue to rumble on. Lively plays Lily Bloom, a florist who ends up in a toxic relationship with Ryle Kincaid (Baldoni), in the first major adaptation of a Colleen Hoover novel. The movie hadn’t even been released before the first rumors started about possible friction on set between Baldoni and the rest of the cast. No one has gone on the record to make a statement either way, but plenty of sources have been leaking gossip from the set. Here’s what’s been reported so far.
Creative Differences?
Photo by NILS MEILVANG/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
The issues between Baldoni and the rest of the cast/crew appear to go beyond mere creative differences. "All is not what it seems," a set source tells PEOPLE. "There is much more to this story. The principal cast and [author] Colleen Hoover will have nothing to do with him."
Social Media Evidence
Photo by James Devaney/GC Images
Fans note that Hoover, Lively, and Slate do not follow Baldoni back on Instagram. This could be nothing, but it certainly doesn’t look good.
Friction On Set?
Photo by James Devaney/GC Images
There was alleged friction on set with Lively, who is also a producer on the movie, clashing with Baldoni. “There are all these things that happen every day on set, there’s always friction that happens when you make a movie like this," Baldoni told ELLE. "Then at the end of the day, it’s that friction, I believe, that creates the beautiful art. Everything in life needs friction to grow. We created something so beautiful and so magical, and it was hard, and it was worth it at the same time. And I grew so much as both a filmmaker, an actor and as a person throughout this experience."
Complex Personalities?
Photo by James Devaney/GC Images
Baldoni also made some comments to TODAY that hint at friction. “Every movie is a miracle… You’re navigating complex personalities and trying to get everybody on the same page with the same vision. And mistakes are always made, and then you figure out how to move past them."
Who’s Directing Next?
Photo by Gotham/WireImage
When asked about directing the sequel, Baldoni seemed reluctant. "I think that there are better people for that one,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “I think Blake Lively's ready to direct. That's what I think." Hoover adds, "I think that whoever decides to take charge of the next one would do it justice. But, you know, it’s a lot of people to get the same schedules again."
Chauvinistic Behavior?
Photo by Nils Meilvang / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by NILS MEILVANG/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
A source told the Daily Mail Baldoni created an uncomfortable atmosphere on set. “During scenes depicting abuse, Justin failed to consider Blake’s character’s perspective, instead focusing solely on what he believed was the abusive male viewpoint,” the source says. “His approach was very chauvinistic, creating a tense atmosphere on set.”
Method Acting?
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
The Daily Mail source suggests Baldoni might have taken method acting too far. “Justin almost became the character in the sense that some women on set felt he was borderline abusive to them and that he was unprofessional and unapologetic,” the source says. “Directing a film so serious and so important about domestic abuse without allowing the women to be included in this process is disturbing.”
Script Rewrites?
Photo by Eric Charbonneau/Getty Images for Sony Pictures
The Daily Mail source alleges Baldoni would take any script rewrite requests from Lively and Hoover personally. “Without Colleen's book, none of this would have been possible,” the source says. “Parts of the film were rewritten under the instruction of Colleen - they had to be. He took their script decisions very personally, even though they weren’t intended that way. His behavior extended beyond the main players. Once he felt ganged up on, he became even less empathetic.”
Clashes Behind the Scenes?
Photo by Gotham/WireImage
Some of the friction behind the scenes may be down to Ryan Reynolds being involved. “The iconic rooftop scene, my husband actually wrote it,” Lively told E! News. “Nobody knows that but you now. We help each other. He works on everything I do. I work on everything he does. So his wins, his celebrations are mine and mine are his. I mean, he's all over this film."
Spotlight on the Issue
Photo by Nils Meilvang / Ritzau Scanpix / AFP) / Denmark OUT (Photo by NILS MEILVANG/Ritzau Scanpix/AFP via Getty Images
A source tells PEOPLE that Baldoni is respectful and aware of the issues highlighted in the movie. “In every bit of press he has done, he has placed an emphasis on the importance of spotlighting this issue and breaking the cycle of violence,” the source says. “Though this is Justin’s biggest directing and acting role to date, this film has never been in the interest of self-promotion. It has, and will continue to be about the message with the goal of touching real lives and inspiring people to speak out against DV. Ultimately, it is about the survivors and hope.”
