December 11, 2018 at 01:30PM I don’t know about you, but my mood changes the second the weather does. When it’s sunny outside, I’m energized, happy, and ready to take on the world…and when it’s dark and gloomy, I basically have to do everything in my power to make sure I don’t burrito myself up in a warm, fuzzy blanket and stay there all day. That’s why winter can be especially tough: Every single day has the same, miserable forecast—cold, wet, and dark. While there’s plenty of sunlight to go around the rest of the year, the lack thereof in the chillier months isn’t great—and not just because it’s harder to feel awake and lively during the day. That sunshine is also crucial for other areas of your health and well-being, too. The instant you see the sun peeking out from behind the clouds this winter, run like your life depends on it to soak some up—even if they’re less powerful!—because there are plenty of reasons why getting sunlight in the winter is an absolute must. Here are five reasons to jump at the opportunity to opportunity. 1. It boosts your immune system and prevents disease A study from Georgetown University found when your skin is exposed to the sun sans sunscreen, those rays increase the movement of your T cells, which help keep your immune system strong. Separately, the vitamin D your body produces through sunlight also does a lot of good for you overall health. “Vitamin D is synthesized in the skin with
Day: December 11, 2018
Is cracking your back and neck actually bad for you or did my parents lie?
December 11, 2018 at 01:27PM One of my biggest guilty pleasures in life is cracking my neck and back. Pleasure because, well, there’s nothing quite as satisfying as feeling (and hearing) that cracking travel all the way up a stiff spine…but guilty because literally everyone says cracking your back and neck is so, so bad. Doesn’t that crazy popping sound mean something is breaking? Well, first things first: “The cracking is actually the sound a joint makes when pressure is put on on the joint, known as a synovial joint,” explains Dr. Ciara Cappo, DC, of Cappo Chiropractic & Sports Therapy. “That’s because there’s pockets of gas in these joints that burst and create a sharp noise commonly described as a ‘pop’ and ‘crack.’” The bursting of these little pockets—which are sometimes referred to as “vacuums,” says Dr. Jonathan Hyde, MD, board certified orthopedic surgeon with Miami Spine Specialist—is generally NBD. But that *doesn’t* mean you have free rein to crack away. “While it’s okay to crack your finger, manipulating your own back and neck is far riskier and more complex—for reasons that don’t have to do with these pockets,” says Noam Sadovnik, DC, a chiropractor and the founder and CEO of Clinicube Inc. More on these ~complexities~ below. Photo: Stocksy/ Clique Images The case against cracking your back or neck Cracking your neck or back isn’t like popping a pimple or picking your nose (both generally harmless but not recommended). The habit is way worse, say most experts. “Usually when people crack their neck and back, they
Why you should never dermaroll after applying your skin-care products
December 11, 2018 at 01:00PM At some point over the course of the past year, rolling your face with itty-bitty needles in the name of #selfcare has very much become a thing. Microneedling (AKA “derma rolling”) went from your dermatologist’s office to your Instagram feeds to your actual bathroom, and I personally can’t remember what life was like without my favorite spiky little tool (aside from being far, far less glowy). But this morning, after using mine religiously for the last 18 months, I found out that I’d been doing it wrong the entire time—which, understandably, left me with a whole lot of questions about how to actually use a dermaroller. Dermarollers—which admittedly look like some form of medieval torture device, but happen to feel amazing—use small, sharp points to stimulate tissue regeneration and help your topical products penetrate better. Because of this, I’d always assumed that sandwiching my prickly mini-facial in between my toner and serums made the most sense. As it turns out, though, in doing so I was actually putting my skin at risk for a rash. According to a new study, microneedling after you’ve put on any products can introduce “immunogenic particles” into the skin, which can cause allergic and hypersensitive reactions. Um, whoops. The right time to dermaroll is “after washing [and] before applying topical products onto clean skin.” —Rachel Nazarian, MD With that in mind, Dr. Rachel Nazarian of Schweiger Dermatology says that the right time to dermaroll is “after washing [and] before applying topical products
Want to make your HIIT workout more effective this winter? Take it outside
