June 04, 2019 at 07:56AM by CWC Whether your face is looking a little puffy due to a lack of sleep, eating too much salt, or seasonal allergies that refuse to away (guilty on all charges!), it can be tricky to calm the swelling down. While booking an appointment with an esthetician is one way to deal with a swollen under-eye area that concealer can’t hide, but you don’t have to spend big bucks to get relief. All you need to do is reach into the freezer and give yourself an ice cube facial. It’s hard to believe something as simple as an ice cube could melt away all your puffiness, but it works in seconds. “Using an ice cube will dilate the underlying blood vessels of the skin. It’s an instant de-puffing effect,” says Dendy Engelman, MD, a dermatologist based in New York. “The rubbing or massaging motion will gently distribute lymphatic build-up, which can also alleviate puffiness.” You don’t have to be a beauty pro to master the technique. Just take the ice cube in your hand and gently rub or massage it over your skin. There’s really no wrong way to go about it. If it’s too cold for your fingers or face, Dr. Engelman recommends covering the ice cube with gauze or a cloth—something celebrity makeup artist Lisa Eldridge swears by. She puts an ice cube in a tea towel and holds it against her skin to alleviate puffiness and sculpt her features at the same time.
Category: 2019 Health
“What you seek is seeking you” is Rumi’s way of saying your life has purpose—here’s how to find it
June 04, 2019 at 07:36AM by CWC At this point, it’s tough to go a day without seeing at least half a dozen inspirational quotes pop up on your Instagram feed. Most are fun and encouraging, and some may even provide you with the boost you need to slay your day. But every once in a while, you’ll scroll past a profound quote that leads you to actually pause, think, reflect, and maybe even shift your perspective on life. An example that distinctly falls in this camp is “what you seek is seeking you.” It’s simple yet undeniably mystical; it’s also oddly comforting to understand that the things you most want also want you. Just like any other art form, the quote, written by 13th-century Persian poet Rumi (yes, the one Beyonce and Jay-Z named one of their twins after), can be interpreted in many different ways. Some relate it to the law of attraction and calling in your desires. Others say the wisdom lies in the notion that the things we want to achieve, have, or be are not meant to be difficult. And another group, like Toronto-based life coach and meditation teacher Sabine Buhlmann, believes the meaning behind the quote is all about following your life’s purpose. “Everybody has a life purpose. Whatever is seeking you, that’s what you seek. That’s what’s calling you. That’s your life purpose.” —Sabine Buhlmann, life coach “We are all here for a reason,” Buhlmann says. “Everybody has a life purpose. Whatever is
If you’re struggling with knee pain, pay attention to your treadmill incline
June 04, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC As much as I love running, I know a number of people who refuse to do it for a number of reasons. Some people say that they simply don’t like it, others prefer lower-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates, and then there are those who don’t run because they have knee pain. I get it, it’s not for everyone. But since running and walking are pretty foundational movements in fitness, I bring good news: If the high-impact motions make your knees hurt, Precision Running—the new running studio in New York, based off of the Equinox class—instructor and founder David Siik says that you can use your incline to help lessen the impact on your knees. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience,” says Siik. “The other bonus is a little extra work on your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, and really improving strength.” And it’s not like you have to hike Everest (bless up for that) to reap the benefits on your treadmill. “While there’s no perfect incline for every body type, the one to three percent incline range is a great place to run for those with knee issues or recovering from a knee injury,” says Siik. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience for those with knee issues.” —David Siik Corinne Croce, physical therapist and co-founder of Body Evolved, pretty much
If you’re struggling with knee pain, pay attention to your treadmill incline
