February 16, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC By design, my Instagram is filled with messages telling me to love myself just as I am. I am trying, I really am. I follow the most inspiring people on Instagram. I am all about Bunny Michael’s conversations with her higher self. And I check out artist Mari Andrews when I want to feel like I’m getting healing oxygen to my heart (her “magical things about New York” series alone does the job). But doesn’t the idea of self-love, self-acceptance, and even self-compassion feel a bit self-indulgent? Don’t get me wrong, when I see someone fiercely owning what they’ve got—including the particular “flaws” that actually make them more compelling, more vulnerable, more attractive, and more interesting—I feel the power and authenticity of that. And none of it seems braggy or selfish. But when it comes to me, though, I can’t shake the feeling that I want wait until I’m a little bit better before I focus on self-compassion. Which is probably why I ended up in C-student territory when I tested my self-compassion using a quiz in The New York Times (adapted from the research of Kristin Neff, PhD). The verdict: “You have a moderate level of self-compassion but could benefit from some self reflection on how to be kind toward yourself. Try a writing exercise in which you write about a time when you struggled or failed and how you felt about yourself. Now consider how you would treat a close friend in the same situation.” Of course
Day: February 16, 2019
This snoozy supplement you take before bed does totally awesome things for your skin
February 16, 2019 at 11:00AM by CWC Melatonin has long been the go-to for sleepless nights of tossing and turning. In fact, there’s a bottle next to my bed, and we’ve had our fair share of midnight (and, okay 9 p.m.) rendezvous. And now, you can expect to start seeing a whole lot more of the snooze-inducing ingredient somewhere other than on your bedside table. Namely, in your skin-care cabinet. The conversation around topical melatonin for skin has been buzzing amongst dermatologists for a while now, and lately it’s started to hit the mainstream by popping up in products. And, if preliminary research is to be believed, it may be just as good for your skin as it is for your REM cycle. “Melatonin is a hormone produced in the skin as well as in the body,” explains Austin-based dermatologist Ted Lain, MD, noting that it tends to be mostly concentrated at night. “Melatonin can act as an antioxidant helping prevent sun damage and protecting from the effects of pollution on the DNA in your skin cells as well as protecting the collagen in the second layer of your skin.” As an antioxidant, it can help neutralize free radicals and promote healthy collagen production to help stave off wrinkles. And, no—it won’t make you sleepy when you apply it topically. “For skin cells, melatonin is able to slow down and even reverse UV-induced damage, protecting cellular DNA from free-radicals,” says Marko Lens, MD founder of Zelens, which recently launched their
How to make a chakra bracelet that will balance your look (and possibly, your energy)
February 16, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC Sure, a solid-gold ring stack or a chunky chain necklace can bring balance to your outfit—making, say, your slouchiest sweatpants feel brunch-appropriate. But can they also harmonize your chakras? Doubt it, which is where crystal jewelry comes in. It’s thought that crystals’ molecules vibrate at restorative frequencies that our bodies can pick up on, which is why many people use them for energy healing purposes. “Much like tuning forks, crystals work with the principle of sympathetic resonance,” explains Mariah K. Lyons, the crystal healer, herbalist, and reiki master behind high-vibe gemstone footwear line Astara. “As they hold and radiate a specific harmonic frequency, the body responds and aligns itself to that healing frequency. When we wear or place crystals on our body, our energetic field is able to respond accordingly and realign with balance and harmony.” And since chakras are believed to be vortexes of concentrated energy within us—each one connected to certain aspects of our bodies and lives—crystals are considered a powerful tool in correcting imbalances within these chakras. Not sure if your chakras are out of whack? Hate to break it to you, but if you’re a human living in the world today, they almost definitely are. “Chakras can fall out of balance from stress, fear, neglect, stagnation, [past or present] trauma, accidents, emotional wounds, and environmental triggers,” says Lyons. One way to bring your chakras back into alignment, metaphysical experts claim, is to keep a crystal (or several) on you
5 ways to harness the energy of rose quartz, the crystal with a love-magnet rep
February 16, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC Rose quartz is the coconut oil of the crystal world—pretty much every wellness-obsessed gal has it somewhere in her home. No, it’s not just because she needs something millennial pink to compliment her monstera plant and macramé wall hanging. Ask any gemstone expert, and they’ll tell you that rose quartz healing properties are super powerful, particularly where love’s concerned. (And let’s be real: Coupled up or solo, who couldn’t use a little help in that department?) “Rose quartz, or the stone of emotional healing, is associated with all the properties of high-vibrational love energy,” says Well+Good Council member Kelsey Patel, reiki healer and founder of lifestyle brand Magik Vibes. She notes that the stone’s molecules are said to vibrate at an energetic frequency of 350Hz, and that when you make contact with this frequency, it’s thought to “elevate and harmonize” your heart chakra. “The high vibration of rose quartz can soothe emotional wounds and brings about a balanced energetic state of acceptance, healing, bliss, and love,” she says. Of course, you’re unlikely to find any Western mental health practitioners prescribing chunks of rose quartz for emotional turmoil. But even if you’re skeptical of the stone’s supposed energy healing properties, you might find that its ancient symbolism alone helps to put you in a more heartened headspace. “Traditionally, this stone has been used in jewelry and in talismans with a more symbolic meaning,” Patel explains. “In one Greek legend, Cupid and Eros brought rose quartz to
