June 10, 2019 at 12:46PM by CWC While everyone in the locker room post-workout clamors for the blow dryers, I walk out scot-free with my wet strands because I’m an avid hair air-dryer. I stan air drying because a) it’s fast and, well, ultimately ideal for those who are lazy with their hair (like moi), and b) it lets your natural hair texture come through. And I just learned of another way to incorporate air drying into my beauty routine: post-cleansing. In the depths of a Reddit Skin-care Addiction subthread on “ways to clear up your skin that have nothing to do with your beauty products,” I read about someone’s success story when they started air drying their face after washing it, as opposed to patting it dry with a towel. I’m all too aware that towels can be a breeding ground for bacteria if you’re not washing them on the reg (c’mon—I can’t be the only one personally familiar with the “week old wet towel” odor), but I tapped a dermatologist to get her expert take on the matter. ad_intervals[‘399896_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399896_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); “Actually, air drying is a somewhat better way to dry your skin,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board certified dermatologist with Schweiger Dermatology… but notes that there are a few caveats to that statement. She explains that aggressively rubbing your face with a towel can cause irritation and inflammation, which won’t happen if you’re air drying, but
Category: 2019 Health
This healthy artichoke dip will make you the most popular person at your next party
June 10, 2019 at 11:41AM by CWC One of my favorite magic tricks is turning classic albeit unhealthy comfort foods into good-for-you snacks. Feel like a Twix bar? Dates, nut butter, and maple syrup easily replace that sugary caramel. Mac-and-cheese? Pumpkin, coconut milk, and nutritional yeast creates a creamy texture more velvety than Velveeta. And then there’s artichoke dip, a party favorite. You’d think from the name that artichoke dip would be healthy, but (sorry) it’s often not. Heaps of cheese, cream cheese, and mayonnaise pretty much cancel out the spinach and artichoke. Here’s the thing though: If you let the namesake vegetables be the star of the show, it makes for a truly nutritious snack. Well+Good Wellness Council member McKel Hill, RDN, celebrates spinach artichoke dip as intended, allowing each healthy ingredient to shine. In addition to spinach and artichoke, Hill’s recipe calls for cauliflower, cashews, unsweetened almond milk, nutritional yeast, garlic, dijon mustard, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and gut-friendly miso. Scoop it up right up with crudités and tortilla chips, or use it as a sauce on vegetables and pasta. ad_intervals[‘399850_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399850_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Hill’s makeover of artichoke dip also makes it vegan and dairy-free in the process. All the fiber with none of the digestive distress? Now that’s a wellness win. Head to Hill’s site for the full recipe. More in the mood for ranch? There’s a healthy way to make that, too. Plus, join Well+Good’s private Cook
Why so many women are reaching for argan oil in their haircare routines
June 10, 2019 at 10:46AM by CWC “When you think of Moroccan beauty, what comes to mind?” A group of beauty editors and I were sitting in the back of a natural beauty cooperative in the middle of the Marrakesh Medina when our tour guide, Stephanie Flor of Around The World Beauty, posed the question. “Argan oil,” we all responded without missing a beat. In Morocco, women have used the natural, nut-based oil for centuries, slathering it on their skin and hair for an added layer of softness and shine. Personally, I’ve been slicking the liquid gold through my strands since middle school, loving how silky it left them. One thing that I didn’t realize, despite the dozens of bottles that I’ve poured through in my lifetime, it can help prevent hair breakage and keep strands strong, too. ad_intervals[‘398980_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘398980_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); As I learned during my trip, women who wear headscarves—which many in Morocco do—tend to deal with hair loss from the fabric rubbing up against their scarves. To help with re-growth, they use a mask made from a mixture of argan oil and olive oil, plus nigella and fig. “While there are no studies directly linking argan oil to hair growth, its natural vitamin E content does help prevent breakage and split ends, which may result in fuller, thicker hair over time,” says Hien Nguyen, co-founder and chief science officer at Function of Beauty. While the verdict may still
Dermatologists would never, ever sleep in sheets made of *this* fabric
