August 12, 2019 at 11:50AM by CWC While there’s not question that connection exists between what you eat and drink and how well you sleep, researchers looked specifically at the effects of coffee, alcohol, and nicotine on a good night’s rest. And, well, let’s put it this way: happy hour just got a lot shorter. The results of a recent study—conducted at Florida Atlantic University, involving 785 people who kept sleep diaries for a total of 5,164 days—found that consuming alcohol within four hours of going to sleep actually affected participants worse than drinking coffee before bedtime. The major caveat here is that people metabolize caffeine at different rates, so for some people, drinking a post-dinner espresso or coffee could lead to tossing and turning. But despite this, even when researchers accounted for factors including age, gender, weight, mental health, and schedules, alcohol was still the major sleep disruptor. This may come as a surprise to anyone who has ever imbibed and gotten a little drowsy. But according to sleep experts, the problem isn’t falling asleep; it’s that alcohol disrupts REM sleep, so chances are, you’ll find yourself waking up in the middle of the night (likely feeling around on the nightstand for a glass of water). ad_intervals[‘414716_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414716_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Of course sleep experts also understand that the majority of people aren’t going to shift the hours of their alcoholic consumption from 7 p.m. to 4 p.m. If you’re drinking
Month: August 2019
I took a class at Pitbull and Tony Robbins’ *EXTRA* new workout studio, and it ended with an electrolyte margarita
August 12, 2019 at 10:39AM by CWC When an email popped into my inbox back in April with the subject line: “Pitbull and Tony Robbins open new NYC fitness studio,” I had a wild mix of thoughts and emotions: 1) utter confusion wondering WTF these two are doing together, let alone in the fitness world, and 2) I. need. to. go. Since I first got the announcement, I’ve been waiting with bated breath until I could visit Grit Bxng for myself—my colleagues and I had an actual countdown going on in the office. Finally, on August 8th, I got to see what a Pitbull x Tony Robbins workout was all about, and let me tell you: It did not disappoint. In fact, from the moment I walked in it was “International Love” at first sight. On the day of the opening, there was absolutely no question that I had come to the right place. The blue Swarvoski crystal-encrusted boxing bag and full liquor bar—which serves things like electrolyte-spiked margaritas, hard kombucha, and kale martinis (as well as some mocktails)—in the lobby were clear indicators that this place was owned by Mr. Worldwide himself. Also in the lobby? An actual boxer dog named Gritty, because, of course. ad_intervals[‘414722_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414722_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); When instructor Anthony Crouchelli opened the doors to the workout room and beckoned for the crowd to come in, I felt like I was strolling into a nightclub. The studio’s ceiling
What the most spectacular meteor shower of the year means for your zodiac sign
August 12, 2019 at 10:15AM by CWC Mercury is out of retrograde, which, yay, but also does this mean I have to start taking responsibility for my own actions again? It’s far from the only astrologically significant event happening, however. Last month, dueling meteor showers were visible in much of the U.S., and they brought inspiration with them. And now the Perseid meteor shower—perhaps the most spectacular of the year—is giving stargazers a real treat. If you live outside the optimal viewing areas, you can catch of glimpse of the event with NASA’s live stream—but the astrological significance is far-reaching nonetheless. “Astrologically, meteor showers can represent several things. First of all, they’re cosmic dust, debris. They look like beautiful light displays from our perspective, but in reality, they are a type of storm that happens from the breakup of a comet,” says intuitive astrologer and healer Rachel Lang. “To understand the astrological significance of a meteor shower, we need to understand the significance of a comet. Comets are made up of ice, dust, and gasses. If we read that symbolically, we might say they represent our frozen emotions and collective fears surfacing for us to see and heal. Anything we have been ignoring or suppressing can no longer be ignored. To the ancients, a comet represented change, like an eclipse.” Intense, but I’m into it. ad_intervals[‘411952_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411952_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Meteor showers symbolize beauty rising from ashes, says Lang. “Meteor showers represent
The 4 most common skin-care mistakes that facialists see clients make all. the. time.
