December 28, 2018 at 05:01AM Not-so-secret confession: I absolutely despise pretty much all forms of cardio. The only time you’ll ever see me running is when my editor asks me to write a story about it. (And I’ll likely be complaining the whole time.) If you ask me to go to spin class, you’ll get the same reaction as if you asked me to go throw rocks at puppies. I’d rather give up matcha than do endless tuck jumps at boot camp. Luckily, I do love dancing and playing tennis—so it’s not like I’m not totally neglecting my heart health. But all of my go-to aerobic activities require more than an hour’s commitment, and who has time for that during the work week? A half-hour is pretty much all I can squeeze in Monday through Friday, and I usually default to strength training via my Tone It Up app. So when I received an email about Crossrope‘s Infinity Rope system—a set of weighted jump-ropes billing itself as “the world’s most efficient workout,” with an obsessed community of over 75,000 fans on Facebook—I was intrigued. First of all, I was the queen of jump-roping at elementary school field day, and picking it up again sounded kinda fun. Then, there’s the fact that the system includes an at-home guided training app à la Peloton, with workouts as short as 10 minutes. (Although unlike Peloton, these are audio-only and not led by superstar instructors.) I can do anything for 10 minutes—including raising my heart
Category: 2019 Health
Take a look inside Karen Lord’s calming Venice Beach bungalow
December 28, 2018 at 05:00AM [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TFOBDoZf7oU?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281] If there’s anyone you should be taking notes from on how to create the ultimate healthy home, it’s Venice, California-based Pilates instructor Karen Lord. After walking up the potted cacti-lined stairs of her airy bungalow and taking a step inside, one thing instantly becomes clear: This rockstar trainer definitely practices what she preaches. Lord’s house is just as calming as she is during her Pilates sessions. The plant-filled oasis has an abundance of natural light, providing the ultimate mood-boost, whether she’s playing the guitar or sweating it out in her home studio (sometimes even with her pup!), which comes complete with a reformer and ladder barrel for spine exercises. And instead of filling every kitchen cabinet with plates and mugs, there’s one special area reserved for her self-proclaimed supplement addiction. “It’s a healthy addiction,” she says. And there are plenty of finds worth adding to your own collection as well. “This Quinton Hypertonic—they’re little glass vials, and it’s just sea water. When I get my period, I have really intense endometriosis on the first day, and this helps stave off the pain by raising my blood pressure.” As for her bedroom, Lord keeps things extra Zen by drawing the shades and, instead, getting a light glow—and all sorts of loving energy—from rose quartz lamps. With the help of an eye mask and a diffuser for her own special essential oils blend, it’s a seriously soothing space. “I put eucalyptus, frankincense, some lavender, and a little bit of citrus so
Why Norma Kamali is no longer only a “women’s” designer
December 28, 2018 at 03:30AM Norma Kamali is a longtime wellness aficionado, a fashion legend, and—on everything from health to hemlines—a forward thinker. Now, with 2019 only days away, she’s about to do something unprecedented: She’s making her clothing more accessible to all genders. Here, Kamali explains how the ’70s underground, genderfluidity, fashion, and New York City have added up to a moment that’s very now. Back in the ’70s, I was presenting a women’s collection, and yet, half of the clients in my New York store were men. They were expressing their personal style through all types of clothing—as was pretty much everyone at the time. If you weren’t there, I must give a little background. Back then, New York was a dangerous place. The city was basically bankrupt, storefronts were heavily gated, and people were fleeing for a safer environment for their families. After dark, I would walk in the street rather than the sidewalk because muggings were so common. Those were bad things, but good came out of this time, too. In the midst of this danger, NYC became a very inexpensive city for artists and creatives looking for affordable rents. It drew folks who felt out of place in their hometown, giving them a place where they could freely be themselves. At the same time, the feminist movement was coming alive again after decades of silence. Gay people were coming out and feeling safer to live their truth—yes, even in the unsafe environment of New York
It’s probably (slash definitely) time to clean your makeup removing pads
