January 30, 2019 at 11:02AM by CWC Kimberly Synder, CN, is a celebrity nutritionist and New York Times best selling author, whose new book, Recipes For Your Perfectly Imperfect Life hits shelves (and Amazon) next month. One of the most sought-out experts for beauty nutrition, she’s a total pro when it comes to eating for radiant skin and optimal digestion. When I saw that part of Sophia Roe’s (Re)New Year game plan was mastering your morning, I wanted to reach through my computer and give her a giant hug. I could not agree more. I am in total agreement that if you start your morning off tuning into your body, you’re much more likely to make healthier decisions throughout the day. Look, I know mornings are crazy. You may wake up to work emails, a screaming kid, and a to-do list a mile long. I get it. That’s even more reason why in the precious time before your day is surrendered to everyone else, it’s so vital to do a few things for yourself. When you start taking care of yourself, you start feeling calmer, your anxiety starts to go down, your digestion functions better, your adrenals aren’t as stressed, your hormones are better regulated, and as a result your skin looks better. All of these things start to happen. That’s why it’s so important to reconnect with our bodies. (And no, you don’t have to wake up at an ungodly hour to make it happen.) Here are five simple
Year: 2019
Yeah, yeah, burpees are the worst, and this celeb trainer agrees—here’s what to do instead
January 30, 2019 at 11:01AM by CWC If you’re looking to get your heart rate going, burpees will do the trick in seconds flat. The movement is part of any super-effective, super-sweaty workout, but let’s be real: no one likes them. I certainly don’t. You probably don’t either. We might pretend we do because of the #gains (or because we want to get on Kayla Itsines‘ level), but every single time my palms hit the floor, everything within my being begs for it all stop. Luckily, we’re not alone. Even one of the best celebrity trainers in the biz can’t stand ’em, which is why he’s more than glad to share a few burpee alternatives. Ben Bruno, who regularly works with Chelsea Handler and Kate Upton, recently shared an Instagram post entitled “Why I Don’t Like Burpees.” It’s not because they’re challenging, he says. Bruno doesn’t let his clients do burpees because, simply put, “the risk isn’t worth the reward.” (See? My sore muscles were trying to tell me something all along.) While they’re frequently recommend as an exercise for beginners, he says jumping straight into burpees—either as part of a group at a bootcamp class or at home—isn’t a good idea. View this post on Instagram I got 99 plans for 2019, but burpees ain’t one. A post shared by Ben Bruno (@benbrunotraining) on Dec 30, 2018 at 10:23am PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js “Most people lack the requisite strength and mobility to do them properly at all, let alone for high reps, which is how
5 pieces of stellar career advice I learned from a cartoon Instagram account
January 30, 2019 at 10:50AM by CWC When people say they’re “building a career,” they’re only kind of speaking figuratively. Whether it’s shimmying up the corporate ladder or paving an entrepreneurial path, the work that goes into chasing fulfillment can take a toll that’s both physical (need. more. zzz’s.) and emotional. And good career advice can be hard to come by. Next time you find yourself shaking a fist while staring at your email inbox with venomous hatred, turn to the Instagram account @lizandmollie to help you realize that your work-life strife is totally relatable. Liz and Mollie, the brilliant minds behind the account, express the rollercoaster 9-to-5ers ride with every day. The cartoons’ messages are concise, but oh man, are they funny. As I was scrolling through the feed this morning, post after post made me think: “Same!” or “It me!” or “I feel seen.” Below, I’ve selected five that taught me lessons I really needed to hear: Liz and Mollie‘s most re-grammable pieces of career advice View this post on Instagram What kind do you give? What kind do you hate to receive? . . . #cookies #feedback #work #workweek #criticism #development #personalgrowth #cookiesofinstagram #foodporn #baking #business #consulting #office #theoffice #emotions #feelings #art #illustration #artistsoninstagram #artoftheday #drawing #entrepreneur A post shared by Liz and Mollie (@lizandmollie) on Jan 2, 2019 at 10:57am PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js Lesson 1: Feedback styles are kind of like personality types Just as unlikely that all of your co-workers share simpatico Myers-Briggs personality types, preferred feedback styles will also
Amazon reviewers can’t get enough of these vitamin C serums, and I can’t blame ’em