You never quite know when a movie might become a beloved cult classic—many of the following films were not runaway successes when they first came out, but have since cemented their place in cinema history. Comedy, science fiction, romance, and fantasy all feature heavily in this collection, which includes a movie where an actor made Mel Brooks laugh so hard the director lost money from ruined takes. Can you guess which one? Read on to find out!
Starring Jeff Bridges, John Goodman, and Julianne Moore, this Coen Brothers’ movie is known for its quirky characters and funny dream sequences, not to mention the brilliant dialogue. “I’m so happy to be in that movie,” Bridges told The Hollywood Reporter. “I pretty much dug it all, man. There’s an aspect of the Dude I aspired to — he’s authentic, isn’t he? He’s who he is, and that’s about it. He’s a lovely cat.”
The Princess Bride (1987)
20th Century Fox
Starring Cary Elwes, Robin Wright, and Mandy Patinkin, The Princess Bride is full of quotable quotes and pure magic. This fantasy adventure is beloved by movie buffs for good reason. "I loved that it was about true love and that she would never give up and nor would Westley," Wright told Entertainment Weekly. "You always dream about as a little girl but I never stopped dreaming about that."
Repo Man (1984)
Universal Pictures
Emilio Estevez, Harry Dean Stanton, and Tracey Walter star in Repo Man, a movie that deserves its cult classic status. “The day I auditioned for The Breakfast Club I went on a Taco Bell commercial audition as well. I was just happy for any callback. I also auditioned for 16 Candles and really believed I nailed it, but they told me I didn’t get the part and I needed to go audition for Repo Man,” Estevez told Boise State Public Radio.
Withnail and I (1987)
Handmade Films
Richard E. Grant, Paul McGann, and Richard Griffiths star in this comedy drama is known for its sharp wit and memorable dialogue. Withnail and I is still deservedly considered one of the most quotable comedies ever written.
Clerks (1994)
Miramax Films
Starring Brian O'Halloran, Jeff Anderson, and Jason Mewes, this cult Kevin Smith movie is perfectly representative of the slacker 90s genre. “I worked in six convenience stores in New Jersey from 1989 to 1993, which is where Clerks came from,” Smith told The Guardian. “It was an appealing, easy job, like being a bartender: it puts you nominally in charge and people have to socialize with you.”
Harold and Maude (1971)
Paramount Pictures
Starring Bud Cort, Ruth Gordon, and Vivian Pickles, this love story still has a devoted following. “The film was written for L.A., but none of us felt that the ambience was right,” producer Charles Mulvehill told Variety. “So we found an estate in Hillsborough instead. Hal wanted to be away from the studio, and he didn’t want people showing up at the set all the time.”
The Cable Guy (1996
Sony Pictures
Jim Carrey, Matthew Broderick, and Leslie Mann star in this dark comedy directed by Ben Stiller. Carrey gives a typically unhinged performance as a demented cable installer in this cult movie.
The Goonies (1985)
Warner Bros. Pictures
The ultimate 80s classic coming-of age story, The Goonies is still beloved by movie buffs. Sean Astin, Josh Brolin, Ke Huy Quan, and Jeff Cohen are magical in their roles as friends looking for pirate treasure.
Ghostbusters (1984)
Columbia Pictures
Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Harold Ramis give career-cementing turns in this supernatural comedy. Murray is his typical sardonic best in this classic 80s movie.
Beetlejuice (1988)
Warner Bros. Pictures
Starring Michael Keaton, Winona Ryder, and Geena Davis, this wonderfully weird movie put Ryder on the map. A Tim Burton classic that still stands up today, with Keaton giving an iconic performance as the titular character.
The Adventures of Baron Munchausen (1988)
Allied Filmmakers
Starring John Neville, Eric Idle, and Sarah Polley, this Terry Gilliam’s film is imaginative and whimsical. A classic fantasy adventure rightfully beloved by movie buffs.
Ferris Bueller's Day Off (1986)
Paramount Pictures
Matthew Broderick, Alan Ruck, and Mia Sara star in this funny, unique high school comedy directed by—who else?—John Hughes. “He was not easygoing in some ways,” Broderick told The Hollywood Reporter. “He was nervous it wouldn’t come out right.”
Labyrinth (1986)
Tri-Star Pictures
Starring David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, and Toby Froud, Labyrinth is one of the most beloved fantasy movies ever made. It’s hard to pinpoint what makes this film so iconic but Bowie’s performance elevated the Jim Henson classic.