December 11, 2018 at 12:57PM I know, I know. Winter weather and outdoor workouts don’t exactly go together. Usually, the only time most of us—with the exception of some very brave runners and cyclists—voluntarily brave the cold in pursuit of a sweat sesh is during the walk to and from the gym. But instead of thinking of the cold as an obstacle, why not think about it as an asset that you can use to your advantage? “I think the science can serve as a credible prompt to get people to see cooler climates as an ally rather than an enemy,” says Jimmy T. Martin, co-founder of BRRRN, a boutique fitness shop in NYC that offers classes at cooler temperatures (from 45° to 60°F), in what can best be described as the exact opposite of hot yoga. “Outdoor athletes, such as runners and cyclists, can attest to the benefits of a chillier workout environment. It’s actually quite fascinating the things your body can do when heat doesn’t get in the way.” Before you balk at the suggestion to get outside and start HIIT training when its zero degrees, consider that there’s some (pretty cool!) science that supports the benefits of working out in colder temps. Research shows that the body can burn more calories at cooler temps. Plus, studies have found that shivering boosts your metabolism, and you’ll be less likely to fatigued when it’s chilly, so you’ll be able to workout (in the words of Kanye West) harder, better, faster, stronger. While all of this
And the most popular Peloton classes of the year are…
December 11, 2018 at 12:12PM With its seemingly endless library of choices, Peloton is basically the Netflix of workouts. Not only can you reap its benefits from the comfort of your home (though, sadly, not directly from your couch), but no matter what your favorite genre is, with 10,000 different on-demand workouts from certified instructors you’ll never have to repeat a sweat sesh. Like, ever. In honor of the end of 2018, the cycling app (which recently expanded its influence into running and yoga) just tallied up its most popular rides of the year to see which reigned supreme. The most beloved? A cycling version of the Turkey trot, known as the Turkey Burn, which had a record-breaking 19,000 cyclists test it out. Spinning in at a hot second is Peloton’s All For One Ride, with 18,488 riders, which initially live-streamed on July 4 to commemorate the incredible growth of the community. But this wasn’t your every-day Peloton ride: For this workout, 11 of Peloton’s instructors came together to teach the 45-minute class, which had a curated playlist (a song by John Mellencamp started it off) and a ton of energy. “This was the first time that our incredible lineup of instructors created one ride, together,” says Hannah Marie Corbin, a Peloton instructor who was part of the class. “I think our riders loved the opportunity to celebrate the unity in Peloton’s unique community. It’s hard to explain the excitement as I watched the leaderboard explode with greatness—watching the community harness the energy of the riders
10 places sneakerheads actually shop at in New York City
December 11, 2018 at 11:48AM New York City is both an incubator of streetwear and an institution that houses some of the most serious and diverse sneaker stores in the country (if not the world). Do a Google search for sneaker stores in the Big Apple and prepare to very quickly be overwhelmed with your options. Every brand has a behemoth of a flagship and then there are the boutiques, which are the ones I’ve chosen to focus on (because you can find an Adidas store pretty much anywhere). These are both the most-hyped and the under-the-radar sneaker stores that NYC streetwear fanatics and gym rats alike have on their radar (or should). View this post on Instagram FC Miami x @teyanataylor A post shared by Flight Club (@flightclub) on Nov 23, 2018 at 5:30pm PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js 1. Flight Club Flight Club is one of the OGs on New York’s sneaker scene. They used to have two locations but now just have one mega-sneaker heaven. At Flight Club, you’ll be able to find those rare styles or drops that sold out so quickly. But part of the reason they’ve become so renowned is that they brought the idea of high fashion consignment to the luxury sneaker market—you can both buy and sell a pair of covetable kicks here. Flight Club, 812 Broadway, New York, New York, 10003; (888) 937-8020 2. Rime If you’re interested in stepping up your sneaker game but don’t know where to start, Rime is a great place to
This is *exactly* the right amount of each skin-care products to use
December 11, 2018 at 11:38AM When it comes to skin care, we seem to talk endlessly about the type of products and number of steps in our routines, but never about how much of them we should actually be using. Directives usually advise us to “slather on” moisturizer, “dab” eye cream, and “coat our faces in a thin layer” of serum but, really, what the heck does any of that even mean? What I want to know is the right amount of every skincare product to use, right now thank you very much. Considering my holy grail serum retails at $125 a pop (I combine it with drugstore products to balance things out in my bank account, I swear), the thought of overusing it on a daily basis and—gasp—running out of it before absolutely necessary makes my heart hurt. With that in mind, I tend to eke out the ittiest, bittiest drops to ensure it lasts as long as possible. But apparently, there are pitfalls in using both too much and too little of your favorite products. “Underusing products will give you a less than ideal result in terms of desired effect,” says Connecticut-based dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. “Overusing can create irritation and redness, and it in some cases can cause a filmy or oily residue on your face.” As a general rule, though, the type of product you’re using matters far more than how much of it you’re applying. “Quality over quantity is the way everyone should address their skin-care regimen,” says Lauren Abramowitz,
