June 19, 2019 at 12:03AM Learn to let go a little. Continue Reading… Author Alexandra Engler | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
Month: June 2019
These Healthy Soda Alternatives Are Sparkly AF & Oh-So-Delicious
June 18, 2019 at 11:50PM Made with zero sugar or a hint of all-natural ones, these are a delicious and healthy addition to your day. Continue Reading… Author Liz Moody | Life by Daily Burn Selected by CWC
This gut-health-boosting gummy bear recipe proves that gummy vitamins aren’t just for kids
June 18, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC If swallowing a giant handful of supplements every morning doesn’t exactly feel like the most joy-inducing part of your routine, it’s time to call in this DIY wellness hack. Score your health fix with this superfood-loaded gummy vitamin recipe, which serves as a health boost and a tasty treat all in one (#TBT to the gummy vitamins of your childhood). With cleansing ingredients like lemon, ginger, and cayenne, plus Youtheory® Spore Probiotic for a mega powerful dose of good bacteria to help support your microbiome, these gummy bears will deliver your gut (and your tastebuds) a full-blown smile Emoji. Watch the video to see how to make the probiotic gummy vitamin recipe for yourself, and get the full recipe below. ad_intervals[‘390367_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘390367_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); https://content.jwplatform.com/players/qnQ3sL12-AjgxWzQ7.js Continue Reading… Author Well+Good Editors | Well and Good Selected by CWC
Here’s why taking a cold shower might boost your metabolism
June 18, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC When we first heard of a report that hot showers can slow metabolism, it caused a bit of an uproar. After all, what’s better than a long hot shower (or bath) at the end of a stressful day? It’s basically an advertisement for the whole self-care movement. Surely there can’t be anything bad about a steamy shower, right? Metabolism, the process by which your body converts what you eat into energy, is affected by everything from fiber intake to quality of sleep. But the temperature of the water when you take a shower? I reached out to New York-based gastroenterologist and internist Niket Sonpal, MD, to fact check the claim. “Hot showers are great for relaxing muscles and clearing sinuses, but they aren’t helpful—or harmful—to your metabolism,” says Dr. Sonpal. “After meals, try to wait at least an hour before heading into the shower. Like swimming, showering can slow down digestion as blood is flowing to other parts of the body.” ad_intervals[‘401877_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401877_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “Cold showers, on the other hand, make it so that your body has to heat up to regulate its temperature,” he says. When you’re cold, your body shivers in order to warm itself up, which requires energy (aka burning calories). Such a boost in your metabolism is one of the benefits of a cold shower, which can help with weight management, says Dr. Sonpal. In this case, Dr. Sonpal says
The unexpected culprit behind your breakouts? Humidity
June 18, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC All it takes is one step outside in this sauna-like weather to know that humidity and hair are a questionable combo. Like Lauren Conrad and Spencer Pratt, or dairy and my digestive system, they just don’t go together well— and most of us have the frizz to prove it (womp). But in addition to ruining your blowout, this nasty weather is also messing with your skin. You know how it often feels like you’re walking around with a thick coat of sweaty, sticky grease on your face this time of year? Well, there’s a reason for that. “Humidity envelops skin in a blanket of heat and moisture, which leads to pores expanding wide, an increase in oil production, and a smothering of the skin,” says Audrey Kunin, MD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of DERMAdoctor. “This can lead to congestion or even an outbreak of blemishes.” If you feel like your breakouts are hitting extra hard now that the season has changed to summer, this could be the culprit. When it’s humid, your skin loses less water, which means it stays hydrated longer (which is a good thing!). But, explains dermatologist Lily Talakoub, MD, it can also sweat and clog more, hence that greasy feeling I personally know all too well. ad_intervals[‘401879_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401879_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); And so, it may be worth tweaking your routine to makes sure your skin doesn’t suffer. Dr. Kunin suggests using a chemically
You really gotta step out of your comfort zone already—here’s how to actually do it
June 18, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Whether or not you realize it, you probably have a comfort zone you like to stay in. Maybe you follow the same routine at the gym, or you gravitate toward a certain type of person when it comes to dating. Or maybe you’ve been in the same job for ages, but just the thought of doing something else is enough to make you break out into a cold sweat. Whatever it is, your comfort zone can be simultaneously comfortable and limiting. It’s your safe haven—the spot where you feel the most protected, free to be yourself, and uninhibited. And even if you fancy yourself an adventurous type, you probably have one—which is totally normal. Why people form their own comfort zone “Comfort zones are safe, protected, stress-free, and low-risk. They keep stress and depression away,” says licensed clinical psychologist John Mayer, PhD, author of Family Fit: Find Your Balance in Life. Basically, when you’re in your comfort zone, you feel at home. ad_intervals[‘399542_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399542_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); And, for similar reasons as why it feels so good to cancel plans and stay in, many of us feel the most comfortable being at home, where we know exactly what to expect. “We are creatures of habit, and habits allow us room to relax and avoid things and situations that are needlessly stressful,” says licensed clinical psychologist Alicia H. Clark, PsyD, author of Hack Your Anxiety. “We are creatures of habit,
