February 25, 2020 at 11:05PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ThvmuboEOo4] What happens in a yoga class inspired by the Wim Hof Method? Watch the video to find out. When an instructor says to wiggle your fingers and toes to wake up from savasana, I’m always a little sad. It’s a bit jarring to go into the real world after reaching peak relaxation. Five, a unique practice in Brooklyn created by Danielle McCallum, takes that feeling to the next level—breathwork followed by an ice bath. In the latest episode of What the Wellness, host Ella Dove takes Five, a class comprised of five parts: yoga, meditation, breathwork, cold exposure, and you. McCallum, a yoga teacher and Wim Hof Method instructor, created Five in part to share the benefits of cold exposure. “Ice baths are good for circulation, they’re good for energy. They decrease inflammation, so that helps with recovery from injuries and illness,” says McCallum. “These are tools that have greatly increased my health, and I wanted to package them together.” The Wim Hof Method has three parts: training the mind, breathwork, and cold exposure. “The philosophy behind it is that greater health leads to greater happiness,” she says. “When you get out of the tub, you’re going to feel so alive, so invigorated, you’ll feel like super woman.” The meditation and breathwork—athletic, deep, and fast—are meant to help prepare the body for the cold exposure. Once you’re in the tub, McCallum says you have to maintain that focus on the breath. “When you get
Day: February 25, 2020
Why a burnout expert says you should have an ‘Untouchable Day’ every week
February 25, 2020 at 09:00PM by CWC Every minute I type this my fingers are sad that they can’t grab my cell phone, and can I just say, that is horrifying. Even having it in my eye line makes me stressed out, as if it was my child dangling from a broken bridge instead of an iPhone 8 placidly charging. Technology dependency bones us all, and this addiction feeds into our collection cultural burnout problem. There’s a reason for that. At our most recent Well+Good TALK, we learned that that chronic stress leaves us in a constant fight-or-flight mode, and those little technological pings feed into the stress cycle. “Every single notification that comes in your brain treats exactly as though the phone rang or someone knocked on the doors,” says Celeste Headlee, journalist and author of Do Nothing: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving. “So the whole time that phone is present, or the computer is in your island, your brain is sitting there like a runner at the starting gate, waiting to respond to what it thinks is some kind of threat or alert. So that’s part of what is exhausting you because you never stop working.” Wow, I absolutely hate that. As such, getting a handle on your tech means you physically and mindfully have to step away sometimes. That doesn’t mean throwing your cell into the nearest body of water, it just means ungluing your eyes from a screen once in a while. If you’re
A $10 acne soap sold out in under a week at Ulta—and it’s gentle enough for sensitive skin
February 25, 2020 at 08:41PM by CWC Acne is one most common skin concerns in the United States, affecting nearly 50 million people each year (so, yeah—you’re not alone). With that massive number in mind, it’s hardly a surprise that when a legendary breakout-fighting product makes its way over from across the pond Harry and Meghan-style, skin-care aficionados jump at the chance to get their hands on it (especially when said product only costs $10). Such has been the case with Carbon Theory’s Charcoal & Tea Tree Oil Breakout Control Facial Cleansing Bar ($10). The UK cult-favorite launched at Ulta two weeks ago and sold out almost immediately. Peek at the ingredients list and you’ll see why: The bar’s active acne-fighters are charcoal and tea-tree oil, which zap zits without being as harsh as other acne treatments like retinoids and hydroxy acids. This means the bar isn’t just great for pimple-prone skin, it’s good for even the most sensitive skin types. Photo: Carbon Theory Why is that the case? Charcoal has long been thought of as a “detoxifier,” thanks to its ability to pull out dirt, grime, and oil from your pores, while tea tree oil acts as an anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory for skin. Together, the duo won’t leave behind flaking, scaling, or dryness (the way retinol often tends to), and just to make good on that, there’s also some shea butter in the formula to help with hydration. The soap may have sold out within a week after launch,
Alt-rice is the new alt-pasta, and it’ll be in every healthy eater’s pantry in 2020
