December 10, 2018 at 05:00AM I decided to try acupuncture for the first time last year to relieve some tension in my back. When I get stressed, I carry it in my neck and shoulders like most people—but I also have scoliosis, so the strain on my back gets even more intense. My first treatment was a spiritual experience. The acupuncturist spent a good amount of time talking to me about my body and what exactly I was hoping acupuncture would achieve, which made me feel completely at ease. Despite all the needles sticking out in several places all over my body, the experience was so relaxing that I literally fell asleep on the massage table. I left feeling completely blissed out and rejuvenated—and my back did actually feel better. A few weeks later, I was having a really long week at work. I had spent several hours finishing up a big project on a tight deadline, and I was super stressed—and really feeling it in my back and neck. I remember longing for the relief acupuncture had given me once before. “All of a sudden, it felt like I got hit by a bus.” Everything started off the same. I lay face-down on the massage table and started to relax, listening to the calming music that was playing. I told the acupuncturist (the same person I had gone to a few weeks before) that I was feeling a lot of tension and strain in my back. She proceeded to treat me in
Category: Relaxation
The 4 Most Common Holiday Stress Scenarios—and How to Deal With Each of Them
December 09, 2018 at 06:30PM No matter how many rom-coms portray the holidays as a magical, whimsical time when all your dreams come true, the reality is that the season is usually a teensy bit stressful for the average, non-rom-com character person (just keeping it real here). And if you haven’t heard, stress can have some pretty major effects on your health (namely, gut health), which is why we teamed up with Renew Life to tap Abby Langer, RD, owner of Abby Langer Nutrition, for her holiday stress remedies. AKA, advice on avoiding the most common holiday stress traps. Her biggest tip for keeping your chill—and dodging the occasional digestive upsets stress can cause—is to make time for yourself. “The holidays are stressful for so many reasons,” Langer says, which is why her biggest tip for keeping your chill—and dodging the occasional digestive upsets stress can cause—is to make time for yourself. “Schedule it as early as possible, whether it’s a spin class or just a free afternoon. Resolve to take the time for yourself and not anyone—or anything—else.” Top on the list of ways to care for yourself? Taking a daily probiotic, which Langer recommends to her clients in addition to a healthy diet to support their microbiome. Renew Life 30 Billion Extra Care Probiotics are made three times stronger than your usual probiotic, so you know you’re getting the most effective support—and can keep living your best rom-com-inspired life. Scroll down for the holiday stress remedies she recommends for your most gut-healthy holiday
The top 5 places to go for cupping therapy in LA
December 08, 2018 at 02:00AM There are a few wellness treatments that you can totally do yourself at home—foam rolling, Theragun-ing, and even a luxe spa-like rejuvenating facial. Cupping therapy, however—isn’t one we’d recommend attempting without the guidance of a pro as it tends to involve a combination of fire, plastic, glass, and suction. Plus you know, it’s kind of impossible to cup your own back. And, since the goal of cupping therapy is to engage your muscles in deep relaxation for the purpose of pain relief, reducing inflammation, and overall well-being, it’s way less stressful to let someone else do it. That being said, finding a place to get in a session in Los Angeles can seem sort of overwhelming—there are so. many. options. After all, the City of Angles is an epicenter of everything wellness and woo-woo, so it’s unsurprising that LA has a ton of prospects when it comes any and all holistic treatments. To help you narrow down your search to just the top choices, here’s a handy list of where to get your fix of cupping therapy in the SoCal city. 1. The Spa on Rodeo If you’re seasoned and familiar with cupping therapy, this spot offers traditional and next-level treatments like facial cupping(!!), which is thought to relieve sinus issues, inflammation, and improve circulation. The other more rare modalities of cupping offered at this spa include foot cupping (believed to relieve tired and achy feet), cupping targeted are reducing the appearance of cellulite, and stomach
This is What Actually Happens to Your Gut When You’re Stressed Out
December 07, 2018 at 11:23AM If you’ve ever gotten butterflies before a work presentation or lost your appetite after looking at your to-do list, you’ve felt the effects that stress can have on your digestive system. Since stress in life is pretty much a given, we teamed up with Renew Life® to get to the bottom of why exactly your gut acts up when you’re at a level 10—and tapped Kaitlyn Clarke, chiropractor and functional nutritionist at Urban Wellness Clinic, to find out what to do to keep your gut health on point in spite of it. “You cannot truly break out of the stress/gut cycle without tackling it from both directions,” Dr. Clarke says. “You must take control of your stress level, while simultaneously improving your gut health.” Luckily, breaking the cycle is possible if you’re proactive about it, which is why we asked Dr. Clarke to share her advice on how to ditch stress and iffy gut health at the same time. Scroll down for more on how stress and gut health are connected—plus her tips on how to beat the stress cycle. Photo: Stocksy/Nasos Zovoilis The science To understand how to keep your gut calm when you’re feeling anxious, you first have to understand why it reacts the way it does. “The connection between stress and gut health really comes down to what’s known as the brain-gut axis,” Dr. Clarke explains. Buckle in for some science: Your brain and your gut are linked by your vagus nerve (the longest cranial
How to make your place look presentable for guests in 30 minutes or less