December 28, 2018 at 03:00AM On any given day, I’d estimate that I go through three cotton pads for the sake of my beauty routine. I’d never really thought that much about it, until I did the math: In the course of a single year I throw away upwards of 1,000 cotton pads. That, multiplied by the span of a lifetime, is a *lot.* While I’d like to think the rest of my routine is fairly sustainable (thanks in large part to the strides the beauty industry, in general, is making in that direction), the cotton ball conundrum still needs to be hacked. And though I know reusable cotton pads exist, I’ve always been skeptical: Because how safe is it, really, to recycle and reuse something that’s sole purpose is to get dirt, grime, and bacteria off of my skin? When I found out just how nasty it is to double dip with a makeup removing wipe, I had to know for sure. So I checked in with New York City-based dermatologist Dr. Joshua Zeichner, MD, who let me know that despite what I’d initially believed, reusable cotton pads (like these bamboo babies) are A-okay—as long as you wash them. A lot. “Reusable facial cotton rounds are a great way to help sustain the earth, but you must make sure to clean them properly,” he says. And no, he doesn’t mean “wash them” the way you probably wash your makeup brushes (AKA never)—he means that they really, really need a regular
These are the Well+Good stories readers loved most in 2018
December 27, 2018 at 12:12PM Oh, dear reader, we laughed, learned, and loved a lot together in 2018. We found that if we had a question, you probably did, too. We discovered that if we dove into TMI territory, you’d jump in along us. And the past year delivered no shortage of conversation fodder to get you clicking: Advice for self care (…down there and elsewhere), the importance of a good night’s sleep, and the key to finding compatibility with a romantic partner were all winners in your eyes this year. Without further ado, these are the most popular stories published on Well+Good in 2018: 1. Sex experts answer all your burning questions about getting it on Discovering your own sexual preferences—and honoring them—is the best way to practice #selflove between the sheets. Sex and relationships educator Logan Levkoff, PhD, gives advice on everything from achieving an orgasm during penetrative sex to the best way to talk to your significant other about consent and sexual fantasies. 2. 6 Instagrams that prove Britney Spears is a bona fide fitness influencer Sometimes she runs, sometimes she works out her thighs, but these days, Britney Spears is *never* scared of a super-tough workout. Not only is she stronger than yesterday (sorry, had to), but with her rigid workout schedule, she’s stronger every day. Photo: Getty Images/Eldad Carin 3. Here’s what’s going to happen to you if you accidentally eat a bite of moldy bread If you’re choosing a bread with fewer preservatives, you might be dealing with mold before you’ve had
Music fights dementia one song at a time—and 3 more ways to stay mentally fit
December 27, 2018 at 11:21AM Driving around in the car while belting out Kelly Clarkson with your friends sure does wonders for your mood. But did you know it’s also sneakily working to boost your brain health? It’s true. In fact, the connection between social singing and cognitive health is so strong that there are at least 67 choirs across the country—each composed of people with dementia and their caregiver—meant to strengthen mental fitness. On Thursday, The Washington Post highlighted the Giving Voice Initiative, an organization that helps to form choruses for those living with Alzheimer’s disease. There’s research to back up this feel-good endeavor: When people with dementia sing with loved ones, they experience improved quality of life as well as reinforced communication skills. Other fringe benefits include higher self-esteem and social support. Music is so strongly tied to emotion that it works to activate a response in the brain directly connected to memory formation. Coupled with continued learning, this type of therapeutic activity proves to be exceptionally powerful. If you’re hesitant to sing in the shower let alone a group, rest assured that an organized sing-along is by no means the only way to improve cognitive function. Here are three more ways to stay sharp: 1. Fill up on fiber and healthy fats. Genius Foods author and brain health expert Max Lugavere has made it his mission to educate people about filling their plates in a way that feeds their brain as well as their body. The Cliff Notes version of his advice: Sugar
The best piece of style advice each of these 5 fashion writers is taking into 2019
December 27, 2018 at 10:14AM As 2018 slowly winds to an end, let’s all collectively undo the top button on our mom jeans, loosen the laces on our dad sneakers, and let out one big sartorial sigh of relief. Phew! We made it, folks. Fashion was all over the place this past year. Depending on where you looked, the last 365 days felt a lot like 1984, 1994, or 2004, to be honest. Retro trends like bodysuits, slip dresses, chunky sneakers, bike shorts, and going-out-tops all came back in big ways. As did western wear, utilitarian dressing, and faux fur. Oh, and let’s not forget about leopard print, either. But for all the throwback style moments, 2018 was also a year for fashion firsts. Sustainable fashion shed its granola reputation, a luxury designer made a pair of sneakers you can actually work out in, and the influence of wellness on how we dress became undeniable. (Hello, gorpcore.) Trends aside, though, the biggest takeaway from 2018 for me personally was how much individuality and self-expression reigned supreme. I mean, if Michelle Obama walking out on stage wearing those thigh-high glitter boots didn’t leave you empowered to wear WTFYW in 2019, I don’t know what will. So, in the spirit of the “you-do-you” ethos that permeates everything we do editorially at Well+Good, I asked our fashion writers to share the best fashion advice they embraced in 2018. Unsurprisingly, no two answers were exactly alike—but each was stellar in its own way. Keep
