July 18, 2019 at 10:10AM by CWC “Don’t forget. You’re going to die.” The notification pops up on my phone five times a day. In the middle of checking my email, scrolling through Instagram, or going down a rabbit hole of “the grossest challenges ever attempted on Fear Factor” or “the hottest animated characters of all time,” the WeCroak app reminds me of my own impending fate—five times a day via push notifications. The app was designed based on the Bhutanese principle that thinking about death five times a day is the key to a happier life. And while it may sound morbid as hell, there’s actually some truth to it. “One of the things that makes us unhappy is that we tend to get caught up in things that don’t matter. We tend to get caught up in an angry voice or in minutia or in stress or in things that ultimately aren’t that important to us, and when we remember our mortality, we can take a deep breath and just go, ‘Oh. I don’t have to think about this. I don’t have to engage. I don’t have time for this,’ and just move on,” the app’s co-founder, Hansa Bergwall, told technology business journalist Kara Swisher on a recent episode of her Recode Decode podcast. “It’s a little way of making a micro-adjustment so that your whole day—which, remember, is one of your limited days on Earth—isn’t taken up with BS.” ad_intervals[‘392602_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) {
Year: 2019
Make like Awkwafina and turn your anxiety into something bold and brave
July 18, 2019 at 10:02AM by CWC I’ve been on the same page with Awkwafina for a while. Long before she revealed that we share the same anxiety coping mechanism. We’ve never met, but when she was a fledging feminist rapper and I was a fledgling feminist magazine editorial intern, we were in the same place one time in 2013. I was grumpily giving out gift bags at an event, and she graced us with a dope track about her vagina. A flawless performance didn’t reveal any nervousness she says she felt at the time, but the crowd’s positive reaction quelled her anxiety. “I’d never gotten a reception like that before,” she said in an interview the next day with Character Media. “They were literally laughing at every single line. What I like is making people laugh.” Awkwafina recently sat down for Hi Anxiety, a new YouTube series from Hearts and Minds, and shared how she handled—and still really handles—all those anxious feelings. ad_intervals[‘409047_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409047_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “The way that I dealt with anxiety or losing my mom was not holding that sadness in, which I think was my instinctual response,” she says. “Letting it out was really helpful, like actually talking to people about it. And I actually did develop humor, I think as some sort of defense mechanism. It made me appreciate like, making people feel joy.” LOL am I being punked? This is me. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O2FE_htVAL4] I’ve used
How to use the ‘6 tastes’ to make every last meal more satiating
July 18, 2019 at 08:47AM by CWC In my early days of pioneering what “healthy” eating meant to me, achieving a “happy plate” was a badge of honor. It meant I’d eaten my pasta as well as my Brussels sprouts and peas, and my parents always rewarded me with dessert. The thing is though, sometimes polishing off a plate of food—no matter how delicious—leaves your stomach grumbling for more. That’s where the medicine of Ayurveda comes in. According to the ancient practice, meals that include all six “rasas,” or tastes, make for the most satiating extravaganzas. According to The Chopra Center, each flavor is associated with a combination of elements (for example, earth and water). Each one contributes to your body’s overall sense of balance, so when your breakfast/lunch/dinner contains a little somethin’, somethin’ of each, you satisfy your most basic appetites. You’ve likely sampled all six tastes before. Let’s break them down. ad_intervals[‘409061_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409061_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); The 6 tastes to make food more filling Sweet This taste is like home for your taste buds, but it should be consumed in moderation. Its Ayurvedic benefits include longevity and strength. Elements: water and earth Examples: wheat, dairy, dates, maple syrup, licorice root Sour To tap into your emotions and stimulate your digestion, sour can’t be beat. Elements: water and fire Examples: lemon, vinegar, fermented foods, wine Salty This taste stimulates digestion, replenishes electrolytes, and helps your body absorb minerals, according to Ayurveda. Elements: earth and fire
I have heart eyes for this posture trainer which fixed my slouching habit in a week flat
