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,
Month: December 2018
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
These bras are so comfortable you’ll forget you’re wearing them
December 11, 2018 at 09:56AM This time of year, like every year, I’m all about comfort. In a bra that means no wire, compression, or digging. Minimizers need not apply. Even tags are on my naughty list. What I do want are bras that deliver support and separation, all while being as cozy as my favorite cotton cami. This used to only be an option for women with smaller boobs. But bra companies have been listening and the dream is now real for all of us. Brands like Lululemon and Lively offer wireless up to a DD and DDD (that’s an E and F in bra lingo), while brands like On Gossamer, Blush, and Natori are inclusive up to size XL. So, it’s time to unhook that digging wire bra and pull it out your sleeve because comfortable bras now come in all styles, so whether you’re looking for the most basic Pima cotton tank bra or a fashion bra with lace or metallic detail, look no further. Below are nine bras so comfy you’ll forget you’re even wearing them. Photo: Blush Blush Enamored Bralette, $48 Photo: Everlane Everlane The Tank Bra, $22 Photo: Hatch Collection Hatch Collection The Bra, $48 Photo: Lively Lively The Metallic Busty Bralette, $35 Photo: Lululemon Lululemon Like Nothing Bra, $68 Photo: Natori Natori Bella Wireless Convertible Bra, $52 Photo: Negative Underwear Negative Underwear Silky Non-Wire Bra in Black Marble, $65 Photo: On Gossamer On Gossamer Next to Nothing Mesh Wireless Shimmer Bralette, $34 Photo: Yummie Yummie
Pinterest’s top fashion trends for 2019 show that wellness is on the rise
December 11, 2018 at 09:12AM In 2018, leggings stopped being doubted as pants, sneakers proved they can be rocked with gym clothes and girly dresses, and once-dusty fanny packs basically became a wardrobe staple… again. So it’s no wonder why some of Pinterest’s top fashion searches feature plenty of activewear and streetwear, proving just how hot wellness is right now—and how its popularity is only going to increase in the new year. In the just-released Pinterest 100—the platform’s fifth annual round-up of what its hundreds of millions of users are searching for—many potential top new fashion trends emerged for 2019. Sure, bamboo bags, tortoise earrings, and oval sunglasses made an appearance. But there was also plenty of room for athleisure, starting with something Kim Kardashian single-handedly brought back from the ’90s: Spandex bike shorts. According to Pinterest, the searches for “biker shorts” increased by 1,323 percent with pins that proved people love rocking them in workouts just as often as they do out and about as a statement piece. (Obvi paired with some high socks and sneakers.) Speaking of sneakers, it’s time to venture beyond the classic plain white style: The searches for “statement sneakers” have increased by 2,211 percent with users looking for more eye-catching and colorful options. From pastel to sparkles, the options are endless. It’s not just specific pieces people are interested in, though—it’s also how they’re made. Over the past year, some of the biggest designers have put in the effort to become more sustainable and socially responsible—so much so that
Lotion warmers exist and, yes, they’re as dreamy as they sound
December 11, 2018 at 06:39AM I’ve avoided moisturizing my body for far too long. Despite the fact that my limbs need hydration just as badly as my face, I always wonder who in their right mind wants to slather on a cold cream after taking a nice, steamy bath or shower? I tremble in fright just thinking about that sensation. But then my skin started turning on me. I’ve been waking up in the middle of the night, frantically scratching my legs or my elbows that are just so parched that they interrupt my slumber in order to be itched. I get it—it’s the winter and skin’s more prone to be dry, so I had to get into the full-body moisturizing game. After some due diligence, I somehow stumbled upon what I’m now dubbing the most genius invention of all time (after dry shampoo): lotion warmers. Yes, it’s true—a device exists solely to heat your hand or body or whatever lotion up to a perfectly warm temperature so that you don’t have to get frostbite while applying moisturizer. All you have to do is plop your go-to lotion into the container, wait two minutes, and then the all-hailed contraption dispenses the moisturizer at a lusciously warm temp that you’ll actually enjoy slathering all over yourself. My secret is putting my lotion in before my shower, then hitting the button to warm it up right before I’m finished sudsing up. That way, when I step out, I can immediately engulf my already steamy
