February 01, 2019 at 11:27AM by CWC As someone who works out 5 days a week—with each workout containing at least a two mile run—you could say that I’m always sore. That means that my legs frequently feel as heavy as cement, my hamstrings are continually tight, my quads are always quaking, and my calves know what it means to be knotted. Maybe I’m being a smidge dramatic (and maybe I need to foam roll more), but all of that running takes a serious toll on my legs. In my beauty research, however, I’ve realized that cannabidiol or CBD is an anti-inflammatory powerhouse, and since inflammation is the cause behind many woes—including muscle soreness—the wheels in my head started turning. Perhaps, by slathering a CBD-rich product all over my gams, I could enhance my recovery and optimize my workouts even more. The non-psychoactive part of the marijuana plant, CBD, has been all the rage for its multifaceted topical benefits. I’ve already tried CBD skin-care products, so I’m beyond ready to use it to enhance my workouts. “CBD is an active cannabinoid found in cannabis and has multiple uses in improving inflammatory conditions when used topically, like eczema, and even improving wound healing, itching, pain, and has even reported to improve a rare blistering disorder of skin,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a dermatologist with New York’s Schweiger Dermatology Group. “It would be great for sore muscles, because it has an analgesic effect which decreases pain.” Bingo. Luckily for me, as soon as this
Category: Relaxation
BRB, planning an adventurous vacation to combat stress (because yep, it helps with that)
January 31, 2019 at 12:57PM by CWC For the most part, I subscribe to JOMO and I’m perfectly happy under a blanket with a good book in hand. Occasionally, though, serious wanderlust kicks in and I find myself searching for something adventurous to do that brings on a rush of adrenaline. (And nope, not just the kind that comes from watching yet another scary movie.) I don’t think I possess the “thrill-seeker’s gene,” but Los Angeles-based clinical psychologist Nancy B. Irwin, PsyD says it’s fairly common to hunt for a thrill. “Research supports that some people need an adrenaline rush. And it’s not always by doing something physical, like skydiving,” she says. “It can also be artistic or intellectual, like being a public speaker or politician. It’s as necessary for them as calm is for those who are more comfortable in the ‘backstage’ or working in their own private cubicle,” she says. When you do something exciting, your heart races. “Adrenaline dilates the eyes, sends more blood to the muscles, increases lung capacity, and in general, it makes you temporarily faster, stronger, and more alert. When you’re in danger, adrenaline gives you a survival edge,” says Chicago-based clinical psychologist Aimee Daramus, PsyD. Seeking a rush can be seriously addictive, too: “It’s a stimulant, in the same class of drugs as nicotine and cocaine,” she says “You can definitely learn to like adrenaline too much.” There’s a solid middle ground when it comes to getting your adrenaline fix. According to Dr. Daramus,
Yoga studios are supposed to be a safe space—how has that changed in the age of #MeToo?
January 31, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Ask any devoted yogi, and they’ll probably liken their practice to a form of therapy; they’ll head to the mat to work through the stresses of day-to-day life. Anxious about an upcoming presentation? A few deep breaths in warrior 2 might just snap you out of it. Feeling defeated after a bad work week? Nailing crow pose will bring out your inner badass real quick. Brokenhearted? Go on, cry in pigeon. (There’s probably somebody on the other side of the room doing the same.) But while yoga is really effective at clearing intense emotions from the body, its physicality can also unexpectedly dredge up lots of uncomfortable feelings from the recesses of our minds. “When people are coming into the yoga room and they’re moving their bodies and working with the breath, they’re inevitably opening up psychological material, whether they realize it or not,” says Ashley Turner, LMFT, a licensed therapist, yoga teacher, and creator of psychology-led yoga training program Yoga.Psyche.Soul. “Many times, people will have memories surface or just have an emotional release, and they may not even know what it’s attached to.” When the news cycle is packed with stories of sexual harassment and assault, as it has been in the 15 months since the #MeToo movement first took off on social media—and especially if these stories mirror your own experiences—these memories or feelings are often bobbing just below the water line, ready to rise up at any moment. In this way,
Grab your S.O. and book a flight to one of these top winter vacation spots for couples, asap
