January 14, 2019 at 08:30PM According to new data released by Barnes & Noble, books on mental health outsold books on diet and exercise in the new year. Continue Reading… Author Gretchen Lidicker | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue
Year: 2019
Will An Emotional Affair Kill Your Relationship?
January 14, 2019 at 08:00PM Here’s how to know if you’re emotionally cheating—and how to make amends. Continue Reading… Author Jessa Zimmerman | Life by Daily Burn Selected by iversue Infidelity, dishonesty, cheating, secrecy, affairs—these are all words that describe potential death blows to your relationship. While you may be clear that a sexual affair is a true threat to your partnership that needs to be addressed if you’re going to save it, you may be less sure about the damage caused by an emotional affair or whether that’s as big a violation as a sexual one. The short answer is: Yes, it’s an affair. And no, it doesn’t have to be the end of your relationship. An emotional affair doesn’t involve sexual contact, but it can be devastating nonetheless. It’s typically defined as a relationship with someone with whom you have emotional intimacy, sexual attraction, and secrecy or dishonesty about it with your partner. While it doesn’t bring some of the pain that comes from a sexual interaction with a third person, it still brings the pain of dishonesty and lack of care for the feelings of the resolute partner. As hard as it is to recover from the effects of sexual infidelity, an emotional affair still confronts you with the harsh realities that one of you was willing to indulge their own desires at the expense the other’s trust and intimacy. Emotional affairs often start by accident, sliding down the slippery slope of friendship and attraction. What begins
These Are the Three Things You Need for Fuel in the Morning—And Shocker: You Can Get Them in a Muffin
January 14, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC Setting a million high-stakes resolutions isn’t really a thing anymore (three cheers for mindful goal-setting!). But if there’s just one thing you’d like to crush this year—say, making that occasional morning jog a habit or earning that promotion—you still need a fuel-focused breakfast to make it happen. And you still don’t have an extra 30 minutes in the morning to fire up your oven and cook a full buffet. And you’re not alone in that. “We heard time and time again that people want a healthy breakfast that’s quick, will keep them full, and isn’t packed with sugar,” says Julia Wing-Larson, VP of marketing and innovation at Health Warrior, which specializes in foods focused on superfood ingredients. Through the company’s research, Health Warrior landed on a balance of protein and complex carbs as the magic formula for making that feeling of satiety last. And from that intel, Protein Mug Muffins—a spoonable, dietician-approved serving of 12 grams of plant-based protein—were born. The recipe includes only 6 grams of sugar, and blissfully requires the bare minimum of lift in the kitchen (you just have to add water, stir, and microwave). But most important is nailing the balance of ingredients your body needs to conquer your to-do list, sans exhausted meltdowns and desperate urges to raid the office snack drawer. “When we focus on real food ingredients, our blood sugars are more balanced which helps to control cravings during the day,” explains Courtney Ferreira, MS, RD. Scroll down to
Walk a lot? These are 10 of the best sneakers for your feet
January 14, 2019 at 03:51PM by CWC Whether you’re commuting, sightseeing, or exercising, long hours spent walking can do a number on your body. From tired soles to achy backs, you may be surprised by the damage that such a low-impact activity can cause—which is exactly why you need good shoes. And while walking shoes may feature many of the same design specs and tech as sneakers made for marathons, the latter tend to be a lot more lightweight than what walking requires. “Almost everyone who walks excessively needs cushioned and corrective shoes that work with their foot type,” explains Dr. Melissa Lockwood, a podiatrist out of Bloomington, Illinois. “Whether you have a high arch or flat feet, corrective shoes will help to avoid muscle, tendon, and ligament issues from overuse.” Some of her favorite brands include Asics and Brooks, though, when in doubt, visit a running store to find out exactly what your feet need. Look for a walking shoe that provides plenty of shock absorption, arch support, and cushioning, but at the end of the day, comfort is key. Ready to walk this way? Scroll down for 10 comfortable sneakers that are made for walking. Photo: MBT MBT Sport 3, $185 Besides adhering to the chunky sneaker trend, the innovative, curved midsole of the MBT Sport is made with a “pivot axis” to promote active, natural rolling movements with every step. Photo: Adidas Adidas Cloudfoam Pure Shoes, $70 The brand’s signature Cloudfoam cushioning does wonders for all-day comfort. Photo: Hoka
