June 27, 2019 at 07:23AM by CWC Very recently my friend—no, seriously, my friend and not me (see previous article noting how I will die before I wax poetic about my bowel movements)—could not figure out the cause behind her strangely frequent urination. She wondered whether it could be pregnancy or too much water intake, common culprits of chronic pee. But alas, after her UTI test came back negative, her doctor landed on a third answer: C. None of the above. That’s because there’s a shittier reason why you might be experiencing frequent urination: constipation. Yep, to paint a not-so-pretty picture for you, if you’re, um, seriously backed up, the effect can be that it impacts other waste-dispelling organs. “There is a two-way street with constipation and the surrounding organs of the pelvis,” says Niket Sonpal, MD, a New York–based internist and gastroenterologist. “The two big organs that have a give-and-take in constipation are the urinary bladder and the rectum. In essence, it is a chicken-or-egg scenario.” ad_intervals[‘403836_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403836_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); You see where this is going, right? “If a person is chronically constipated, and the rectum is very full and dilated, it can put pressure on the bladder and increase a person’s urinary frequency.” —gastroenterologist Niket Sonpal, MD “If a person is chronically constipated, and the rectum is very full and dilated, it can put pressure on the bladder and increase a person’s urinary frequency,” Dr. Sonpal says. “However, if
Category: 2019 Health
How to keep stronger muscles from overcompensating for weaker ones in your workout
June 27, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC Workouts are great and all, but if done haphazardly, without full focus and proper posture, you might just find yourself injured or imbalanced. If that’s the case, your body might be overcompensating with stronger muscles and letting the weaker ones get off easy. But, is there a way to tell if your stronger muscles are overcompensating before a serious injury occurs? That’s exactly what we asked some of the industry’s top trainers. Check out their thoughts, below. “Our bodies are incredibly resilient,” says certified trainer and Mindbody wellness manager Kate Ligler. “They will find ways to perform a movement or task even when our strength and mobility may not be sufficient—often compensating with muscles that aren’t built for the job.” The good news is that our bodies are excellent communicators, so if you’re looking for signs that your body is overcompensating, consider the four indicators below. ad_intervals[‘396510_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘396510_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); This is how to detect that your muscles are overcompensating 1. Chronic tightness or soreness: “If a muscle is working overtime, it’s going to be tight,” Ligler says. “Hamstrings commonly do the work of the glutes and are notoriously problematic.” To alleviate the issue, she says to properly activate your weaker muscles in the kinetic chain (AKA the overlapping body segments connected by a series of joints and muscles). Many muscles surround each of the main joints in the ankles, knees, spine, hips, and
Lea Michele’s luminous skin secret is a 30-second facial you can do anywhere
June 27, 2019 at 06:02AM by CWC Lea Michele will do just about anything in the name of good skin. From cryo facials to magnesium baths, the actor is always down to try a new wellness treatment. And when her skin needs a good at-home refresh, she knows exactly where to turn. “I like to do these Dr. Gross peel pads—they’re fantastic,” Michele tells me ahead of the launch of the Maxx You Project, a campaign by T.J. Maxx that hope to empower women embracing change in their lives. “I feel like they wipe away all of the crap off of my skin.” The Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta Universal Daily Peel Pads ($88) are infused with a gentle chemical exfoliant, and Michele says they’re her go-to when she can’t get into see her facialist, Shani Darden. These pads can help fade acne scars and brighten your completion, which keeps Michele’s skin looking vibrant on her makeup-free days. She often keeps it simple by washing her face with the iS Clinical Cleansing Complex ($24), followed by a few products from Darden’s eponymous skincare line. Sometimes she adds a bit of mascara and dabs the The Honest Co. Magic Beauty Balm ($13) on her cheeks and lids for a dewy glow. ad_intervals[‘403841_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403841_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); “It’s really just about taking care of myself, my skin, and my hair,” Michele says. “When you’re working and you cake on the makeup, it’s like,
There’s no one ‘right’ way to react to a traumatic experience—and that matters for sexual assault survivors