June 10, 2019 at 10:39AM by CWC The only thing that feels better than freshly laundered sheets against your skin is a set of linens that are brand new. Whether you score unbelievably soft bedding on Amazon for $15 or invest in linens made to last for years to come, a new set of sheets feels divine. Not all bedding fabrics are created equal when it comes to giving your skin the rest it deserves, according to dermatologists. But cotton sheets, along with a handful of other bedroom buys, will keep your complexion happy all night long. “The fabrics that touch our skin, whether it is in our clothing or our bed sheets, can impact our skin health,” says New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. That’s why he recommends sticking to ultra soft, natural fibers, “like high thread count cotton sheets or silk sheets.” These comfy materials allow your face to slip and slide easily across their surface, reducing any friction your skin might experience as you toss and turn in the night. Makes sense, right? (Linens and flannels will have the same skin-soothing effect.) ad_intervals[‘399893_div-gpt-ad-5443410-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399893_div-gpt-ad-5443410-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-5443410-3’);}); } }, 100); You may be thinking, yikes, most of these materials come with an eyebrow-raising price tag. Agreed. That’s why both Dr. Zeichner and dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD, offer a workaround. Rather than investing in sheets that could set you back a full paycheck, you can invest in one (or two!) 100 percent
The top ways to care for your health when getting more sleep simply isn’t an option
June 10, 2019 at 09:45AM by CWC There are a few health true-isms that everyone agrees on: Drinking enough water is important, even the most basic exercise is better for you than nothing, and a good night’s sleep is essential to health. That’s because your body does a lot while you snooze. Throughout the night, your body switches three to five times between REM sleep (when you dream) and deep sleep (the restorative phase, when you don’t). This cycle is controlled by your circadian rhythm, which affects how every cell and organ in your body functions. If you don’t hit enough restorative REM cycles throughout the night, you’ll disrupt your circadian rhythm so that your body isn’t able recharge—and you’ll feel tired and sluggish when you wake up the next day. “A lot of [people] undervalue the importance of getting enough sleep. But there is so much evidence about importance of sleep to our health, it’s overwhelming,” says Wendy Bennett, M.D., an associate professor of medicine at Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine who specializes in obesity and preventative medicine. She notes that a lack of sleep is linked to everything from obesity, depression, and heart disease to an increased risk of getting in a car accident. ad_intervals[‘399826_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399826_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); However, if you’re a new parent, a caretaker, or often work the night shift, getting more sleep simply might not be an option—and hearing people recommend it can be…frustrating at
The magic number of times to reschedule with flaky people before you can “be busy” forever
June 10, 2019 at 08:59AM by CWC In an age where we protect, honor, and strategize our calendars as if they were our first-born child, there’s no bigger threat to best-laid plans than flaky chronic cancelers. Like I get it, JOMO beckons us all, and it’s easy to join the hermit revolution when we’re all wrapped up in our own busy lives and consumed by stressors. But when you actually have solid, agreed upon plans in place with someone who pulls that “Sorry, I’m the worst, but…” nonsense for the fourth time in a row an hour before you’re supposed to meet, nothing is more clear than the fact that to bail on someone, let alone repeatedly, is really effing rude. So to ease your understandably high cortisol levels after learning your latest round of Scheduling Tetris was utterly needless, there’s some etiquette intel worth embracing about when you can opt out of the resulting rescheduling game. Because at a certain point, you and your daily itinerary have endured enough disrespect to have earned the right to say some version of, “Nah, I’m good” at the prospect of rescheduling those coffee plans. Again. And better yet, it’s possible to go this route without coming across like a total ass. ad_intervals[‘398986_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘398986_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “After the second reschedule, a third time is not the charm,” says national etiquette expert Diane Gottsman. “Of course, we all understand emergencies do happen and that should
Think you’ve mastered the burpee? Get back to me after you flip it and reverse it
June 10, 2019 at 08:50AM by CWC Yeah, yeah…I know. Burpees are loathsome. But if you’re up for a challenge, you’re not going to find anything better than the inverted burpee. Traditional burpees involve hopping into plank position, doing a pushup, hopping back to your starting point, and jumping into the air with a clap. But inverted burpees swap turns it all on its head. You roll backward then smoothly kick into a handstand against the wall as you come back up. It’s not just mesmerizing to watch—it also makes burpees much more fun to do. Whether you’re sick of classic burpees, want to give your workout an intense upgrade, or simply have the urge to practice your acrobatic skills, inverted burpees are a great place to start. How to do an inverted burpee in four simple steps ad_intervals[‘399806_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399806_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4APw-oroxzA] 1. Keeping your feet together, roll backward until your shoulders touch the floor, and then use your hands to propel yourself forward again. 2. Use your momentum to roll yourself back up to your feet. 3. Plant your hands a few inches from the wall and kick up into a handstand. (If you’re a handstand pro, you can choose to ditch the wall.) 4. Bring your feet back down to the floor and repeat. If you’re not totally comfortable with a handstand, just kick your feet up a little, then come back down. You can also replace
