April 10, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC People pick up a lot of habits, use a lot of products, and do a ton of activities in the name of prevention and healthy upkeep. Take brushing your teeth, applying sunscreen, and exercising, to name a few. And while couples therapy is a bit stigmatized as a last resort for mending an ailing relationship, experts believe its long overdo for a rebrand as a preventative measure to use before things get messy. In this vein, clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD and author of Joy from Fear, says seeing a pro while things are great is just as important as going to see a doctor for a regular checkup. “Much like [how] we go to the doctor’s office for a preventative exam or to the mechanic for an oil change to protect the engine, psychotherapy can be used to keep a relationship free of toxic problems,” she says. “Psychotherapy can go a long way toward preventing problems by creating a safe, reassuring forum for addressing challenging life issues.” —clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD It also allows duos to be proactive about navigating the not-so-romantic parts of being in a relationship, like managing money and healing from childhood traumas. “Psychotherapy can go a long way toward preventing problems by creating a safe, reassuring forum for addressing challenging life issues. I’ve worked with many couples who waited far too long to address their issues; by the time they come to me, a great deal
Category: 2019 Health
The 8 healthiest items on Mandy Moore’s wellness résumé
April 10, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Mandy Moore is basically America’s cool big sister. As a musician, she helped us get through the ups and downs of our teenage years anytime “Candy” blasted through the speakers. Then as an actress, she’s shown what true love looks like on multiple levels, whether it’s through Jamie and Landon in A Walk to Remember or Rebecca and Jack on This Is Us. And she doesn’t skimp on the life lessons, either (there’s a reason I have CBD oil on hand whenever I wear heels). Even though Moore is known as an actress and singer, “wellness guru” should be listed on her Wikipedia page, too. Despite her busy schedule, she’s racked up quite the healthy-living résumé by creating the ultimate high-vibe home, training to climb impressively high mountains, and figuring out the ultimate hacks for living her best life on the go. Here are the 8 healthiest items on Mandy Moore’s wellness résumé. 1. She stores her face masks in hotel minibars Moore is a big face mask fan—especially when she travels. And what better way to soothe post-flight skin than chill them in your hotel minibar before using them? “When I travel, I do that before I do anything else. It makes them so refreshing,” she says. 2. Her home is a straight-up wellness oasis Once you see Moore’s high-vibe home, you won’t forget it. The bright and open mid-century modern space is filled with copper and brass accents, blush-hued dinnerware, a
The 3-step skin-care routine you can use in your 20s, 30s, 40s, and beyond
April 09, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC If you can’t remember the last time you used a skin-care product to the last drop, we don’t blame you. For many of us, skin-care fatigue is real with the sheer number of cleansers and serums crowding our cabinets. The good news? You don’t need an overly complicated multi-step regimen to address all your skin concerns at once—and when streamlining, supporting the healthy flora living on your dermis should be goal number one, no matter your age. “When your skin’s microbiome is healthy, you don’t need a complicated skin-care routine nor do you need to keep changing products as you age,” says Maya Ivanjesku, chief scientific officer of LaFlore® Probiotic Skincare, a microbiome-focused line of natural, clinical-strength topicals. So instead of your dozens of products targeting each issue (dryness, breakouts, fine lines, oh my), you could actually improve your complexion’s health across the board by focusing on preserving your skin barrier. To make the shift, we enlisted the formulation scientist to give you the details on how a pared-down, probiotics-enriched regimen can help you get that glow at every age. Keep reading to discover why probiotic-enriched skin care is right for your skin type—at any age. 1. A probiotics-infused routine is designed to be universal There are two common modes of choosing skin care: Beelining for brands you know, and shopping for products that target specific issues. “Much of what we have been taught about skin care over the years, especially in terms
How to make mountain climbers more manageable, according to trainers
April 09, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC I can get through some pretty tough AF workout moves. Ask me to do jump squats, one-handed burpees, and incline sprints, and I’ll (begrudgingly) do ’em. Heck, I’m even doing SLT—one of New York’s hardest workout classes—three days a week in a three-month challenge with my fellow fitness editors. For some reason, though, mountain climbers stick out to me as one of the most difficult things to do. It sounds weird, because mountain climbers are just a high plank in which you jump your knees into your chest one after the other. And yet—ask me to do them for merely 30 seconds and I simply can’t without stopping after, like, 10 seconds. What gives? “A mountain climber is a much more advanced movement than many people think, and it is no wonder that so many of us struggle with an exercise like this,” says Jeff Brannigan, program director at Stretch*d Space. “This is a movement that requires great stability and core strength in order to be done properly and for an extended period of time.” He likens it to a super-advanced plank. Great, because planks are hard enough on their own. But you’re taking a plank and removing stability from the equation with the running of the legs. “You’re taking a basic plank and introducing quick, unstable movements which can drastically increase the difficulty of the position,” he explains. “Typically with an exercise like this, most people struggle with the weakness or poor mobility
10 essential oils your inflammation-busting tool kit needs
April 09, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Inflammation is no joke. On an acute level, it can cause redness and swelling—a sign that you’re dealing with some type of injury or infection. And on a chronic level, it’s been linked with a range of serious health conditions, like heart disease, cancer, obesity, and even depression. Clearly it’s something to try and avoid, so it’s good news that strategies exist for helping that happen. One great option is none other than essential oils. “Essential oils are a great support tool for relieving the discomfort from inflammation that can occur on the surface of our skin and even internally, like in joints, our upper respiratory area, and our belly,” says aromatherapist Amy Galper, co-founder of the New York Institute of Aromatic Studies. “Essential oils are a great support tool for relieving the discomfort from inflammation that can occur on the surface of our skin and even internally, like in joints, our upper respiratory area, and our belly.” —Amy Glaper, aromatherapist In fact, there’s a whole range of essential oils that can help combat aches and pains you may experience from inflammation. Each option works a little differently, but experts note how they can make a specific impact. Add the following 10 essential oils to your inflammation-busting kit. 1. Thyme Thyme contains a lot of carvacrol, a phenol that works as a natural anti-inflammatory. “It has antioxidant, antibacterial, and antifungal properties,” says Irina Todorov, MD, medical co-director for the Cleveland Clinic Center for
Meghan Markle’s 10-bedroom countryside “cottage” is the ultimate wellness sanctuary
April 09, 2019 at 01:24PM by CWC Of all the wellness role models, Meghan Markle is among the most fascinating. Long before the California girl moved to England, she prioritized health and self-care. Markle filled up a grocery cart at Whole Foods and stuck to a twice-a-day meditation schedule. Now, she’s using a fresh start in her new home to create the ultimate sanctuary for her soon-to-be family of three. Markle, also known as the Duchess of Sussex, and Prince Harry recently moved into the 10-bedroom Frogmore Cottage, a 17th century house located on the Windsor estate. Before doing so, they gave it quite an upgrade to align perfectly with their healthy, eco-friendly lifestyle. While I can’t exactly replicate all of the royal couple’s renovations, you better believe I’ll be drawing inspiration from the grand countryside manor. 5 ways Meghan Markle shaped her new home into a wellness sanctuary 1. A private yoga studio provides an escape Markle has always been active, and now she doesn’t even have to leave her property to get in a sweat sesh. According to The Sun, the home has a gym and yoga studio, the perfect place for the couple to escape to whenever they need to rid themselves of some of stress. And there won’t even be any noise to wake the baby. A special spring floor was installed in the space. 2. The baby’s room is infused with essential oils The baby’s nursery has a white and gray color scheme, and the
Trader Joe’s new non-dairy golden milk is packed with turmeric and ginger
April 09, 2019 at 12:50PM by CWC If golden milk isn’t already a part of your life, you should make room for it. The drink is the definition of a wellness beverage with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties from turmeric that help with digestion, skin health, muscle soreness, and more. But if you don’t want to take the time to make it at home, you’re in luck. Trader Joe’s is coming through as always. In the latest episode of the buzzy podcast Inside Trader Joe’s, Matt Sloan, the company’s vice president of marketing product, spilled the details on a handful of new products. While a gluten-free Mochi cake mix and a vodka-free Bloody Mary salsa (yes, seriously!) made the cut, the biggest standout is definitely the Turmeric Ginger Coconut Beverage. “Turmeric has been on so many people’s minds. So many things with turmeric has been popular, and we get a lot of requests for that,” Sloan says. “We have what’s known as ‘golden milk’ coming—a non-dairy version that’s made with coconut milk.” According to Trader Joe’s, the drink also contains ingredients like honey, cinnamon, and black pepper. The drink has 80 calories and 6 grams of sugar per serving, with four servings per container. And you won’t have to wait very long to get your hands on it. Sloan says the beverage should be out very soon, providing yet another reason to stalk the aisle’s at TJ’s. A few more items to add to your grocery list at Trader Joe’s: Teeny
Check out all the new tech that wants to help your digestive struggles
April 09, 2019 at 12:39PM by CWC In the not-so distant past, if you felt like a certain food was causing digestive issues (say you got, ahem, gassy every time you ate dairy), your options were either to: A. Cut said food out of your life and see if you feel better. B. Go to your doctor for testing. (And unless you’re flat out allergic, chances are they’ll make you do an elimination diet anyway.) Thankfully, there is now an Option C: at-home testing. While having access to a good gastroenterologist is invaluable, there’s a lot of detective work you can do yourself thanks to a wide variety of high-tech, gut-focused tests that you can do in the comfort of your own home. But the proliferation of options makes choosing what to try a bit confusing. Should you hold your nose and go for a stool test? Prick your finger and mail in a blood sample? Or is a breath test the way to go? “The first question you have to ask yourself is, ‘What am I looking for?,’” says double board certified functional integrative doctor Bindiya Gandhi, MD, who is based in Atlanta, Georgia. With this in mind, she offers up her insight here—along with the makers of a few trending at-home tests—to better understand your options. Option 1: Breath test Used for: FODMAP issues If someone is experiencing gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea on a regular basis, it’s not uncommon for their doctor to put them on a low-FODMAP
Your guide to using a pendulum, the crystal that can help you make decisions
April 09, 2019 at 12:23PM by CWC When I was younger, I used to love turning to different props and methods that could give me a yes or no answer (I’m very indecisive). Magic eight balls were my jam, and I always played “eeny, meeny, miny, moe” to choose between various options. Stuff like that. The adult, more wellness-y and official version of these things? Pendulums. Once I heard about these contraptions, I had to get my hands on one and find out how to use a pendulum so that I could resolve my biggest (and most mundane) quandaries. You’ll know you’re working with one when you see a triangular-looking gemstone connected to a chain. “A pendulum is a tool that is used to connect to your higher self and ‘source’ by asking questions to help guide, clarify, and raise your awareness,” says Kelsey Patel, reiki master and wellness guru. “The pendulum itself is simply a small object attached to the end of a string, and can be made out of wood, crystal, gemstone, glass, or metal.” It’s not something you should use to help make every single decision of your life—but it can be useful in certain situations. According to Patel, it’s a very personal practice. “A pendulum can be used in various scenarios where you just want to gain a little more clarity, connection, and a better understanding of something,” she says. “You can ask the pendulum questions about life, love, health, career, money—whether simple or complex.” So
Cosmic experts, should I be reading my horoscope in the morning or at night?
April 09, 2019 at 12:18PM by CWC Every evening at 9 p.m. on the dot I receive a (cosmic!) push notification from my home screen astrology app. By that time I’ve mostly relinquished any notion that I can “control” my day, leading me to wonder: What’s the point of rehashing the past 12 hours through an astrological lens? Dear universe, should I be reading my horoscope in the morning instead of at night? Authors of Astrology for Wellness Amy Zerner and Monte Farber say that, in short, yes—downloading your universe-sanctioned schedule is an activity best enjoyed with a your morning cup of coffee. “Lots of decisions we make before going to sleep end up either being forgotten, or overwhelmed, by the many things that come rushing at us when we awake,” says Farber. “Reading an accurate, well-written horoscope in the morning can be a ‘forewarned is forearmed’ experience.” “Reading an accurate, well-written horoscope in the morning can be a ‘forewarned is forearmed’ experience.” Even though the two says it’s ideal consume all that intel before you dive head-first into your to-do list, you might find it helpful to revisit it later. Especially on days when you feel like Murphy’s Law was in full effect. “My essays are not only predictive in nature, but they give each person who reads them something to actually do to make a difficult day better, and maximize the benefits of a bad day,” Farber says. As is the case with many a wellness practice though,