March 18, 2020 at 11:00AM by CWC Suffice to say we’ve all got a lot on our minds right now. Whether that’s navigating the strange new world of telecommuting, figuring out how we’re going to keep ourselves occupied during social distancing, or trying to ration toilet paper to last for an indeterminate amount of time (on top of the obvious stress of keeping ourselves and our loved ones safe from Covid-19), if you’re anything like me you’re looking for any way possible to simplify your life during this uncertain time. And one thing you can keep easy, according to a dermatologist, is your skin-care routine (a simple facial care routine is really all it takes). If spending your quarantine sampling a 25-step skin-care routine just isn’t feasible for (or appealing to) you, board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD, says that you only need two products to keep skin happy and healthy. In a recent Instagram post, he shared his “emergency skin-care kit,” which consists of the bare minimum that you need to get your skin cleaned and moisturized. And the best part? It will only put a $6 dent in your wallet, and you can pick up everything you need during your next drugstore run. View this post on Instagram We are living in uncertain times right now with the rapid spread of the COVID-19 virus. I personally left New York City with my family to distance ourselves from other people. Like you, we are preparing ourselves for potential
Category: Beauty
What happens to your skin when you stop wearing makeup for a day, week, or month
March 17, 2020 at 11:00PM by CWC Global cases of Covid-19 are rising, leading many people to work remotely for the foreseeable future. Working from home has its pros and cons, like more time with your pet, but for many it can also increase feelings loneliness. However, one thing rings (mainly) true: It’s certainly easier to skip makeup if you so choose. So, we asked dermatologists for the low-down on just what happens to your skin when you don’t wear makeup. “Typically when people stop wearing makeup, especially if the makeup they were wearing was occlusive or comedogenic, they state that their skin looks better,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a board-certified dermatologist in New York City. A makeup break works as a skin refresher, and results in brighter, more even, less broken out skin. This is because unlike your skin care, which penetrates into your skin, makeup sits on top of your complexion. So what happens to your skin when you give it a break for different lengths of time? We asked the pros to find out. A day Without it, your skin can “breathe,” so to speak, but what does that really mean? In the short term, it just means that your skin is able to better recalibrate itself. “Your skin behaves differently depending on humidity levels, stress levels, and many other [external] factors, so if you keep it covered in makeup, your skin may choose to increase or decrease sebum and oil production, and increase or decrease its
The 6 happy news stories that are making us smile today
March 17, 2020 at 10:00PM by CWC The news cycle during the time of COVID-19 is best described as bleak. Now, more than ever, it’s just as important to find moments of joy as it is to wash your hands, practice social distancing, or check in on your loved ones. Yesterday, the Well+Good office (now completely digital since we’re all WFH) made it a point to share the internet memes and things that brought us genuine happiness in a time otherwise filled with uncertainty. We shared them all in Slack for laughs, chuckles, and “awwws.” If you, too, crave a little more lightness in your heart right now, keep scrolling for the most delightful things the internet has to offer. Remember: You’re still allowed to be happy. The 6 happy news stories that are making us smile today 1. This VERY IMPORTANT VIDEO of a penguin on a ‘field trip’ at Chicago’s Shedd Aquarium Penguins in the Amazon?! Some of the penguins went on a field trip to meet other animals at Shedd. Wellington seemed most interested in the fishes in Amazon Rising! The black-barred silver dollars also seemed interested in their unusual visitor. pic.twitter.com/KgYWsp5VQD — Shedd Aquarium (@shedd_aquarium) March 15, 2020 There’s something decidedly meta about a penguin taking a field trip at the aquarium—and we’re 100 percent here for it. Wellington, the star of this particular clip, took a particular interest in the schools of Amazonian fish in an inter-species meet-and-greet that’s sure to warm your heart. 2. Spanish
Yes, eggs are healthy—here are 7 delicious, creative ways to eat them that don’t involve scrambles
March 17, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC I’m going to go ahead and give my unsolicited opinion on a debate that’s been raging for centuries: The egg came before the chicken. My reasoning isn’t scientific; it comes down to the fact that the yummy yolks and whites that compose “nature’s multivitamin” will always have the first-place spot in my heart for their unparalleled versatility. Don’t believe me? I’m about to show you that omelets, quiches, and scrambles aren’t the only way to yolk an egg for all its worth. Below, you’ll find eight creative egg recipes to teach you how to enjoy the ingredient’s six grams of protein, good-for-your brain nutrients, and loads of antioxidants in ways you’ve never dreamed of. (Egg custard, gasp!). 8 healthy, creative egg recipes to add to your repertoire at breakfast, lunch, and dinner Photo: The Cozy Cook 1. Waffle iron omelets After careful consideration, I’ve decided that I would like to eat everything in waffle form. If you’re just dipping your toe in more creative ways to eat eggs, The Cozy Cook’s recipe is a good place to start. Just make omelet batter as you usually would, pour it into your preheated and sprayed waffle iron, add your fillings, and wait for that incessant beeping. Photo: Getty Images/Francesco Saccomandi and EyeEm 2. Banana eggs Banana eggs have earned a very special place in my heart. Just combine your two of your pasture-raised pals with one smashed banana, throw it on a frying pan, and get ready for
