December 04, 2018 at 09:37AM There are a lot of ways to healthify your latte these days. For instance, you can get matcha instead of espresso to prevent that dreaded crash later, or you can opt for oat milk, which may be easier on the digestive system. You can even spike it with MCT oil to give it a ketogenic spin. Another latte twist that’s been rising in popularity over the last few years? Adding adaptogenic mushrooms. Mushroom tea and coffee advocates say adding adaptogens is a genius beverage hack because of the booster’s ability to help the body manage stress. Why not reap the benefits from something you’re brewing anyway instead of whipping up a whole other drink or adding another capsule to your supplement-to-swallow list? Well, Dave Asprey, Bulletproof founder and biohacker extraordinaire, is not on board. Why? To start, he’s not a fan of the taste. “Why ruin a perfectly good cup of coffee with the taste of mushrooms?” he asks on his site. “Some types of mushrooms can be pretty earthy—that’s a coffee snob’s way of saying it tastes like dirt.” “Medicinal mushrooms are highly specialized, and you have to work with a well-trained and competent professional to know how to use them correctly.” —Dave Asprey, Bulletproof founder But there’s another, more science-rooted reason he advises against supercharging your brew with adaptogens: It can be complicated! “Medicinal mushrooms are highly specialized, and you have to work with a well-trained and competent professional to know how to use
Month: December 2018
3 friends tried text therapy for 4 months and are publishing the sessions online—here, they explain why
December 04, 2018 at 09:29AM The golden rules of friendship go something like this: You never miss the opportunity for a shared eye roll, you gas each other up every chance you get, and (above all) you don’t shy away from sharing the hardest parts of being human. In early 2018, Akilah Hughes (a YouTuber and comedian), Robyn Kanner (a writer), and Timothy Goodman (a designer and illustrator)—a trio of creative BFFs living in New York City—made a collective resolution to not only discuss the gritty, raw parts of life with one another, but to each participate in four months of text therapy. And, as if all that vulnerability wasn’t lump-in-your-throat-inducing enough, on Monday, the group published the transcripts of their first session online in a collaborative project called Friends with Secrets. “I think, maybe self-servingly, that my friends take advantage of me because they can sense my fear of letting anyone besides myself down.” – Akilah Hughes Over five consecutive days, the site will unveil a new text therapy session for each friend every morning. And if the first ones are any indication: This is just about as no-filter as it gets. In her first session, Hughes tells her therapist, “I think, maybe self-servingly, that my friends take advantage of me because they can sense my fear of letting anyone besides myself down.” Kanner, meanwhile, opens up about the aftermath of past sexual traumas: “I’ve been trying to just move forward but I can’t because every time I try to date or trust anyone I just think
I love Hanukkah so much, the *real* miracle is that it hasn’t ruined me
December 04, 2018 at 08:43AM I’ve learned a lot of things since second grade, and one of them is that holidays are not meant to be competitive. But when I was 7, my case for Hanukkah “beating” Christmas was impassioned. In fact, the ferocious intensity of my argument might mark the closest I’ll ever come to channeling RBG. Hanukkah is EIGHT WHOLE DAYS!!! That’s more than a week’s worth of presents!!! Okay, so that was my whole argument. But still, the annual countdown hosted by my own mind for the Festival of Lights filled me with such joy, I didn’t even miss the the treats-laden Advent calendars many of my classmates got to enjoy for 25 entire days leading up to their designated wintertime holiday. Could I tell you that the significance of Hanukkah centered upon the miracle of a small, impossible-seeming amount oil keeping a menorah burning for eight nights in ancient Jerusalem? Sure! But did I want to? Not at all. All I really wanted was for my dad to fork over that lit candle so I could place it in its rightful spot on the hideous clay menorah I made in preschool. Then I wanted to eat latkes—potato pancakes traditional for Hanukkah literally just because they’re fried in oil, amen; then I wanted to open the presents I knew were coming my way; then I wanted to play dreidel, a thinly veiled gambling game in which gelt, or chocolate coins, are up for grabs rather than real bills; then
5 Amazing Self-Care Audiobooks To Curl Up With Over The Holidays
December 03, 2018 at 11:00PM A little self-care goes a long way, especially during the busy holiday season. Continue Reading… Author | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
Gorpcore has its sights on your sneaker collection
