August 19, 2019 at 10:42AM by CWC My high school volleyball team had one music-related rule during every practice. Whenever “Wannabe” by the Spice Girls came on our warmup playlist, we had to cease our bumping, spiking, and blocking and run laps. Whenever one of the girls sang “want” or “wanna” (that’s 45 times, BTW), my spandex-clad squad dropped to the floor and completed one push-up. By the end, we were bushed—but hey, it was a really good workout. My varsity experience is proof that when you’re trying to spice up a stale workout routine, letting lyrics be your personal trainer is one, out-of-the box way to make time fly at the gym. Perhaps that’s why beat-based workouts have become a thing as of late, with Instagram trainers like Amanda Bisk posting sweat sessions quite literally orchestrated by the tunes of The Chainsmokers, the reunited Jonas Brothers, and Ed Sheeran. It games your workouts—and there’s way more than one way to do it. Recently, one Well+Good staffer hit up the Peloton’s treadmill studio in New York City where trainer Jess Sims taught yet another melodious way to take a workout from level one to level five. Just hop on the treadmill, choose one word from a specific song, and up the speed by .1 (or your increment of choice) each time you hear it. If you’re treading to “Cake by the Ocean,” you can make “cake” your magic word. If the opening notes of Rihanna’s “Umbrella” scream through your earbuds,
Category: City
Half of our editors wash their faces this cult-fave cleanser—because it’s *that* good
August 19, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC When a game-changing beauty product enters your life, it’s only natural to want to shout about it from the rooftops in the hopes that everyone else in your life will try it for themselves and also discover how great it is. This, in effect, pretty much sums up why more than half of our editorial team has fallen in love with Fresh Soy Face Cleanser ($38). It’s not often that we—a group of women with varying skin types—can universally agree on a product that fits all of our needs. Actually, this is literally the only time it’s every happened (and we test a lot of products around these parts). When one editor paid mentioned about just how much she loved the cleanser to the rest of the team, we all decided we needed to see what the hype was about. Now, the first portion of many of our team meetings is dedicated to singing its praises. Seriously. So what makes it so great? The cleanser is made with soy proteins, which are rich in amino acids to help maintain skin elasticity and suppleness, cucumber extracts to soothe, and rosewater, which is known for its calming properties. This combo makes it a win for all skin types; plus, it legitimately feels like a spa treatment in a bottle. Photo: Sephora I’ve been using the cleanser for the past nine months, and it’s become my favorite step in my skin-care routine. Despite being told by
The Virgo vibes are extra-strong this year—so get ready for that back-to-school feeling
August 18, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC As we transition from good-time Leo season into the uber-practical (and productive!) season of Virgo, there’s always a distinct back-to-school feeling. With Mars and Venus also moving into the sign of the virgin, expect that feeling to be amplified, says astrologer Jennifer Racioppi—who has some specific suggestions for getting the most out of this get-‘er-done period. With Mars, the planet of action, now in the sign of Virgo (it moved from Leo into Virgo on Sunday, August 18) the back-to-school mentality that Virgo season brings begins. Over the next few days, Venus and the sun will follow suit, leaving the sign of fun and play (aka Leo) and heading into the sign of structure, order, and service. Venus moves into Virgo on Wednesday, and the sun follows on Friday. Even more to the point: On Saturday, Venus and Mars will conjoin in the sign of the virgin, igniting practical, goal-driven passions. (And, yes, love too.) Virgo season signals the end of rosé all day and beckons the return back to the basics of health. Virgo, a mutable earth sign, sets transformation into motion. With summer quickly coming to an end, and daylight waning, Virgo season asks you to get organized. It signals the end of rosé all day and beckons the return back to the basics of health. Yes, I am talking about eating a low-glycemic diet complete with complex carbohydrates, locally sourced, organically produced foods inclusive of high-quality protein. Drinking plenty of
A DIY reed diffuser makes your home smell like a spa for under $15
August 18, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC Nothing transforms a stuffy apartment into a breezy Balinese bungalow like an essential oil diffuser. (Okay, so the effect isn’t exactly the same, but I’ll take what I can get.) Even better is a diffuser that doesn’t need to be refilled, plugged in, or sanitized once a week. Reed diffusers fill your entire home with relaxing scents, just without all the fuss… and electricity, for that matter. While you can order one off Amazon in seconds, there’s really no need to spend the money—you can make your own version for a fraction of the cost. “Reed diffusers can be made cheaply and easily at home; you only need four things,” says certified aromatherapist Caroline Schroeder. “Plus, when you make your own, you can make unique [scent] blends that you really like and you will know exactly which ingredients are being used.” This last bit is important, she says, because commercial products may contain additives that help with evaporation or synthetic fragrances, both of which can cause irritation to your skin and lungs. What you need to make a reed diffuser Schroeder says you only need a handful of items to make your own diffuser at home. You will need: Bottle or jar (with lid) Carrier oil or water base (water and high-proof alcohol or salt) Essential oils Reed sticks or bamboo skewers How to make your reed diffuser 1. grab a bottle or jar “The width of the neck of the bottle regulates the evaporation.
