February 21, 2019 at 01:21PM by CWC In our culture, we don’t tend to talk about being “a little bit” addicted to something. It’s not like there are AA meetings for people who are “kind of” alcohol dependent, or a treatment plan for someone who is “a little” obsessed with working out. But a new book, titled The Addiction Spectrum, is rethinking the idea that addiction is so cut and dry. Author Paul Thomas, MD, an addiction medicine specialist and integrative practitioner, argues that addiction is more of a sliding scale that factors in the severity of the addiction as well as life events, genetic predispositions, and other contributing factors. And, he says, this addiction spectrum is just as applicable to things like food or social media as it is to drugs or alcohol. This is a little different from the other way experts commonly define addiction: as a disease. The Center of Addiction (CoA), the American Psychiatric Association, the American Medical Association, and the American Society of Addiction Medicine (ASAM) all ascribe to this particular view, which has been mainstream in the medical community for decades. “Addiction is a primary, chronic disease of brain reward, motivation, memory, and related circuitry,” stipulates the ASAM. The CoA compares addiction to diabetes, heart disease, and cancer because “it’s caused by a combination of behavioral, environmental, and biological factors.” Experts have been thinking about addiction as a disease for a long time. But in his book, Dr. Thomas argues that by classifying addiction as a disease,
Category: Relaxation
CBD lube is a thing, and it will, um, “make your vagina feel high”
February 21, 2019 at 12:46PM by CWC In 2019, there is seemingly little that CBD can’t solve. Feeling anxious? Sip a CBD latte. Need to wear an uncomfy pair of high heels? Slather the stuff on your feet in balm form. Want to ramp up your romps in the hay? Slap some CBD lube on your lady bits. Yup, you read that last part right. Just when we thought we’d found every possible use for CBD, we discovered that CBD lube is a thing. And—surprise surprise—it might just be the best use of the stuff yet. “CBD lube can lead to increased sensitivity for some, and most experience relaxation which creates more willingness to receive pleasurable touch which in turn may lead to better and stronger orgasms,” says Tammy Nelson, PhD, a board certified sexologist and the author of Getting the Sex You Want. “Using CBD lube can help with vaginal pain, with penetration, and can decrease and even prevent irritation.” She notes that some manufacturers claim that CBD lube can moisturize and regenerate skin, but says that hasn’t seen any studies that can confirm that. Research has, however, shown that there are some other sexy potential benefits associated with getting herbal in your intimate activities. CBD, and cannabis’s other standout element, THC, work with the endocannibinoid system in your body, which controls homeostasis and “can effect everything from your mood to your appetite to your sex drive and your body’s response during sex,” Dosist CMO Derek McCarty told Well+Good last year. In case you want a
Après, please: 7 spa treatments every ski-lodge snow bunny needs to try
February 20, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC Getting out in nature and careening over the powdery winter snow is a pretty great way to release some endorphins, clock in some exercise, and have a great time while doing it. But, let’s be honest: Cocktail hour after a long day on the slopes (or, okay, maybe just a couple runs, especially if you’re just learning) is half the reason to go skiing or snowboarding in the first place. But an even better way to après? Soaking up some muscle-melting R and R in the spa. Read on for some of the must-see and must-ski terrain at some of the top resorts across the country and Canada—plus an incredible spa treatment at each. The 7 best places to hit the slopes—and then enjoy après ski spa treatments—await. Photo: Four Seasons Jackson Hole 1. Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Teton Village, Wyoming The mega mountains at this Wyoming must-ski have some great, challenging terrain to take your runs up a notch (only 10 percent of the 133 trails here are for novices). Explore 2,500 acres of terrain, and don’t forget to enjoy a waffle at the famed Corbet’s Cabin, located atop a mountain at an elevation of 10,450 feet. Then, once you’re ready to call it a day, get excited: It’s time to soak up the Après Ski Ritual at the Four Seasons spa ($425 for 100 minutes). You’ll start with a 25-minute high-altitude soak with Himalayan salts—and a glass of champagne, natch—to relax your
It’s common to get headaches after your runs—here’s why