June 27, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC E. Jean Carroll’s initial reaction to being sexually assaulted: laughter. Last week, the famed advice columnist—who has written the “Ask E. Jean” column for ELLE magazine since 1993—shared with New York Magazine an excerpt from her forthcoming book, What Do We Need Men For? It details an experience in which she says that long before he became president, Donald Trump raped her in the dressing room of a New York City department store in the mid-90’s. (The President has denied the accusation.) In the excerpt, she says he lunged at her and pushed her against the wall while forcibly kissing her. “I am so shocked I shove him back and start laughing again,” she writes. “He seizes both my arms and pushes me up against the wall a second time, and, as I become aware of how large he is, he holds me against the wall with his shoulder and jams his hand under my coat dress and pulls down my tights.” ad_intervals[‘403992_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403992_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); She continues, “I am astonished by what I’m about to write: I keep laughing.” “Laughter” and “trauma” are two things you likely don’t expect to see paired so closely together. Because there is nothing (nothing, nothing) funny about assault. And yet for many victims, including Carroll, it’s a completely normal reaction. “It makes sense that, for some survivors, there might be a response of laughter. Or for others,
All you need for better posture is a resistance band and 5 free minutes
June 27, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC I like to include what I dub fitness toys into my workouts to make things more interesting. I’m talking about Bosu balls, battle ropes (only when I’m feeling extra fierce), and resistance bands, which in addition to being great ways to sculpt, are also superstars that help with body alignment and even posture. “Working with a resistance band is one of the quickest ways to fire up your core and upper back, the main muscle groups that support good posture,” says Aly Giampolo, co-founder and trainer at New York City’s The Ness. “While weights can pull you down as they are often heavier, any action that creates tension with a band focuses on strength and postural stability without the added task of fighting against the weight of a weight.” Ah-ha. So those bands come in handy for those of us who sit in front of computers or look down at our phones all day (ahem: everyone). “This is very bad for your posture, and over time causes your shoulders to hunch forward, which can lead to neck and shoulder injuries,” says Lacey Stone, celebrity fitness trainer. “Using resistance bands to strengthen your back muscles is so important and easy because you can take the band anywhere—just toss it in your bag.” ad_intervals[‘394977_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘394977_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); What makes resistance bands so beneficial for your posture is the tugging action—certain movements, which of course incorporate resistance,
Gua sha could be the answer to treating (and preventing!) those pesky blackheads
June 27, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC While I’m extremely into using each and every high-tech device that I can get my hands on for the sake of my skin—I’m looking at you, NuFace ($325), Neutrogena LED Light Mask ($30), and GloPro ($200)… and the list goes on—I’m also not above turning back time (in Cher’s voice) to embrace ancient facial tools. The jade roller, for example, feels amazing and also helps with de-puffing. And lately, I’ve been loving the gua sha—which is kind of like a jade roller in that it’s made out of a gemstone, but it’s more sharp and has different benefits. Namely: sculpting your face and stimulating lymphatic drainage. But as I’ve been gliding the gemstone tool across my face in every-which direction, I’ve been noticing an added perk. My blackheads have been clearing up. Is this too good to be true, or an actual benefit of doing gua sha on the reg? I have great news: Gua sha can, in fact, help with this particular skin woe. Holistic facialist and co-founder of Wildling, Britta Plug says this is the case because gua sha acts a a sort of system sweeper underneath your skin. “What it comes down to is working on the lymphatic system and drainage,” she tells me. “Of course, the lymphatic system has so many different functions and health benefits in the body, but in terms of your face, it’s about how [the lymphs] are the septic system of the tissue.” Gua sha comes in
Cool off with a cherry lime smoothie that packs a secret health-boosting twist
June 26, 2019 at 06:30PM by CWC Picture this: A gloriously sunny summer day, a book you can’t put down, and a deliciously refreshing beverage in your hand. What could make this picture even more perfect? If said delicious drink was also loaded with health benefits. That combo was the inspiration behind this cherry smoothie recipe that’s loaded with fresh summer produce like sweet cherries, zucchini, and beets (promise you can’t taste them!) for major plant power. The real superstar ingredient here is sweet Northwest cherries (duh), which not only lend bright sweetness to each sip, but also give a dose of natural fiber, gut support, and anti-inflammatory properties—making them a killer post-workout smoothie ingredient. Sweet cherries also boast reported cancer-fighting properties, according to a USDA study, and are a natural source of melatonin for some extra sweet dreams (get it?). ad_intervals[‘400762_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘400762_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); If you’re shocked that summer’s signature snack has so many benefits, we’re about to totally blow your mind: They also have the lowest glycemic index of almost any fruit, which means no crazy blood sugar spike like you get with so many other fun summer sips (looking at you, frozen margs). Want to cash in on those benefits while you’re out and about? Toss a container of cherries in your tote to bring the (healthy) summer vibes with you wherever you go. Continue Reading… Author Well+Good Editors | Well and Good Selected by CWC
So, uhhh, apparently your eyeballs can get sunburned. Here are 9 pair of protective shades that can help.
