""Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better."" – Albert Camus — AI👩🏻‍💻Sue (@iversue) November 6, 2018 To read more, click above t.co (twitter) link November 05, 2018 at 08:04PM
Month: November 2018
How your Notes app can be your anxiety-hacking secret weapon
November 05, 2018 at 02:36PM Photo: St. Martin’s Press Known as “the world’s most connected person,” Chris Dancy has between 300 and 700 systems running at any given time—including fitness trackers, a smart-mattress, social media, and time-tracking apps (to name a few)—in order to capture continuous data about his life. You know how Google Calendar defaults to being set up in 15 minute increments? He’s set up an alternate view for his, giving a second-by-second rundown of every choice he makes throughout the day. In these times it’s oft-repeated that you need to be disconnected to be present, which makes being so plugged in feel downright rebellious. But while Dancy is clearly Team Tech, which he makes abundantly clear in his new book, Don’t Unplug, he doesn’t think you need to go on an app-downloading spree in order to use technology to make your life better. It’s one of the most basic phone features of all, the Notes app, that’s played a big role in helping with his anxiety. “I’ve had anxiety attacks since I was 16,” he says. “Anxiety has a way of masking every other time it happens,” so that each anxiety attack feels like the first one you’ve ever experienced—and it’s terrifying. Which is why he started using his Notes app to log what he calls his “Wikipedia of fear.” “I would write down my symptoms as they were happening, like my heart rate increasing and starting to perspire,” Dancy says. “What that allowed me to do was the
The one place in your bathroom you’re not cleaning, but should
November 05, 2018 at 12:44PM When you do your routine bathroom cleaning, chances are that the sink, tub, and toilet all get a nice little scrub down. Maybe you even mop the floor and organize your medicine cabinet—if you’re feeling a little extra motivated. But there’s one oft-overlooked spot to pay a bit more attention to: the shower head. Researchers at the University of Colorado at Boulder took DNA samples from 656 households and found that the majority contained a harmful bacteria lurking in the shower slime, mycobacterium, which has been linked to lung disease. Who knew the shower could be so dirty, right? There were a few factors that made certain shower heads more susceptible to the bacteria. One was that metal shower heads make better breeding grounds than plastic ones. Another is that treated water tends to produce more instances of mycobacterium than H2O from wells. Even though the results of the study certainly sound alarming—um, lung disease?!—Noah Fierer, PhD, a professor of ecology and evolutionary biology at CU Boulder says it’s not cause for a freakout. “Don’t worry, there is definitely no reason to fear showering,” he says. “There is a fascinating microbial world thriving in your shower head and you can be exposed every time you shower. Most of those microbes are harmless, but a few are not, and this kind of research is helping us understand how our own actions—from the kinds of water treatment systems we use to the materials in our plumbing—can change the
Why do we love leggings so much? Let’s investigate
November 05, 2018 at 12:31PM At this point, wearing leggings is no longer about fitness—it’s about function. Exhibit A: Sales of stretchy pants surpassed denim—the fabric of the people—for the first time this year. But until Business of Fashion published its long read on how America became a nation of yoga pants, it was hard to tell how many heart emojis (err: peach emojis?) the bottoms got. Let’s just say a lot. People currently spend $1 billion on leggings and active bottoms, according to BoF. It’s a massive figure, for sure, and it begs the question: Why do we love leggings so much? Obviously…the answer varies. But if we look at the different instances in which people purchase their beloved bottoms, we can more easily assess why they’ve become so valuable. As BoF notes, the dominance of athleisure in the fashion industry (it’s currently the fastest growing category) has made casual dressing apropos for work and leisure, and sure, working out. In other words, that leggings can “do all” is their real appeal. “Consumers expect a lot more,” Sun Choe, chief product officer at Lululemon, tells BoF. “They’re expecting some versatility in their product.” What BoF didn’t address in its article is this: Size inclusivity of ready-to-wear brands remains a problem. Many lines top out at between size 12 to 14, while the average American woman is a 16 to 18. Activewear brands were among the earliest in mainstream to introduce size inclusive collections—or, to offer extended sizes from the start. This allowed these brands to
Grocery shopping is about to get way better, according to Whole Foods’ CEO
November 05, 2018 at 12:26PM When it comes to topics that get wellness enthusiasts excited, Whole Foods is right up there with leggings and avocados. Whole Foods devotees love the organic chain—which is why the much-lauded merger with Amazon last year freaked fans out. People—present company included—immediately started wondering if the prices would change and about how the news would affect what’s on the shelves. Luckily, I was able to ask Whole Foods CEO John Mackey these questions myself during his recent visit to the Well+Good headquarters in New York City. Mackey was in town to promote his new book, The Whole Foods Cookbook, which is essentially a complete guide to plant-based eating. But he also shared his predictions for the future of grocery shopping, both at Whole Foods and across the industry. (He does, after all, have a front row seat.) Despite the Amazon takeover, Mackey says Whole Foods will always be a place where customers can discover niche, local brands—full stop. “This became a media narrative that wasn’t based on anything, truthfully, except for anecdotes of customers who would come in, couldn’t find a local product, and somehow think Amazon forced us to drop them,” he says. “Not only are we not decreasing local foods, we’re increasing them.” Consider the record set straight. He also maintains that Whole Foods will continue to maintain its health-oriented focus; the priorities are in no way shifting on that front. (So, don’t expect to see Whole Foods suddenly ditch organic brands or anything like that.) Photo: Getty Images/Raphye Alexius
How to make a salad that’s satisfying every single day, according to Jennifer Garner