February 18, 2019 at 08:01AM by CWC After a particularly grueling run, soreness in your legs is pretty much a given, but every once in a while when I’m pounding the pavement, my head starts pounding too, and I wind up with a headache after running. A quick Google search confirms that I’m not the only one who this happens to. But…why? While there are a number of reasons your head might start hurting while you’re logging miles, you first need to understand what’s going on at a biological level. “The blood pressure will increase as you exercise and the tension within the narrowed blood vessels and arterial walls can cause headaches,” explains Rich Velazquez, COO and Coach at Mile High Run Club. And generally, it’s NBD, aside from the fact that a headache can really kill your post-run endorphins. “Acute headaches without any other symptoms are generally okay,” he says, “However if they consistently happen or are often accompanied with nausea, vomiting, blurred vision, or even congestion, a physician should be consulted.” Here, the pros lay out why you may have a headache after running, and what you can do to prevent it, and how you can keep it from totally killing your runner’s high. The cause: low blood sugar When you run, your body burns a lot of sugar—which is why carbo-loading before a marathon is such a common practice. But if your blood sugar levels get too low, you’ll start to feel the effects in your head. “Any time the body detects low
My meet-cute with running happened in 2014—and I’m not the only one who’s fallen for a workout
February 14, 2019 at 07:03AM by CWC Meet-cutes are the life force of any rom-com. It’s the moment at the beginning of the story where two people meet and you just know they’re going to get together in the end. Since today’s Valentine’s Day, can we all take a minute to remember the iconic scene from Love Actually, where the prime minister (Hugh Grant) meets his nervous secretary, Natalie (Martine McCutcheon), and she just can’t stop swearing in front of her new boss. For those two, it’s a meet-cute story they’ll tell to their fictional children. But if you ask me, these kind of love at first sight scenarios go beyond person-to-person interactions. We can have a meet-cute with a destination, with ourselves (you know, Arianna Grande-style), or, of course, our workouts. When I asked my colleagues about this idea, everyone had a ca-yute story to share about the first time they tried [insert workout here]. Sure, finding true love on the treadmill next to you at Orange Theory sounds like a fantasy. But IMO, discovering a workout that will be your forever-date for getting sweaty is what I’m after. Below, Well+Good staffers share the meet-cutes that led to real commitment. Photo: Getty Images/Vladimir Vladimirov Barry’s Bootcamp: Rachel Lapidos, Associate Beauty Editor “As soon as I walked into the studio, I turned into the heart-eyed emoji. The music was blasting, the lights were red, and I got onto the treadmill ready to try out Barry’s Bootcamp for the very first time. I love strength training
10 unique getaways for the traveler who just wants a relaxing spring break
February 13, 2019 at 10:15AM by CWC Even if it’s been decades since you were a student who had glorious week off from responsibility to celebrate the onset of spring, you’re certainly a person who still deserves nice things. And a restorative spring break is a bona fide nice thing. Given that Booking.com’s 2019 travel predictions note that more than half of the 21,500 people surveyed would like to visit a destination none of their friends have been to before, it stands to reason that an extra-unique respite might be your ideal getaway. Rounded up below are under-the-radar destinations perfect for Zenning out. So, skip the crowded beach in favor of these 10 unique destinations where you can actually relax. Don’t stress—check out 10 relaxing spring getaway destinations below. View this post on Instagram You can fit your yoga passion anywhere! ¡Cualquier lugar es bueno para practicar tu pasión! . . . . . . #repost @iltm_events #BookAccorHotels #FairmontMayakoba #travel #beach #beachyoga #yoga #resort #luxury #luxuryresort #luxurytravel #luxurydestination #passionpassport A post shared by Fairmont Mayakoba (@fairmontmayakoba) on Oct 13, 2018 at 3:21pm PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js 1. Mayakoba, Mexico Within the well-known locale of Riviera Maya is a quieter, tropical-jungle paradise surrounded by natural lagoons. At 1,600 acres, Mayakoba is one of the largest sugar-sand beaches in Mexico. It’s home to Fairmont Mayakoba, which is ideal for those who want to kick back (maybe into downward dog for beach yoga), relax and sip a margarita oceanside. View this post on Instagram Time for
There are 51 million ASMR videos on YouTube, but these 9 will help you fall asleep fast
February 12, 2019 at 10:34AM by CWC There are so many different ways to get better sleep and to fall asleep faster—melatonin supplements, weighted blankets, the U.S. Army’s technique—but finding the one that works for you isn’t always easy. One trick you might not have considered is using ASMR to help you sleep. You’re probably thinking, “Wait, isn’t ASMR those YouTube videos that involve veggie-crunching and lip-smacking?” Why, yes—yes, it is. But it’s so much more than the sound of pickles being eaten way too close to a microphone. There are plenty of ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) videos to choose from online and the tingling sensations it causes might help you to finally get some quality shut-eye. According to the National Sleep Foundation, watching videos that feature quiet, calming sounds, like tapping of fingers or soft speaking, can help trigger a feeling of relaxation when you’re ready to sleep. We combed through millions of videos to select just nine of the very best that use ASMR to help you sleep. You’ll pass out like a baby tonight. The next time you’re feeling restless, use ASMR to help you sleep [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BSiZe6-MCpg] 1. ASMR Darling It’s impossible not to fall asleep while listening to more than an hour of tingly triggers, including glass tapping, drawing, and even using a spray bottle. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9CGu_D8d87I] 2. WhispersRed ASMR Where’s a better place to get some shut-eye than a sleep clinic? This nine-hour role play video makes you feel comforted and relaxed while you doze off. [youtube