3 ways body language can help you fake it till you make it on days when you feel blah
March 17, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC I type this with fingers that have half-polished, half-unpolished nails, extending from hands that are covered in ink smears. So no, I, for one, am not feeling gorgeous today. We all have days like that, and sometimes our energy is affected as a result. That can be rough in effect because most of us surely want to attract positive people. And that’s exactly where the body language of attraction can help. The body language of attraction isn’t simply about looking good—it’s about feeling good. It’s about being able to project how absolutely beautiful you are inside and out, even when you’re wearing a $2 accidental crop top you bought on impulse at Forever 21 (never again). So using the body language of attraction, you’ll be able to essentially fake it till you make it on an off day. And using the following three actionable tips from Patti Wood, body language expert and author of Snap: Making the Most of First Impressions, Body Language, and Charisma, you indeed will be able to create an instant aura of attraction and feel great as a result. To use the body language of attraction as a tool for picking yourself up on blah-feeling days, try the following 3 tips. 1. Think UP! Wood terms “UP” as a way to to describe all upward posture, movements, and facial expressions. Think: head held up, gestures with upward motions, and maybe even getting wild with a smile. The idea is that when we’re
These 8 activewear pieces prove sustainable fashion can be functional *and* stylish
March 17, 2020 at 09:30AM by CWC When it comes to living more sustainably, you know the drill: bring your reusable water bottle everywhere, recycle plastics when you can’t avoid them, and say no to straws. But dressing sustainably? That’s a little tougher to tackle, especially when it comes to activewear. You’re totally here for making sustainable choices, but you still want activewear that looks stylish on the way to the studio and performs during your sweatiest workouts—because is there anything worse than leggings that constantly fall down? For inspo in curating an activewear collection that supports your fitness goals and the planet, we picked eight sustainable pieces from Athleta that will help you get your sweat on while keeping the Earth in mind. Each piece uses eco-conscious fabrics, and in typical athleisure fashion, they’re all super comfy, and perfect for outdoor adventures, sweaty workouts, or a day of lounging. Scroll down for the 8 sustainable activewear pieces to add to your closet. Expedition Short, $59 The most important quality in active shorts: a waistband that will keep them from riding up or falling down mid-run. This lightweight pair—made from 100-percent recycled nylon—slips on easily thanks to a stretchy waistband, but the drawstring keeps you from having to hike them up constantly while you’re logging your miles. Bonus feature: three functional (read: not just for looks) pockets. Sometimes you really can have it all. Organic Daily Crop Tie Dye Tee, $49 Odds are, you could use another basic tee. But instead of
I ate pancakes every day for a week and didn’t fall into a carb coma—here’s how
March 17, 2020 at 09:00AM by CWC Growing up, Saturdays meant one thing: pancakes. The smell percolating throughout the house as soon as I emerged from my dream state was the only wake-up call I’ve ever actually looked forward to. But, following the inevitable devouring of pancakes, I would be stuck to the couch until the post-feast haze dissipated—something my childhood self didn’t know was a sugar-slash-carb crash (or, in more scientific terms, the spike and fall of insulin thanks to my syrup-drenched short stack). Now that I’m in charge of making my own breakfast in the morning, I typically choose options that don’t send me right back to bed or cause me digestive discomfort, which is usually brought on by glutenous grains. That generally means a couple of hard-boiled eggs or yogurt—not a warm stack of pancakes. Made with no added sugar, dairy, or gluten, they’re everything my pancake-loving heart wants, minus the stomachache or productivity spiral. However, my hankering for these sweet, buttery pieces of heaven never left, so when I heard about Purely Elizabeth’s new gluten-free and grain-free pancakes, I didn’t need any convincing to try them. Made with no added sugar, dairy, or gluten, they’re everything my pancake-loving heart wanted, minus the stomachache and productivity spiral. “The Purely Elizabeth Grain-Free Protein Pancake Mix is made with alternative flours like almond and tigernut flour that are packed with nutritional benefits to keep you full longer throughout your day,” says Elizabeth Stein, CEO and founder of Purely Elizabeth.
