March 19, 2019 at 08:31AM by CWC Just two years ago, Well+Good predicted that the Aussie fitness franchise F45 Training would explode in a big way. After opening hundreds of new studios internationally in 2018, and a new (major) investment from Mark Wahlberg and his investment group, it’s fair to say it’s well on its way to becoming the next boutique workout model to enter the mainstream, alongside Orangetheory, CorePower Yoga, and Pure Barre. Since we last caught up with its founder Robert Deutsch, F45 has sold 1,300 studio franchises around the globe—570 of those will open in the United States, according to Forbes. And this is just a warm-up: Deutsch says plans are in the works to expand everywhere from Canada to Europe to Asia in the near future. I chatted with Mark Wahlberg yesterday about the investment, and he’s a genuine fan of the creativity of the workout—mainly because of how it’s helped his brother. “I think the workout studio chose me—I went in there not really knowing what to expect, and I was amazed at how no matter what your experience is in working out, you can do the workout at your own pace with a huge support system and encouragement, with people there to teach you how to do things the right way,” he tells me over the phone. “Every time I’m at a gym, everyone’s doing their own thing. But I took my brother to F45—he hadn’t worked out before, probably ever—and we were both able to do it
Year: 2019
The “key drop” power-nap technique wakes your creative genius
March 19, 2019 at 08:11AM by CWC For me, all naps end one of two ways. Either I awake as the full embodiment of Snow White or I blearily bat my eyes open, feeling like Bill Murray in Groundhog Day. Some might say that snoozing midday is a fine art—one that Aristotle, Salvador Dalí, and Albert Einstein truly mastered. And with a set of house keys, you can learn to master the art of the power nap for yourself. Each of the aforementioned creatives—and many more who’s names belong in history books—turned to the “key drop” technique not only for rest, but as an act of awakening creativity, reports Fast Company. In short, the method invites you to hold your house keys, or another object that will clatter loudly, in your palm and lie down on your bed/couch/office chair (hey, no judgement here). Then, just make sure to angle your hand so it’s hanging over the edge of your chosen napping spot. As you lose consciousness, whatever’s in your hand will slip from your palm and wake you up as it hits the floor. This process triggers what Dalí called a power nap of “less than a quarter of a second,” according to Psychology Today. Michelle Carr, PhD, a researcher at Swansea University Sleep Laboratory explains that within a split second, you drift toward a unique and inventive frame of mind. “Just before awakening you momentarily enter the hypnagogic sleep state, a state similar to REM sleep where the mind is fluid and hyper-associative,”
When it comes to matters of love, it’s definitely possible to have too much chill
March 19, 2019 at 07:52AM by CWC I have never had any chill—especially regarding romantic pursuits. I’m basically an air-condition-less apartment in July with nary a cheap Bed Bath & Beyond fan to speak of. Sure, this may have opened me up to more heartbreak than what a run-of-the-mill softboy may experience, but turns out, scientifically speaking, that it’s high time that I embrace my complete and utter lack of chill. To quote the Smashing Pumpkins, today is the greatest day I’ve ever known, because I’ve come across (my favorite) study, which finds that being too easygoing can be problematic. Researchers from the University of Western Australia gave 214 students a questionnaire to assess qualities desirable for both long-term (romantic) and short-term (sexual) attractions by assigning percentile ranks to the indicators of intelligence, kindness, easygoingness, and physical attractiveness. Spoiler: Being “too hot” or “too kind” doesn’t work against you. While all four characteristics peaked at the 90th percentile, being too easygoing or highly intelligent showed statistically significant decreases from the 90th to 99th percentiles, while attractiveness and kindness did not. Being too easygoing can remove any sense of friction in a relationship—and without friction, there’s no spark. And with no spark, things can become monotonous. So, if you identify as a Chill Guy Who Likes to Hang, it would appear that such a slacker-esque mentality ain’t super hot in extreme doses. Though the study doesn’t offer intel as to why being too easygoing gets tired beyond positing that it’s “for reasons that may be
Regular old mushrooms are good for your memory—here are 5 ways to eat ’em
March 19, 2019 at 07:01AM by CWC Mushrooms may not have the star power of, say, kale, but they’re worthy of attention. New research out of Singapore suggests that, in addition to being great for your skin and immune system, mushrooms could also be help to prevent cognitive decline. (Wow, mushrooms, way to overachieve.) And not like, fancy adaptogenic mushrooms, though those have legit benefits, too. We’re talking your run-of-the-mill, basic ‘shrooms. The study was conducted over the course of six years on 663 men and women over the age of 60. Researchers at the National University of Singapore tracked participants’ diet and lifestyle, running tests to determine cognitive abilities. They found that, compared to those who ate less than one serving (around 150 grams) of mushrooms per week, people who ate one to two servings of mushrooms per week had a 43 percent reduced risk for mild cognitive impairment (MCI). People with MCI have an increased risk of dementia. Those who filled their plates with more than two servings of mushrooms per week saw greater results with a 52 percent reduced risk for MCI. The study focused on golden, oyster, shiitake, white button, canned, and dried mushrooms, but researchers say it’s likely that all other mushrooms would be beneficial. It’s worth noting that the sample was relatively small, so the findings should be taken with a grain of salt. The researchers acknowledge that more work needs to be done to link mushrooms to cognitive abilities. As someone who forgets where