July 18, 2019 at 08:35AM by CWC I’ve spent most of my recent 9-to-5 hours slouching at my desk, so I’m on a never-ending quest to find something that actually fixes my horrible posture. I’ve made myself into a test subject and tried many things such as resistance band workouts for better posture, posture-correcting activewear, and even gua sha, and I’m faced with sticky notes all over the place that remind me to pull my shoulders back. Yet: I’m still a bonafide sloucher. So, it was time to call in the big guns. I procured a device that’s meant to correct slouching, called Upright Go 2 ($100). It’s a really slim, compact “trainer” that sticks to your back and buzzes to correct you whenever you’re not in good posture, and it guarantees that you’ll stop slouching in 14 days or they’ll give you your money back. Not satisfied after a month? They’ll also give you your money back. So yeah…that’s some serious confidence. ad_intervals[‘408505_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408505_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); When I met with the founder Oded Cohen, he explained that to have good posture, you really need three key things: the first is to be upright, the second is to have core muscle strength, and the last (and most difficult factor) is that you have to remember to be upright. That’s where Upright Go comes in—it’s your personal posture trainer that works by reminding you to sit up straight. It does this by
Escape the city heat with these 8 fun weekend trips from NYC
July 18, 2019 at 08:01AM by CWC It’s no secret that while New York City is a tourist spot to some, it’s just home to more than 8.6 million people—which means you need to escape every now and then, am I right? Especially in the summer when it’s nearly 100 degrees and waiting for the subway every morning feels like standing in a really dirty sauna. But if you’re looking for something on the quick (and cheap) the options can feel limited. Sure, the Hamptons are always in rotation and you would be remiss if you didn’t consider a day trip to Atlantic City. But what about when you want to take a break from the sweaty city and also avoid been-there-done-that spots? Read on for a few fun and affordable weekend trips from NYC that will help you discover the local adventure you’ve been seeking. View this post on Instagram Raise your flags high & be proud to be whoever you are 💪🏼 Happy Pride Month 🏳️🌈✨💕 #LoveForAll • • • • • • • • • #AllForLove#PrideMonth#LongIslandNY#BayShore#FireIsland#CherryGrove#FireIslandPines#southShoreLI#Antiaging#Wellness#Holistic#Vitamins#Hydration#LongIslandLocal#Skincare#RegisteredNurse#LongIslandSummer#FireIslandny A post shared by Higher ❁ Aesthetics (@higher_aesthetics_) on Jun 2, 2019 at 11:14am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js 1. Take a ferry to Fire Island, New York Hop on the Long Island Railroad train line until you reach Oyster Bay, where you can take a ferry to Fire Island (about an hour and a half of travel total). The barrier island off the south coast of Long Island is one of the most
If you don’t know where to start with clean beauty, these are the 3 makeup swaps to make ASAP
July 18, 2019 at 07:53AM by CWC Switching to clean beauty and makeup products has been part of your burnout to-do list for what feels like years (but who’s counting). According to makeup artist and Credo Beauty ambassador Allie Compton, however, it’s as easy as focusing on three specific swaps, which she dived into at our latest Wellness Collective event with Athleta. (Psst: Guests also got a full glowy-makeup tutorial plus each product to take home.) “Don’t panic or be overwhelmed with swapping, do it as you run out,” Compton said. “Go back and think which products you grab most often in the morning.” In other words, which ones are must-apply in the midst of your morning sprint and which ones are just occupying space in the back of your drawer? The first item she recommends upgrading is lipstick, because every time you swipe on a bold lip, you could be ingesting ingredients like aluminum, parabens, and lead. Compton prefers a non-toxic formula that can work overtime (she swears by Inner Glow Creme Pigment, which acts as a lip color, blush, and eyeshadow). “Three-in-one products are great for when you’re on the go or in a hurry,” she added. ad_intervals[‘408381_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408381_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); The next swappable must-have is mascara. According to Compton, many typical formulas contain thimerosal, a mercury-based element that’s often used as a preservative, formaldehyde (yikes), and aluminum powder. A natural alt is Ilia Lash Mascara, which features a
This 12-minute hamstring workout will make every other fitness move easier
July 18, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC Hamstrings don’t get nearly the credit they deserve. They’re responsible for extending your legs and bending your knees, which are part of practically every movement you do on a day-to-day basis—especially when you’re in the gym. While your hamstrings may be in action during like, 90 percent of the fitness moves you do, it’s rare that most of us actually take the time to focus on them. Sure, we take time to stretch them (especially after runs, because yowza those puppies get tight), but when was the last time you went to a hamstring-targeting workout class? Never? Yeah, same. To be perfectly honest, ignoring hamstring strength is a rookie mistake, because stronger hamstrings can help you up the power in everything else you do—from running to walking to squatting to deadlifting (you get the picture). And so, we asked Le Sweat and Le Stretch founder Charlee Atkins to give us a full-on hamstring workout. Your hammies—and the rest of your body, TBH—will eventually thank you for it. ad_intervals[‘408912_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408912_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Set 1: Four moves, 30 seconds each (with 10 seconds of rest in between), two times through 1. Knee pull: Stand up tall and hug one knee at a time into your chest as a nice way to warm up and lengthen your hamstring and come into hip flexion before a workout. For the second round, kick your legs straight out in front of
