Day: March 28, 2019

March 28, 2019 at 12:57PM by CWC Last year, the Associated Press found that 26 percent of Americans named health care as “the most important issue facing the country.” Yet when it comes to legislation, most of us prefer a summary to, say, the full text of a dense (but critically important) 974-page document known as the Affordable Care Act. Now, however, it’s more vital than ever to understand the nuances of the Obama-era law. A federal judge in Texas declared the law unconstitutional in late 2018. And now that the Justice Department has agreed with that ruling, Democrats in the House of Representatives are strategizing to defend it. Even if you don’t have an “Obamacare” health plan, it’s important to remember that the ACA isn’t just about safeguarding the health-care plans of nearly 20 million Americans. The bill also protects countless well-being initiatives that aren’t as general as “covered” or “not covered.” This is how the Affordable Care Act affects your life and the lives of all Americans: The Affordable Care Act allows those under 26 years of age to stay on their family’s health care plan The Affordable Care Act allows individuals ages 25 and younger to stay on their parents’ healthcare plan—even if they’re married, no longer living under their parents’ roof, still in school, no longer financially dependent on their parents, and even if they’re eligible to enroll in their own plan through work. Once they turn 26, they’re eligible to sign onto their own coverage through

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March 28, 2019 at 12:01PM by CWC Walking is so incredibly underrated. In the fitness-obsessed world we live in right now, people tend to lean into the hard-hitting staples of running, HIIT workouts, strength training, and, heck—even trampoline workouts to get their sweat on and their steps in. But you know what? The simple act of walking can count in your fitness game, too. Hear me out: Walking is like pre-running. It’s the absolute basic form of moving. And it whisks you from point A to B, while lifting your heart rate (hey, it’s more than when you just stand or sit). So it’s without a doubt a workout modality that counts towards your daily steps and wellness regimen. “Walking in general is a great aerobic exercise that burns calories, strengthens your cardiovascular endurance, and improves your mental health and wellness,” says John Thornhill, a master trainer at Aaptiv. “It’s a great cardio addition to a healthy fitness routine.” See, even a fitness trainer’s down with the practice. In fact, in support of the OG workout of the world, workout streaming platforms are now even offering guided walks—right alongside their guided runs and guided strength training sessions. It’s legit. “Walking is an excellent form of cardio if you do it with intensity and intention,” adds Thornhill, who has his own walking workouts such as ‘Groovy Walk’ and ‘Walking on Incline.’ “A casual stroll in the neighborhood may not make you sweat or spike your heart rate, but if you incorporate HIIT into

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March 28, 2019 at 11:15AM by CWC My dermatologist asking me if I wear sunscreen every day used to be the equivalent of my dentist inquiring about my flossing habit (or lack thereof). These days I slather moisturizer sunscreen all over my face even on the rainiest days. Of course, reaching for a bottle of SPF 50 is undeniably important when the sun is shining, but the number you really need to focus on is 365. Don’t let dark skies fool you. According to the American Academy of Dermatology, UV rays can cause harm year-round; on cloudy days, up to 80 percent can penetrate your skin. Even if you’ve escaped the spring showers in your apartment, major damage can still be done through the windows. I get it, though, sticky sunscreen isn’t something I want to put on my face every day. Luckily, a clean-feeling moisturizer with SPF does the trick. Moisturizer sunscreen fights dryness and cracking while protecting against skin cancer and sun-related aging. Once you see how much your complexion loves your new routine, there’s a strong chance you’ll become just as obsessed as I am. SPF 365, for the win. 9 moisturizers with built-in SPF Buy Now Differin Oil Absorbing Moisturizer $9 Buy Now CeraVe Facial Moisturizing Lotion $12 Buy Now Laura Mercier Tinted Moisturizer $46 Buy Now Charlotte Tilbury Magic Cream $64 Buy Now EltaMD UV Clear $33 Buy Now Supergoop! Perfect Day 2-in-1 Buy Now Juice Beauty Oil-Free Moisturizer $30 Buy Now Neutrogena Oil-Free Daily Facial Moisturizer $7 Buy

