September 28, 2018 at 04:09AM The belly button is the last frontier of wellness. I cannot think of a body part that gets brushed aside more often—even the “gross” ones seem deserving of a little TLC. Feet get soaked then stroked, armpits get swathed in coconut-oil-arrowroot concoctions, and vaginas, well, consider them the Queen of the Nile. But if memory serves, the last time I checked in on my belly button, I found that it stank so badly that the only way to cope was to go back to pretending I didn’t have one in the first place. So, it should come as no surprise to hear that when I turned to my soon-to-be husband and asked him to have a look, things got ugly. And I’m not just talking about the appearance of the body part in question (which is ugly, IMHO). If he couldn’t deign to take a peek—in the name of love!—could I at least pay someone to pamper my navel? But no belly-button equivalent of the 24-karat gold pedicure that I’m sure someone somewhere is offering (found it!) seemed to exist. If I wanted to invest in my innie, I’d have to take things into my own hands. So I did…for a week…on assignment. I started a belly button self-care routine, forcing myself to deal with the fact that in its current state, I’m not pleased with my belly button. My goal? To make it nice. To make it the navel version of Fixer Upper. I would whip this
Category: 2019 Health
5 secrets to becoming a super attractor like Gabby Bernstein
September 27, 2018 at 06:40PM When was the last time you thought about what you really wanted? I’m not talking about a matcha latte or new leggings (don’t get me wrong, those are both great), but about the ambitions you might be afraid to share or the needs you have a hard time saying out loud. Positive vibes guru, number one New York Times best-selling author, and Well+Good Council member Gabby Bernstein says realizing your desires could be as simple as—somewhat counterintuitively—letting go. I’m going to say something that might sound pretty radical: Life is meant to feel good. We are meant to experience joy and serve the world in profound ways. As a spiritual teacher, I’m committed to helping you attract what you desire and live a miraculous life. I’m committed to guiding you to wake up to your Super Attractor power! When you’re able to effortlessly align with the loving energy of the universe and manifest the life you want, you are a Super Attractor. The best part: We all have the capacity to be Super Attractors. To begin your journey, follow these five principles—and keep reading to learn how you can go even deeper with me. Graphics by Abby Maker for Well+Good 1. The universe always says yes. Every thought you have is an energetic message. The universe is always listening, and it always says yes. So you will receive whatever you put out—whether you want it or not. To attract what you desire, you first need to clean up your energetic requests. There’s a
Use this Zara hack to find clothes that look more expensive than they are
September 27, 2018 at 03:55PM It’s easy to lose hours of your life scrolling through Zara’s online offerings. What’s hard is being able to tell what’s actually going to look good once you get it home. (Kinda like Tinder, no?) Worst case scenario: Something that looked like a million bucks online actually looks like the price you paid for it IRL. But, how good does it feel when someone asks you whether your jacket is designer, when you know you spent less than the cost of a boutique fitness class? Items made from natural materials tend to be the ones that elicit unsolicited compliments. Think: 100-percent cotton denim, linen, and leather goods. They’re a higher quality than their synthetic counterparts. They’re also more durable—something you can’t say about most fast-fashion finds. Zara regularly stocks clothing in this category. (Even if it keeps it on the DL.) And it does so for a lot less than its up-market competitors. The key to finding them is to skip the nav and head straight for the search field when you open the site in your browser. Once there, type in “100 percent linen.” Same goes for denim or leather. A recent search returned a red, snakeskin embossed leather belt for $40. Another, a classic black denim mini ($36) you could pair with cozy sweaters now and still pull out next spring. It’s a steal, which is precisely the point. If a bargain feels too good to be true, double check its composition and care
Christine Blasey Ford’s testimony showed that vulnerability is actually a superpower