August 12, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC I may have a consistent skin-care regimen now, but it’s taken years of trial, error, and hundreds of beauty products to get to this place. And lest we not forget: I’ve interviewed dozens upon dozens of the top estheticians in the world to get intel on what to do to my skin, and more importantly what not to do. Here’s the brief: Retinol is a must-have ingredient for pretty much everyone’s skin-care routine, add an acid toner to your routine (like, now), and applying hyaluronic acid to damp skin can make it work even better for you. As for the stuff to stop, well that will take a little more airing out. Here, I’ve rounded four pieces of advice to get your skin glowing. 1. Skin misdiagnosis People all think they know whether their skin is dry, oily, acne-prone, or—the most popular—sensitive. But if you’re not sure, you can be using an entirely wrong regimen. “The biggest issue I see is misdiagnosis—people think their skin is oily but their pores are just clogged, or they think their skin is sensitive but it’s actually dry and acting up because the skin barrier has been stripped,” says Angelina Umansky, facialist and founder of Spa Radiance. “By not analyzing your skin correctly, you end up treating it with the wrong products. When you’re sick, you go to a doctor for a diagnosis, so it’s best to leave your skin analysis to the estheticians and dermatologists.” ad_intervals[‘414334_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]
I finally found a strapless bra that doesn’t squeeze, pinch, or shimmy down my torso
August 12, 2019 at 09:34AM by CWC In the beyond-brilliant nature documentary series Planet Earth, narrator David Attenborough occasionally says something like, “We now witness a rare sighting of the mating rituals of the rainbow sea anemone.” Or, ya know, something along those lines. For a moment, I truly feel like I’m witnessing a miracle. Like the earth is a glorious place overrun by wonder. Perhaps that’s why, when I slipped on the first cozy strapless bra I’ve ever owned in my entire life, I could have sworn I heard Attenborough voice: “Rare indeed is a strapless bra that’s legitimately comfortable.” When the Chantelle Absolute Invisible Strapless Bra ($78) arrives at my desk, I’m already expecting failure. The vast majority of intimates marketed as “soft” and “plush” are hugely disappointing. The moment I run my fingers across the cups of the Absolute Invisible bra, I know it stands apart. Straight out of the packaging, the garment feels like the the treasured sweatshirt you’ve run through the wash a million times (although, it’s definitely not raggedy or faded). It’s the texture of a warm embrace. ad_intervals[‘414512_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414512_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); For the past month, the bra has been my sidekick on many tricky outfit mission, from rocking a spaghetti strap dresses to a rainbow of different color tanks. (And even a tube top!) To be clear, the bra still contains every boob duos’ nemesis—underwire. It’s redeemed by a fluffy layer of padding that
This $15 vitamin C serum sells every 4 minutes, so I tried it to see what all the fuss is about
August 12, 2019 at 07:50AM by CWC Beneath the foundation I’ve been dutifully applying for many years lies a map of my past: acne scars from the time before my college best friend told me she’d stop hanging out with me unless I went on Accutane (yes, I did regretfully go on Accutane, and no, the friendship did not make it very far into adulthood); sun spots from the carefree days of a childhood spent under the not-so-watchful eye of a hippie mother who did not “believe” in sunscreen; and now, wrinkles that even the foundation can not cover from lots of subsequent sun, so many smiles, and a smattering of super aggressive sobs. I don’t dislike this map; however, I’m not evolved enough to display it for all the world to see on a regular basis and yet I do dislike being enslaved by foundation. So, I’ve been working hard to even out my skin tone in pursuit of the glow-y complexion mere non-model mortals like myself find it difficult to achieve. This endeavor led me to a serum which, according to the brand that makes it, sells every four minutes on Amazon. InstaNatural Vitamin C Serum (currently on sale for $15) includes hero ingredients like hyaluronic acid, ferulic acid, and sea buckthorn oil, alongside its star component. It promises to brighten the skin (yes, please), lighten dark spots (good luck), and reduce the appearance of fine lines (okay, show-off!). ad_intervals[‘414309_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414309_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);});
7 distinct Greek words describe different kinds of love—which have you experienced?