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March 28, 2019 at 10:33AM by CWC “There’s no ‘but’ after ‘I’m sorry.’” I think often of my mom’s favorite axiom throughout my childhood. By this, she meant that atonement should never come with an excuse tacked on the end. My sister and I rolled our eyes each time she recited her mantra, but eventually we learned to say our sorries in three syllables. Mom wasn’t wrong. According to psychologist Nancy Irwin, PsyD, a member of the Los Angeles County Psychological Association, that’s how to apologize like an adult. Dr. Irwin tells me that the only thing that should come after “I’m sorry” is a concise account of your wrongdoings. (Yeah, that’s the hard part.) “Use the person’s name and state simply, clearly, and exactly what you are apologizing for,” she says. “Do not assume they know; there may be multiple facets and parties involved. Be clear.” Every good repentance has one thing in common, the psychologist says. It takes full responsibility for whatever you’ve done wrong, without (as my mom said) making excuses. The website of the Association for Psychological Science says that two major studies have demonstrated that not all apologies are created equal. When researchers at Ohio State University and Eastern Kentucky University analyzed the research, they found that the most effective admissions hit on six elements: Expression of regret Explanation of what went wrong Acknowledgement of responsibility Declaration of repentance Offer of repair Request for forgiveness Here’s a script from Dr. Irwin that hits all six

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March 28, 2019 at 09:12AM by CWC Subscription boxes with crystals, sage, and other mystical tools are nothing new. The industry started dipping its toe in woo-woo waters a couple of years ago, giving wannabe goddesses the supplies they need every month to keep their chakras balanced and their vibes “magik.” So it would be easy to think of newly launched Smudge Wellness as another cosmically charged Birchbox—but Smudge’s crystals subscription box is something different. Think of it more as a Hallmark card competitor (because when you really care, you send crystals). “We conceived of the Spells because we knew that people are looking for unique and special ways to tell somebody that they care,” co-founder and CEO of Smudge Lara Corey says of the three-month subscriptions you can send to friends to convey messages of “congrats,” “I’m sorry for your loss,” and “get well soon,” among others. Think of it as a Hallmark card competitor (because when you really care, you send crystals). “For example, if your friend is experiencing a health crisis, it can be hard to know how to help them. Giving a sick friend a Smudge Health Spell is a really personal way to not only tell your friend that you are thinking about them, but gives them products that can help them feel better,” says Covey. The care package can include healing crystals, essential oils, and other self-care products—as well as rituals they can try out. “It can help an ailing friend feel more connected with

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March 28, 2019 at 08:23AM by CWC We all know that we should wear SPF 24-7-365, but how many of us actually do it? Well, apparently, not as many as are telling our dermatologists that we do. A new survey of 200 dermatologists, conducted by Cerave, found that about a quarter derms believe that 75 percent of patients are straight-up lying about how much sunscreen they use and how often they use it. Because of this, they often find themselves talking to patients about their sun damage (AKA proof that they haven’t been wearing enough of the stuff), even if they’ve come in for totally unrelated issues. Now, let’s hear the docs out before we rush to grab our SPF stash as proof that we’ve been slathering all along. According to the surveyed MDs, derms believe that many people think applying sunscreen is inconvenient, others haven’t found a formula that they like, and still others simply forget to put it on. And all of these are problematic, because it culminates in this bit of intel: A mere two percent of the surveyed derms think that their patients take sun protection seriously. So, to ensure you are keeping your skin properly protected, dermatologist Shari Marchbein, MD (one of the surveyed derms) says to plan on applying a full tablespoon to your face every morning. It sounds like a lot, but it will keep all the harmful effects of UVA and UVB rays off your face. Now, even if you’re staying inside, don’t

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