Spaceballs (1987)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Mel Brooks, Bill Pullman, John Candy, and Rick Moranis send up movies like Star Wars in this hilariously offbeat science fiction parody. “Rick was hysterically funny in the role,” Brooks says. “He cost me a lot of money because I ruined so many takes he was in by helplessly breaking into loud laughter.”
A Christmas Story (1983)
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Peter Billingsley, Melinda Dillon, and Darren McGavin star in the ultimate holiday movie. Christmas just wouldn’t be the same without watching this nostalgic, heartwarming comedy.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
Buena Vista Pictures
Starring Gene Hackman, Anjelica Huston, and Gwyneth Paltrow, The Royal Tenenbaums is Wes Anderson at his quirky and wonderful best.
Rushmore (1998)
Buena Vista Pictures
Another Wes Anderson delight, Jason Schwartzman, Bill Murray, and Olivia Williams light up the screen in this coming-of-age comedy. Funny, unique, and endlessly rewatchable.
My Neighbor Totoro (1988)
Toho
Starring Noriko Hidaka, Chika Sakamoto, and Shigesato Itoi, this Hayao Miyazaki classic is beloved for its charm and gentle storytelling. My Neighbor Totoro is easily one of the best animated films ever made.
The Birdcage (1996)
United Artists
Robin Williams, Nathan Lane, and Gene Hackman are perfectly cast in this very, very funny movie about a gay cabaret owner pretending to be straight for the sake of his son. The movie is not witty but full of heart and pathos.
Tootsie (1982)
Dustin Hoffman, Jessica Lange, and Teri Garr star in Tootsie, one of the best comedies from the 80s. The movie’s themes are still very relevant today, and it’s Hoffman at his finest.
COVID cases are currently surging in spots across the US, making it the busiest summer for the virus so far. “Currently, the COVID-19 wastewater viral activity level is very high nationally, with the highest levels in the Western US region,” Dr. Jonathan Yoder, deputy director of the CDC’s Wastewater Surveillance Program, tells CNN. “This year’s COVID-19 wave is coming earlier than last year, which occurred in late August/early September.”
“This is a very significant surge. The levels are very high. They’re the highest we’ve ever seen during a summer wave,” says Dr. Marlene Wolfe, an assistant professor of environmental health and public health at Emory University and a program director for WastewaterScan. “We’re detecting SARS-CoV-2 in 100 percent of our samples across the country right now.” Here are places you’re most likely to catch COVID, based on wastewater samples logged in the Wastewater Scan dashboard.
COVID is surging in Houston, Texas. “Here in Houston, Texas, wastewater numbers are still high and not declining,” Dr. Peter Hotez, an infectious disease expert who is director of the Center for Vaccine Development at Texas Children’s Hospital, tells CNN. “They have reached a plateau at a high level for several weeks.”
Honolulu, Hawaii
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COVID is surging in Honolulu, Hawaii. "Right now, we have a significant bump in the COVID-positive hospital patients," Dr. Scott Miscovich of Premier Medical Group Hawaii tells KITV. "At the same time, we have a jump in the percent positivity, which is a very important epidemiologic number. We've gone from 12.8% of all the tests taken positive up to 17%- or a 32% jump."
Anchorage, Alaska
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Wastewater samples show COVID is high in Anchorage, Alaska. “Anytime you get these variants that are driving the wave, typically, what’s happening is they’ve had some sort of a mutation, at least one or a couple, that typically will give them the capability to evade prior immunity better than other strains that are circulating,” Joe McLaughlin, an epidemiologist with the state’s division of public health, tells Alaska Public News.
New Jersey
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COVID is surging in New Jersey. “The lack of testing and the use of home tests has greatly decreased the ability to get a full sense of the disease,” Linda Brown, executive director of the New Jersey Association of County and City Health Officials, tells NJ Spotlight News. “People who test for COVID at home — as many now do — are not required to report their results, something Brown said “can make true [disease] surveillance that much harder.”
San Francisco, CA
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Cases are surging in the Bay Area. “I think a lot of families have moved on from COVID but COVID is still with us and has been making that known this summer with the latest surge,” says Dean Blumberg, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at UC Davis Children’s Hospital.