This yoga-based abs workout can super-charge your core power, in just 10 minutes a day
February 16, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC If you want to run away whenever you get to the abs portion of your workouts, you’re not the only one. Core exercises can be pretty daunting—especially when there’s a seemingly never-ending list of bicycle crunches and sit-ups to check off. But it’s important—and no, not just for washboard abs. Upping your core strength can help with everything from lower back pain to bad posture, and you really only need to devote 10 minutes a day. Kajuan Douglas, founder of Merge New York, created a routine for the studio’s Integration class as a way to build up core strength in minimal time. And instead of doing hundreds of crunches, he uses a mix of yoga and Pilates moves to tighten and tone. “It’s not always about how long you do something, but the quality of time you spend doing it. The key to its success is precision.” —Kajuan Douglas, founder of Merge New York “I personally practiced this workout for about 10 minutes a day and it’s made me stronger, removed my distended belly—my wine pouch!—and stopped some minor lower back pain,” he says. “After 90 days in a row, it completely changed my body. It’s not always about how long you do something, but the quality of time you spend doing it. The key to its success is precision.” Even if you start slow, you can feel the positive effects. “I worked up to continuously doing these exercises without a break,” Douglas says. So
Tuesday’s supermoon kicks off a new 8-year cycle of healing—here’s what’s in the stars for you
February 16, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC Finally feeling like you can breathe easy again after last month’s total lunar super blood moon eclipse? (I mean, just typing that out was exhausting.) Prepare for a fresh wave of intensity—the full moon in February is set to be just as transformative, with a bunch of other planets and cosmic bodies getting in on the action, too. First, let’s discuss the full moon itself, which is taking place on Tuesday, February 19, at 10:53 a.m. Eastern. You might find that this one feels extra powerful because it’s a supermoon—the biggest and brightest one of the year. “A full moon happens whenever the earth crosses between the sun and the moon. A full moon becomes a supermoon when the moon is super close to Earth, the closest it can be within its orbit,” explains astrologer Virginia Mason Richardson. “Because the moon is closer, it appears larger and more beautiful than usual. In theory, we may feel the effects of a supermoon more than a typical full moon simply because of its proximity to Earth.” This particular full moon is happening in Virgo, the sign associated with practicality, perfectionism, and health-consciousness. Since full moons are a time of wish fulfillment, celebration, and release, you may find that you’re experiencing some sort of culmination in the Virgo-associated areas of your life. But that’s not all, says Richardson—there’s tons of cosmic activity happening this week besides the full moon. “On February 18, the sun enters Pisces, and Chiron enters
7 bras for small breasts—and no, none of them are push-ups
February 16, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Things people with small boobs are sick of hearing: You’re so lucky, you can probably just go without a bra all the time. First of all, thanks for the reminder that your boobs are so full and dense that you simply must wear a breast cage to confine them. Second, yes, we are fully aware that having big boobs comes with its own set of issues. Third, all boobs are beautiful. Full stop. To help address some of the common issues women with smaller chests face when doing something as intimate (get it? ba-dum-cha) as bra shopping, I consulted Michelle Lam, founder of True&Co, and Helena Stuart, founder of Only Hearts, for their tips. “The most common issue small-breasted women have when bra shopping is the pressure to push up,” Stuart says. “Lots of brands think the best option for small breasts is to create volume, leaving women with few choices other than gaping cups or cups filled with foam padding.” Hear ye, hear ye. How many of you have been down that road before while bra shopping? Instead, she recommends avoiding a full-overage bra (which can make your breasts seem smaller and overwhelm a small frame), and opt for one with stretch in the cups or a strappy bralette in a triangle shape. “Lots of brands think the best option for small breasts is to create volume, leaving women with few choices other than gaping cups or cups filled with foam padding.”
11 Products That Support Your Pet’s Natural Diet
February 16, 2019 at 02:23AM Support your furry friend’s health today! Continue Reading… Author Caroline Muggia | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
How To Network With The Best Of Them, Even If You’re An Introvert
February 16, 2019 at 01:28AM “A networking event is not a marathon.” Continue Reading… Author Jane Finkle | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
I’ve Been Tracking My Cycle Meticulously For 2 Years & I’ve Learned A Lot About My Hormones
February 16, 2019 at 01:02AM What you can learn from tracking your cycle, including when your fertile days are and when PMS symptoms might occur. Continue Reading… Author Gretchen Lidicker | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue