July 26, 2019 at 08:32AM by CWC Considering that nearly 40 million people around the world are living with HIV, combatting the virus continues to be a global health priority. Even President Trump announced in his 2019 State of the Union address that his administration was committed to “defeating” HIV and AIDS in the United States by 2030. Yet despite all the research and lofty policy goals, the fact remains that only 62 percent of people with HIV are getting treatment, and new transmissions of the virus in the United States are on the rise in certain groups. That’s why the news that an arm implant could potentially prevent new HIV infections for up to a year is making even skeptical experts excited. On Tuesday, at the 10th annual International Aids Society (IAS) conference in Mexico City, researchers from the drug company Merck presented the results of a recent clinical trial, which found that an arm implant effectively delivered an anti-HIV drug for 12 weeks—with potential to deliver enough of the drug for up to a year. (The research has yet to be published in a peer-reviewed journal.) ad_intervals[‘411111_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411111_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); The implant uses islatravir, a nucleoside reverse transcriptase translocation inhibitor that prevents the HIV virus from replicating in the body by blocking an enzyme that clones HIV’s DNA. Roy D. Baynes, MD, Merck’s chief medical officer, told The New York Times that islatravir is 10 times as powerful as previous HIV
Category: 2019 Health
Science backs up what introverts have known since the beginning of time: public speaking is terrifying
July 26, 2019 at 07:56AM by CWC One of my school’s many forms of torture was making a course on public speaking mandatory. I’ve always been introverted with a very fun kind of social anxiety, so this was a horrifying. And not just because I can only communicate eloquently with a keyboard; introverts are biologically more prone to a fear of public speaking and all the vocal jitters that come with it. No, really! According to new research published in Brain Imaging and Behavior, stress directly impacts our ability to talk coherently during public speaking. It mostly has to do with how the brain interacts with our laryngeal muscles, the muscles that help produce complex sounds. The brain tries to coordinate with those muscles to make what you and I know as “speech.” One area responsible for that coordination is the laryngeal motor cortex, but other secondary brain areas (the anterior cingulate cortex, for example) contribute to speech as well. ad_intervals[‘411104_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411104_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Why is that important? Well, let me paint a picture of my worst nightmare. In the small study, 13 women were told they had to deliver an impromptu five-minute speech arguing who would be the best candidate for a law firm, and that—no pressure—it could start at any minute. As the women prepared for the speech, researchers investigated their saliva and hormone levels. When cortisol levels spiked, it shut down certain areas of the cortex that influences
Is the beauty industry really as diverse as it should be? Let’s check in.
July 26, 2019 at 07:55AM by CWC As part of our 2019 Well+Good Trends, we wrote about the positive shift Fenty had on the fashion industry, and ultimately how it would impact how brands speak to diverse consumers. As we march toward the halfway mark of 2019, however, we have to ask ourselves two questions: How far have we really come? What areas could use a bit more improvement? Let’s start with the wins. We’ve seen the launch of Oribe Highly Textured Collection, gender-neutral makeup from Fluide, a major push from Dr. Barbara Sturm to address the unique needs of darker skin tones in prestige department stores, and more-and-more lines founded by entrepreneurs of color, such as The Lip Bar and Briogeo. However, despite the W’s, issues like natural hair discrimination in the workplace still feel commonplace (though both California and New York recently passed laws against this), and brands continue to come under fire. On the fashion front, Kim Kardashian West feigned naiveté upon the backlash for her culturally insensitive named “Kimono” shape-wear line (P.S. Japan had a message for her), while Canadian-based beauty brand NiteCapCo claimed the team “invented” the bonnet, a long-standing staple within communities of color. ad_intervals[‘409795_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409795_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); It’s an odd juxtaposition and enough to make one wonder if change truly happening. To dive deeper, I spoke to industry insiders to see how far they feel this progress has brought us in the skin-care, hair-care, and
*Exactly* how an astronaut prepping her body to get ready for space
July 26, 2019 at 07:43AM by CWC When team Well+Good found out that I was going to be interviewing aspiring astronaut Abigail Harrison—otherwise known as “Astronaut Abby”—they had a lot of questions, ranging from “what does an astronaut’s workout routine look like?” to, I kid you not, “Are aliens real?!” While we’ll likely have to wait until the Area 51 raid (did you get your ticket yet?) to find out about that last one, Harrison did take the time to break down exactly what it takes for astronauts to get their bodies ready for space. The 22-year-old founder of The Mars Generation recently graduated from Wellesley College, and is on a journey to become one of the first humans on Mars. But that journey—particularly from a physical standpoint—won’t be easy. Going into outer space, it turns out, isn’t exactly great for your body, which means there’s a whole lot of physical prep and planning required for becoming an astronaut. “Not only do astronauts have to be the top of the line when it comes to their experience, research, and academics, but they also have to be really physically fit and capable,” says Harrison. “It’s a very highly-demanding physical job—both the job itself and training for it is physically demanding, but also, space exploration places a large wear and tear on the body.” She explains that the longer you’re in space, the more compounded the effects on your person—which include muscle and bone density loss, cardiac changes, and fluid shifts that can effect
These under-$10 drugstore sunscreens are low-key the best that you can buy
July 26, 2019 at 06:55AM by CWC Perusing the drugstore aisles for beauty products is one of my favorite activities. There is a seemingly endless number of things to oggle at, from this $7 toner to this $10 blush that looks identical to my personal iconic fave. But there’s one section in particular that—even as a beauty editor—always overwhelms me: the sunscreen aisle. While I know for sure which SPF product I should be slathering on my face every day (… dozens of dermatologists have recommended Elta MD UV Clear ($32) to me over the years, so that’s the one I tend to stick with), deciding what to protect my body with is a whole other story. From sprays to creams to foams, there are so many different options—and it usually takes me at least 15 minutes to decide which to buy and toss into my beach bag. To make the choice slightly easier, I consulted Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, of Hudson Dermatology and Laser to see which SPF product he reaches for during a drugstore visit. “If you are active, breaking a sweat, et cetera, I really like the Neutrogena Hydroboost Gel SPF Lotion ($10). It’s light and absorbs pretty quick so you don’t have that sticky feeling,” he says, adding that since compliance is such a major factor when it comes to putting on sunscreen, he tends to recommend things that patients actually like applying, and this Neutrogena product fits the bill. Plus, he says, “it does really well—even
It’s a sneaker world, we’re all just living in it
July 26, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC When Serena Williams stepped onto the red carpet at the 2019 Met Gala, it wasn’t her tennis-ball yellow Atelier Versace gown that got people talking. Rather, the most buzz-worthy part of her outfit was the pair of matching Off-White x Nike sneakers peeping out from her dress’ cascading train. In this iconic moment, the message was clear: Sneakers are now officially part of the dress code at every occasion imaginable, including those sanctioned by Anna Wintour. Of course, this is a movement that’s been building since the term “fitness fashion” was coined in the mid-2010s. But since the beginning of this year, anytime-anywhere sneakers seem to have hit a tipping point—a year ago, they may have been considered a trend, whereas now they’re a legitimate wardrobe staple. Walk down any city street in the world right now, and you’ll likely see tons of women wearing sneakers with dresses and midi skirts. (Not just for casual Sunday brunches, but for weddings, work, and first dates, too.) The same will surely be true this fall, if the sneaker-filled autumn/winter 2019 runways are any indication. Expect to see lots of hiking-inspired styles hit when the weather turns cool—we called the rise of “gorpcore” sneakers as part of our 2019 Wellness Trends preview last December, and the global fashion weeks in February proved the prescience of that prediction. ad_intervals[‘410840_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410840_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); “Cute factor plus comfort factor equals
7 at-home waxing products that make hair removal easier than ever
July 26, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC I’ve tried at-home waxing exactly once—and the attempt ended with tears, wax all over my bedsheets (don’t ask), and spotty patches of hair patterned up and down my aching legs. It wasn’t a pretty sight. I soon reconciled with my razor with newfound passion. Now that I’m a (little bit) older and (a little bit?) wiser, however, I’m wondering if the hair removal technique is worth the effort, especially now that we’re in the thick of summer. First, I ask Joshua Zeichner, MD, a dermatologist based in New York City about the skin effects of waxing on a regular basis. “When using a waxing kit to remove hair, it is important to remember the process affects not only hair, but also the skin,” he tells me. “The process of waxing can damage the [skin’s] barrier, leading to lots of hydration and inflammation.” To be 100 percent sure you’re caring for your skin, there’s a few things you can do both before and after grabbing your waxing strips and getting down to business. ad_intervals[‘410734_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410734_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); What to do before at-home waxing: Check your body for any sores or raw areas. Those with active eczema, psoriasis, or infections should skip this hair removal method. If everything looks okay, carefully cleanse and dry the targeted area. (Note: Skip the exfoliator.) What to do after at-home waxing: “After, cleanse again to remove any residual wax from