If you have high blood pressure, ditch the salt and try these 6 healthy foods instead
December 11, 2018 at 11:07AM Having your doctor raise their eyebrows when looking over your charts isn’t exactly the greatest feeling. Having them tell you to lay off the salt (and all the salty foods you love like ramen and popcorn) because your blood pressure is too high? Even worse. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 75 million adults have high blood pressure (nearly one in three of adults). And that’s a BFD: Per the American Heart Association, high blood pressure puts strain on your heart, putting you at a greater risk for developing a heart attack or having a stroke. Lifestyle habits like exercising and quitting smoking can help, but giving your diet a revamp is key to combatting hypertension (the fancy term for high blood pressure), too. So now comes the big question: What exactly can you eat? Listed here are six healthy foods that lower blood pressure, according to current science and research. Consider this your handy go-to guide to use when meal planning. Scroll down for a list of foods that help lower blood pressure—and see what to avoid. Photo: Getty Images/Rfbrett Stevens 1. Spinach One of the best dietary habits you can make when trying to lower your blood pressure is eating foods high in potassium. Why? According to the American Heart Association, potassium helps counteract the effects of sodium (which can increase blood pressure in some people) while also easing tension in your blood vessels. The average adult should be getting 4,700 milligrams of potassium
How to talk with your parents about their unhealthy habits without being disrespectful
December 11, 2018 at 10:07AM Between the Butterball turkeys (or glazed butternut squashes!), latkes, and Christmas cookies, the odds are strong that you’ve clocked in more time around your parents’ dinner table this past month than you have all year. Given all of that QT, you may have uncovered some unsettlingly unhealthy habits about the very people who taught you how to live (NBD): Dad douses everything in salt! Mom hasn’t worked out since her Sweatin’ to the Oldies VHS broke eight years ago! No matter which vices your folks prefer, as a loving, caring child, the lifestyle choices may well ring alarm bells and inspire you to have the talk. (No, not that talk!) Yep, you decide—knowing everything you do about living a well and health-rich life—to call a family meeting and lay out all of your concerns about the things you see as problematic. (Because, Dad—that fried chicken salad with iceberg lettuce and extra ranch may well be a salad, but it’s not doing your organs any favors.) But, uh oh! Your parents aren’t quite feeling your Healthy Living 101 lecture. I mean, are you really surprised they don’t want to be parented by you? This, according to psychotherapist Matt Lundquist, LCSW, of Tribeca Therapy, often happens because even if you’re coming from the best possible place, there’s a right and a wrong way to go about schooling your parents. “I always believe that before you’re offering anybody any help or advice or guidance, it’s important to have
#MyMentalStateIn5Words is trending on Twitter, so I want to know: “Why is brie so expensive?”
December 11, 2018 at 10:05AM Translating the blob of feelings inside of you into spoken words can feel like a real chore. I mean, is there a term for when you’re sleepy, stressed, angry, disillusioned by the government, tangry, and euphoric from your morning boxing class all at the same time? Merriam-Webster, you need to get on it! Since no such vocabulary exists yet, Twitter users have taken to expressing their inner turmoil in tweets followed by #MyMentalStateIn5Words. And you guys, things are looking about 95-percent bleak. One user typed “Very well hidden shit show,” another: “A dumpster fire on steroids,” and: “Want to hibernate ’til spring.” To all these moods, I say same, same, and same. But just to confirm that everyone is embodying a combination of the “dizzy faced emoji,” the “zany face emoji,” and the “woman shrugging emoji,” I challenged the Well+Good edit team to write their own five-word odes to their mental health. And several themes seemed to crop up over and over again. Theme 1: Puppies are the only answer “I want a cocker spaniel.” “Puppy cuddles and Netflix, please.” theme 2: Can we please just swipe left on everything leading up to Christmas? “‘thank u, next’ to everything.” “Just smile and wave, boys.” “Is IV coffee a thing?” “Australia, Australia, Australia, Australia, Australia.” (Note: This person hails from the Land Down Under) “Nothing’s on fire here, thanks.” “How many days ’til Christmas?” “Watching Love Actually on repeat.” Theme 3: the political landscape is a garbage fire “Why does Brett Kavanaugh exist.” “When will the