November 05, 2018 at 11:28AM If you don’t choose the right set of ingredients, your health-rich lunch can lead you straight into a trap of salad fatigue. And that’s exactly why you’ll never find Jennifer Garner munching on a basic bowl of spinach and dressing—tasty as that combo may be. Instead, the healthy actress recently revealed a go-to salad formula that always leaves her with an incredibly satisfying bowl of greens. “Salad used to mean limp carrot shavings and too-cold tomatoes. Now, salads are a celebration of what’s seasonal and handy.” —Jennifer Garner In a recent Instagram post, Garner says leafy-green bowls used to mean “limp carrot shavings and too-cold tomatoes,” but her mind-set has totally changed since her sad-salad days. “Now, salads are a celebration of what’s seasonal and handy,” she writes. To make sure she winds up with a mouth-watering mix every time, she chooses ingredients from a wide range of categories: greens (duh), veggies—”you don’t need croutons if you have something crunchy in there”—grains/protein, fats, and a splash of dressing. While she loves cutting up an avocado and adding the beloved green cubes into the mix, well…PSA, Jen: You’re just asking to give herself avo hand with that cutting form! View this post on Instagram SALAD: used to mean limp carrot shavings and too cold tomatoes. NOW salads are a celebration of what is seasonal and handy. They are also what’s for lunch. Always. #PretendCookingShow #fullepisodeonIGTV! . A blend of greens! Kale Arugula Sweet mix Swiss chard . Veggies! Green beans Broccoli PeppersÂ
Before you spill that juicy secret, think about how it might affect your bestie’s mental health
November 05, 2018 at 10:46AM Keeping a secret from your bestie is like going to brunch without ordering avocado—it just doesn’t feel right. But before you spill your guts about your latest existential crisis, or bring to light a long-buried truth, consider this: Confiding in your BFF could negatively impact their mental health. According to a meta-analysis published in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology earlier this year, the average person juggles 13 secrets at any given time, and the mental effects are, well, conflicting. On one hand, the researchers found that disclosing carefully guarded info can create a sense of intimacy among two people, reports Psychology Today. The authors of the analysis point out that there’s “a social silver-lining of being confided to.” On the other hand though, the secret can also become a burden on the other person, and eventually compromise their well-being. Meaning, you kind of just passed on your suffering as if it were a secret-induced cold. The authors of the analysis point out that there’s “a social silver-lining of being confided to.” On the other hand though, the secret can also become a burden on the other person, and eventually compromise their well-being. One study that appears in the research found that the amount of strain you cause to your confidant may depend on how close you really are to them (read: whether or not they’re in the “Favorites” section of your contact list). Two hundred participants were given 2900 secrets total on the subjects of theft, trauma, infidelity, and more, and
Oh cool, jaw tension could be behind that mysterious breakout
November 05, 2018 at 09:58AM Until a few months ago, I had clear skin. Then one day, I woke up and my cheeks had exploded with blackheads. Despite a diligent skin-care regimen, it looked like I was perpetually forgetting to take off my makeup before I went to bed and sleeping on a pillowcase that hadn’t been washed in eight months. I pulled out my usual arsenal of products containing glycolic and lactic acids, but nevertheless these clogged pores persisted. They’d go away for a few days, then emerge again like the regenerated heads of the Hydra. I relayed my woeful tale of cheek acne to celebrity aesthetician and Take Care Spa founder Sadie Adams. She reached down, felt my face, and told me something that I honestly wasn’t expecting: I had tons of tension in my jaw from clenching it all the time. And that, she said, was probably what was causing my cheeks and jawline to break out. Curious to know more, I consulted other pros to figure out just how common this could actually be. More on that now. Photo: Getty Images/Hill Creek Pictures Jaw tension and the lymphatic system To understand the link between jaw tension and acne, it’s important to first understand a bit about the lymphatic system. “The lymphatic system is an important part of our immune system responsible for the differentiation of fluids, waste, nutrients, and other materials between the cells, tissues, and blood,” says David Amron, MD, a board-certified dermatologic surgeon and founder
If You’re Worried About Craving Carbs On Keto, This Expert’s Approach Changes Everything
November 04, 2018 at 10:00PM Starting the Keto diet isn’t so hard after all. Read on to find out why. Continue Reading… Author | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
3 dentist-approved ways to whiten your teeth—no bleach trays necessary
November 05, 2018 at 08:36AM Pearly whites are a beauty aspiration, for sure. (Cue the dental commercial featuring a woman smiling with brilliant whites directly into the camera.) But to achieve a glistening grin fit for TV and everyday life, you don’t necessarily need to book a heavy-duty fluoride treatment. One dentist says that there are three au naturel methods for diminishing years of almond milk latte stains. First thing’s first: Remember that (as usual) H2O will be your number one ally. “If you are enjoying foods that stain such as coffee, red wine, or pomegranates make sure to have a glass of water nearby,” says Alex Rubinov, DDS, PhD of New York City’s Real Smile Dental. “In addition to hydrating your body, rinsing with a glass of water immediately after consumption will help minimize stains.” The water helps to lift off stains that would otherwise set into teeth, so start with good ole H2O and then get your DIY on with these three teeth-whitening treatments. Photo: Stocksy/ Danil Nevsky 1. Spend 5 to 20 minutes each day oil pulling (while you watch Netflix, ofc) “The holistic approach of oil pulling from Ayurvedic medicine is growing in popularity in the western world,” says Dr. Rubinov. The idea is to swish with coconut oil for 5 to 20 minutes each day to pull toxins and bacteria off of your teeth. If you’re are able to commit to improving your oral and overall health, you will reap the rewards!” Oil pulling can feel a bit tedious at times, so