The 6-minute, full-body HIIT workout that will light up every muscle in your bod
June 10, 2019 at 07:40AM by CWC Welcome to Trainer of the Month Club, our brand-new fitness series, where we tap the coolest, most in-the-know fitness leaders to create a month-long fitness challenge. On Mondays, we have our “sweat drops” where you’ll get access to the week’s workout that you can follow along at home. In June, Meg Takacs is bringing you her strength-building series. This week’s iteration? A six-minute HIIT workout that will leave you sweating, for real. HIIT workouts are like dry shampoo or tinted sunscreen: Once they come into your life, it’s hard to imagine having ever lived without them. They give you a full-body workout, plus a serious cardio burst, in a fraction of the time that your old cardio-then-strength-training routine used to and the formula really does work when put into motion. Bonus—you can get a full HIIT workout in only six minutes, thanks to Meg Takacs‘ latest TOTMC contributions. Here, she shares six full-body HIIT moves that will help spike your heart rate and get you stronger in the process. They’ll force you to move with speed, agility, and serious explosive energy. Check out the video below, and get ready to feel the burn (for real) for the next two days. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=48d7Zxj4x0o?feature=oembed&w=500&h=281] Try this full body HIIT workout at home Hold each movement for 30 seconds each, and cycle through the series twice. For the isolated movements, hold on the left leg for the first round, then switch to the right for your
How to take charge of your sexual energy and revolutionize your sex life
June 10, 2019 at 07:38AM by CWC We’ve all heard the maxim that you can’t really love someone else until you love yourself. A few prominent experts contend the same logic applies to sex, sexual energy, and your identity as a sexual being. And really, it makes sense: “The most important sexual relationship you will ever have is the one that you have with yourself,” says sexuality doula Ev’Yan Whitney. “Your sexuality isn’t meant to be activated by someone else. You are a fully autonomous, sexual human being with your own needs, your own desires. It’s essentially your job to make sure that you cultivate a relationship with your sexuality.” And while masturbation is a great way to connect to your sexuality, Whitney says it’s far from your only option. You don’t need to engage in any physicality at all. Instead of framing sexual energy as something that manifests during sexual activity, she says we can frame our sexual embodiment as a character trait that’s always with us rather than a hat we only wear when things take a turn for the dirty. Think of it as doing energetic kegels—you can access it always and no one has to know. Like, always. Even while sipping coffee or taking a walk or, even watching paint dry, you’re still a sexual being. “Your sexuality is a fundamental part of you that needs to be put into every aspect of who you are,” Whitney says. “I’m not talking about humping things. I’m not
Lavender is the new millennial pink—at least, when it comes to activewear
June 10, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Call me basic, but I’m still a big fan of all things millennial pink—you know, that pale rosé color that’s taken over our sneaker collections, our kitchenware, and even our Whole Foods hauls. (Radicchio: So ‘grammable.) The only problem? This blush-toned hue’s been hot for so long that it’s reached total saturation point in my wardrobe. So I was stoked to notice a fresh pastel creeping into the spring-summer fitness fashion collections: lavender. Unlike the shades you might have worn as a kid, this season’s light purple activewear options are less “Easter-egg hunt,” more “poolside yoga in Miami.” Some have cool, grey undertones that dial down their sweetness. Others are energized with an ever-so-subtle hint of pink. Either way, lavender is this season’s “breakout color,” according to Mystika Jones, creative director of apparel at Alo. “You see the color everywhere—from celebs like Jennifer Lopez and Dua Lipa in lavender eyeshadow on the red carpet to Kylie Jenner wearing it head-to-toe at the Met Gala,” she says. “It’s a color associated with royalty, so from a fitness fashion standpoint, it gives you confidence and motivates you to keep moving.” The best part about the pale purple activewear craze, in my opinion, is that there are so many ways to give it a whirl. If you don’t want to go all in, you can add a splash of lilac to your workout look with a smartwatch band, a pair of sneakers, or a sports bra. Or