Las Vegas, Nevada
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COVID is surging in Nevada. "Our surveillance is very clear," Dr. Anil Mangla, director of disease surveillance and control for the Southern Nevada Health District, tellsKTNV. "We're seeing it in wastewater and we have other surveillance systems that we monitor and we're seeing a similar kind of trend there, too."
Lincoln, Nebraska
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Wastewater data shows COVID is surging in Nebraska. “There’s definitely a bit of a bump in our numbers,” Lindsay Huse, director of the Douglas County Health Department, tells Omaha World-Herald.
Montpelier, Vermont
Shutterstock
COVID is high in Vermont. "As of July 20th, wastewater and emergency department admissions suggest a current level of COVID-19 activity that is similar to what we saw in March of 2024,” John Davy, PhD, Epidemiologist/COVID-19 Coordinator for the VDH, told VermontBiz. “This level is lower than we saw in December 2023 through February 2024, but we have seen a slow upward trend in the last several weeks.”
Atlanta, Georgia
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COVID is high in Atlanta, Georgia. “We’ve seen all ages, from a one-year-old up to 75 years old with COVID-19,” Dr. Luke Lathrop, the chief medical officer at SmartMED Drive-Thru Medical Care clinic in Roswell, tells WSB-TV Atlanta. “Anything from a low-grade fever to a cough, congestion, a sore throat, headache. I’d say the main thing we’ve seen is just fatigue.”
New Orleans, Louisiana
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Cases of COVID are surging in New Orleans. "More patients presenting to the emergency department, and more patients getting tested for COVID, and then those patients being positive on those tests," says Dr. David Janz, Director of Medical Critical Care Services at University Medical Center. “What we're seeing right now in Louisiana of all the people getting a COVID test for whatever reason, about 25% of them are coming back positive. Which is a dramatic increase just compared to two or three months ago."
Provo, Utah
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COVID levels are high in Utah, officials report. Epidemiologist Josh Benton says COVID-19 can be present in the body for a week without symptoms, “but the virus can be detected in wastewater levels earlier.”
Boston, Massachusetts
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COVID is spiking in Boston, Massachusetts. “We are not in 2020,” Boston Medical Center’s Dr. Sabrina Assoumou tells Boston.com. “We are not back at the beginning of the pandemic when we were all overwhelmed at the hospital because of the number of severe cases … we are not seeing that.”
Have we reached peak hydration culture? It’s become totally normalized for people to walk around carrying giant tumblers of liquids (remember the Stanley cup craze?) but is it necessary, or even dangerous to be drinking this much water? “People have this fear that they’re always dehydrated or underhydrated and they need to fix that regularly,” Colleen Muñoz, director and co-founder of the Hydration Health Center at the University of Hartford, tells the Wall Street Journal. “That’s probably not usually the case.” So how do you know if you’re overdoing it with the water? Here’s what the experts have to say.
Severe water intoxication is dangerous and comes with alarming symptoms. “Water intoxication comes from drinking too much water," nurse practitioner Elizabeth Clay tells OSF HealthCare. "And it can lead to some severe symptoms. You can get a headache, disorientation, confusion, nausea, vomiting – it can even be fatal.”
2. Blood Pressure
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Muscle weakness, double vision, and a rise in blood pressure are also symptoms of water intoxication. “The amount of water that a person should consume is going to be individualized," Clay says. "But overall, your kidneys can only handle so much. And that's between 0.8 and one liter. So, you really don't want to be taking in more than that per hour in water.”
3. Low Sodium
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Drinking too much water can cause hyponatremia. "This is where sodium in the body is too low from excessive sodium loss in sweat or urine," pediatrician and sports medicine specialist Jeffery Cline, MD, tells University of Utah Health. "Or it is diluted by taking in too much free water without any electrolytes."
5. Nausea and Vomiting
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6. Dehydration and Intoxication
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Be careful not to let dehydration lead to drinking too much water in a short amount of time. “Dehydration can play a major role in water intoxication because when a person feels that they're getting dehydrated, they may try to overcompensate and may drink too much water at one time, and your body can't handle that," Clay says. "So, you'll start to get these symptoms whether it's nausea, vomiting, confusion – just disruption of your brain activity – and that comes from that depletion of sodium. And so, your cells inside your brain are holding on to that water and it causes swelling inside your brain and that can lead to some serious complications.”
7. Mental Confusion
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Mental confusion could be a sign of overhydration. “In severe cases symptoms could include mental confusion, seizures, unconsciousness and even coma,” says Gundersen Health. “The first treatment is to stop drinking fluids which will help someone recover in a few hours. However, with more severe symptoms, immediate medical attention may be necessary.”
