January 20, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Last weekend there was a full moon-eclipse combo that may have rocked your world—but this week’s highlight is all about getting your (romantic, sexy) groove on, thanks to the planet of love (Venus) and the planet of luck (Jupiter), says astrologer Jennifer Racioppi. Here’s her day-by-day advice leading up to it, to keep you in tune with the cosmos. Monday The week kicks off with last night’s total lunar blood moon eclipse in Leo. Meaning, chances are you might feel a wee bit tired, depending on how well you sleep when the moon is both close and bright. To make matters even more interesting, Mars (the planet of action) makes a tough angle to Saturn, which represent discipline, early today, too. While you might feel tempted to rush out the door this morning, don’t. Take it slow and be careful. These transits command respect, not force. Take it slow and be careful. These transits command respect, not force. This morning, stay mindful and minimize the risk of accidents. Eclipses work in 19-year cycles, and this particular eclipse correlated with the north node, asking you to release old stories that hold you back from owning your purpose. Like a cosmic force of feng shui, your life might feel rearranged. Give yourself the time and space you need to adjust. Don’t forget the power of magnesium to calm your nervous system effectively. New to magnesium supplements? Experiment with including magnesium glycinate this week and see how
Category: 2019 Health
Even if you clean your shower curtain, it can still get moldy without this simple step
January 19, 2019 at 08:45AM by CWC I like to think I’m pretty clean when it comes to my apartment. Putting away laundry is no problemo for me. I wipe down counters like a fiend, and I even clean the kitchen as I cook so that there’s no mess after I’m done eating (genius, I know). But then in the bathroom one recent morning, I noticed a… funky scent. It was emanating from the shower, which is how I discovered my A+ hygienic habits had overlooked one oft-forgotten part of the cleaning process. Whoops. That smell? Yeah, it was mold forming on my shower curtain. Here’s the thing about shower curtains: “It’s less about cleaning and more about letting them dry properly,” says Maeve Richmond, organization guru and the founder and coach of Maeve’s Method. Personally, I only realized that stretching out your shower curtain is a thing when I got new roommates and they always spread it out after they showered. (Up to this point, I’d just left it scrunched to the side after turning off the taps.) Richmond, though, helped me see the error of my ways. “If you think about it, if a wet curtain is smushed, then there’s just water sitting in there all day long,” she explains. “So mold can grow.” And since plenty of people are allergic to mold and because of its potential impact on your breathing, it’s key to keep an eye on the condition of your shower curtain. Below are four best practices to follow
How to keep your skin-care products from pilling like an old sweater
January 19, 2019 at 08:34AM by CWC There’s nothing more annoying than going through your 10-step skin-care routine thinking it will give you glowing, radiant skin…only to be left with a finish that more closely resembles a pilling old sweater. You know what I’m talking about: When something mysterious in your beauty regimen decides to start rebelling, and instead of soaking calmly and obediently into your epidermis, forms into tiny balls that sit on top of the surface and just. won’t. go. away. Since no one wants their skin-care to resemble winter layers that’ve been washed a few too many times, what gives? “Pilling happens when you are rubbing a skin-care product on the skin and it never quite soaks in. As you rub it in, the product is pilling, or collecting on top of the skin,” says Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “It means the product’s being hindered from absorbing and is just coming back off. There’s an occlusive barrier that’s preventing absorption, and it happens if too many products are used at the same time, or in the wrong order.” There’s one ingredient that’s usually to blame for the issue: Polymers. “Skin pilling is usually do to incompatibility of products used together, and is typically caused by polymers,” says cosmetic chemist Ginger King. “Polymers are used to form a film on skin for a longer lasting effect, but if the ratio is too much or you’re using something else silicone-based or oil-based, you will see
Don’t feel like sprinting for the 10th day in a row? Try one of these low-intensity cardio workouts instead
January 19, 2019 at 08:21AM by CWC If I’m spending an hour in the gym, you better believe that I’m trying to get the most out of my time there. And that usually means: a full-body burn that pushes your muscles (and your sweat glands) to the max. But ask any trainer worth their barbells and they’ll tell you that low-intensity cardio is a integral part of any workout regimen. While walking on the treadmill for 45 minutes or pedaling away on a recumbent bike may not feel like the most exciting (or admittedly, most efficient) ways to exercise, they’re still critically important for rounding out your routine. (And a part of this year’s trend toward cortisol-conscious workouts.) “It’s just as important to have steady-pace runs and low-impact workouts as it is to have those higher-threshold workouts. And being able to balance the two not only makes you more versatile, but it really kind of lays the foundation,” says Aaptiv trainer Megan Takacs. “It’s almost like you don’t want to go into a sprint workout without having an endurance pace, and that low-intensity training is really the foundation for any other workout you might do.” “Low-intensity stuff breaks up the training at a certain threshold that brings your body back down to a normal level of operation, so that when you go to do the high-intensity you’re not burned out.” —Trainer Megan Takacs She suggests introducing slower-paced, lower-impact cardio sessions into your routine twice (maybe even three times) a week
The draw of the Insta-scam: How to avoid feeling duped when shelling out for influencer workshops
January 19, 2019 at 08:17AM by CWC I am aware that my worth is more than the number of likes and comments I get on an Instagram photo. But…there is something addictive about “growing your following,” a phrase I both can and cannot believe I just used seriously. I’m not under any illusions that I’m going to be an influencer (a word that practically begs for a capital “I”), but as a writer, it helps my career to be active on social media. That’s how I found myself shelling out $100 for presets—pre-made filters—from one of my favorite Instagrammers. (Well, that and the wine I drank before making said purchase.) I have no eye for editing photos (again, writer), but slightly adjusting a preset is something I am capable of. I don’t regret my purchase at all. However, that’s not always the case when buying the presets, workshops, and courses that influencers offer. Caroline Calloway, an Instagram influencer with over 830,000 followers, made headlines this week when she cancelled her multi-city creativity workshop tour amidst criticism that she didn’t deliver what was promised (namely, homemade salads, flower crowns, and handwritten notes, along with Calloway’s time and valuable insights). She issued an apology, and offered refunds…and then a day later, said the tour was back on. Calloway requested that people return their refunds, with a link to her Paypal. Last month, influencer Aggie Lal came under similar fire when people who enrolled in her $500 12-week master class on how to—wait for
The energizing DIY linen spray Joanna Gaines uses to keep her sheets fresh
January 19, 2019 at 05:52AM by CWC If the definition of #homegoals ever gets added to the dictionary, Joanna Gaines‘ photo will be right next to it. The queen of HGTV’s Fixer Upper has been dispensing life-changing design expertise for years and she singlehandedly introduced a nation to shiplap. In addition to helping people design the new house of their dreams with her TV show, she’s full of everyday advice to make any home appeal to the senses, from color with wall paint to scented linen spray. Store-bought linen spray is jam-packed with a long list of weird ingredients, though—and creating your own natural variety is simple, which is why Gaines always has some on hand in her own home. “I love using it to refresh the linens in the spare bedroom when we’re expecting a guest so the whole room smells fresh when they arrive,” Gaines writes on her blog. “I also like to give the folded towels and throw blankets in my linen closet a quick spritz if they’ve been sitting for long periods of time.” There are two combos Gaines swears by when it comes to breathing new life into your linens, both of which use essential oils you probably already have in your collection. If you want to energize your space with a zesty citrus mix, Gaines recommends combining 10 drops of lemon essential oil, 10 drops of lavender essential oil, 2 tablespoons of witch hazel, and filtered water in an amber glass spray bottle, which “helps protect the
If your beauty products are giving you a rash, these ingredients could be to blame
January 19, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC The whole point of beauty products is, literally, to make us feel good—It’s things like sheet masks and facial oils and fancy serums exist in the first place. But every once in a while, our beauty products backfires. And instead of being left with shiny hair or smooth skin, you wind up with a rash. And, yikes. In the same way you can be allergic to the ingredients on a restaurant menu, you can also be allergic to the ingredients in your beauty products. “When you’re allergic to a skin care product, your skin may become red and flaky—particularly the eyelids,” says Dr. Adarsh Vijay Mudgil, MD medical director of Mudgil Dermatology, PC. There are hundreds of chemicals in cosmetics that could cause a reaction (insert plug for the importance of clean beauty *here*), but there are a few common culprits that tend to pop up more regularly on the labels of your skincare, haircare and makeup products. And for what it’s worth? You can have an allergic reaction to pretty much any type of beauty product, whether it’s natural, clean, or chemical laden, so spot-testing before slathering something on your face is always a good idea. It’s also worth noting that there are two different types of reactions that can occur from your products: Irritant reactions and allergic ones. “An allergen is something where your immune system recognizes and has a response to,” says Austin-based dermatologist Dr. Ted Lain. “Versus an irritant which means
Drifting apart happens even in the best relationships—here’s how to get back on track
January 19, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Drifting apart is an inevitable phase of most relationships, everyone from your childhood friend to, yes, the person you’ve put down roots with romantically. As painful as that can be, it makes sense: People change, they start new jobs, they confront various family-related challenges, they start to feel restless—the list goes on. And suddenly, connecting with the one who’s supposed to be closest to you can feel like the most difficult challenge of them all. Just because that connection isn’t there at the moment doesn’t mean all hope is lost, though. In fact, reconnecting with your partner is a lot easier than you probably think, experts say. But…how? One of the first steps is understanding why you haven’t been feeling as close with them. While there isn’t always a clear-cut answer, when it comes to romantic relationships, it can just be a consequence of those initial heart-eye-emoji feelings wear off. “People get stuck in these unresolved power struggles, and rather than go over the same old thing again and again, they move apart.” —Marriage and family therapist Linda Carroll “In the beginning, when everything is easy and people are under love’s spell, they want to hear everything their partner has to say and want to know everything they can about this mysterious other person,” explains marriage and family therapist Linda Carroll. “Then, as the chemistry fades, they stop asking and begin to assume they know how their partner feels, thinks, and will react—and so
Listen up to these 5 surprising benefits of music therapy
January 18, 2019 at 01:49PM by CWC Whether you’re trying to amp yourself up for a road race, relax before bedtime, or just indulge in a satisfying ugly cry, it’s only natural that you would turn to your favorite music—whether it’s Ariana Grande or The Smiths. Science has established that music has a powerful effect on our moods—even music that makes us cry can help us feel better. Meanwhile, a 2013 review of more than 400 studies showed that “listening to music has clear benefits for both mental and physical health,” the authors write—including helping us relax, improving immunity, and lowering anxiety before surgery. That’s why music therapy is considered a valuable tool by medical professionals. According to the American Music Therapy Association (AMTA), music therapy can involve listening to, writing, or moving to music; traditionally, sessions are led by a credentialed therapist in both inpatient and outpatient settings. (So, very different from just listening to Amy Winehouse on repeat after a breakup to feel better.) What exactly are the benefits of music therapy? When music is used as a form of therapy for patients facing specific illnesses (in addition with other conventional treatments like medication and lifestyle changes), it can actually provide some science-backed benefits. Here’s what people can get from music therapy: 1. It can help lessen depression symptoms A 2015 review of existing literature around music therapy and depression by Dutch researchers found that patients who participated in music therapy, in addition to more standard treatments (like medication
Friendship rings are the new BFF bracelets, just ask Ariana Grande
January 18, 2019 at 01:01PM by CWC The Seans, Rickys, Malcoms, and Petes may come and go, but your friends, if they’re good ones—they stick around. Give a listen to Ariana Grande’s new friendship anthem “7 Rings” and chances are you’ll be dreaming up your own shopping spree with your friends. Since most people can’t exactly walk into Tiffany’s and leave with a fist full of diamonds, it’s good to know that you can shower your girls with friendship rings without going broke. Whether you have one true friend you know you can always count on or, like Grande, you roll with a squad, here’s your chance to show your love. (Hey, Galentine’s Day is coming up.) Consider this grown-up friendship jewelry: An update to those gold broken-heart necklaces or the braided bracelets you made at camp. And as a bonus to the whole friendship jewelry thing, you get to give yourself something glitzy in the process, too. 7 rings for your best friends—that won’t break the bank Friendship rings Buy Now Mejuri Zodiac Ring $69 Buy Now Madewell Night Sky Ring $18 Buy Now Pandora Enchanted Crown Ring $100 Buy Now Taudrey Cross Your Heart Ring $34 Buy Now Beck And Boosh Pearl Ring $12 Buy Now Lovoda Night Wonder Ring $14 Buy Now Seaworthy Sophie Face Ring $103 According to science, seven friends is all it takes to live a happy life. And here’s how friendship affects your health. Continue Reading… Author Emily Laurence | Well and Good Selected by