June 04, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC As much as I love running, I know a number of people who refuse to do it for a number of reasons. Some people say that they simply don’t like it, others prefer lower-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates, and then there are those who don’t run because they have knee pain. I get it, it’s not for everyone. But since running and walking are pretty foundational movements in fitness, I bring good news: If the high-impact motions make your knees hurt, Precision Running—the new running studio in New York, based off of the Equinox class—instructor and founder David Siik says that you can use your incline to help lessen the impact on your knees. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience,” says Siik. “The other bonus is a little extra work on your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, and really improving strength.” And it’s not like you have to hike Everest (bless up for that) to reap the benefits on your treadmill. “While there’s no perfect incline for every body type, the one to three percent incline range is a great place to run for those with knee issues or recovering from a knee injury,” says Siik. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience for those with knee issues.” —David Siik Corinne Croce, physical therapist and co-founder of Body Evolved, pretty much
Before you slather ACV on your breakouts, hear what these derms have to say
June 04, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Apple cider vinegar is the darling of holistic health remedies. It can help you curb sugar cravings, revive dull strands, and even help you poach the perfect egg. Rumor has it that you can also use it to treat acne, but is that, like, actually safe? And effective? The dermatologists’ consensus? Kinda. Jeffrey Fromowitz, MD, FAAD, a Florida-based dermatologist, says there’s some science behind ACV’s acne-fighting claims. “Apple cider vinegar contains organic acids—lactic, succinic, and citric acids—that may kill P. acnes, a skin bacteria that is one of many contributing factors to acne breakouts.” And Shirley Chi, MD, a California-based dermatologist, explains that because vinegar is a mild acid, and your skin is somewhat acidic, “putting a little bit of apple cider vinegar [on your skin] as like a toner, for instance, would kind of balance your pH.” But the problem is that it’s super strong (as you would know if you’ve ever smelled the stuff). “Applying ACV directly to the skin may cause irritant burns if not properly diluted,” says Dr. Fromowitz. “I think there are safer, more effective and predictable choices to treat acne.” If you really want to try it, he advises that you should dilute it three-to-four parts water to one part vinegar, apply it to acne spots only, and then rinse it off completely after 10 to 20 seconds. “Do not apply it undiluted or leave it on without rinsing it off,” he says. Dr. Chi adds that
Myers-Briggs love calculator: Which personality type is perfect for your summer fling?
June 04, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Not every love story is meant to be a happily ever after that lasts till death do you part. Still, short-lived relationships are worthwhile: They can be fun, full of chemistry, and offer lessons about the world, ourselves, and how we approach different situations. Basically, your summer-fling aspirations are fully worthy, regardless of whether the union lasts into sweater weather or not. In the world of Myers-Briggs compatibility, those who exhibit strength in areas where others are weak or generally mistrustful tend to clash. That said, those who highlight our pain points are often the ones to whom we feel inherent attraction—and they can teach us a whole lot for however long they remain in our lives. (Don’t know what your MBTI is? Read this!) So, have yourself a summer-love adventure with someone who’s uniquely compatible for the job description. Find your perfect summer fling, according to your Myers-Briggs personality: W+G Creative ISFJ ENFP or ENTP ISFJs like to stay in their lane and typically gravitate toward those who are familiar—family, old friends, long-term loves. ENFPs and ENTPs completely reject what is familiar and fly toward anything novel, original, or unexpectedly creative. They want to try everything once, and they love exploration and spontaneity. As a summer fling, they’d push you outside your comfort zone (in a good way) and show you that what is improbable often doubles as the most fun. ESFJ INTP or INTJ You, ESFJ, are grounded but always out
Myers-Briggs love calculator: Which personality type is perfect for your summer fling?