January 30, 2019 at 10:41AM by CWC When building out the perfect skin-care regimen, everyone can pretty much agree on the fact that it requires a few key products: a face wash, a trusty moisturizer, a retinol, and—my personal fave—a vitamin C serum. Dermatologists and facialists both recommend incorporating C into your routine for several reasons: It’s brightening, it neutralizes free radicals, and it’s a nourishing, powerful antioxidant. So if you’re in the market to pick one up (or restock your beauty shelf), you’re undoubtedly faced with tons of options—all of which differ in concentrations, textures, and are blended with different ingredients, making this kind of a hard shopping decision. Alas: I’m here to help. After scouring Amazon, I’ve rounded up the top-rated vitamin C serums that have seriously glowing reviews. They’ve touched people’s lives, guys. The most favored of all—TruSkin Naturals Vitamin C Serum ($20)—is blended with hydrating hyaluronic acid, is cruelty-free, and has garnered over 8,100 five-star reviews (no joke). Take it from Nanine, who notes: “I have been using this for about 10 days and my age spots are already fading. Very excited to see what happens in a few more weeks.” Then there’s InstaNatural’s Vitamin C Serum ($17), which is revered for fading acne scars. “I have had deep acne scars for about 10 years and have tried every product out there trying to at least minimize their appearance,” writes Karen. “I have been using this vitamin C serum on my face, and in two months
Train your brain to naturally see the bright side—because chronic disappointment is exhausting
January 30, 2019 at 10:28AM by CWC You know that old maxim about being sad that roses have thorns versus being happy that thorns have roses? Of course you do, and hopefully your takeaway is that perspective totally matters. Virtually all of us experience stress and anxiety—and who can blame us, what with toxic work cultures, constant connectivity via smartphones and social media, and a depressing 24-hour news cycle? That said, the way you approach your circumstances most certainly impacts how you experience them. Put more simply, the way you think directly impacts the way you feel. Fortunately, the brain can be subtly shifted or even transformed through mental practices that work to rewire old, unhelpful structures and thought processes. As Rick Hanson, PhD, a neuropsychologist and meditation teacher, writes in Buddha’s Brain: The Practical Neuroscience of Happiness, Love, & Wisdom, “neurons that fire together, wire together.” What he means, basically, is that repeated mental activity (for example, meditating daily, reflecting on the things you feel grateful for, or holding positive thoughts in your mind for several extra seconds each time they arise) can create lasting changes in the architecture of your brain. This phenomenon, known as neuroplasticity, suggests that your brain is the ideal canvas on which to craft a perspective shift, moving you away from negativity bias and toward a positive mental attitude. What does it mean to have a positive mental attitude? Again, no one is denying the common experience of hardship. After all, avocados won’t always be ripe,
Searches for spring’s hottest sneaker trend are already up 2,000 percent on Pinterest
January 30, 2019 at 09:25AM by CWC From futuristic shapes to overbuilt soles, bold sneakers are at the crux of nearly every wardrobe these days. They serve as a fresh finishing point to a multitude of outfits (and not just those rooted in Spandex). Even the most feminine-leaning tastes are subbing heels, flats, and mules for sporty styles, further solidifying the footwear category as number one. Right now, a new wave of statement sneakers is staking its claim with fluorescent laces, bright, rainbow color blocking, and holographic accents—see the runways of Escada, Off-White, Versace, Christopher Kane, and MSGM for proof. More than an evolution of chunky dad sneakers, these electric styles are a part of another spring drift: neon colors, without diving headfirst into DayGlo shades top to toe. To stylist Courtney Madison (who’s worked with major celebs like Beyoncé, Rihanna, Mindy Kaling, and Katy Perry), these new statement sneakers are a must-try for 2019. “The Escada high tops are that perfect pop of color without the heaviness of some recent sneaker trends,” she says. When styling these types of kicks, Madison is for playing up the boldness. “I think the best way to wear this look is with something a bit oversized and dramatic,” the stylist says, recommending bold and bright sneakers with an oversized sweater or blouse worn as a dress on top or with refined pieces like a blazer dress. “There’s no reason why you can’t wear sneakers to work if the rest of your look is pulled
Yes, global warming is the reason it’s so cold right now
January 30, 2019 at 09:21AM by CWC Unusual weather we’re having, ain’t it? Indeed, the phrase takes on a whole new level of meaning when you factor in global warming. If you’re somewhere in North America right now, chances are you’ll be bundling up in extra layers before heading outside—that is, if it’s safe enough to go outside at all. The weather in much of the country right now is downright dangerous, with some areas carrying a warning of “instant frostbite.” Yes, it’s really damn cold out! Fast Company reports via ABC News that the city of Chicago is expected to experience the coldest temperatures in a generation this week. In fact, more than two-thirds of the country is bracing for below-freezing temperatures. So does the fact that it’s so unbearably cold outside mean that global warming is nothing to worry about? If the Earth is warming, shouldn’t winters be… warmer? Not exactly. In order the see the connection between global warming and weather, first you must understand the the difference. As the National Snow & Ice Data Center so adeptly explains, weather is the state of the atmosphere in short-term variations—weeks, days, minutes. (You dress for the weather.) Climate is weather averaged over a significant period of time—decades, centuries, and millennia. (You plan an economy and a sustainable future around climate.) Scientists look at the climate for more long-term predictions, such as what the temperature will be during winter 50 years from now, or if we can expect the glacial icecaps