September 27, 2018 at 03:08PM If you’re familiar with Brené Brown, you’ve heard the phrase “vulnerability is strength.” The University of Houston professor became a TED Talk sensation in 2010 by talking about the power of vulnerability and the role shame plays in toxic relationships, self-destructive behavior, and more. Full disclosure: I am a Brené super fan. But the psychological theory that vulnerability can actually be a superpower never really sat right with me. When you’re vulnerable, you’re giving information that can be used against you later. The more you let people in, the more they can hurt you. The way I saw it, vulnerability is something you share with those you are intimate with: the people you love, the people you trust deeply. And even then, there’s risk. But today, as I watched Christine Blasey Ford, PhD, testify in front of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I got it. At least, I started to. “Helpful.” That’s the word that pierced my heart every time Dr. Ford uttered it, as eyes around the world focused intently on her. “Helpful.” That’s the word that pierced my heart every time Dr. Ford uttered it, as eyes around the world focused intently on her. As she recounted the story of her encounter with Judge Brett Kavanaugh at a high school party in the early ’80s—in which she alleges he sexually assaulted her, an accusation he tearfully denied during his testimony later in the day—she had every right to be full of rage. But she wasn’t. (If she
5 therapist-approved lifestyle changes you can make to help ease symptoms of depression
September 27, 2018 at 12:46PM If you’ve ever struggled with depression, you know how debilitating it can be. It’s like a hazy cloud has settled over all the things that once made you happy, and simple acts like brushing your hair or taking a shower can feel like next-to-impossible chores. Depression is a serious mental health issue, and you should always seek professional help if you’re suffering from it, especially for a prolonged period of time. And while tried-and-true treatment methods like talk therapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and antidepressants can be incredibly helpful, there are also holistic treatments for depression that can make a world of difference in your road to healing. Read on for lifestyle shifts you can institute today to help treat your depression holistically. 1. Give your gut a makeover A wide body of research has found that if we’re not nourishing our gut health, our mood will suffer. As New York-based therapist Alison Stone, MSW, points out, our gut is practically our “second brain.” “In addition to affecting our dopamine and GABA production [‘happy chemicals’ needed for healthy brain functioning] it’s estimated that the gut is responsible for up to 90 percent of the body’s serotonin production,” she explains. “Since inflammation has been linked to depression, following an anti-inflammatory diet is an important step in creating a happy, healthy gut” and mind. To do this, start by reducing your sugar intake, ditching the processed foods, and (sorry)—eliminating alcohol. 2. Take a break from social media While social
Already a zodiac wiz? Calculate your numerology base numbers to learn what makes you tick
September 27, 2018 at 10:57AM “Weird question, but when’s your birthday?” That’s something I always ask when I’m chatting up someone new— whether it’s a work acquaintance, a friend of a friend, or a potential love interest—in order to size them up based on their sun sign. Are they, say, a neat-freak Virgo or a wild-child Sagittarius? But as I recently found out, there’s more woo-woo wisdom to glean from someone’s DOB than their zodiac traits alone: enter numerology meanings. The info can also illuminate your object of interest’s personal numerology, a system not unlike astrology that’s believed to give insight into one’s personality and life path. By adding up the digits in the month, day, and year you were born—and the numbers that correspond to the letters in your name—numerology believers feel you can gain a deeper understanding of your strengths, weaknesses, and a sense of what you’re on here to achieve on the planet. The same applies for gathering the numerology details about those around you. “I feel like numerology has made me a lot more sensitive to other peoples’ needs,” says Novalee Wilder, a certified numerologist based in New York City. “And if you want to stalk your crushes or your coworkers, it’s a fun way to start.” (Okay, now I’m listening.) There are a few different schools of thought regarding numerology, each one slightly different from the next. She personally trained in the Chaldean tradition and considers it her go-to when working with clients it because
All the truly bad people you know share this personality trait
September 27, 2018 at 10:41AM With Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and Bill Cosby making headlines this week—both regarding issues of sexual assault (Kavanaugh’s alleged, Cosby’s convicted)—it’s probable you’ve heard at least one person mutter, “What an awful person.” These men have become two of the most hated people in America, and new research shows there’s a scientific reason why it seems like they share a key personality trait: the ability to pursue their own interests singularly, without regard for others. According to the results of a series of studies (that included more than 2,500 participants) published in the journal Psychological Review, researchers have discerned a common thread shared by those who have dark personality traits (including narcissism, psychopathy, egoism, sadism, self-interest, and spitefulness). This “dark core” or D-factor, as the authors are calling it, is defined in the paper as “the general tendency to maximize one’s individual utility—disregarding, accepting, or malevolently provoking disutility for others—accompanied by beliefs that serve as justifications.” Which translates to, being selfish without giving a s**t, to the extent that you might even hurt people for fun. “The D-factor indicates how likely a person is to engage in behavior associated with one or more of these dark traits.” —Ingo Zettler, professor of psychology “The D-factor indicates how likely a person is to engage in behavior associated with one or more of these dark traits [narcissism, et al.],” said study author Ingo Zettler, professor of psychology at the University of Copenhagen, in a press release. And if a person is prone
Bookmark this list of the best sources of zinc before cold and flu season starts
September 27, 2018 at 10:37AM It’s not quite cold and flu season. (Phew!) Still, now’s the best time to get proactive with your health. This means scheduling a flu shot at the optimal time. It also means stocking up on immunity-boosting foods, making ginger tea, and soaking up as much vitamin D as you can. Another game-changer when it comes to not getting sick is zinc. Although it’s best known as an active ingredient in natural sunscreens. It’s also the fastest way to cure a common cold, according to science. Zinc should also be a regular part of your diet year-round—8 milligrams a day for women, 11 milligrams a day for men. That’s because your body doesn’t store it like it does other nutrients or enzymes. Zinc supplements exist. They can help clear up acne and balance a vegan diet when taken regularly. But it’s also possible to increase your zinc through your diet. Keep reading for the benefits of getting enough zinc. Plus, find a list of foods that are excellent sources of zinc, below. 5 health benefits of zinc 1. Zinc supports your immune system The human body needs zinc to grow and develop. A deficiency in the trace element can compromise your immune system. Read: Make you more susceptible to getting sick. 2. Zinc combats common colds Zinc has antiviral properties that can stop or slow down the bacteria that cause the flu and colds when consumed within 24 hours of symptom onset. It’s like your own slo-mo filter
Cheese tea (yep, seriously) is the newest Japanese drink taking over Instagram
September 27, 2018 at 09:06AM Watch out matcha and bubble tea—another trendy drink is coming for your turf. And it might just be the most interesting one yet. If you’re still getting used to drinking chewy tapioca balls through a straw, then you’re probably going to feel super weird about sipping on cheese: It’s the most-talked-about ingredient in the newest Japanese drink that’s taking over Instagram. While the drink originated in Taiwan back in 2010, it’s spread across Asia over the years and is so popular today that Eater reports popular franchises in China serve up to 1,000 cups a day. The trend is just beginning to make waves in America, though, thanks to cafes like Little Fluffy Head and Happy Lemon that make it impossible not to post your pretty cheesy foam-topped beverage online. View this post on Instagram This may be cheesy but we think you’re grate! Happy Friday!!! Be sure to stop by #LittleFluffyHead and capture a shot like @sexyicecreamgirl for a chance to be featured. . . . . . #dtla #downtownla #losangeles #saycheese #cheesetea #tea #boba #bobashop #drink A post shared by Little Fluffy Head Cafe (@littlefluffyhead) on Mar 16, 2018 at 7:08am PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js The typical cheese tea is made up of a base of either green or black tea—both of which have seriously impressive benefits, whether that’s their de-bloating powers or ability to better your gut health and boost your brain power—a bit of milk, about a tablespoon and a half of cream cheese, and
What your post-workout cravings could be telling you about your body
September 27, 2018 at 08:44AM Tell me you’ve been here: You knock out a wildly difficult workout, pat yourself on the back, and go about your day. Then, the cravings hit. Regardless of what you may want to eat after a workout, there are certain things you technically should be eating to reset your body after you’ve put it through the ringer. “Immediately after a workout, you want to use a simple sugar to open up your cells,” says nutritionist Philip Goglia, PhD and co-founder of G-Plans, noting that a piece of fruit and a protein tend to do the trick. “Generally speaking, athletes want to use a fruit directly after a workout to open up their cells, to re-establish a glycogen pattern and then they insert their first main meal directly after that, like eight ounces of protein like eight ounces of chicken with a starch, like a complex carbohydrate such as a potato, a yam, or rice, with a vegetable.” But let’s say you walk out of spin class dying for a piece of chocolate, a big, juicy steak, or some other oddly specific craving. As it turns out, you’re not just hungry for a well-earned snack—it may be your body’s way of telling you exactly what it needs. I chatted with the experts to decode what our post-workout cravings actually means, and how to curb them when they have us reaching for the cookie jar instead of the fruit and vegetable drawers. Photo: Unsplash/Bruce Mars If you’re craving sweets… Let’s be