How to eat healthy at IHOP, according to a registered dietitian
July 26, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC IHOP may go back and forth about whether it wants to remain known as the international house of pancakes or if burgers are their new hero food, but one label it’s never claimed to be is healthy. Let’s be honest: If you’re going to IHOP, chances are it’s because you really want a tall stack of flapjacks—or it’s an ungodly hour and it’s the only place around that’s open. Sometimes, you may want to go all in with that pancake order. But other times, you may want to stick to your preferred eating plan—whatever that looks like for you. Wondering how to pull that off at IHOP? Integrative and functional dietitian Nour Zibdeh, MS, RDN, CLT has it covered. Here, she shares recs on what to order if you’re vegetarian, on the ketogenic diet, or gluten-free. Even if you don’t follow to one of these eating plans, her picks can provide guidance on how to keep your order healthy overall. ad_intervals[‘405095_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405095_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Keep reading for tips on how to eat healthy at IHOP. Vegetarian/vegan Menu picks: House salad; spinach & mushroom omelette What an RD says: If you’re vegetarian, Zibdeh says that IHOP has a lot of omelettes on their menu to choose from. Her favorite is the spinach and mushroom. “I like this one over their egg white omelette because eating the whole egg gives you more omega-3s,” she says. “The
How to unpack from a guilt trip so baggage doesn’t weigh you down at all times
July 26, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC The time and energy we collectively (and individually) spend feeling guilty adds up considerably. According to one poll of 2,000 British people, the average amount of time spent feeling guilty is six and half hours a week. Another survey of 2,000 American parents found that they feel an average of 23 pangs of guilt every week about decisions they’ve made. And researchers at Carnegie Mellon University and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill found that between 60 to 70 percent of 450 undergraduate students they surveyed scored high in guilt proneness, meaning they actually anticipate feelings of guilt before they even do anything. Given this pervasiveness of the feeling, it’s important to learn how to deal with guilt so it stops infiltrating our lives. Unfortunately though, there’s no cut-and-dry answer (if only!), and that’s largely due to guilt culture and the psychological implications of of the emotion and sensation. Anthropologist Ruth Benedict first defined the term “guilt culture” in the 1940s when studying cultural differences between Americans and Japanese. She concluded that US guilt culture characterizes “good” and “bad” by how our internal conscience feels. The guilt regulates behavior and maintains order. And, at least to some extent, that finding helps explain how we’ve been conditioned to feel guilty—in America and elsewhere. ad_intervals[‘390455_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘390455_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Experiencing some level of guilt is normal and common, clearly, so why is it that we
Rom-coms are wrong: Playing hard to get isn’t nearly as effective as *being* hard to get
July 25, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC When the boy I, um, “loved” in 8th grade texted me for the first time, I waited a cool 23 minutes and 45 seconds before flipping open my hot pink Motorola Razr and responding with a coy yet cute: “Hi, who’s this?” As a nascent teenager, I took Lady Gaga at her word when she called love “a game,” but years later, I’m weary, worn out, and so GD over making it seem like I’m low-key “kind of” into someone when really, the very idea of them makes me emotionally masturbate. So here’s my question: Should we toss the “playing hard to get” trope as we would a pilling pair of old leggings? Jordana Abraham and Jared Freid, co-hosts of Betches’ U Up? podcast tell me that, if ever there were a time to play chicken with the subject of your affection, now just isn’t it. “We are the tapas generation,” says Freid (who, as it will quickly become clear, is a stand-up comedian). “We want small plates because we don’t want to commit to anything.” ad_intervals[‘406528_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘406528_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); When you lock away parts of yourself from others for the sake of keeping “an air of mystery,” you place hurdles in front of your new boo, which might prompt them to turn away from you (the patatas bravas, obviously) to someone else (who’s say, the croquetas). “If you’re trying to meet someone on a