The beginner’s guide to the ketogenic diet
January 14, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC If you are a sentient being living in the year 2019, you’ve heard about the keto diet. More than that, there’s a 98 percent chance* that you know someone—your best friend, mother, former high school classmate who is involved in a pyramid scheme—who has embraced this low-carb/high-fat diet. (*Based on my very unscientific, but probably accurate, real-life observations.) Only unlike that MLM company Becky from freshman year bio keeps spamming you about on Facebook, the keto diet could actually be a positive thing for you. A growing body of research has shown that our bodies need fat to thrive, which explains why the ketogenic diet—which emphasizes fats and strictly reduces carb intake—is having a serious moment. (And nearly every celeb, from Halle Berry to Vinny from Jersey Shore, is on board.) While a diet filled with avocados, EVOO, and butter may sound like a true gift, there are a few super-important rules—and icky side-effects—that you need to know about. (Hello, “keto flu”!) Scroll down for the ketogenic diet for beginners, explained. Photo: Stocksy/Stephen Morris Learn the ratios Let’s start with the basics: your macros. “The most important thing to know before embarking on the ketogenic diet is that you need to keep your carb intake under 30 grams total per day,” says Keto Comfort Foods author Maria Emmerich. This is because the absence of carbohydrates forces your body into—and keeps it in—ketosis, the metabolic state key to the ketogenic diet. When your body is
Should I be planking on my forearms or my hands? We asked Scarlett Johansson’s trainers
January 14, 2019 at 01:15PM by CWC Pretty much every plank I’ve ever done has been on my forearms. Whether it’s during a fitness class or while watching one of my beloved online workout videos, I hold those suckers until I shake. At a recent Pilates class, however, the instructor asked me to spend a minute on my hands. I thought, “This is tough. Have I been cheating?” I couldn’t help but wonder, what’s the best method and how do I find proper plank form? Each plank hurts in its own way. But having only ever used my forearms for support, switching it up had me all sorts of awkward and wobbly as a different set of muscles felt the burn. It turns out that by only sticking to one variation, I’ve been missing out on some serious arm-toning benefits. According to Eric Johnson and Ryan Johnson—brothers, personal trainers to Scarlett Johansson and Ryan Gosling, and founders of HOMAGE—both methods are effective, but they help accomplish totally different things for your body. “The most effective plank variation is the one that’s right for your current fitness level and specific intention,” Eric says. “Performing planks on the hands is more challenging for the shoulders and triceps while performing the exercise on the forearms is more demanding for the core.” Since hand and forearm planks target different muscle groups, there’s good reason to integrate both of them in your routine. Here’s how to make sure you’re performing each variation properly. Hand plank What it works:
How to deal when you’re cursed with different pimple types all at once
January 14, 2019 at 10:53AM by CWC Dealing with pimples are hard and all, but have you ever had different types of acne on your face all at once? When this happens, it’s kinda like being at a horrible buffet. And it makes the whole issue of making zits go away exponentially harder, since, you know, you fight different types of acne in different ways. So what is one supposed to do when they’re cursed with, say, a whitehead and a hormonal cyst? Do your typical spot treatments work double duty or does this dilemma require a more strategic game plan? I sought out a dermatologist for what to do—and it’s really all about being ingredient savvy. The most beneficial tactic is to make sure you’re using salicylic acid. “If you have both comedones—whiteheads or blackheads—and red pimples or pustules (the pimples that turn into white pus-filled bumps after a couple of days), I would use a face wash that contains salicylic acid, which can help exfoliate and unclog pores,” says Shirley Chi, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “After that, I’d recommend a non-comedogenic moisturizer and an all over tretinoin cream in the evenings.” If you don’t have a prescription tretinoin (a form of vitamin A), retinol—or even its natural alternative, bakuchiol—will do the skin cell turnover trick and make your zits go away faster. But then your spot treatments should be more specific. According to Dr. Chi, an anti-inflammatory option like hydrocortisone can help deep, painful cysts resolve themselves more quickly. “Cystic