June 04, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Not every love story is meant to be a happily ever after that lasts till death do you part. Still, short-lived relationships are worthwhile: They can be fun, full of chemistry, and offer lessons about the world, ourselves, and how we approach different situations. Basically, your summer-fling aspirations are fully worthy, regardless of whether the union lasts into sweater weather or not. In the world of Myers-Briggs compatibility, those who exhibit strength in areas where others are weak or generally mistrustful tend to clash. That said, those who highlight our pain points are often the ones to whom we feel inherent attraction—and they can teach us a whole lot for however long they remain in our lives. (Don’t know what your MBTI is? Read this!) So, have yourself a summer-love adventure with someone who’s uniquely compatible for the job description. Find your perfect summer fling, according to your Myers-Briggs personality: W+G Creative ISFJ ENFP or ENTP ISFJs like to stay in their lane and typically gravitate toward those who are familiar—family, old friends, long-term loves. ENFPs and ENTPs completely reject what is familiar and fly toward anything novel, original, or unexpectedly creative. They want to try everything once, and they love exploration and spontaneity. As a summer fling, they’d push you outside your comfort zone (in a good way) and show you that what is improbable often doubles as the most fun. ESFJ INTP or INTJ You, ESFJ, are grounded but always out
9 healthy, minimally processed packaged snacks because eating on the go happens—a lot
June 04, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC As much joy as family dinners and meals out with friends can be, we are a culture of snackers. We eat protein bars while walking to work. We drink our vegetables in smoothie form in the car. We snack while we cook dinner—and again after dinner too (or is that just me?). And even if your Sunday meal prep game is on point, it’s nearly impossible to be so masterful at advance planning that you’ll never been in a situation where you just need a snack like, right now. And in those situations, your only option is processed food—essentially a dirty word in wellness. The legal, official definition of a processed food is “any food other than a raw agricultural commodity and includes any raw agricultural commodity that has been subject to processing, such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydration, or milling.” So basically, if it’s not a raw food in the produce aisle, it’s been processed in some way to get to that grocery shelf. Diets high in processed foods are linked to poor health outcomes, including unwanted weight gain and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and early mortality. But it’s also important to note that some foods are more processed than others: A snack bar with a long ingredients list that includes artificial flavorings and oils (or, ahem, an order of chicken nuggets at your fav fast food joint) are inherently more processed than just a bag of salted peanuts—and thus not are
9 healthy, minimally processed packaged snacks because eating on the go happens—a lot
June 04, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC As much joy as family dinners and meals out with friends can be, we are a culture of snackers. We eat protein bars while walking to work. We drink our vegetables in smoothie form in the car. We snack while we cook dinner—and again after dinner too (or is that just me?). And even if your Sunday meal prep game is on point, it’s nearly impossible to be so masterful at advance planning that you’ll never been in a situation where you just need a snack like, right now. And in those situations, your only option is processed food—essentially a dirty word in wellness. The legal, official definition of a processed food is “any food other than a raw agricultural commodity and includes any raw agricultural commodity that has been subject to processing, such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydration, or milling.” So basically, if it’s not a raw food in the produce aisle, it’s been processed in some way to get to that grocery shelf. Diets high in processed foods are linked to poor health outcomes, including unwanted weight gain and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and early mortality. But it’s also important to note that some foods are more processed than others: A snack bar with a long ingredients list that includes artificial flavorings and oils (or, ahem, an order of chicken nuggets at your fav fast food joint) are inherently more processed than just a bag of salted peanuts—and thus not are
13 minimalist brands that make getting dressed the easiest thing you’ll do all day
June 03, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC Imagine opening up your closet to find a calming sea of neutrals, each of which you can pull off the hanger, pair with literally anything else in your wardrobe, and head out for the day. Such is the beauty of creating a minimalist wardrobe, which will not only keep you looking endlessly chic (peep the #minimalistoutfit hashtag on Instagram for inspo and proof), but will also shave significant time off of your morning routine. You know those cool-looking women who are always outfitted in some stunning combination of grey, black, white, and camel? Well, with the help of these minimalist clothing brands, that could be you. The allure of a minimalist wardrobe comes in its simplicity. You know that every item in your wardrobe matches, and don’t have to stress about finding things that go together. Plus, just because getting dressed can be easy doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be boring. You can add a pop of color to your neutral palette by way of a scarf (a la leopard print, maybe?), or dress things up with some structured metal earrings. Whether you have $10 to spend or $100, scroll through for 17 minimalist clothing brands to keep on your radar. And be prepared to never say “Ugh, I have nothing to wear” again. View this post on Instagram Win your summer essentials. Share how you wear COS by posting a photo on Instagram and tagging @cosstores in the image, along with #COSEssentials,