August 06, 2019 at 10:01AM by CWC When you’re in the market to buy a fitness tracker, your prime incentive for splurging is probably for all the advanced tech that helps you get the most out of your workouts. And while built-in heart rate monitors and calorie burns can be useful in helping you stay in tip-top shape, one new release caught my eye not because of its focus on mental health. Polar’s latest release—the Polar Ignite fitness watch ($230)—is completely waterproof, comes equipped with GPS perfect for tracking runs, an impressively accurate built-in heart rate monitor, and a training guide with ready-made, on-demand workouts. While the fitness features check off plenty of boxes, that’s not what impressed me the most. What makes this watch stand out is its goal to help users find a more balanced, healthy life beyond working out, and that’s why features that focus on recovery and mental well-being are just as easy to access as your standard fitness tracker must-haves. ad_intervals[‘412930_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412930_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Beyond the focus on what you do while you’re awake, Polar thinks about recovery with Nightly Recharge, which promises to measure two things: how well you sleep and how well your autonomic nervous system calms down as you sleep. Based on your measurements, you get tips the following day, such as whether your body is ready for a hard workout or you should take it easy. The Sleep Plus Stages give you
Category: Relaxation
If you’re hungry for a bedtime snack, a banana is your best bet
August 04, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC Picture this: Here you are rummaging through your kitchen at 10 p.m. looking for a bedtime snack. You’re hungry, but can’t stop doing that thing where you dead-stare into the fridge as you contemplate what you “should” eat. We’ll save you some time and brain power: Grab a banana. Yes, a banana. Why is a banana before bed a good snack? First of all, banish those misconceptions that all late-night food is a bad idea. “Going to bed too hungry can disrupt the quality of your sleep, just the same as going to bed too full,” says Lisa Moskovitz, RD, CEO and founder of NY Nutrition Group in New York City. A piece of fruit can be the perfect antidote to late-night tummy rumbles because it’s light while still offering filling nutrients like fiber. ad_intervals[‘412430_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412430_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); As for bananas, they have very specific properties that make them perfectly suited for nighttime nibbling. For one, the fruit contains tryptophan, Moskowitz says. Tryptophan is an amino acid that helps increase to production of serotonin, which can help calm and relax you, says Moskovitz. Serotonin is also a precursor to melatonin (meaning that it helps make melatonin), the neurotransmitter that helps you feel sleepy. Bananas do a double-whammy at bedtime because of their carb count—per the The National Sleep Foundation (NSF), carbohydrates help ferry tryptophan into the brain where it can get to work to up
Is at-home ear seed acupuncture actually legit?
August 04, 2019 at 06:01AM by CWC Acupuncture is fairly mainstream, with people turning to it for pain, anxiety, and even fertility. While the list of benefits is long, it can be time-consuming and expensive, which is why when I first heard about ear seed acupuncture, which you can do on your own at home, it piqued my interest. The Amazon reviews for a product one of my Well+Good colleagues found retailing for about $19 were mixed; 63 percent of reviewers awarded the product five stars, but 15 percent gave it only one. I couldn’t tell from the comments alone if this was something legit or not, so I decided to ask a couple licensed acupuncturists what they thought—including what the heck ear seeds are actually used for. What exactly are ear seeds? Depending on the type you buy, ear seeds are made of either metal or vaccaria seeds, sourced from the vaccaria plant and popular in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The metal or seeds are put on adhesive tape, which you can then place on your ears, applying the pressure by rubbing them in a circular motion for a few minutes; you can do this all at home and don’t need an acupuncturist to do it. ad_intervals[‘411862_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411862_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “Ear seed acupuncture seeds are different from traditional acupuncture needles called acuneedles. These seeds are used as a complementary approach and are rooted in the same belief system as traditional acupuncture,”
Shimmy on into ‘legs up the wall’ yoga pose for the restorative break your body (and mind) craves