Sexperts answer the dirtiest dozen questions about sex they get asked most often
July 18, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC As a sex writer, asking professionals (sexologists, sex and relationship therapists, doctors, educators, you name it) questions that many would regard as totally TMI is part of my average day. What do I do when I have a burning question about sex (like whether analingus is safe and sanitary or how acceptable it is to share a sex toy with multiple partners) that may make others blush? Easy. I just tap my network of pros to get a well-rounded answer from several points of view. Even though most people’s job descriptions don’t include routinely (or even rarely) asking such questions, a lot of us are curious about the same exact conundrums. That’s why I asked sex educators to share the top questions they’re asked most frequently—plus how they respond. Keep scrolling to get down to business. Sex educators answer the dozen dirty questions they get asked most often. 1. “Can a sex toys hurt my relationship?” “Sex toys are all about enhancing your sexual experiences—not replacing anything or anyone. Whether it’s high-speed vibrations or a tingling change in temperature, sex toys can add sensations you’ve never felt. Sometimes we simply don’t have enough hands to touch all the parts at the same time, so sex toys can be a fantastic, not detrimental, asset in that regard.” ad_intervals[‘404510_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘404510_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); —Dominnique Karetsos, sex expert at inclusive sex-toy company MysteryVibe 2. “Is it okay to
What a healthy plate looks like on the ketogenic diet
July 18, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Meal planning is hard enough—researching recipes, planning what to make, shopping for ingredients, and cooking the damn food are all time consuming on their own. But for people on the keto diet, the menu choices get even more limited. That’s because the low-carb, high-fat eating plan has very particular macros that can limit one’s food options (sorry, but pasta and rice are totally out the window). The typical keto diet macros are: 75 to 80 percent of calories from fat, 15 to 20 percent from protein, and only 5 to 10 percent from carbs, says Sam Presicci, MCN, RD, LD, CPT, lead registered dietitian at Snap Kitchen. People might play with those macros depending on their particular health goals and needs, or on their particular interpretation of keto; the “Ketotarian” diet, which advocates for a more plant-based approach, allows for up to 15 percent of calories from carbohydrates. ad_intervals[‘408931_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘408931_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Why the intense focus on macros, you ask? Basically, this is the ratio of fats to carbs that allows a person to achieve ketosis—when the body switches from burning carbohydrates to fats as its primary source of energy. Ketosis “unlocks” keto’s main potential health benefits, from effective weight management to balanced blood sugar, reduced inflammation, and increased mental clarity. Thus, how you build your plate at mealtime is key to ensuring you stay in ketosis and maintain adequate nutrition. “Done correctly, a
Wide-leg active pants are apparently back—and giving me major 2003 flashbacks
July 18, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Way before leggings became a force of fitness fashion, there were what my college friends and I called “yoga pants”—you know, those stretch cotton bottoms with a wide fold-over waist and bootcut legs. (Yes, I’m one of those old millennials.) We’d put them on for class with a hoodie, to run errands with flip-flops, and, naturally, to yoga classes in the student gym, usually with the spaghetti-strap tank tops we wore out the night before. Soon after I graduated in 2004, my beloved yoga pants went the way of low-rise jeans and bedazzled trucker hats, soon to be replaced by second-skin leggings in high-tech performance fabrics. But, to my surprise, wide leg yoga pants appear to be on the way back in—at least, if a handful of popular activewear labels have anything to say about it. While online shopping the other day, I came across several examples of the look with serious throwback vibes. On-the-rise brand Celestine is making the old-school style modern with wrinkle-proof fabric and a high, vertically-seamed waistband. Year of Ours‘ wide-leg sweatpants share the same silhouette, but in a soft cotton material that’s better suited for recovery days. And there are plenty of options that more closely resemble the yoga pants of my youth, perhaps because the brands never discontinued them in the first place. (Hard Tail, I’m looking at you.) ad_intervals[‘407269_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘407269_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); If you ask Year of