January 31, 2019 at 04:27AM by CWC The impending polar vortex is a sign that yes, we are in the thick of winter (also, global warming). Something else it means is that this might be the best time of the season to plan an escape from the malaise and cold weather. At this time of the year (cuffing season, I believe they call it), if you’re looking to get away with your significant other, you’re likely either looking at completely escaping the frigid cold for somewhere warm or tropical or you’re looking to go somewhere where the winter time seems magical and picturesque rather than depressing. In the spirit of last-ditch efforts at winter travels, these are some of the best locales, hotels, and resorts—both in the U.S. and abroad—for a getaway with your boo. These are places that are consistently ranked highly by TripAdvisor reviewers for their couple-friendly atmosphere. We’ve narrowed it down to only the ones that are oases for escape, even this time of the year. Below, find 9 destinations that boast the best winter vacations for couples. Photo: TripAdvisor 1. Key West, Florida Key West is a great place for a winter getaway since the temperature (even in January and February) tends to sit around 70 degrees Fahrenheit. According to TripAdvisor, the highest rated couples resort in the country is here: H2O Suites. Besides being adults only, half of the rooms have their own private plunge pools—there’s also a communal rooftop pool. Plus, the resort is just a
Two experts explain how sleep FOMO is keeping us awake
January 30, 2019 at 12:46PM by CWC As my anxiety peaks in the evening and any hope for a peaceful rendezvous with Mr. Sandman starts to slip away, I’m often able to pinpoint cause. It’s a mix of looming due dates at work, my reading load for grad school, and existential fear. But the worst culprit by far is what Janet Kennedy, PhD, a sleep psychologist in New York City, refers to as “performance anxiety.” In other words: I have so much FOMO when it comes to getting enough sleep that I just can’t drift off. “The more we focus on trying to sleep and trying to sleep right, the more elusive sleep can become,” Dr. Kennedy tells me. “We can control some aspects of sleep—like our lifestyle, health, schedule, and activities—but the falling asleep [itself] is outside of our control.” Sata-driven sleep apps, like calculators and REM-trackers, often feed into the problem. Our perfectionist tendencies kick in, and when we can’t “achieve” the night of blissful rest that we so desire, it’s frustrating and it keeps us wide awake. “The more we focus on trying to sleep and trying to sleep right, the more elusive sleep can become.” Chris Winter, MD, a sleep specialist in Virginia, says that the cultural narrative around what happens when you fall short on zzz’s can often be more harmful than helpful. Studies have shown that skimping on slumber can make you angrier and cause you to dream less—and that’s just the tip of the iceberg. When
A derm told me this drugstore body wash is the only one to shower with in the winter
January 30, 2019 at 08:56AM by CWC The moment temperatures drop below 40 degrees, I avoid showering as if my life depended on it. The hot water dries out my skin, which is already parched and miserable on account of the fact that it’s freezing outside, and that moment when I have to step out from under the stream of hot water into my cold apartment air is truly the worst part of my day. So, naturally, I’m always looking for ways to make winter showers slightly less terrible—because as much as I despise them, I also don’t want to be known as the smelly girl at work. And according to dermatologist Dr. Lily Talakoub of McLean Dermatology and Skincare, the only thing I need to make the experience bearable (especially for the sake of my sad, dry skin) is one simple product: Bioderma Atoderm Shower Oil ($20). “It is the best moisturizing body wash I have ever used in my life,” she gushes. “I give it to every single patient—it’s so inexpensive, and I use it to wash my body as well as to shave my legs. It’s amazing.” The best part? It moisturizes your skin while you’re hanging out under the shower stream, which means you’ll hop out feeling silky smooth–even before you slather on your usual lotions and creams. It’s an ideal multitasking pick for anyone with dry or sensitive skin, two categories most people find themselves falling into this time of year. In addition the fact that
Conditioners are getting better and better—here’s which one you should be using
January 30, 2019 at 04:00AM by CWC Conditioner is the Goldilocks of hair care products. There’s a delicate balance between formulas too light and too heavy, and you need to seek out one that’s jussssst right for you, or you’ll be left with strands that are dry as straw or greasy AF. The good news? Hair-care technology is getting better and better, which means finding a “just right” product is easier than ever. “The ingredients are getting more sophisticated and smart, so we are able to use less or different textures—foam, gel, cream—and still get a fantastic result,” says Herbal Essences celebrity stylist Bridget Brager. “It really comes down to personal preference: how it feels in your hand, how it distributes through your hair, and ultimately, how the formula works to help your end styling result.” Choosing the right conditioner depends not only on your hair type, but also on how much moisture it requires. “For me, the old-school rules have gone right out the window. We’re seeing individuality again, because you can’t just say ‘foam is good for fine hair,’” says Dove celebrity stylist Mark Townsend. “It’s really about what your hair needs.” Thankfully, with all of this new technology, finding a product that fits exactly what your hair needs is easier than ever. Fine Hair Dove Ultracare Conditioner Foam For Fine, Flat Hair Weightless Volume, $5 As anyone with fine hair knows, the biggest concern with conditioner is whether or not it’s going to weigh things down. While it may
