December 03, 2018 at 07:01PM Usually when it comes time to practice self-care, you ditch your tech and focus on what makes you feel good IRL, whether that’s taking a candlelit bath, making your favorite smoothie, or grabbing a good book. Don’t push your phone too far away, though: Thanks to a growing trend, self-care apps might just be the easiest way to get your fix. Every year, Apple reveals what’s on the rise, and for 2018, the App Store editors have named self-care the breakout trend, due to the ever-growing list of options that are giving people fuss-free, super accessible ways to focus on the self. “Our devices are always so close to us, and being able to pull them out and almost have a self-care buddy right there with you is really nice,” Smokey Fontaine, EIC of the App Store, tells me. “Self-care means different things to everyone, and however you want to bring a positive moment into your day, there’s an app for that.” While the self-care genre expands year after year, Fontaine reveals it’s really hit a new level in 2018. “It goes beyond not only what you imagine an app could do, but also what a self-care app is. It’s gone beyond meditation into some really interesting areas,” he says. Sure, go-tos like Headspace are certainly here to stay. But you’ll also find other options that are continuing to grow, too, like Shine, which motivates through audio pep talks, #SelfCare, which gives you soothing activities to do (like coloring circles
Month: December 2018
The tiny gifts you need to curate the ultimate wellness stocking
December 03, 2018 at 06:30PM Whether you’re filling an actual stocking or just searching for a little somethin’ somethin’ to give to everyone on your list, you’ll want to go beyond the tired candy and socks usual (yawn). To put a healthy spin on the goodie-filled tradition, we curated our favorite tiny trinkets for the ultimate list of wellness stocking stuffers (or to gift separately for a small but thoughtful gift). And because no wellness-themed present is complete without a little self care, don’t forget to throw in some natural beauty gems from Burt’s Bees (like the OG beeswax lip balm) for a gift so great you’ll be tempted to keep yourself. Scroll down to see the wellness stocking stuffers you’ll want to add to your shopping list this year. @import url(“https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/plugins/imagelinks/lib/imagelinks.theme.dark.css?ver=imagelinks”); Avocado Necklace She knows guac is extra, and she loves it anyway. Help her declare her love for the green fruit with this 14-karat gold-plated necklace, and you’ll also be helping young people learn about nutrition (20 percent of the proceeds will be donated to Green Beetz). Buy Now $98 The Beauty Chef Glow Sachets Individual packets of beauty-boosting smoothie add-ins are perfectly sized for stockings (or gym bags), and are packed with turmeric, green tea powder, and collagen-promoting vitamin C for her daily dose of glow. Buy Now $18 The Muse Shhhower Cap Saving your blowout has never looked cuter. Slipping this chic shower cap (yes, those words can go together) on over her tresses will ensure
Behold, the best credit card rewards for all your holiday shopping needs
December 03, 2018 at 02:30PM The holiday season can be described in a lot of ways. It’s joyful, it’s cheerful, it’s exciting, and it’s nostalgic. But when you’re in the thick of getting through your list of gifts you need to buy, “extraordinarily expensive” seems to best fit the, well, bill. Spreading joy comes with a high price tag, and if you’re swiping your credit card day after day, those amounts can add up. But hey, who says you can’t benefit from the gift of giving, too? Below are the best shopping rewards to take advantage of from three major credit cards: Bank of America Premium Rewards, American Express Platinum (both of which require activating the offer in question on the app or website), and Chase Sapphire Preferred (for which customers use the “Shop through Chase” portal to rack up points). As of publishing, all of the offers—perfect for workout warriors, beauty buffs, and home-decor devotees, alike—are available and ready to make your holiday shopping more fruitful if not easier. And, since they leave you with cash back in your pocket and points in your account, consider yourself that much closer to a paid-for jaunt to Kaikoura, New Zealand—Airbnb’s top 2019 destination to visit. Not too shabby, right? Get the most out of your holiday shopping with these deals for 3 major credit cards. Photo: Getty Images/Burak Karademir Bank of America Premium Rewards Get 10 percent cash back at Dermalogica, for your skin-care-loving bestie. Sip up 5 percent cash back
Can you go vegan without burning out your brain?