The 2 best healthy pastas you can eat, according to a registered dietitian
June 18, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3F099FS6XCs] Asking for a friend: How often can you eat pasta before it becomes a problem? According to dietitian Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, it’s less about how often and more about portion size and the type of pasta. In Well+Good’s latest installment of You Versus Food, our video series that spills everything you need to know about your favorite foods and drinks, Lockwood shares her go-to pastas: chickpea and whole wheat. “I’ve been really into chickpea pasta lately,” Beckerman says. “This type of pasta will fill you up so you won’t want to eat the entire box.” (It’s also one of her favorite vegetarian protein sources.) “You can sub out your regular white pasta for [whole] wheat pasta or chickpea pasta to get in some added nutrition into your next pasta night.” Both whole wheat pasta and chickpea pasta have more fiber per serving than white pasta, and chickpea pasta has significantly more protein and fewer carbs than both. ad_intervals[‘401412_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401412_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Soooo does that mean I, er, I mean, my friend, can eat pasta, like, every day? You’ll have to watch the video above to find out. Here’s what a healthy portion size looks like for 10 of your favorite foods. And if you want more of Beckerman’s wisdom, check out what she’s drinking at Starbucks this summer. Continue Reading… Author Kara Jillian Brown | Well and Good Selected by CWC
4 acupressure points that relieve jaw tension in 60 seconds, according to a dentist
June 18, 2019 at 01:42PM by CWC Jaw tension is sneaky. It steals your joy when you’re all caught up in your daily adventures. In recent years, dentists have observed that tension of the mouth is at an all-time high thanks to heightened stress and anxiety levels. There’s no “quick fix” to a jaw that feels more like metal than skin and bone, but one dentist says that acupressure—the practice of gently pressing down on certain hotspots across the body—can help. “Acupressure is a great way to reduce pain and discomfort in the jaws, and TMJ (Temporomandibular joint dysfunction) caused by inflammation due to muscle tension,” says Inna Chern, DDS, a New York City-based dentist. Along with the general discomfort of this malady, Dr. Chern explains that ignoring pain in your jaw can cause a domino effect of other health problems. For example, it could cause pain in the rest of the head region, make chewing hard foods difficult for you, give you headaches, and even result in broken teeth or fractures. In other words, these speedy self-acupressure treatments are well worth your while to learn. Dr. Chern says applying pressure to four spots will melt away jaw tension in no time. ad_intervals[‘401908_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401908_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Ready to give yourself a dream acupressure massage to ease jaw tension? “The best advice in applying pressure is to make sure nothing hurts,” explains Dr. Chern. “Starting off gently and then increasing the pressure
*Exactly* how many times you should apply lip balm every day, according to a dermatologist
June 18, 2019 at 01:13PM by CWC My behavior with lip balm, is pretty much the same as my behavior French fries: I just can’t get enough. There’s a lip balm (actually, three) in my purse at all times (sadly the same does not go for French fries), about four on my desk right now, and at least five tucked away in my apartment. Because nothing’s more annoying than the feeling of having chapped lips. But although keeping your lips hydrated lips is important, dermatologists aren’t so keen on repetitive re-applying. As in, there can actually be too much of a good thing with lip balm. In fact, there are only a few times during the day when you should apply lip balm: When you wake up, after eating or drinking, and right before you go to bed. … That’s it, according to Whitney Bowe, MD, a board-certified dermatologist who works closely with lip balm brand eos. “If you lick your lips while eating or drinking, you’re going to experience even more chapped irritation—it’s a vicious cycle because your saliva evaporates and causes you to keep licking to avoid the drying sensation,” she tells me. “Saliva also breaks down the delicate tissues and compromises the barrier.” She says to think about what it’s like when you put a saltine cracker in your mouth—without even chewing it, it’ll become soft. “That’s the saliva in your mouth slowly digesting the cracker into its building blocks…you don’t want saliva to eat away at your lips,”
9 moves to strengthen the part of the body most of us neglect—but shouldn’t
June 18, 2019 at 01:05PM by CWC There’s some thing about squatting low and hitting some donkey kicks that’s oh so satisfying. And nothing makes me feel stronger than burning out my back with (assisted) pull-ups and battle ropes. Come to think of it, I truly enjoy working every muscle group—except when it comes to chest exercises. Strengthening my pecs isn’t exactly a top priority, and I would rather do 5,668,6748 things other than a bench press. And I know I’m not alone. “I think that the constant fear from women when it comes to weight lifting or working the ‘manlier’ parts of their body like the pectoral muscles or the biceps is that they will end up looking too masculine,” says Cassey Ho, the powerhouse behind Blogilates. “Women have been taught to believe that tiny waists and curvy hips are the most desirable thing on a woman’s frame, so that is what we put so much effort towards sculpting those parts of our bodies.” ad_intervals[‘401839_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401839_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); And according to Kara Levine, director of pilates at Flex Studios, avoiding chest exercises is a big mistake. “It’s not a great idea to skip working out certain body parts because that can create muscle imbalances which lead to injury,” Levine says. “Working all the muscles in the torso—chest, back, abdominals—is important to build and maintain great posture, reduce likelihood of neck and back injuries, and help improve breathing.” Working your pectoral