8. Fatigue
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Loss of energy, drowsiness, and fatigue are all possible symptoms of too much water, says the Mayo Clinic. “You may feel nauseous or sleepy, and you may develop vision problems, muscle cramps or elevated blood pressure levels,” Candacy George, D.O., tells ChristianaCare News. “In rare cases, overhydration may cause breathing difficulties, seizures and even death.”
9. How Much Water?
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So how much should you drink? “Everyone has individualized hydration needs, but generally, women should drink 9 cups of water daily, and men should drink 13 cups, according to the National Academy of Medicine. Look at your urine to gauge how well you’re hydrating; it should be pale yellow. Darker urine may be a sign of dehydration. Clear urine, combined with excessive water intake, may suggest overhydration,” George says.
It's no secret that a well-laid-out workspace can do wonders for your productivity. But even outside getting all the tools you need and eliminating distractions, your design decisions can also have an impact on your work—including what shade you have on your walls. If you want to ramp up your output, you might want to consider grabbing a roller and going with one of these options. Read on for the best colors to paint your office, according to productivity experts.
There's nothing wrong with wanting your workspace to feel a little lively. That's why a pale yellow might be one of the better options for keeping your spirits lifted throughout the day.
"Scientifically, this warm, sunny color has been shown to increase office creativity and output," Mary Poffenroth, PhD, a biopsychology faculty member at San Jose State University, tells Best Life.
Research also shows yellow is connected to better recall and memory. "Studies find that participants exposed to yellow backgrounds did better on memory tests than those exposed to other colors. Yellow's capacity to activate the left side of the brain—associated with logical thinking and memory—is thought to be the source of this effect," she says.
Other experts agree that it's also an overlooked color for offices. "Yellow is naturally an inspiring color, as it reminds our body of the energy of the sun, and it is also calming to our nervous system, as it is close enough to a neutral color to not overstimulate our senses," says Olivia Howell, a clinical hypnotherapist and certified life and success coach.
2. Light Blue
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Stress can be the biggest enemy of productivity. If you're feeling too much pressure in the office, you might want to choose a soothing paint color.
"Light blue is known to be very calming, as it reminds our body of both the sky and the ocean, and our primal brain responds well to anything nature-related," says Howell. "It's both stimulating enough to keep us motivated during the work day and always keeps our nervous systems from feeling overwhelmed and overstimulated."
3. White
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Some people look at white walls as an easy way out from making a decision on a paint color or picking up a brush. But Poffenroth says the neutral choice can actually be fairly effective at helping you get things done.
"This simple and adaptable color scheme can greatly improve workplace output," she explains. "Effective reflection of light by soft white walls maximizes both natural and synthetic lighting in the office."
Research has also linked greater alertness and cognitive ability to this enhanced brightness. "White light exposure during working hours enhanced alertness and performance on cognitive tasks, according to studies," says Poffenroth.
4. Light Green
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Looking for something that can help keep you going throughout the day besides that afternoon cup of coffee? Consider picking a paler shade of green for your workplace for a consistent boost.
"Light green is another nature-inspired paint color that will help our senses feel calm and also help our body stay active and motivated throughout the day," says Howell. "Green is known to be a color of abundance and happiness, as well as a nature-inspired color, of course, and it's very motivating to surround ourselves with the color of abundance every day!"
It can be all too easy to focus on specific color schemes for your office in an attempt to keep things looking professional. But if you are willing to be a little playful with the possibilities, Poffenroth says pink is a standout option.
"The uplifting but not overpowering character of soft pink makes continuous productivity possible throughout the day," she says. "Because of their connection with ideas like peace, relaxation, and compassion, lighter pink tones—like blush or rose—cause emotions of calmness. Soft pinks help the mind to enter a condition of calm focus by releasing tension and anxiety."
6. Gray
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Neutral tones might seem like a default choice for wall color. However, they can still affect one's mood and output.
"Gray is an excellent color that determines a sophisticated and professional atmosphere," says Lucas Botzen, a human resources expert and CEO of Rivermate. "It is the most flexible color to blend with other colors to strike a perfect balance and harmony in your working space."
He adds that gray can help reduce visual distraction by providing a clean slate "through which one may focus and be productive."