3 things you can do to help banish your dry eyes for good
January 14, 2019 at 12:21PM by CWC You know that feeling where you blink and it seems like you have thousands of rocks underneath your eyelids? Or where your contacts just flop out of your eyes because there’s no liquid left to keep them in place? Yep, dry eyes are no joke. Sam Berne, OD, a holistic optometrist, says if you’re feeling scratchiness, stinging, burning, redness, light sensitivity, eye fatigue or strain, or discomfort when wearing contacts…chances are you’ve got a case of dry eyes. Hooray! According to Dr. Berne, one of primary causes of dry eyes is—wait for it—inflammation (because of course it is). “One of the most common, yet largely preventable, causes of dry eye is chronic inflammation near the eyelashes or in the tear glands,” Dr. Berne says. “This inflammation interferes with the production of tear film that covers the cornea and keeps the eyes moisturized.” Another common cause of dry eyes: digital eye strain, where your eyes spend so much time staring at screens that they develop issues like dryness, blurred vision, and headaches. And women are apparently more sensitive to it than men (great!). Other lifestyle factors that can cause dry eyes include smoking, poor sleep, and bad dietary habits, adds Dr. Berne. Dr. Berne adds that certain OTC drugs can also cause dry eyes, including antihistamines, birth control pills, and blood pressure medications. And he says people who have diabetes, thyroid disease, Sjogren’s syndrome, asthma, hormonal imbalances, and glaucoma have a risk of experiencing dry
Loyal Royal: Meghan Markle’s baby is going to be a Taurus—here’s what that means for the kid’s personality
January 14, 2019 at 12:11PM by CWC When the Duchess of Sussex announced her pregnancy last fall, the whole world came down with serious case of baby fever. Rumors have been swirling about Meghan Markle’s due date for months, and now we finally have something definitive. During an event with Prince Harry in Birkenhead, England, the duchess informed the crowd that the latest royal baby will arrive in late April or early May. And we know what that means: the babe’s going to be a Taurus. Now, Tauruses—those with birthdays between April 20 and May 20—tend to have a very particular personality type. First of all, they’re said to be super stubborn. Could that mean Markle will have a trouble getting baby to agree to eat all those veggies that are part of her vegan diet? Tauruses are also determined and persistent, which should come in handy for one likely to have an impact on the world someday. Similarly, they’re also known to be demanding, calm—until something sets them off!—and a bit controlling. While strong-willed and argumentative—they know what they want and how they want it, okay?—Tauruses can also be incredibly charming, friendly, and social. And another awesome perk? You can always count on a Taurus to have your back. They’re devoted and would rather have a handful of great friends than dozens of acquaintances. Basically, it will be really fun to watch this little royal grow up—especially since they will probably become incredibly close with Kate Middleton‘s children, including fellow Tauruses Princess Charlotte
A fitness instructor reveals when, exactly, you’re supposed to be foam rolling
January 14, 2019 at 12:09PM by CWC Ah, foam rolling. It’s one of those things that you have some sense that you should be doing regularly as a part of your recovery routine, but when it comes to exactly when, the details aren’t so widely discussed. “Foam rolling is beneficial at various times,” says Corinne Croce, DPT, cofounder of NYC’s Body Evolved. “Ideally, foam rolling is incorporated before exercising as a warmup to prep the body and prime the tissue for movement. However, foam rolling can be also used post-exercise to relieve tension built up during exercise immediately after or in the days after for delayed onset muscle soreness or tightness.” As far rolling it out on the reg goes, Croce notes that the “when” isn’t all that important as long as you’re doing it consistently. “Foam rolling may be used any time when feeling restricted or for the general health of soft tissues,” she explains. “If performed correctly—one to two minutes max per area, with movement vs. steady pressure and with rhythmic breathing—foam rolling may be used daily.” Your best bet is to foam roll the muscle group that you plan to focus on before you work it out as a warmup, or after the fact as a means of recovery. So take some time on leg day to treat your legs to a little TLC either before or after you suffer through your squats… but that’s not all. “Keep in mind that you need to warm up for more than just the obvious