I turned to yoga to heal after a breakup—this is what happened
December 27, 2018 at 10:00AM About ten minutes into a vinyasa flow, I’m standing with my hands at “heart center” (over my newly-broken organ), and the yoga instructor tells the class to set an intention for our practice. “This could be something you need in your life today,” he says. “Dedicate your practice to this now and channel it throughout the class.” My intention, as of late? To find self-love. I’ve recently gotten out of a four-and-a-half-year-long relationship, I’ve just completed with my Saturn Return chaos (you know, that major and trying life-change that happens around the age of 29), and I’m in need of a serious reboot of my sense of self-worth. While many newly exed may turn to boxing (the bag’s a great target) or hygge with a truly inspiring Netflix programming, yoga seemed to be the perfect outlet for my heartbreak. It’s not new to me, but there’s just something so relaxing about the sense of clarity that comes post-vinyasa. It’s something I wanted to explore further, and more consistently, once my life’s foundation seemingly shattered. “If you take a moment to pause and clear your mind by focusing on your breath, you’ll have a better chance of looking at things through a clear lens after class.” —Beth Cooke “Yoga gives you a chance to quiet the mind so you can sort out not only the physical body but the emotional body,” says Beth Cooke, a New York City-based yoga instructor. “When you’re emotionally charged, your thoughts can
Pump up your workout with this 30-minute playlist from Spotify’s most popular songs of 2018
December 27, 2018 at 09:01AM Lived experience tells us that a playlist can make or break a workout. A great set of tracks has the power to propel you through your morning run while the wrong beats might have you plotting your escape from spin class. It can be especially difficult to muster the motivation to work out in the period between Christmas and New Year’s Eve. As 2018 draws to a close, embrace the knowledge of workout experts and get moving to songs that make you want to sing out loud. Spotify has compiled a list of its most popular tracks from the past year, 10 of which we’ve selected to create the perfect 30-minute workout playlist for your next sweat session. While Spotify’s 2018 list is populated by some rather predictable artists—there’s a ton of Drake, Cardi B, Dua Lipa, and Post Malone—we’re not mad about it at all. We’ve highlighted the best of the best, with each and every track chosen to get your heart pumping and your feet moving. https://open.spotify.com/embed/user/wellandgood/playlist/5BoOPUTM4XaWp7Hk2vj1ksFor more, you should definitely check out Nina Dobrev’s workout playlist or the tracks you should listen to when Mercury is in retrograde. Continue Reading… Author Tamim Alnuweiri | Well and Good Selected by iversue
The best way to use your serums? Turn ’em into a skin-care cocktail
December 27, 2018 at 08:10AM I have borrowed many, many things from Korean skin care over the years: My 10-step routine, for one, my love of snail mucin and essences, for another. But recently, I was introduced to a K-beauty technique that has completely changed the way I apply my products: serum cocktailing. The idea is that, instead of putting your serums on one at a time and letting them dry in between, you can mix them together or layer them immediately on top of one another to boost their effects. According to the Glow Recipe founders Sarah Lee and Christina Chang, who recently launched a new, drugstore-priced skin-care line called Sweet Chef, you should think of it like bundling up in the winter. “The reason why K-beauty is all about layering is that each layer is very thin and lightweight, therefore when you apply another layer on top of it, it actually helps the other layer penetrate and absorb more easily.” To help others get on board with this layer-friendly way of life, Sweet Chef is chock-full of these sorts of mix-and-match serums. The line offers three vitamin-packed “skin-care shots” that can be used on their own or combined with other products to treat a variety of skin-care woes. “The textures are really lightweight but at the same time, you can actually layer them to get multiple benefits at the same time,” says Chang. There’s a ginger and vitamin C shot for brightening, a kale and vitamin B shot for hydration,