December 04, 2018 at 03:45AM This was undeniably the year of the chunky sneaker—and in 2019, sneaks are getting yet another “ugly chic” make-under. While extra-cushioned kicks aren’t going anywhere anytime soon (good news for anyone just getting in on the trend), their mainstreaming has many wondering…are fugly shoes here to stay? For at least another 12 months, the resounding answer is: Yes! In 2019, you can expect to see “hiking- and outdoor activity-inspired sneakers with rugged soles, bungee cords, and technical performance details like waterproofing,” says Rachael Wang, a stylist and brand consultant who’s worked with Kendall Jenner, Chloe Sevigny, and Julia Roberts, as well as brands like Fila, Saks Fifth Avenue, Nike and Opening Ceremony. The trail-inspired shoe, in particular, shows just how deep the wellness world’s impact on style runs. More women than ever are embracing active lifestyles, and as a result, more fashion brands are focusing on functional design that isn’t just for show but for sport, too. It’s given way to a style of dressing called gorpcore (gorp being another name for “good old raisins and peanuts” trail mix), that’s inspired by the types of clothing you’d wear to go hiking, camping, or forest bathing. Think: anorak jackets, fleece vests, and yes, trail and hiking shoes. These utilitarian items are being paired with everything from leggings to jeans to dresses, both on runways and in real life. Think: anorak jackets, fleece vests, and yes, trail and hiking shoes. They’re being paired with everything from leggings
IV drips are injecting their way into wellness routines
December 04, 2018 at 03:45AM You may have heard of IV drip treatments as the speedy antidote to hangovers in recent years. But many wellness insiders now are making this quick, intravenous method of taking in nutrients a regular thing—thanks to its reputed ability to thoroughly hydrate you and add a vitamin, mineral and amino acid boost to your bloodstream in levels that would be impossible to absorb orally. How? Since it’s an IV, the drip bypasses your body’s digestive system—where nutrients can pass through without being fully absorbed, especially if you have “leaky gut” or other gastro issues—and delivers nutrients in a more bioavailable form. In other words, your body can put whatever’s in the IV to use, fast. The IV infusions have been credited with doing everything from enhancing your skin’s glow, to combatting jet lag, aiding muscle recovery, and improving your digestion (the most popular being the skin-enhancing and immunity boosts). And as wellness aficionados are incorporating the on-the-go treatment into their regular health routines, the market for IV solutions is expected to reach about $13.79 billion by 2024. “You generally feel good [with the treatments]. IVs have got all the components to be big in wellness.” —Frank Lipman, MD Functional medicine pioneer Frank Lipman, MD, who has been utilizing IV treatments for almost 20 years in his practice, sees them as a booming trend. “I’ve definitely seen an increase—in the last five years, IVs have been becoming more popular,” he says. “It’s done everywhere now, not
Big Bush Energy is here, and inspiring a new generation of fem care products
December 04, 2018 at 03:45AM First there was the femtech trend of 2017, when startups began going crazy for lady parts, innovating a wave of new tech-powered women’s sexual health products. Then came the cultural body-inclusivity movement, which is all about the love (including for the hair-down-there). Put them together and you have the 2019 iteration of BDE: Big Bush Energy, where the swagger comes not from being, ahem, cocky—but from being a woman who embraces all parts of herself. In other words: The vagina is taking over the beauty world right now. However you choose to groom is fair game: Products made specifically for your lady parts are launching on the reg, advertisements are getting representative in terms of body hair, and more and more women are feeling empowered to rock a full-on bush—and talk about it, too. “The entire vaginal care category has become wildly popular.” —Annie Jackson, co-founder and COO of Credo Beauty As vaginal-health-focused brands like Lady Suite, Fur, The Perfect V, and Love Wellness (among many others) infiltrate beauty shelves, it’s becoming clear that self-care has become about more than the decolletage and up, no matter how you chose to groom. The idea is to keep the area pH-balanced, using wipes and cleansers, to tend to the sensitive skin and hair follicles down there, all without disruption of the vagina’s microbiome. In fact, the feminine “hygiene” market is anticipated to reach $42.7 billion by 2022, according to Allied Market Research. At the same time, the
It’s time to say buh-bye, “performative wellness”—and hello, sanity