February 25, 2020 at 07:00PM by CWC It’s 2020, where it seems possible to make a healthy or vegan alternative to just about any kind of food. We’re milking oats and almonds instead of cows, using tech to make “bleeding” plant-based burgers, and using everything from lentils to zucchini to create gluten-free pasta. Now, you can count alternative rice as the latest alt-food to hit store shelves. This goes beyond the idea of cauliflower rice, which—let’s be honest—can absolutely be used in all the same ways as the grain but has a texture and taste that’s its own. The new alternatives to rice are shelf-stable and aren’t made from cauliflower at all; they’re made from legumes. A few examples: Banza Chickpea Rice ($3), Trader Joe’s Organic Chickpea and Red Lentil Risoni ($3) and RightRice ($13 for three). It’s the latest proof of the chickpea revolution taking over the grocery store and menus across the nation—one of Well+Good’s biggest trends for 2020. The inspiration for creating new alternatives to rice RightRice CEO Keith Belling says the inspiration for their four-source blend was the goal of making a rice that’s as nutrient-dense as possible—while still cooking and tasting like OG rice. “We spent almost a year looking at a range of ingredients and blends, and found that the combination of lentils, chickpeas, green peas, and a bit of rice helped us deliver a unique rice alternative that has a rice-like taste, is easy to cook, and met all our nutritional goals,” he
This better-than-Gatorade drink replenishes your electrolytes post-workout with 2 simple ingredients
February 25, 2020 at 06:29PM by CWC With your electrolytes depleted after an intense workout, you might think to reach for a Gatorade, but it’s not the only option. While sports medicine doctors say it’s a easy way to hydrate after exercising, as “the sugar gives your body quick energy,” there’s a completely natural option you can reach for if you’re not into guzzling down neon sports drinks. Celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder combines 12 oz. of natural coconut water and 1 heaping tablespoon of spirulina powder. Together these simple ingredients make for an electrolyte-replenishing drink that doesn’t contain any added sugar, artificial flavors, or artificial colors. “Swap out the Gatorade with my favorite source of electrolytes and potassium: coconut water. And get an extra boost of powerful nutrition power by adding in a spoonful of spirulina.” —Kimberly Snyder “If you feel tired or sluggish after working out or sweating—or just the dryness of winter!—try upping your electrolytes naturally with this nourishing, easy elixir,” she says. “Swap out the Gatorade with my favorite source of electrolytes and potassium: coconut water. And get an extra boost of powerful nutrition power by adding in a spoonful of spirulina, a natural algae protein that contains omega-3 fatty acids, essential amino acids, B12, iron, and magnesium.” View this post on Instagram A post shared by Kimberly Snyder (@_kimberlysnyder) on Feb 19, 2020 at 4:36pm PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js For something you can make right at home, it’s quite the catch. All you need to do
Mercury retrograde doesn’t have to suck—here are Susan Miller’s 4 tips for making the most of it
February 25, 2020 at 05:00PM by CWC In its most straightforward translation, Mercury being in retrograde just means it appears to be traveling backward. And that’s fitting because when Mercury is in a retrograde cycle, many of us feel like our entire lives are backward—what with travel, communication, and technology woes throwing all of us for a loop. But when I sat down for a cup of coffee with astrologer Susan Miller of AstrologyZone (and used chocolate caramel creamer, per her suggestion, to match my Taurus star sign), she pointed out that good things can also happen during retrograde. The benefits of Mercury retrograde are simply about using that power of going backward to refine our lives. “You have a chance to repolish things up and do a better job,” says Miller, who adds that it’s important to not fight against going backward. Rather, lean into it as a superpower and mindfully go back to reclaim what you’ve lost. In order to maximize the benefits of Mercury retrograde, below find Miller’s four tips. 1. Remember comforts from your past Mercury retrograde encourages you to revisit a specific flavor from your childhood because the planet’s mysticism allows you to enjoy certain foods that trigger happy memories and their healing powers. “You go back to a restaurant you loved or a meal that your mom used to make or prepare that she hasn’t made in a long time,” Miller says. But if nothing nostalgic manifests on your plate (or you don’t live
What to do if you get ghosted at work, because it isn’t just a dating thing anymore
February 25, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC Ghosting in the dating scene is all too familiar of a pest with which we have to contend. But a lesser-known reality of the phenomenon is that it’s also very much possible to get ghosted at work. “Professional ghosting is when a potential client, colleague, hiring manager, or anyone with whom you have a professional relationship goes completely dark on you,” says executive career coach Elizabeth Pearson. “They choose not to reply to your emails, texts, or phone calls with zero explanation.” And, to be clear, getting ghosted at work is bidirectional, meaning it’s a nefarious tool that employers and employees alike can use. In the job-hunting process, for example, sometimes the employer doesn’t let the candidate know they decided to go with someone else. Other times, it’s the candidate who doesn’t respond to the employer, or doesn’t show up for their first day of work, says Michelle Armer, chief people officer at CareerBuilder. “Professional ghosting is when a potential client, colleague, hiring manager, or anyone with whom you have a professional relationship goes completely dark on you.” —executive career coach Elizabeth Pearson Professional ghosting can also certainly transpire in internal situations with a job and workplace you already have. Perhaps your boss conveniently “lost” the message you sent asking for a performance review or raise. Or a colleague is dodging you because they haven’t completed their part of a project you’re spearheading together. Whatever the scenario may be, getting ghosted sucks. To