A derm says this is how much collagen to take to make up for its loss over time
March 19, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC Once collagen became a hot-ticket wellness item, everyone—including moi—started hoarding it in either liquid, supplement, or gummy form. On my desk as we speak, there are a total of three collagen products, including one I can slather onto my skin to stimulate the stuff topically, another to blend into my smoothie, and a third to chew for good measure. The thing is, your body already has plenty of collagen within it—it’s the main component of your bones, connective tissue, and your skin. The reason why it’s blown up as a sort of diet or vitamin staple is because that vault you have within you is constantly being subtracted from your system (sorry). As we age—along with plenty of other factors—collagen is broken down and the production of new protein slows. So yes, we’re always making more of the stuff, but at the same time, we’re constantly depleting it as well. “Our skin cells continually make new collagen to help support the structure of the skin,” explains Joshua Zeichner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York. “After the age of 30, however, collagen production and cell turnover starts to slow down, contributing to the natural aging process. Plus, environmental exposures like UV light and pollution can also cause damage to collagen, leading to early wrinkling.” Besides that, general lifestyle factors contribute to collagen loss as well: “Diet, water intake, and sleep affect your collagen levels along with the biggest culprit being the sun,” says Louise
How To Really Reap All The Benefits Of Curcumin? Here’s Everything We Know
March 19, 2019 Curious About Curcumin? How to Get the Biggest Body Benefits from Turmeric’s Super Ingredient Continue Reading… Author | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
This Is One Of The Most Common Sports Injuries—Here’s How To Prevent It
March 19, 2019 at 05:41AM Start at home today! Continue Reading… Author Caroline Muggia | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
A nutritionist explains why people are so damn obsessed with MCT and coconut oils
March 19, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wdxvxtgwn4w] Let’s face it: Oil is having a moment. It’s stocked in our pantries, fridges, bathroom cabinets, and even our coffee. It’s hard to believe there was a time when our culture was afraid of it (and every other fat). With healthy fats making a major comeback, registered dietician Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, took to another episode of You Versus Food to give us the low-down of what’s really true about the health benefits in coconut oil and MCT oil. If you’re sitting here wondering what even the difference is between MCT oil vs coconut oil: MCT oil (which stands for medium-chain triglyceride) is a fatty acid composed of a 6-to-12 carbon chain. MCTs are often found in coconut oil (which contains both MCTs and other types of fatty acids) but can also stand alone. “MCT oil’s popularity has risen along with that of the keto diet, because MCT oil digests easily and goes to your liver faster, making it an attractive option for those trying to get their energy mainly from fats,” says Beckerman. However, both coconut oil and MCT oil are packed with saturated fats. One tablespoon of coconut oil has 12 grams of saturated fat (85 percent of your recommended daily consumption), she says, and MCT oil has seven grams. “In excess, it’s extremely taxing on the liver and the pancreas to constantly be digesting and metabolizing saturated fats,” Beckerman says. “Plenty of studies have shown that having a diet
How Can You Tell If A Health Trend Is Worth The Money? Bindiya Gandhi, M.D., Breaks It Down
March 19, 2019 at 04:02AM “Wellness trends will come and go. Whatever you do should not be a trend. It should be part of your lifestyle.” Continue Reading… Author Emma Loewe | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
I tried sweat-wicking undies and they made my nether regions *very* happy
March 19, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC I don’t put much thought into what I’m wearing during a workout. I know I’m pulling on some black leggings, socks, sneakers, and any T-shirt that happens to be lying around, but I’m not going as far as to wear workout-specific underwear. Like, I’ll work out in a thong if that’s what’s already on my body—I don’t particularly care if the underwear I’m wearing is wedgie-proof or not. But then, I was told about a new sports underwear brand called Quo Active that’s specifically meant to be worn during a workout—it’s sweat-wicking, antimicrobial, and stays put even in the most intense spurt of burpees. Given that, I figured I may as well give them a shot. After all, they’re purported to help prevent bacterial growth that happens during a burpees-then-brunch sequence. “For everyday use and light exercise, cotton underwear is best because it’s light and breathable,” says Omnia Samra Latif Estefan, MD, a board-certified OB-GYN and brand consultant for Nelly De Vuyst’s BioFemme line. “But add in a heavy workout—with the combo of sweat, heat, and friction—and that’s another story. The vulva and bottom region are filled with sweat glands, so they can sweat too. The cotton then absorbs the sweat, and the remaining moisture can increase the risk in infection.” By investing in sweat-wicking briefs, which are usually made of fabrics such as nylon and polyester, you’re nixing not only the moisture but the bacteria that comes along with it. Quo’s underwear is actually