August 03, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC “Legs up the wall” yoga pose, or viparita karani in Sanskrit, may not be part of your standard sun salutation. But if you’re always on the go, go, go, it’s well worth adding to your flow. According to Jessica Matthews, yoga educator, assistant professor of integrative wellness at Point Loma Nazarene University, and author of Stretching to Stay Young, legs up the wall “is a seemingly simple, yet surprisingly beneficial, pose because it provides a physical reprieve for the lower extremities, countering the amount of time spent sitting, standing, and physically moving on your feet.” What’s more, it’s all about “not doing,” she says, and this kind of resting with intention can help offset all the rise-and-grind busyness you’ve become accustomed to. Sticking your legs straight up in the air and just being might feel weird at first, but trust me, you’re going to want to put your phone down and take this self-care op. ad_intervals[‘412726_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412726_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OQEIiZLY-0] Cool, cool—and how exactly do I do this glorious pose? Legs up the wall is an inverted pose, meaning it’s in the same family as headstands and handstands. But considering you get into the pose by lying on your back, scooching your butt towards the wall, and positioning your legs vertically up the surface to form an L-shape with your torso, the risk of falling on your face is much, much lower. If
Well, this bites: Mosquitoes are more likely to target some people more than others
August 02, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Picture it: You’re having a perfect summer night, sitting around the campfire and laughing with friends. But while you spend the evening slapping away endless swaths of bloodthirsty pests, your pals, for some reason, are able to enjoy themselves unscathed by the unwanted party crashers. Okay, confession: The “you” in this vignette is actually me, and this very summertime scenario is one that’s repeated itself in my life every single year. For the life of me, I’ve never been able to figure out why I’m so much more susceptible to bug bites than other people I know. Is it me? Is it them? How can I put an end to it so I can stop calling summer “the season of itchiness?” And, seriously, why are mosquitoes attracted to me more than everyone else I know? If you’re anything like me, good news: You’re not crazy. There are some specific science-backed reasons to explain why bugs can’t get enough of you—and ways to make them mind their own business a bit more effectively. ad_intervals[‘409338_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409338_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Why, exactly, the bugs bite “The response to any insect bite varies from one person to the next,” says Delaware-based dermatologist Gina Caputo, DO. “Insect venoms and saliva cause immediate and delayed type reactions.” Meaning, just because I’m itchy basically as soon as I see a mosquito and am left with veritable welts as soon as one gives
A 107-year-old woman says the secret to long life is being single forever
August 02, 2019 at 12:21PM by CWC Is the key to living a long life… solitude? Bronx resident Louise Signore, 107, credits her longevity to the fact that she’s held on to her status as an independent woman. “I think the secret of 107: I never got married. I think that’s the secret,” she told CNN affiliate WBCS. I’m getting some serious Cher-circa-1996 vibes right now (a man is like dessert—not necessary). Signore is an icon. Basically, the centenarian’s relationship advice: don’t. Signore also exercises regularly, eats healthy, and plays Bingo, which obviously factors into her overall health. But I’m choosing to narrow the focus to the benefits of being single. There’s actually research to suggest myriad advantages to a life of solitude. (I swear I’m not just saying this to make myself feel better.) One study found that marital stress can be a precursor to depression. Unsociability can also help you be more creative, as you have more time to be introspective. I’m taking this as permission to retreat to my couch and watch Netflix instead of going on a date. Also, as I’ve previously discussed, sleeping alone is simply the best. (Though the science is a little torn on whether or not people who sleep alone sleep better—to which I say, you do you.) However, if being alone scares you, you’re not… well, alone. A recent study found that people would rather give themselves an electric shock than be alone with their thoughts. ad_intervals[‘412763_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if
Make periods less of a literal pain using targeted treatments and strategies for every ache
August 02, 2019 at 08:08AM by CWC In addition to feeling waves of depression and the resurgence Mount Everest-size cystic acne, there’s a surefire sign that tells me Aunt Flo is on her way for a visit: excruciating breast pain. About once a month, I swell up to a regular Dolly Parton, and my two gals become unbearably achy. Without fail, despite the historic pattern, I wonder, Am I pregnant? Am I dying? Yet somehow, I’m always shocked when the answer to both those questions inevitably reveals itself as a “no.” Neither dying nor pregnant, I meet the crimson demon yet again, smug with its ability to fool me about 12 times a year and relegate me to a state of desperation trying to once and for all find an answer to “how to help period cramps.” No matter how long I’ve had my period, and thus should be able to anticipate these recurring feelings, I end up googling the same concerns, like I’m stuck in a mensural-pain version of Groundhog Day: how to help period cramps, why do my breasts hurt, painful cystic acne, am I dying, rinse, repeat. ad_intervals[‘410935_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410935_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); To this point, it’s worth noting that my personal symptoms subside progressively as my cycle charges onward. And while you’re almost certainly not dying, if your period-related pains don’t ease up as the days pass, it could be a sign of an underlying issue to ask a