OK, TMI…I have hemorrhoids and they totally suck
February 12, 2019 at 08:03AM by CWC I’m just going to come right out and say it: I have hemorrhoids. For the uninitiated, they’re “swollen and inflamed veins around the anus or in the rectum,” says Anita E. Spiess, MD, a gastroenterologist and representative of the American Society of Gastrointestinal Endoscopy. Jealous much? Growing up, I was told to keep the poop talk to a minimum. (Except for when my dad would loudly ask, “How’s your diarrhea going, Al?” in front of whichever boy I liked at the time. Thanks, Dad!) But this silence around all things related to BMs has made it really hard for me to talk about my hemorrhoids to anyone, even doctors. This might seem silly, but considering I have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), they’re a recurrent part of my life. (Some people who have IBS frequently experience hemorrhoids, too.) I’ve dealt with the pain and itchiness they cause off and on for years, and until recently, it was a reality that I was too embarrassed to discuss with anyone. It’s why I was beyond relieved when my best friend of 10 years and I finally dished on all of our poop issues—including, yes, the fact that we both have hemorrhoids. Before the eye-opening convo with my bestie, I’d always thought, “Oh this is something weird only happening to me, so I’m not going to tell anyone.” But as many as three in four adults will have a hemorrhoid during their lifetime, according to the Mayo Clinic. There’s no
My manager is too busy to give me feedback, what should I do?
February 11, 2019 at 11:24AM by CWC The only way to get better at your job is to have your manager shine a light on the areas where you can improve…right? Maybe not so much. In this week’s Good@Work column, all-around boss babe Amy Odell—whom you may know as the former editor (AKA HBIC) of Cosmopolitan.com and founding blogger of New York magazine’s The Cut—explains why, when it comes to feedback, you should be careful what you wish for. Question: I feel like I’m doing really well at work, but always looking to improve. I know my manager is super busy and has a ton of projects and meetings on her plate but I’m dying for some constructive feedback and don’t have the heart to put another thing on her plate, especially since she’s already told me I’m doing awesome. Any advice? Answer: Let’s set your boss aside for a few minutes and focus on you. I wonder why you’re so anxious about getting feedback. I know we’re trained to believe that being able to take constructive (which means negative) feedback is the key to finding success at work in 2019, but actually, feedback isn’t always that helpful. Research shows that employees react much more strongly to negative feedback than praise, and negative feedback can have a significant effects on employees’ productivity. If you had this meeting with your manager and she was able to tell you what you’re not doing well, how would you feel? Would you go back to your desk happy and ready to maximize
I tried what has to be the most extra facial in NYC
February 09, 2019 at 09:30AM by CWC How much is too much when it comes to a facial treatment? Even putting aside medical-miracle stuff you would seek out in a plastic surgeon’s office, there are a head-spinning number of choices on spa menus: from the traditional steam-extraction combo to more exotic pairings like radio frequency treatments (delivered with a dose of reiki) or, say, microneedling topped off with vitamin shots. But acupuncturist-slash-aesthetician Stefanie DiLibero’s signature treatment at Gotham Wellness has got to be the most extra facial in New York City. Using a number of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) techniques from the ancient world—like acupuncture, cupping, and gua sha—along with modern tools like microcurrent treatments and LED light therapy, DiLibero also adds mindful touches throughout, thanks to her previous life as a yoga teacher. That’s what she was (as well as an acupuncturist, with a master’s in from the New England School of Acupuncture) when we met back in 2010 on a Costa Rica retreat. And it shows in her bedside manner—her soothing presence makes the two and a half hours fly by. (Yep, you’ll need to block out two-plus hours on your calendar for the first session, which will set you back $390.) The reason for the time and money investment? She treats the whole body, not just your face. “It brings physiological and emotional balance, so that your internal health radiates externally,” DiLibero says. “For instance, if you are often angry, you may have lines that show up between