The 10-minute wellness habit that fights inflammation
March 17, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC Spend even a few minutes dabbling in the world of wellness and you’ll walk away with this one major takeaway: chronic inflammation is capital-B Bad. This isn’t just talk: science backs it up. Whether you’re dealing with something annoying like acne or an upset stomach, or experiencing something more serious such as cognitive decline or a chronic disease, inflammation is bound to be the route cause. Another wellness 101 lesson many learn are the benefits of meditation, but what many don’t know is that a meditation practice is actually linked to lowering inflammation. That’s right—the two things are actually connected. It may sound out there, but the connection is based in science and has many proponents, including functional medicine doctor and Food Fix author Mark Hyman, MD. (He even recently posted about it on his Instagram feed.) View this post on Instagram If there was something you could do everyday to boost your focus and productivity, feel energized, reduce stress, sleep better, maintain a positive outlook, and support whole-body health, wouldn’t you do it? It’s for all these reasons, and more, that I consider meditation a foundational pillar to good health. I used to think I didn’t have time for meditation but now I know I don’t have time NOT to do it—it’s become that integral in helping me manage all of my other many responsibilities and passions. You’ll quickly discover, as I did, that once you calm your mind, it
Here’s what you should be doing if you absolutely have to travel right now
March 16, 2020 at 11:00PM by CWC With travel restrictions being introduced worldwide in attempt to slow the spread of COVID-19, the message has never been clearer: now is the time to stay put, stay healthy, and practice social distancing. Remaining at home isn’t an option for everyone, though. For some, traveling during COVID-19—either for work or for a family emergency—is simply a necessity. In early March, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issued a travel advisory cautioning anyone considering domestic travel within the United States to consider how necessary it really is. “Your risk of exposure to respiratory viruses like COVID-19 may increase in crowded settings, particularly closed-in settings with little air circulation, if there are people in the crowd who are sick,” reads the CDC website. “This may include settings such as conferences, public events (like concerts and sporting events), religious gatherings, public spaces (like movie theatres and shopping malls), and public transportation (like buses, metro, trains).” Still, life goes on. And you may find yourself needing to book a flight to see a loved one, fulfill something that’s required of you at work, or take off for some other emergency. Should that be the case, first head to the CDC’s website to read through its six-item travel checklist included in the advisory (which will tell you whether you really need to travel). Then, if you’re still sure you need to get on that plane, ride the subway, or hop a bus to another city or state, make
How to maintain human connection (and fight loneliness) when working from home for the foreseeable future
March 16, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC As cases of COVID-19 continue to rise, one common response to a national directive to practice social distancing has put many workers on an “indefinite” WFH-status. As a new, albeit temporary, reality is setting in, a common objective is emerging: We all need to figure out how to be less lonely working from home. Clinical psychologist Aimee Daramus, PsyD, says there’s a basic biological reason we’re all deep in our feelings about the stay-home intentions. “The need for others is built deep into the brain,” says Dr. Daramus. “We have cells in the brain called mirror neurons that help us empathize. Without mirror neurons, we can’t love. With them we can feel love, compassion, and we can feel pain at seeing another person in pain.” When you’re not seeing other people, your own mirror neurons are companionless and they (and you) get pretty darn lonely, working from home or otherwise. Human connection is also important from a physiological standpoint: New research published in Neuroscience & Biobehavioral Review has connected flying solo for long periods of time with the onset of inflammation in the body. The review of 30 past studies on how loneliness, social isolation, and inflammation are interconnected indicated that, among other things, social isolation is associated with C-reactive protein, which is usually released into the blood after tissue injury. Eventually, that causes the C-reactive protein to be converted into fibrin-based blood clots—a type of inflammation. “Emotional pain shares some neurological pathways