March 18, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC You might not know from seeing me, but I have two chronic diseases—psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. My immune system is on overdrive all the time, which means that I have to take immunosuppressant drugs in order to help manage my conditions. A suppressed immune system, as you can imagine, is the last thing you’d want when facing a global pandemic such as COVID-19. I have been on high alert since March 2, when cases started to escalate in the U.S., but until recently it felt like I was the only one who understood the looming reality of self-quarantining, stringent hygiene practices, and avoiding social contact. I’ve been on edge and nervous for weeks. I enforced strict boundaries to ensure people don’t touch me, stayed inside my apartment as much as possible, and increased all of my normal self-care measures to where they feel more like survival techniques. As someone who has been living with a compromised immune system for almost three decades, these feelings have always been present on some level. But what used to be a low-grade hum in the background has officially taken its place front and center in my life and the lives of millions of others out there. I’m not the only person who is facing this challenge—as many as 4 percent of U.S. adults are considered immunocompromised, meaning that they have weakened immune systems due to health conditions (such as HIV/AIDS and cancer) or necessary medications. Four percent
Category: Fitness
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
The 5-ingredient secret sauce thousands of healthy eaters drizzle on absolutely everything
March 17, 2020 at 09:00PM by CWC Sauces make the world a better place. That’s a fact. Whether it’s your pasta, roasted vegetables, or taco bowl—a good sauce instantly transforms any meal into a solid great one. And while there countless options out there to choose from, it only takes five ingredients to make the chili sauce recipe thousands of healthy eaters can’t get enough of. Out of all of Sakara Life‘s offerings, the Daydreamer Soba Noodle Bowl is a hard-to-beat favorite amongst those who use the healthy meal programs. While the shiitake mushrooms, buckwheat soba noodles, and asparagus make for a delicious combo, it’s the chili sauce that always has clients coming back for more. In fact, it was so popular they decided to keep the dish on the menu for good. You’d think something so noteworthy would come with a long, complicated ingredients list—especially considering it was created by a world-renowned chef!—but it just goes to show mouth-watering meals can be made in minutes, too. This sauce only requires healthy pantry staples you probably already have at home: tahini, brown rice vinegar, white miso, soy sauce, and Sriracha. Yep, that’s it. If you don’t have those exact ingredients, you could make substitutions—like another hot sauce instead of Sriracha, for example. Grab some veggies and noodles, then coat them in this chili sauce recipe you can make in minutes. Pro tip: Make extra and store it in the fridge, because you’re going to want to use this stuff all
This is exactly how much protein you need to stay strong after a workout
March 17, 2020 at 07:55PM by CWC Between bars, shakes, and jerky, it definitely seems like we’ve reached peak protein positivity. It’s a far cry from the days when women shied away from the nutrient, convinced it was only for bodybuilders who wanted to bulk up. Now, you’ll find a high-protein snack or food in virtually everyone’s gym bag or snack drawer at work. A good thing? Totally. But just how much protein do you really need after a gym sesh or fitness class? “Post workout replenishment is necessary for our muscles to recover, rebuild and to decrease muscle protein breakdown,” explains Maggie Michalczyk, MS, RD. This isn’t just a protein thing—it’s important to eat a well-rounded snack after making your body work hard in order to optimize your recovery (and avoid hanger, of course!) So what exactly is the right kind of post-workout snack, and how much protein should be in it? Here’s what you need to know, according to a registered dietitian. How much protein do you need after a workout? Protein has a few key benefits that make it crucial to eat after a workout. For one thing, it contains amino acids, which are the building blocks of our muscles and are necessary for energy and proper bodily function, Michalczyk says. “Protein also helps to keep us fuller for longer, so it can help stave off that ravenous feeling that we sometimes can get after a tough workout,” she adds. “This is good when you need that
Just need to move? This 20-minute glute and core workout is like a Megaformer class at home