August 12, 2019 at 07:46AM by CWC Consider the word “love” and the many contexts for which we use it: You can love your mom for always protecting you and being on your side. You can love your best friend for laughing with you and being the first to answer your texts. You can also love your romantic partner in a far more intense, intimate, and passionate way than your other relationships. Though all of these forms of love are driven by affection and attachment, they’re all distinct. And while we may be catching up just now, the ancient Greeks seemed to understand the concept well—in fact Greek words for love abound. There are seven words in the language that describe love in all its nuanced forms, rather than just applying one word to several contexts. Below, learn about all seven Greek words for love. With any luck, you’ll be able to experience each form in your lifetime—if you haven’t already. ad_intervals[‘414626_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414626_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Check the 7 Greek words for love—and identify which speaks to you most. 1. Eros: romantic, passionate love Eros is passion, lust, pleasure. It’s an appreciation for one’s physical being or beauty, and is driven by attraction and sexual longing. It describes desire and obsession and is most similar to what we think of as romantic, passionate love between life partners. At least in the earlier stages of courtship, when everything is crazy-hot and you can’t
The common reason your feet hurt from the second you wake up
August 12, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC There are those days where you start off on the wrong foot, then there are days where you literally start out with this horrible pain in your foot as soon as you step out of your bed—and it’s way worse. Because that’s called plantar fasciitis, and it’s a foot pain problem that’s the pits. “Plantar fasciitis is a condition in which the fascia—AKA connective tissue—within the base of the foot becomes inflamed and often times uncomfortable,” says Jeff Brannigan, program director at New York’s Stretch*d. “Most noticeable in the morning, this makes it hard to take those first few steps out of bed due to a sharp painful sensation at the bottom of the foot.” My colleague’s been there (hi, Ali!) and says it’s absolutely awful. A major cause of the issue is from pronation issues: “Plantar fasciitis can occur with hyperpronation—especially if the foot remains pronated or rolled inwards at push off. This happens because the pronated foot stretches the plantar fascia both longitudinally and laterally, which leads to a connective tissue strain,” says Lara Heimann, physical therapist, yogi, and founder of Movement by Lara. So the condition is essentially a strain of the tissue in the bottom part of your foot. ad_intervals[‘401474_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401474_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Typically, you’ll also have less cushion: “People with hyperpronated feet also happen to have less bony stability in the foot, and weak intrinsic feet muscles, which usually absorbs
Checks+Balanced: How going back to school for a career shift affects a 29-year-old’s wellness budget
August 12, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Even in a world where questions about menstrual cups and the ins and outs of sex are completely (and blessedly) normal, somehow the ever-ubiquitous use of money remains a touchy subject for many. People want to live their healthiest life ever, but—#realtalk—it can add up. Have you ever wondered how your colleague who makes less than you do (or so you think) can afford to buy a $5 matcha and a $12 chopped salad every day? Or how your friend’s budget allows her to hit up $34 fitness classes three times a week? It’s enough to make anyone want to ask, “Ummm, excuse me. How do you afford that?!?” That’s where Well+Good’s monthly series Checks+Balanced comes in. By lifting the thick, tightly drawn curtain to expose how much women of varying income brackets spend on wellness, we’re spreading transparency and hopefully providing some inspo that’s possible to copy. Because no matter how much you make, it’s possible to cultivate healthy habits that work within your budget. ad_intervals[‘401626_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401626_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); This month, meet Madelana, a 29-year-old living in New Jersey who’s in the midst of a career change from media to becoming a chef. Scaling back her full-time client services job to part-time in order to attend culinary school led her to cut back on expenses, but living healthy remains a priority even while she’s budgeting for school. In fact, her whole Instagram account, @itscalledbalance, is devoted to her wellness philosophy. Keep reading to
Is it possible to socialize with just a few work friends without seeming cliquey?
August 12, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Having friends at work is good; cliques at work are bad. But when you’re only inviting a select few of your coworkers to grab a drink after you clock out, it can feel impossible to avoid a Mean Girls situation. In this week’s Good@Work column, career expert Amy Odell—whom you may know as the former editor of Cosmopolitan.com and founding blogger of New York magazine’s The Cut—explains how to keep your water cooler banter from making the office feel like the high school cafeteria. Question: Is it possible to go to lunch—or get drinks or do anything after work—with just one or two coworkers without coming across as cliquey? I often feel like kindergarten-birthday-party etiquette of “invite the whole class” applies, but in this case, doing so can make hanging out socially feel like a business meeting. ad_intervals[‘414612_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414612_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Answer: Jobs are hard. Jobs are emotionally taxing. This is why we need to make friends with colleagues, the people who understand the precise ways in which our souls are sucked from our hardening heart centers every time we step foot into the office and spend excruciating precious hours in meetings that could have been an email. (I know this sounds grim, but show me a person who has loved their job for four full years and I’ll show you a Whole Foods with soft toilet paper.) Going to drinks with work friends after