7 myths about the low-FODMAP diet that gut health experts are sick of hearing
August 01, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Everyone likes to giggle when someone farts in yoga class or when they hear the word diarrhea, but having your life continuously affected by digestive problems is far from funny. Always being aware of the nearest bathroom, skipping important events in fear of an upset, eating the same foods on rotation because you’re scared to eat anything else…it can be paralyzing and majorly disruptive to a person’s life. For many, being put on a low-FODMAP diet for IBS or other gut issues can be life-changing—it can provide the framework to pinpoint troublesome foods and allow someone to start eliminating their symptoms. The eating plan focuses on six different types of short-chain carbohydrates—fructose, lactose, fructans, galactans, and polyols —which can cause digestive distress in some. On a low-FODMAP diet, a person eliminates foods with high concentrations of FODMAPs and then slowly phases them back in, one category at a time, to determine which of the groups are causing a person’s digestive issues. ad_intervals[‘412056_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘412056_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Again, the eating plan is really helpful to people with digestive problems. But gastroenterologists say there is quite a bit of mixed information out there on the eating plan. Here, three gut health experts set the record straight by dispelling the most common myths they hear about the low-FODMAP diet. Myth 1: Stay far away from everything on the “don’t eat” list. Anyone who has ever attempted the low-FODMAP
5 of the best recovery drinks to fuel your sweat sessions
July 31, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC These days, I’m looking for water that has super powers. Sure, H2O is fine and delicious on its own, but this humid heat wave—combined with the fact that I’m still getting my workouts in—calls for a little something extra: recovery drinks that have added benefits to just hydration. Drinking traditional sports drinks—for the sake of electrolytes—isn’t the only way to get the good stuff that you need. Now, the recovery drink market is filled with plant-based electrolyte and magnesium tablets, more bioavailable hydration powders you swirl into your water, hydrogen water packets, and more. The end game of each of these is to fuel your body, without the added sugar. “In the summer it’s easy to quickly lose essential electrolytes through sweat and regular daily activities,” says Lisa Richards, nutritionist and founder of The Candida Diet. “Replenishing electrolytes is important as they keep your body in perfect balance. Recovery drinks with electrolytes replenish these compounds and keep your body functioning at full capacity.” ad_intervals[‘409812_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409812_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Similarly, sipping on hydrogen water helps boost your hydration and aid muscle recovery. “By adding hydrogen water to your post-workout routine, you can speed up muscle recovery post-workout,” says Richards, who adds that molecular hydrogen gives antioxidant properties, too, which can help with free radical damage inside your body. Besides those two star hydration ingredients, chef and celebrity nutritionist Nicolette Pace says that glucose and protein are
Despite all the evidence, it’s still hard to let go of the ‘period syncing’ myth
July 30, 2019 at 10:18AM by CWC It’s a well-known trope in pop culture that when you put a bunch of people with uteruses together in the same house, dorm, or office (or basically anywhere near each other) on a regular basis, their menstrual cycles will sync up like magic. Everyone suddenly starts PMS-ing at the same time, goes through unprecedented amounts of tampons, and eats up all the chocolate and ice cream in sight. Period syncing is such a cultural touchstone that it’s been referenced in shows like Sex and the City and Community, and was a plot point in movies like No Strings Attached. This isn’t just a TV thing: Texas-based OB/GYN Heather Bartos, MD, says a 1999 survey once found that “nearly 70 percent of women reported feeling their menstrual cycles sync up.” As someone who lived in a sorority house her junior year of college, I’m fairly confident that it happened to me, too. However, literally every menstrual health expert will tell you that period syncing is little more than an urban legend. Think of it as the Bigfoot of vaginas. But where did it come from…and why do we still believe? ad_intervals[‘411681_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411681_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); The origins of period syncing First, a quick primer on what we mean when we actually talk about period syncing: “It doesn’t mean [that people’s menstrual cycles] line up exactly, like start at the exact same time, but become more closely