A derm told me this drugstore body wash is the only one to shower with in the winter
January 30, 2019 at 08:56AM by CWC The moment temperatures drop below 40 degrees, I avoid showering as if my life depended on it. The hot water dries out my skin, which is already parched and miserable on account of the fact that it’s freezing outside, and that moment when I have to step out from under the stream of hot water into my cold apartment air is truly the worst part of my day. So, naturally, I’m always looking for ways to make winter showers slightly less terrible—because as much as I despise them, I also don’t want to be known as the smelly girl at work. And according to dermatologist Dr. Lily Talakoub of McLean Dermatology and Skincare, the only thing I need to make the experience bearable (especially for the sake of my sad, dry skin) is one simple product: Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil ($20). “It is the best moisturizing body wash I have ever used in my life,” she gushes. “I give it to every single patient—it’s so inexpensive, and I use it to wash my body as well as to shave my legs. It’s amazing.” The best part? It moisturizes your skin while you’re hanging out under the shower stream, which means you’ll hop out feeling silky smooth–even before you slather on your usual lotions and creams. It’s an ideal multitasking pick for anyone with dry or sensitive skin, two categories most people find themselves falling into this time of year. In addition the fact that
I have a theory that the best socks come from Japan—let’s investigate
January 30, 2019 at 08:41AM by CWC Socks aren’t usually items that elicit passionate declarations. But as someone who wears them every day, year-round, as a visible part of my ensemble, I have very strong opinions about them—specifically, I believe the best socks come from Japan. How have I come to draw this conclusion? There’s no scientific method for testing style theories; but my determination is due to years of personal market research and product testing—plus, plenty of anecdotal evidence to support my hypothesis in the form of celebrities who are equally obsessed with socks from the island country in East Asia. Probably the most important of which being poet, musician, and eternal cool-girl Patti Smith. After hearing Smith wax poetic about her “$60 socks from Japan” once in the middle of a performance, I of course, went straight home to Google it. This is how I discovered Japan’s high-end sock market, where a single pair of densely-knit, naturally-dyed socks from the likes of Kapital can cost upwards of $68. Around since 1985, Kapital’s pairs fall decidedly on the high-end of the Japanese sock spectrum—I once received a set as a Christmas gift, from someone who obviously knows me extremely well, and will vouch for their value. Still, as a millennial and journalist, pairs of socks at that price exceed my budget. Unperturbed by this fact (and already well on my way toward obsession), I began exploring Japan’s less-expensive sock options. Upon further investigation, I’ve come to find that both quality and craftsmanship
These hilariously real Valentine’s Day cards are perfect for any relationship status
January 30, 2019 at 07:35AM by CWC Sure, chocolates and flowers are nice, but nothing beats a Valentine’s Day card that just gets you. Don’t waste a second sifting through hundreds of heart-shaped greetings in every shade of pink. We’ve got you. This year, two companies have joined forces to create cute Valentine’s day cards for every relationship status. Dating app Hinge teamed up with Society6 for a limited edition of illustrated Valentine’s Day cards by 15 artists. Each and every one hits the nail on the head. There’s a card for your long-term S.O., one for those in-between moments when you’re not really sure where you stand, something for your favorite cuddle buddy—you name it. You’ll make anyone crack a smile on February 14 with a three-pack of cards for $4.99. Below, a few of Well+Good staffer’s favorites: These are the cute Valentine’s Day cards made for modern relationships Photo: Hinge x Society6 1. Fyre Festival Now that‘s love. Enough said. Photo: Hinge x Society6 2. I’d Rather Stay Home JOMO at its finest. Photo: Hinge x Society6 3. You Are My Favorite Weighted Blanket Weighted blankets are great, but nothing gets the job done like the pro-cuddler in your life. Photo: Hinge x Society6 4. Is It Weird That I Got You a Valentine? For those times you’re just not sure whether your relationship is worthy of a card or not. Photo: Hinge x Society6 5. Emergency Contact Once you list someone as your emergency contact, there’s no going back. Photo: Hinge x Society6 6.