March 17, 2020 at 07:00PM by CWC It only takes one sweat sesh on the Megaformer to completely fall in love. The glute and core workout is incredibly hard, working even the tiniest in your body—which, no surprise, leaves you all sorts of sore the next day. As nice as it would be to hit up your favorite studio to get a Megaformer workout in multiple times a week, that’s not always possible. And while nothing is quite like being on the machine, there are some exercises you can do right at home that target similar muscles. Particularly those in your glutes and core—two areas those classes fully ignite. The next time you’re in need of a little movement, press play on the the two videos below for a glute and core workout that brings on some serious sculpting action. Use these videos for a 20-minute glute and core workout [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6LqVUlEd6Ho] What you’ll need: a mat and resistance band Parallel kick-back Start in a tabletop position. With a resistance band around your foot, kick your leg back directly behind you with a flexed foot. Bring your knee to your belly button and repeat. Leg pulse Start in a tabletop position. With a resistance band around your foot, kick your leg back directly behind you with a flexed foot. Pulse upward in small motions 10 times, then rest. Complete two more sets. Abductor kick Lie down on your side with your elbow directly underneath your shoulder. Stack your hips and
How to get rid of toe jam when you’re wearing sweaty socks 24/7
March 17, 2020 at 06:14PM by CWC Hand washing is most likely at the top of your to-do list these days (and for good reason). But another task that could be worth adding to your shower TDL? Thoroughly washing your feet. If you’re grossed out by what you find when you take off your socks at the end of the day, you’re not alone. It’s most likely toe jam (aka the build-up of residue you get from dead skin cells, sweat, and your sock fluff), although there could be other factors involved that make matters worse. According to Miguel Cunha, DPT, a podiatrist and founder of Gotham Footcare, most cases are just a lack of focus on cleaning the foot area in full. “Toe jam develops from lack of proper foot hygiene, which includes not only daily washing between your toes with soap and water and drying your feet thoroughly, but also changing your socks daily,” he says. To make sure you can avoid the funky mess from happening, it’s likely time to take the loofah between your toes, especially if you frequently wear socks (which he says can also play a part in trapping sweat and dead skin between your phalanges) or you have feet that are sweaty in general. Dr. Cunha says that while the soapy water dripping down your legs can help, you should really be scrubbing between each toe to nix toe jam every time you shower. As for other tips: Dr. Cunha suggests changing your
This form-correcting, at-home squat machine truly has your back
March 17, 2020 at 05:00PM by CWC When sweating through glute-focused exercises, it’s easy to think that you’re activating your butt muscles, especially if you’re feeling the burn in that general vicinity. The bad news is that… it’s very common to not properly activate the backside of your body (ahem: the glutes), especially in a squat. This is why The DB Method, an at-home workout machine, was created. “Classic multi-joint movements like squats require a tremendous amount of technical skill and body awareness to perform correctly,” says Erika Rayman, the founder of The DB Method ($229). “For someone working out on their own without a trainer to guide them, this is a big hurdle to surmount.” According to Eric Fleishman, a celebrity fitness trainer, it is tricky to properly activate the glutes especially in a squat, since the exercise is inherently hard to isolate the proper muscles in. That’s because other muscles take over. “People tend to load their quadriceps or their lower back when doing squats,” says Fleishman. “This is why a lot of people who do squats the wrong way tend to have lower back issues, quad, and knee pain.” Not properly recruiting the glutes in an exercise like a squat can even lead to injury, he says, because if your larger muscles aren’t engaged, smaller ones will get activated. “These different, oftentimes smaller muscle groups are usually weaker and not meant to do the specific move,” he says. Photo: The DB Method The DB Method machine works
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
I tried a couples therapy app to ‘train’ my relationship—here’s what I learned
March 17, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC For me, the idea of going to couples therapy conjures an image similar to that of the opening scene of the 2019 film Marriage Story—that is, two people either crying or yelling at one another in the presence of a professional who’s trying to restore a state of health to their troubled relationship. That’s not how it has to be, though. Rather, couples therapy can be used as a tool for relationship training, or maintaining the integrity of healthy and in tact happy partnerships. That’s exactly the purpose of the Relish app. Relish worked with relationship scientists to build its algorithm to provide an alternative to seeing a real-life couples therapist. “We use scientific measures to assess your current level of satisfaction and how secure you are, and take into account your attachment style and your relationship dynamic,” says founder and CEO of the app, Lesley Eccles. Eccles adds that your relationship is no different than your physical health: Both need regular work in order to stay in tip-top shape, so even if you’re in a totally fulfilling and healthy partnership, maintenance work is key. “You need to exercise to get your body into shape, and once it’s in shape, you want to continue exercising to stay healthy,” she says. “Relationships are the same, and Relish helps you to be mindful of your relationship every single day—that’s the secret to long-term relationship health.” Your relationship is no different than your physical health: both