These are the heeled boots you won’t hate if you usually live in sneakers
December 11, 2018 at 06:19AM My love affair with sneakers is well-documented. But I wasn’t always like this. Just a couple of years ago, the idea of wearing sneakers anywhere aside from the gym made me feel nauseous. I would strap myself into the most painful shoes, and I took pride in the fact that I was sacrificing personal comfort for looking good. Fast forward to today, and I’m now the kind of person who wears full-on workout clothes even if I’m not going to work out. (I dare someone to tell me leggings aren’t real pants.) So anytime I’m required to wear footwear that’s not a sneaker, I get a little annoyed/concerned about the well-being of my feet. I say “required” like I couldn’t get away with wearing sneakers basically anywhere in Los Angeles where I live, but sometimes even I want to switch it up from sneaks and put on some cute heels. That said, I’m not about to strap my feet into torturous shoes anymore. Since it’s now winter time, I’m adding heeled boots to my footwear rotation. Here are the pairs I, a devoted sneaker lover, actually find comfortable enough to wear on the regular. Everlane Women’s Boss Boot, $235 Photo: Everlane When I saw the white patent leather iteration of these boots I immediately turned into a living heart-eye emoji. The two-inch heel gives me a little boost in the height department without making me want to inject my feet with Novocain. And despite the pointy
It’s not best practice to wait till after the holidays to dump your partner—so, time to get brave
December 11, 2018 at 05:30AM The holidays are like a pressure cooker for relationships—regardless of whether or not the unions are healthy. Between the gift-giving and the family get-togethers, many mini “tests” of romantic love happen between, oh, right now and the new year. While the season of joy is counterintuitively tough on the happiest of couples, if you’ve been unhappy in your a relationship for a bit, the holidays can feel even worse. Maybe you’re ready to say goodbye to the relationship, but you feel guilty about calling it quits given the timing. If this is the case, should you wait until after the holidays, so you don’t swiftly cancel all the festive couple plans—holiday parties, and family visits, and exchanging the presents you already purchased—on your mutual docket, right along with canceling the relationship itself? The answer, according to Megan Stubbs, EdD, a board-certified sexologist and relationship expert, is no. “I’m very pro rip-the-Band-Aid-off,” she says. “If you’re unhappy in the relationship, you’re only going to prolong things by waiting until after the holidays are over.” Obviously, certain variables can affect whether or not you choose to end a relationship, like what the issue actually is and how long you’ve been together. But Dr. Stubbs is clear: In the majority of these cases, it’s better to end things now instead of waiting, even though it’s never easy breaking up with someone. “If you’re unhappy in the relationship, you’re only going to prolong things by waiting until after the holidays are over.”
Here’s how gross sharing a toothbrush with your partner really is, according to a dentist
December 11, 2018 at 05:29AM There are people completely unfazed by using their partner’s toothbrush—whether it’s a one-time thing or a regular occurrence—and those who are totally repulsed by the idea. No matter which camp best describes you, know that sharing definitely isn’t caring when it comes to your oral hygiene. But if you do borrow your partner’s toothbrush from time to time, your’e not alone: In a survey of more than 1,100 Match.com members, the online dating platform found that 22 percent of the participants admitted to doing it—and 76 percent of ’em never even told their partners about the bristly encounter. (But it’s curious as to why this happens, given that 92 percent of respondents said it’s more than appropriate to leave your toothbrush at an S.O.’s place after you’ve had a DTR chat.) The habit might not seem all that bad—you’re sharing with a person you regularly smooch, after all. But according to orthodontist Ana Castilla, DDS, swapping spit and swapping brushes aren’t the same thing—like, at all. And that’s why she would never, ever recommend it. “The mouth is home to hundreds of different species of bacteria and occasionally some viruses that can easily be transferred from one person to another by sharing a toothbrush, including the culprits for colds, flu, herpes, and even periodontal disease,” Dr. Castilla tells me. “To kiss someone is one thing. To pick up the plaque and bacteria off of someone’s teeth and then scrub it on your own is quite another.” “To kiss someone is