June 26, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC I cannot go outside without wearing sunglasses. Even the gloomiest of days is enough to make me squint and my eyes water if I’m not wearing them. This is a flaw that will make it extremely difficult for me to survive should a zombie apocalypse ever happen, but also means that in the interim my eyes are very protected from UV damage, because I am always wearing sunglasses. So, not all bad here. But even if you have hearty eyes that don’t get all squinty when faced with the merest glimmer of sunlight, you should still be wearing sunglasses every day—just like sunscreen. “It’s important to wear sunglasses all year round, as UV can damage your eyes even on cloudy days! Wearing sunglasses when you’re outside will reduce your risk of cataracts and macular degeneration,” Anita Misty, Waldo‘s in-house optician, says. “The most common short-term impact of UV exposure to the eye is acute photo keratopathy, which is essentially sunburn of the eye. Sunglasses also protect the eyelids too, hence the importance.” A sunburn? On your eyeballs? This is something that absolutely makes sense but I have never thought about before this very moment. Wild. ad_intervals[‘402913_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘402913_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); UV exposure can also cause something called pterygium, which sounds like a dinosaur but is actually a growth on the whites of your eyes. If those get worse, Misty says, they become pinguecula, which is
It’s time for everyone to accept that all parents are imperfect, flawed human beings
June 26, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Every year in mid-June, my Instagram feed—and I assume yours too—is overtaken by “best dad in the world” posts, and the same social-media gushing is directed at moms a month earlier. I’ll admit, I partook in the public displays of appreciation this year by hoisting my parents onto a pedestal for a day—and I swear my sentiment was authentic. I’ve learned, after all, that it’s completely possible to recognize that my parents are people who aren’t perfect and have limitations while still having immense gratitude and love for who they are. Still, I wonder if all this idealized celebrating of our parents on social media ignores the elephant in the Hallmark-card aisle: Parents, like the rest of us, are flawed beings. Maybe the cards and captions we write don’t need to say “cheers to the not-so-perfect human who raised me.” But it is important to see our parents’ fallibility and learn how to make peace with it. Because by getting ahead of the inevitable realization, you hold the power to handle the news like the well-adjusted adult they raised. Or at least, sincerely tried to raise. ad_intervals[‘403150_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403150_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “I have never met a parent who doesn’t want the best for their children,” says Robin Stern, PhD, a psychoanalyst and the associate director of the Yale Center for Emotional Intelligence. “But, I have met many parents who do not understand the impact of
How to make an anti-inflammatory chocolate pudding suitable for grownups
June 26, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTWLYqMhZwI] Need an inflammation-fighting pudding in your life? Get the recipe here. Sadly, the things that are really good for us sometimes don’t taste very good…and the superfood moringa is one of them. The plant kind of tastes like a mix of arugula, mustard greens, and horseradish—which can definitely be an acquired taste. If that flavor profile doesn’t quite pique your interest (but you’re still dying to try it), herbalist, health coach, and Supernatural founder Rachelle Robinett shares her solution in the latest episode of Plant Based. “Moringa oleifera is a tree and it may be the epitome of food medicine,” Robinett says. “It is a highly nutritions leaf and also plant that is usable in all its different parts. So the root, the bark, the seed pods, the flowers even—all are medicinal or nutritious in different ways.” ad_intervals[‘403915_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘403915_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Compared to other leafy greens, the moringa leaf is super high in protein. Robinett explains it has 30 percent protein by weight, which is twice as much as kale. It also has awesome anti-inflammatory effects, she says, and is technically a complete protein. But how to get past the taste and start reaping all of moringa’s benefits? Robinett’s solution: sneaking it into an avocado-chocolate mousse. The cacao, coconut, and avocados blend together into a delicious treat that masks the plant’s bitter flavor. How to make this magical concoction? You’ll just have