How to choose between light, medium, and full-coverage foundations
February 25, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC Decoding the foundation section at your local makeup shop can be quite an undertaking. There are powders, creams, and mousses—not to mention different levels of coverage, as well. But if you’re not sure which of these types of foundation coverage to reach for, fear not: We’ve tapped makeup artists for the low-down on light, medium, and full-coverage foundation. “Choosing a light, medium, or full-coverage option will depend on your desired finish and the skin conditions that you might want to cover,” says celebrity makeup artist Meredith Baraf. Though it sounds like it’d be obvious what each level of coverage entails, knowing the nuances of each will help you to choose a foundation that really works for your skin’s needs. With that said, keep scrolling for what to know about the three types of foundation coverage levels, along with makeup artists’ fave products in each category. Graphic: Well+Good Creative Light coverage Light coverage foundation is the most skin-identical option. These formulas subtly even the skin without fully covering it up, according to Baraf. Chief makeup artist for Albolene Carl Ray—who works with Michelle Obama, BTW—notes that light coverage is minimal (in a surprise to exactly no one). “Your freckles will show through, your pores won’t be clogged—it’s for someone who maybe doesn’t like the way makeup feels on their skin,” he says. According to Ray, these are pretty sheer options, such as tinted SPF, BB creams, and CC creams. Shop Buy Now Beautycounter Tint
6 tips to become a more conscientious person who does right by everyone
February 25, 2020 at 01:00PM by CWC A big reason many struggle with maintaining a sense of conscientiousness boils down to personality. As one of the Big Five personality traits that essentially measures your preferences and style, conscientiousness means having a vested interest in doing the right thing. And, of course you want to do the right thing at work, with your partner, and even with yourself. You probably want to be more conscientious. In fact, a recent study conducted by the University of Arizona found that conscientiousness is a top personality trait people want to increase (alongside extraversion and emotional stability). But, is the goal to become more conscientious even a reasonable, achievable one to work toward? “Being conscientious is an important trait, as it provides a foundation for greater awareness of the self and others.” —psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD Well, to a degree. By the time you reach adulthood, many facets of your personality are more or less set in stone. Still, even stone can be chiseled into a better version of you. “Although conscientiousness is often a result of what is learned and developed throughout childhood, a person can definitely work on becoming more conscientious throughout life,” says clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, who adds that it’s certainly a worthwhile effort. “Being conscientious is an important trait, as it provides a foundation for greater awareness of the self and others. As we work on being more conscientious as a way of life, we are able
I’m an RD, and these are the myths about nightshades I want you to stop believing
February 25, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qjpimNuTtJM] PSA: Some of the healthiest foods on the planet happen to be nightshades. Here’s why that’s really NBD. From the one-meal-a-day (OMAD) diet to “dry fasting” there are a lot of questionable food trends that can pop up in the healthy eating world out of nowhere. But it turns out, one (literally) shady one isn’t as sketchy as the rap is gets: nightshades. Nightshades is the name of the groups of fruits and veggies that belong to the solanum family of plants. While some foods in this family are inedible, many are perfectly safe for consumption, like eggplants, tomatoes, jalapeno peppers, and goji berries. But despite their safety, some people (ahem Tom Brady) have sworn them off completely for their potential effects on inflammation. So, are nightshades inflammatory, or have we been freaked out for no reason? In our latest episode of You Versus Food, Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, debunks some of the murkiest myths around the group of fruits and veggies. And it turns out, most of the rumors about the plants aren’t quite true. For starters, much of the fuss comes from a misunderstanding of the compound solanine, which is found in some species of the nightshade family. “Some people believe that solanine, found in foods like white potato, eggplant, peppers, apples and blueberries, aggravates arthritis pain, inflammation and causes digestive complications,” says Beckerman. However, these theories aren’t rooted in robust scientific research, she says. “Plus, most solanine gets