December 03, 2018 at 01:41PM Okay, I get it: being vegan is pretty damn good for you. The eating plan is consistently ranked as one of the best diets for weight loss and diabetes management, and is associated with lower cancer rates and better gut health. Plus, shunning animal products in favor of fruits, veggies, nuts, seeds, and grains is widely considered to be better for the environment. And as someone who was recently told to avoid dairy because of an autoimmune condition, I’ve definitely considered going fully vegan after years of experimenting with vegetarian and flexitarian eating. However, while most downsides about veganism have been largely debunked (yes, you can get enough protein!), there’s one concern I still have: Will such a restrictive diet mess with my brain health? Rather than going down an Internet rabbit hole, I decided to throw this question to experts to unpack. Do you lose any brain-boosting nutrients by going vegan? Possibly. Research shows it can be a lot harder to get all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients essential for proper health with such a limited diet. That’s particularly true when it comes to brain health—in nixing all animal products, you’re eliminating key sources of omega-3 fatty acids and vitamin B12. Omega-3s, particularly a variety called DHAs, have been shown in studies to be “associated with better non-verbal reasoning, mental flexibility, working memory, and vocabulary,” says Lisa Mosconi, PhD, author of Brain Food: The Surprising Science of Eating for Cognitive Power. And a vitamin B12 deficiency, she
The jury’s out on whether or not exercise can help rev up your sex life
December 03, 2018 at 11:32AM Picture this: A wellness freelance writer (who sometimes writes about sex) goes on a date (errr, coffee hang, shall we say) with a muscle-bound CrossFit coach. As we walk to grab a cup of Joe, I attempt awkward small talk with the Fabio-bodied man, telling him that: “I’ve been researching supplements you can take to boost your libido!” (Yes, my voice said it in a tone deserving of an exclamation point. Smoooooth.). Like the first-date trooper he is, he doesn’t take this flub with any sort of insinuation. Instead, he tells me that, as a personal trainer and coach, he likes to talk to his clients about their libido, saying that sudden on-set low libido can be a sign of poor recovery. Now, he has my attention, I’ll tell you that for sure. But, I wonder: A) How true this is and B) If this is just the case for men, who, after all, are better-studied than women. I’d read headlines in the past that stemmed from a study done on men’s sex drives and working out, which found that exercise can decrease desire. The caveat of the findings? It’s only if it’s really, really strenuous and prolonged exercise (however, other studies like this one and this one have shown that working out boosts testosterone and libido in men—especially those who are sedentary or do very little physical activity). But given CrossFit’s reputation for being hardcore, it’s not too surprising that my “pal” (don’t @ me, dating is confusing) jumped
This 4-Point Checklist Will Tell You How Effective Your Probiotic Is
December 02, 2018 at 11:00PM Is your probiotic really working? Read on to find out. Continue Reading… Author | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
What to get your fitness-obsessed friends who seemingly have everything
December 03, 2018 at 10:51AM Feeling stumped about what to get your workout buddy who never misses a 7 a.m. spin date and always has a spare hair tie? We got you covered with an editor-approved list of routine-simplifying, smile-inducing, and straight-up ingenious picks (see: luxe refillable deodorant). Whether she prefers hill climbs or low-key flows to achieve that post-workout glow, you’ll find something she won’t expect but ultimately needs. Prepare for a lot of ecstatic gushing from your workout pals. Scroll down and click on the hotspots to learn more about the winter gym-bag essentials. @import url(“https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/plugins/imagelinks/lib/imagelinks.theme.dark.css?ver=imagelinks”); ASICS Women’s GT-2000 7 Upgrade her runs with these supportive sneaks, which come in five crave-worthy colors. The durable, impact-absorbing sole helps her feel light on her feet at every mile—and closer to crushing her goal. Buy Now $120 ASICS Lite-Show 7/8 Tight These fitted tights are the perfect companion for chilly morning jogs and nighttime runs. The reflective leggings come with a convenient laminated pocket for her smartphone, protecting it from sweat and snow. Buy Now $70 ASICS Urban Racer Jacket Since winter is all about smart layering, this heat-retaining, lightweight jacket is guaranteed to be a mainstay in her lineup. She can throw on as a top layer for outdoor workouts, and wear it as a mid-layer to stay super toasty on her walk to the gym. Buy Now $130 TheraGun G2PRO Professional Massager Foam rolling is so last year. Introduce your fitness enthusiast to DIY percussive therapy and she’ll never