December 04, 2018 at 03:45AM When your wellness routine—AKA the rituals and habits you embraced to make your life better—is stressing you out, things need to change. And for so many people this year, the line between constructive self-care and pure anxiety trigger (as in, just another thing on your already-jammed to-do list) became blurrier than ever before. In 2019, it’s time to simplify, simplify, simplify. And get that wellness-loving mojo back. “In the age of social media and particularly Instagram, I believe the pressure people feel to engage in performative wellness creates anxiety, self-doubt, and depression,” says author, doula, and wellness maven Latham Thomas, who’s watched the landscape shift and expand as wellness has gone from esoteric to everywhere. In the process, Instagram feeds have been flooded with picture-perfect healthy meals, #selfcaresunday rituals, and more. (Hey, if you don’t take an in-studio selfie, did your workout even happen?) All of this enthusiasm is infectious and, yes, fun—but it comes with a side of unspoken pressure to perform your healthy-living habits. “In the age of social media and particularly Instagram, I believe the pressure people feel to engage in performative wellness creates anxiety, self-doubt, and depression.” —Latham Thomas, wellness pioneer The industry boom—and the staggering number of new fitness, food, and lifestyle options to choose from—is partly to blame. New data shows that since 2015, the global wellness industry has grown 12.8 percent, from $3.7 trillion to $4.2 trillion. That increase is reflected in myriad new and expanded companies, products,
You can now drift off to Matthew McConaughey’s voice with this sleep app
December 04, 2018 at 07:09AM Camila Alves is the only one lucky enough to fall asleep to Matthew McConaughey’s voice IRL, but that doesn’t mean you can’t experience the soothing powers of his charming Southern drawl from afar. Now, you can find your nightly Zen by listening to him tell you a bedtime story whenever you want—even if it seriously weirds out your significant other in the process. Calm—an app that helps people unwind and get more restful sleep through meditation, movement, and music—has a section called “Sleep Stories” that lets you listen to tales made to help you conk out, just like back when you were a kid. Except the most recent bedtime story is a little different than the ones your parents told you because it’s narrated by none other than the “alright, alright, alright” actor. And get this: It’s 35 minutes long. In his story called Wonder, McConaughey tells you all about “a grandfather explaining the magic of the universe and of life itself to his granddaughter.” That’s not important, though, because, after just a few minutes of listening to his ultra-soothing voice, you’ll most likely have already drifted off. Sure, it might be a little strange having the actor put you into a deep slumber, but whatever works, right? Just be prepared to wake up to some very interesting dreams. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xbEQL59Fi54?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281] Learn how to fall asleep in two minutes or less using this technique from the U.S. Army. Or, try a sleep therapist’s 5-step, zzz’s-inducing meditation to put sleepless nights to
5 things introverts would rather do at a party than talk to people
December 04, 2018 at 06:39AM While social gatherings are an extrovert’s playground—so many people to talk to and spend time with—it’s pretty much the opposite for an introvert. Trust me, I’d know. Sure, socializing is fun for about .5 seconds, but then I’m typically hit with a wave of regret, wishing I would have stayed home cuddled up on the couch watching Netflix. (FOMO, who?) There’s a cartoon that sums up the party experience all too perfectly—and will make you feel much better about your introverted ways. Liz Fosslien and Mollie West Duffy, the creators of the oh-so-relatable Instagram account @lizandmollie and the book No Hard Feelings, share real-life struggles through adorable artwork. While many of their sketches are career-oriented, they also dive into the woes of adulthood in general, and a recent post about introverts and the (genius!) ways the can often be found recharging during parties couldn’t be more spot-on. View this post on Instagram I love doing the dishes at dinner parties! Lets me feel useful and like I’m still a contributor, but gives me a little social break. 10/10, highly recommend. . . . #introvert #introvertproblems #intj #extrovert #psychology #party #tgif #dinner #social #socialanxiety #anxiety #stress #friends #art #illustration #drawing #artistsoninstagram #artoftheday #feelings #emotions #socializing #wisdom #tip #mindset #growth #work #weekend A post shared by Liz and Mollie (@lizandmollie) on Nov 9, 2018 at 9:11am PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js Instead of hanging with other guests, introverts can typically be found doing one of five things when they need to recharge: