February 04, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC There’s a myth in beauty that your routine needs to be miles-long to work effectively. In truth, most dermatologists say that you only really only need four products to have a productive skin-care regimen: a cleanser, a serum, a moisturizer, and an SPF. The same can be said for ingredients, of which you don’t need to pile on 900 to solve a single skin concern. That’s why we’re kicking off a new series called “The Big Four,” where we tell you the four best ingredients for a specific skin type, starting today with a lesson in dry skin treatment. If you have dry skin, it simply means that there isn’t enough water in your complexion. This makes it feel tight and dehydrated, the same way your body feels when you’re not drinking enough H2O. This can happen either because you’re not using the right hydrating products or you’re not properly sealing in those hydrating ingredients, which allows them to escape from your complexion. In most cases, either ingredients, environmental, or physiological factors—or some combination of the three—are to blame. While we can’t change how much sebum your skin creates or which climate you live in, we can school you on the best ingredients to hydrate a thirsty complexion. Keep scrolling for the “big four” ingredients to know for dry skin. Photo: W+G Creative 1. Lactic acid While it might seem strange to see an exfoliating acid on this list (since exfoliating is often associated
Month: February 2020
Apparently, some people do not have an inner voice—here’s how that happens
February 03, 2020 at 11:44PM by CWC No two people think exactly alike, but it seems that some people go through life without an inner monologue altogether. A viral Tweet pointed out that “some people’s thoughts are like sentences they ‘hear,’ and some people just have abstract non-verbal thoughts, and have to consciously verbalize them.” And I was like “lol ok,” until some noodling around revealed that, yes, research suggest that inner speech isn’t as common or as necessary as, well, you might think. So how is this possible? While there’s still a lot more work to be done in line of how an inner monologue works (or doesn’t work), we do know that the brain is capable of thinking in many different ways. “We know that the brain is far more ‘plastic,’ or moldable, than what scientists believed 30 years ago, and that whole areas can be wired or rewired differently,” says Helene Brenner, PhD, licensed psychologist and creator of the My Inner Voice app. Dr. Brenner points out that a blind person who learns Braille actually uses the areas of the brain normally devoted to sight when they runs their fingers over the raised dots, so they’re ‘seeing’ through their fingertips. Or with a condition like synesthesia, two or more senses “bleed” into each other, so the individual may hear specific colors as having distinct tones, and letters or numbers are experienced as “being” a certain color.”It makes sense then that there would be people where the wires that connect ‘thinking’
What to know about CBDP and THCP, the newly discovered (and highly potent) cousins of CBD and THC
February 03, 2020 at 10:03PM by CWC Just when you thought you’d figured out CBD, scientists go discover a whole new cannabis compound—and this one may be the most potent yet. In a study published by the journal Nature, a team of Italian scientists reported their discovery of tetrahydrocannabiphorol (THCP), which is potentially 30 times more potent than THC, the most well-known psychoactive compound in marijuana. The researchers also discovered another new cannabis compound, cannabidiphorol (CBDP), which is similar in structure to CBD. The researchers believe their new discovery of THCB might explain why some cannabis varieties are more potent than others; its presence surely places into the effects. “It’s newly discovered so people get very excited about it, stating that it’s 30 times more potent than THC, and that it’s the latest ‘miracle,’” says Terry Johnston, MD, the medical physician and strategic advisor for clinical trials at Allied Corp., a pharmaceutical research and development company creating and providing targeted cannabinoid health solutions for modern health issues (such as post-traumatic stress disorder). “I saw a recent quote from a knowledgeable pundit that in essence stated that the claims for cannabinoids far exceed their actual properties,” he says. “We have a cornucopia of new medicinal cannabinoid compounds that need objective research without bias.” While researchers are still learning about the cannabis plant, the discovery of THCP is significant because of the ways in which it interacts with the endocannabinoid system’s CB1 and CB2 receptors, which are found throughout the body, says
I teach a stretching class, and this is the stretch *everyone* should be doing on the reg
February 03, 2020 at 09:00PM by CWC When we’re stretching, we tend to target our own personal hotspots for muscle tightness. If you’re a runner, like I am, that’s likely your quads and hip flexors; if you frequent spin classes, it’ll be your glutes and your hammies. This is all fine, but according to a stretch coach, there’s one stretch that everyone should be doing, no matter how they sweat: the seated straight leg stretch. Of all the muscles you’re working on the reg, having tight hamstrings can lead to a domino effect of bodily woes, which is why it’s extra important to use this particular stretch keep them limber. “Tight hamstrings reduce the mobility of the pelvis, which can put pressure on the low back,” says Samira Mustafaeva, a gymnast and founder of SM Stretching. Besides going hand in hand with lower back pain, tight hamstrings throw off your body’s alignment and posture. Plus, they’re just plain uncomfortable. There are countless hamstring stretches you could fold your body into to help with the cause, but Mustafaeva’s go-to is the classic seated straight leg stretch because it’s “a simple stretch that’s good for people at all levels of flexibility,” she says. In addition to increasing flexibility, it also helps with range of motion, which makes your usual everyday activities easier to do. Her tip? Try the seated straight leg hamstring stretch three times a week, minimum. Or better yet, make it a part of your daily morning routine. Keep scrolling for
10 enduring myths about herpes that sexual health experts want you to stop believing
February 03, 2020 at 08:00PM by CWC You probably have thoughts about herpes. Some may be accurate, but others may be born more of stigma (and jokes, of which herpes is often the punchline) than any actual truth about the virus. My personal understanding of herpes—a common, sexually-transmitted virus that can cause sores, but generally no other poor health outcomes—has evolved over the years as I’ve watched friends receive diagnoses under a variety of circumstances. One got herpes from her first love, who transmitted it to her via oral sex. One got it from her husband, who to this day has never had an outbreak. One doesn’t know where or how he got it, only that it showed up unexpectedly when he was sleeping with someone who was not positive for the virus. And so on. Watching this wide variety of scenarios unfold has led me to question what I once thought I knew about herpes: that it was a “gross STD,” that only irresponsible people contracted, that if someone gave it to you, they were “bad,” and that if you got it, your life was “ruined.” What I’ve realized in the process is that herpes is not what society’s painted it to be. To help remedy the rampant misconceptions associated with the STI, I asked experts to debunk the most common herpes myths they hear. Myth #1: You get tested for it every time you ask for an STI check In the midst of reporting this piece, I happened to
Your skin doesn’t grow in a flower pot, so what does “all-natural” mean for you?
February 03, 2020 at 07:00PM by CWC Ever since the term “natural skin care” started trending, it’s largely been used as a catch-all for products made from plants. It’s also a term that’s subtly suggestive of superior health benefits: As the clean beauty industry narrative goes, botanically based skin care is said to be better for us, because it’s less likely to contain chemicals that are thought to be unsafe for human health. In some cases, this may be true; however, not only are the terms “clean” and “natural” completely unregulated by the FDA—after all, any brand with a few drops of essential oils in its otherwise synthetic formula can slap the term on label, rendering the word near-meaningless—but it’s also incorrect to assume that earth-derived ingredients are more compatible with our skin than actives developed in a lab. “There are many plants found in nature that have a wonderful affinity for the skin and provide nourishing and healing properties for it,” says skin-care formulator Leigh Winters Silberstein. “However, not all plants, herbs, and natural wonders of the world are good for you and your skin.” Winters Silberstein uses poison ivy as an example. It’s “natural,” sure, but there’s no arguing that it would make a pretty nasty addition to your daily moisturizer. It’s also important to point out that most “natural” ingredients are highly processed before they make it into a serum bottle, blurring the line between natural and synthetic ingredients far beyond what you might think at first
Well+Good TALKS: Burnout 2.0: How to Achieve More Balance in a World That Values Busyness
February 03, 2020 at 05:11PM by CWC If 2019 was the year burnout became a globally recognized condition by the World Health Organization (hint: it was), 2020 will be the year we start to figure out how to stop it from plaguing our careers, bodies, and minds. In this panel discussion, experts in the fields of functional medicine, workplace wellness, and mindfulness will break down actionable steps we can all take in order to cultivate a healthier and more balanced way of living. EVENT DETAILS Wednesday, February 19, 2020 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Location: WeWork Now | 902 Broadway, New York, NY 10010 THE PANEL Celeste Headlee | Journalist + Bestselling Author of Do Nothing Author of the forthcoming book, DO NOTHING: How to Break Away from Overworking, Overdoing, and Underliving, Celeste Headlee is an award-winning journalist, professional speaker, and bestselling author of We Need to Talk: How to Have Conversations That Matter. In her 20-year career in public radio, Celeste has been an executive producer, anchor, and national morning show co-host, and she is currently the co-host of the new weekly series Retro Report on PBS. Dr. Sarah Adler | Chief Clinical Officer, Octave As Octave’s chief clinical officer, Sarah is committed to finding ways to join forces with employers and insurance companies to expand access to in-network care nationwide. She is also a Clinical Assistant Professor of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences at Stanford University, where her research focuses on the intersection between technology and behavioral health. Sarah received her
There are 4 supermoons this year—here’s what each means for your sign
February 03, 2020 at 04:59PM by CWC Even if you’re someone who can casually rattle off their sun, moon, and rising sign and is keenly aware of their astrological compatibility and shadow side, there are likely certain components of the cosmos you don’t know. Coming upon these bits of previously unknown information can feel like an exciting opportunity to learn something new—at least that’s how I always feel when I stumble upon new-to-me astrological concepts. And that’s exactly what happened when I learned about the upcoming supermoon happening on February 9…and that there are three additional supermoons happening later this year. Immediately, I needed to know: What is a supermoon, anyway? “A supermoon is a full moon at ‘perigee,’ which means it’s at its closest approach to Earth on a given orbit,” says Rachel Lang, intuitive astrologer and healer. “We call it ‘perigee syzygy,’” with ‘syzygy’ being an astronomical term that explains three or more celestial bodies being aligned. In this case, those bodies are the Earth, the moon, and the sun. Because of this moon-to-Earth proximity, supermoons appear bigger and brighter than other full moons—and in 2020, there are four supermoons: February 9, March 9, April 8, and May 7. So, what how might this astrological occurrence impact you? “A supermoon heightens this awareness and the potential for life change,” —Rachel Lang, intuitive astrologer “The moon in astrology represents our deep inner world and our emotions,” Lang says. “During a full moon, we tend to see aspects of our
The simple protein-packed breakfast J.Lo’s trainer makes in 5 minutes flat
February 03, 2020 at 04:45PM by CWC I don’t think I was the only one who ended last night’s Super Bowl halftime show with a dropped jaw. Jennifer Lopez and Shakira killed it with a performance that caused uproarious applause and a major spike in Google searches. They may not spill all their secrets about staying fit, but you can count on J.Lo’s trainer David Kirsch to do just that. He’s been training J.Lo for years, and he recently shared one of his plant-based breakfast staples that will leave you feeling energized enough to put on a show of your own. Kirsch is a major fan of stuffed avocados for breakfast. Sometimes he opts for a classic avo-and-egg combo, which is loaded with protein, but he says the best way to maintain a healthy diet is mixing things up. To turn up the heat, fill half an avocado with “sautéed jalapeño peppers, which are loaded with vitamin A, mineral- and antioxidant-rich mushrooms, and Tuscan kale, which contains vitamins K, C, and B-6,” he writes. View this post on Instagram A post shared by David Kirsch (@davidkirsch) on Dec 5, 2019 at 7:11am PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js Not only is this breakfast super simple with just a few easy-to-find ingredients (many of which you probably already have on hand!), but it’s also great for those days you don’t have a lot of time to make breakfast. (Every day?) Sautéing everything up takes less than five minutes, then all you need to
Prepare to be sore: This 7-move Pilates-inspired workout will light up your full body
February 03, 2020 at 03:30PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p8A8zKXeHNo] Pilates-inspired workouts—one of Well+Good’s 2020 wellness trends—are known for their really, really slow, small movements that burn like hell. While you could hit up a studio in your ‘hood, you can get a Pilates in home workout in your very own living room—with that same level of muscle-quaking burn. This month, Solidcore trainer Triana Brown is bringing us at-home Pilates exercises that you can do anywhere, anytime, with just a couple of sliders (or a towel or some paper plates). In February, Brown will be our Trainer of the Month, and she’ll be bringing you four weeks of how-can-this-be-so-hard workouts. This week, target your core, upper and lower body, and glutes in a 15-minute, seven-move sweat sesh. PS: You might need a towel for yourself too, because it’s gonna get sweaty. Try this full-body slider workout 1. Plank to pike: Starting in plank position with your hands directly underneath your shoulders, put your toes right on top of your sliders. With your tailbone tucked under, contract your abdominals and lift your hips up to the ceiling into a pike. Keep your hips lifted throughout the entire range of motion as you slide back into a plank. Go as slow as you can—you should feel the burn right away. If you want to make it harder, you can hold at the top of the pike for a few seconds and even add a pulse so that your hips go up and down.