4 easy hip flexor stretches that make your whole body sigh with relief
January 29, 2019 at 11:17AM by CWC We all have those days when getting out from behind your desk isn’t really an option. Leisurely afternoon walks in the sunshine feel months away and there’s no way in hell you’re going to risk frostbite on a run to Starbucks with North America in the grip of a polar vortex. (Even though a chai tea latte sounds so good right now.) While you’re warm and cozy in your cubicle, you might have noticed all that sitting takes a serious toll. And that’s why an easy post-work stretching routine—one that includes some of the best hip flexor stretches we could find—is just what you need after a long day. If you’re somewhat immobile for extended periods of time, your hip flexors—the muscles on the front of the hips—”shorten,” shifting your pelvis and creating that awful nagging pain in your lower back. Amanda Bisk, an Australian exercise physiologist and yoga instructor, explains that it doesn’t take much to regain lost flexibility in the hips. Each stretch requires only a few minutes and minimal movement, but her recommendations are just enough to really make a significant difference in the way your body feels. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Amanda Bisk (@amandabisk) on Jan 18, 2019 at 11:50pm PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js Hold these stretches—explained by Amanda Bisk—for 10 long, deep breaths each. 1. High kneeling lunge This is great for directly targeting your hip flexors. Make sure your lunge is long with your legs split wide
Here’s what happened when I spent 48 hours at a fancy wellness commune in the woods
January 29, 2019 at 08:12AM by CWC When I first opened my inbox and saw an email about Serenbe—a wellness community located 30 minutes outside Atlanta that that promotes an active lifestyle, face-to-face interaction, organic food, and eco-friendly living—my mind instantly conjured a ’60s-era hippie-dippie commune where people live with the sole mission of spreading peace and love. I quickly realized the neighborhood wasn’t exactly that (for starters, this place seemed upscale), but intrigued I remained. Here’s the deal: Back in the early ’90s, founders Steve Nygren and Marie Lupo Nygren moved from Atlanta to a quiet, countryside respite in the woods. But when bulldozers started razing surrounding forest land for development, disrupting their serene slice of life, it broke ground for a big idea: Develop a sustainable community to not only preserve that 40,000 acres right outside the major city, but to also create a place unlike any other where people can thrive. After working with other landowners, developers, and conservationists, they devised a plan to keep 70 percent of the land as green space and work with the natural landscape to develop on the rest. The first house was built in 2004, and since then, Serenbe has grown into an increasingly self-sustainable place with essentially everything you need to live comfortably. And technological advancements have made never leaving even easier. While plenty of residents work in or around Atlanta, many have full-blown careers right inside the comfort of the community, either by working remotely or owning businesses and shops. Now
I tried the 4-7-8 technique to fall asleep fast and my god, it worked like a dream
January 26, 2019 at 09:19AM by CWC Maybe it’s the existential dread or the mediocre mattress, but I’m not sleeping well these days. In fact, my nights asleep are so the opposite of good that when I stumble upon the 4-7-8 technique, I’m like, “Exhaling myself to sleep? Sure, what the hell.” Dubbed a “natural tranquilizer for the nervous system” by Dr. Andrew Weil, I can’t help but be seduced by an insta-sleep hack that can knock me out before my mind wanders. The 4-7-8 Breathing Exercise is adopted from the yogic practice of pranayama, meaning “regulation of breath.” Dr. Weil has since developed it as a way to lull the body into a state of deep relaxation. It’s meant to diminish stress and bring balance to the body, all the while giving your organs and tissues a much-needed oxygen boost. You can practice the technique while sitting or lying down comfortably, maintaining good posture. But since I’m specifically testing this out to fall asleep fast , I decided to try it lying down in my bed. From there, I put the tip of my tongue where the ridge of the gum meets my upper front teeth before exhaling forcefully through my mouth to make a whooshing sound. Then, I close your mouth and inhale through my nose for a count of four. Next, I hold my breath to a count of seven, then exhale through my mouth making the same whoosh sound for a count of eight. That’s one