Planners so pretty, you might *actually* stick with them through the end of 2019
December 03, 2018 at 10:05AM January 1st is your annual excuse to purchase a shiny-new planner, and start applying Marie Kondo-level organization to your TDL. After all, grabbing your gel pens and going to town with writing down your weekly action items might help boost your ZZZs and minimize your stress levels. Before you do anything though, you’ll need to go ahead and choose a 365-day paper companion that matches your aesthetic *and* that you won’t grow tired of by March (really, it’s such a problem). Below, we’ve rounded up nine of the best planners for starting 2019 out on the most organized of notes. And whether you’re partial to inspirational messages, plant lady-chic designs, or a can’t-be-beat millennial pink color scheme, you’ll find something to add a modicum of order to the daily grind. Shop (*the* prettiest) 2019 planners. Buy Now Wellness Tracker Calendar $18 Buy Now 2019 Large 12-Month Annual Planner $32 Buy Now Mon Journal Ver.2 $10 Buy Now 17-Month Hanging Plants Custom Planner $50 Buy Now May Designs Appointment Book $20 Buy Now 2019 The Starry Night Monthly Planner $22 Buy Now 100 Day Planner $26 Buy Now Bow & Arrow Press Bluebirds $20 Buy Now I’m Such a Professional 2019 Planner $40 If you prefer to freestyle your to-dos, here’s how to start a bullet journal. And while you’re already restoring order to your day, here’s how to organize your pantry, too. Continue Reading… Author Kells McPhillips | Well and Good Selected by iversue
12 pairs of comfy jeans that’ll convince you to leave the stretch for your workout
December 03, 2018 at 09:46AM With the heavy influence of nostalgia in fashion right now, non-stretch denim is the look du jour, often with a high-rise waist and in a straight or slim-fit silhouette—you might also know them as “mom” jeans. But that moniker doesn’t really do this denim justice say those who are fans of the new styles on the market right now. “Non-stretch denim is one of our favorite fabrics to play with because of the cool, vintage attitude it gives to jeans,” says Jill Guenza, vice president of global women’s design at Levi’s. If you’re accustomed to super-stretchy jeans, rigid denim might feel like an unsavory style. But stiffer fabrics can actually be more flattering and get better over time, rather than breaking down and needing to be replaced after a season or two. (Let’s call it a win for conscientious consumption.) “The denim has just the right amount of body-molding give, yet holds you in and up in all the right places,” says Guenza. “Because non-stretch denim generally has more structure than high-stretch denim, it gives slim and straight-leg fits amazing attitude.” Warming to the idea of adding a pair to your wardrobe? Here’s a pro-tip for you: “With non-stretch denim, you can expect the jeans will expand slightly as they shape to your body, so be sure to buy them on the snug side,” Guenza advises. Photo: Tim Gibson for Well+Good Alaina Miller, women’s design director for Citizens of Humanity, agrees that a “perfect” or “snug” fit
This dreamy, off-the-beaten-path destination is Airbnb’s top spot to visit in 2019
December 03, 2018 at 09:14AM It’s a common MO for travelers to flock to heavily-populated cities to check out the ultimate tourist hot spots, but one of the latest vacay trends involves doing the exact opposite: putting your Eiffel Tower dreams on hold in favor of more off-the-beaten-path experiences. Airbnb just released its top destinations to visit in 2019 after culling internal data from users’ searches, bookings, and wish lists—and the results don’t lie. Next year, the most sought-after places to visit and explore aren’t the Londons and Tokyos of the world. The top location on the list? Kaikoura, New Zealand, which showed a 295 percent increase in year-to-year bookings and a 210 percent increase in year-to-year searches on the platform. And get this: There are rentals you can book for as little as $89/night. Back in 2016, the coastal town of 3,800 residents took a massive hit after it was heavily damaged by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Two years later, the place is totally booming, and it’s easy to see why. Located on a rocky peninsula, the area provides a taste of the sea and mountains. And not only do visitors get to share their experience with its many friendly non-human locals—including sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and fur seals—but there are endless possibilities to keep you busy while you’re there. View this post on Instagram I don't know about you but I am a sucker for a good sunrise! @Regran_ed from @inestausch_photography – Kaikoura, New Zealand “Own only what you can always