Finally getting off shared streaming accounts post-breakup is the ultimate form of modern closure
August 18, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC It finally happened. I logged into “my” Hulu account, (it’s technically my ex’s account, but I had a profile of my own on it), only to find that the name on my profile had been changed to “Lee2.” My issues with the finding are two-fold: 1. Lack of originality for the profile name (his name is Lee), and 2. the unavoidable realization of Lee’s obvious efforts to hide from someone that I, his ex, am still using his Hulu account. (It did not occur to me at the time to be grateful that he didn’t unceremoniously kick me off by doing something so heartless as change the password, but rest assured, I’ve since noted that reality, which only adds another layer of curiosity to the other two issues, TBH.) So naturally, I lightly digitally stalked him to do a bit of recon regarding his clear new life updates. And right there, clear as day, I found his Facebook status: In. A. Relationship. I realized then that I was clinging to a subconscious (and highly irrational) hope that the Hulu name change came about as a result of him watching TV with his new girlfriend, and when they pulled up Hulu, my name was right there in her face. Why I still wanted this semblance of an upper hand despite having no relationship to speak of, I couldn’t tell you. But all signs pointed to me having unresolved feelings for my ex—and without my
Wait, should we all be using reef-safe sunscreen?
August 17, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC Nearly 10 million people visit Hawaiʻi each year, and despite the enduring cliché of the sunburned tourist, the majority of travelers wear sunscreen at some point. But as people have been protecting their skin, they’ve inadvertently been damaging one of the islands’ most valuable assets: its coral reefs. Chemicals commonly found in sunscreens cause coral bleaching and overall degradation of the marine environment. The situation is dire enough that last year, Hawaiʻi became the first United States state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing two chemicals known to harm reefs. Beginning in 2021, sunscreen formulas with oxybenzone and octinoxate will no longer be available for purchase in Hawaiʻi. But considering the amount of sunscreen that ends up in reef waters—at least 4,000 tons per year, according to the National Park Service—there’s already an effort to encourage visitors to use a safer option as soon as possible. After giving away nearly 300,000 sample packets of Raw Elements mineral sunscreen on its flights, Hawaiian Airlines now sells the product on its flights at a discounted price—which gives tourists an incentive to make a better choice before stepping foot on the islands. Similarly, the Surfjack hotel in Waikiki offers guests the same sunscreen in pump dispensers—free—so visitors are encouraged to slather it on before they head to the beach. And yet, if you ask locals in Hawaiʻi, banning two chemicals is just one step in protecting the state’s reefs. The bigger challenge involves getting people
15 at-home cardio exercises that will make you want to cancel your gym membership
August 17, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC No matter what your exercise of choice is—whether you’re Pilates-forward or prefer to sweat it out in the boxing ring—cardio is an important part of every routine. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find any coach or trainer who wouldn’t tell you to make it a priority. If you’re a fan of at-home fitness, however, it can admittedly be challenging to find ways to fit it in, because most of us assume that “cardio” is synonymous with logging miles on a treadmill or a bike. But contrary to popular belief, at-home cardio can get your heart rate pumping to max capacity without ever having to leave your living room—or put on pants. Cardio is really important in your routine First of all, you’re going to want to understand why cardio should be a part of your life. In the same way you prioritize brushing your teeth and washing your face for the sake of a healthy mouth and well-functioning skin, you should also be making time to get your blood pumping for the sake of a healthy heart. “Cardio is by definition exercise of the heart,” says Jaime McFaden, an Aaptiv master trainer, noting that it’s particularly important because it helps to circulate blood throughout our bodies. Our heart, as we all well know, is essentially what keeps us alive (thanks, heart!), and carries nutrients throughout our bodies and brings oxygen to our tissue. Not only is a good cardio workout getting
Driving along the rocky cliffs of Ireland helped me navigate my feelings post-divorce
August 17, 2019 at 04:02AM by CWC A friendly sign inside the rental car reminds me that I have one responsibility and one only—to drive on the left-hand side of the road. This roadtrip along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way seemed like a much better idea several months ago when my best friend and I had decided to divorce our husbands at the same time. I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to escape reality than Ireland in December, where it would be perfectly acceptable to drink and cry at all hours of the day in dark pubs next to hot Irishmen. “I can’t do this,” I say. “You have to,” Allison replies. “It’s your turn. I’ve already done the first leg.” I’m still jet-lagged, and I don’t know how to convert kilometers to miles, but at least if I die here, I won’t have to go back home and deal with attorneys and divorce papers. I inch out onto the roadway. A car honks. I swerve back into the left lane. Even with the warning sign directly in my face, I’ve already forgotten how to drive here. Allison shoots me a look, the same one she’s given me for the last 25 years whenever I’ve done something stupid, like when I got the bright idea to wax my own eyebrows. I know Allison is wondering maybe if she should just take over, but this would mean she’d have to drive. She checks her phone, perhaps sending a good-bye text
Here’s exactly how to care for your new snake plant, according to someone with a green thumb
August 17, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC My plant obsession has gotten a little out of control over the past couple years. Greenery graces every corner of my apartment—on shelves, in big planters on the floor, on my dresser. I’ve got an urban jungle, and I love it. But even with all the different species I’ve collected, one of my favorites will always be the trusty snake plant. While some plants are pretty fickle—dying if you even slightly overwater them or don’t give them enough light—sansevieria, better known as the snake plant due to its reptilian leaf pattern and shape, are basically the cockroach of the plant world. And I mean that as the biggest compliment. Although they’re much prettier than the insect to look at, they’re just as tough. Even through the long, dark days of winter, my little guy has never wavered. In fact, somehow he keeps on thriving no matter the conditions, happily sprouting new leaves year-round. “The snake plant is a great option for beginners for a two big reasons,” says Erin Marino, director of brand marketing at The Sill. “First, it’s technically a drought tolerant succulent. This means you’ll be watering it less frequently than other common houseplants, and when you forget a watering (or two!), it’ll be fine. Second, the snake plant is also low light tolerant. Although snake plants prefer medium to bright light, they can tolerate lower light levels than other common houseplants. This means you can pretty much stick it in
“Heavy carries” are the surefire way to get stronger without lifting weights
August 16, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC You’ll be hard-pressed to see me schlepping around with less than two bags at any given time. (Gym bag, purse, laptop bag… the list of bags really goes on and on.) But I tend to view this as an annoyance—I’ve grown to hate carrying things. Sometimes I’ll knock out some bicep curls with my heavy bags, sure—but I don’t really think of carrying stuff as a workout. Fitness trainers beg to differ. “There’s nothing better than wrapping your hands around some heavy bells and just holding, marching, or walking,” says Samantha Ciaccia, a New York City-based trainer. Exercises involving these “holds” include the popular farmer’s walk exercise, which involves simply walking in a straight line while holding heavy weights in your hands. (Sometimes people do single-arm farmer’s walks for more of a focus on the obliques.) This is functional fitness at its best, because while you can use kettlebells at your gym or weights at home, things like groceries and giant bags work just as well. “Farmer’s walks are beneficial because they’re simple and efficient, but help with core strength and total body coordination,” says celebrity trainer Paolo Mascitti. To do them properly, he says to make sure your core is tight, and shoulders are back and down away from your ears. “Keep awareness of your posture, and make sure you’re comfortable with the weight so it doesn’t compromise your form.” As for what weights to carry, Ciaccia says to “go as heavy as