December 06, 2018 at 06:54AM If you’re as into Hallmark Channel holiday movies as I am, you probably have an idealized mental picture of what a festive gathering should look like: an apartment dripping in pine tree boughs and fairy lights, a Pinterest-worthy cheese plate and kombucha punch bowl on the kitchen counter, and you clad in some cozy-glam combination of statement earrings, cashmere, and impressively contoured eyeshadow. The reality? If you’re not a fictional character played by Lacey Chabert, having friends over usually goes a bit differently. In my case, it involves frantically stuffing my living-room clutter into a closet, lint-rolling cat hair off the sofa while ordering pizza on Postmates—and barely having time to swipe on some red lipstick before the doorbell rings. As someone with a more-than-full-time job and lots of extracurriculars on my iCal, I simply don’t have hours to spend getting my home party-ready. (Or, like, even one hour.) If this plight sounds familiar, however, there’s no need to stress. As I recently learned from a few pro organizers, all you really need is 30 minutes and some tricks of the home styling trade to clean up before guests arrive. Take their advice, and you’ll free up precious pregaming time for what really matters—like perfecting your chocolate hummus recipe and crafting the perfect “Thank U, Next”-centric playlist. Here’s how to clean house fast when you’re short on time. Photo: Getty Images/Cavan Images 1. Be strategic about which rooms you clean While you might feel like you
I’m A Sex Therapist. Here Are The 5 Most Common Sexual Complaints Couples Have
December 05, 2018 at 08:00PM Plus, what to do about them. Continue Reading…
How Megan Roup ditched perfectionism and followed her gut to become a fitness phenom
December 04, 2018 at 06:30PM In the Follow Your Gut® spotlight, The Sculpt Society creator Megan Roup shares how listening to her instincts helped her turn her dream job into a reality—and the daily habits (like sipping Health-Ade kombucha) that she counts on to mentally and physically recharge. Whether you’re experiencing Megan Roup’s infectious energy in the studio or in your living room (via obé’s streaming workout platform), one thing is clear: She’s got megawatt energy and a style all her own. But before she took on New York City’s fitness scene—and then conquered laptop screens everywhere—it took a leap of faith. “Often, we’re overwhelmed with the idea of change or don’t want to start until everything is perfect,” says Roup, who swapped a professional dance career for fitness entrepreneurship. “But unless you start, nothing will happen. There is power in action, it doesn’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to have all the answers, you just need to start.” Fast forward to today, and the The Sculpt Society—Roup’s answer to an approachable, empowering, and welcoming boutique fitness method—is one of NYC’s most buzzed about classes, with celeb clients like supermodels Elsa Hosk and Shanina Shaik. “There is power in action, it doesn’t have to be perfect and you don’t have to have all the answers, you just need to start.” But to get there, Roup had to learn how to listen to her gut. “My biggest hard-earned lesson (something I’m still working on) and something I hope to help clients
4 Wellness Destinations for the Ultimate New Year’s Getaway—And Why That’s the Best Way to Start 2019
December 04, 2018 at 06:30PM As you near the end of the year, it’s inevitable you start itching for a change of pace. And what better way to implement a true shift in your perspective than literally heading somewhere, you know, new? “Travel is always a reset, much like the new year,” says travel expert and journalist Amanda Blakely. “So I say, open your mind, go somewhere new, and usher this new year in with a ferocious appetite for all the things.” Honestly though, is there anything cooler than ringing in the new year in a foreign setting? Hello beach yoga, sunset swims, and of course more Insta posts than you could imagine. Zoëtry Wellness & Spa Resorts offers unique resorts in multiple destinations with endless wellness-focused amenities that will have even the biggest homebody of your group packing their bags, like yesterday. “There is something undeniably reassuring about starting the new year off as you wish to continue, and for me that means exploring somewhere new (or old and beloved), far from home and miles away from the stresses of daily life,” Blakely adds. So, what are you waiting for? Scroll down to check out four magical vacation spots ideal for kicking off your new year celebration. Photo: Instagram/@tennesseehauser Punta Cana: for holistic wellness This year, opt for something quieter than your usual New Year’s Eve party style—but keep the champagne. Zoëtry Agua Punta Cana is centered around feeling, well centered—which means you can kayak through crystal clear waters, experience
What to get your fitness-obsessed friends who seemingly have everything
December 03, 2018 at 10:51AM Feeling stumped about what to get your workout buddy who never misses a 7 a.m. spin date and always has a spare hair tie? We got you covered with an editor-approved list of routine-simplifying, smile-inducing, and straight-up ingenious picks (see: luxe refillable deodorant). Whether she prefers hill climbs or low-key flows to achieve that post-workout glow, you’ll find something she won’t expect but ultimately needs. Prepare for a lot of ecstatic gushing from your workout pals. Scroll down and click on the hotspots to learn more about the winter gym-bag essentials. @import url(“https://www.wellandgood.com/wp-content/plugins/imagelinks/lib/imagelinks.theme.dark.css?ver=imagelinks”); ASICS Women’s GT-2000 7 Upgrade her runs with these supportive sneaks, which come in five crave-worthy colors. The durable, impact-absorbing sole helps her feel light on her feet at every mile—and closer to crushing her goal. Buy Now $120 ASICS Lite-Show 7/8 Tight These fitted tights are the perfect companion for chilly morning jogs and nighttime runs. The reflective leggings come with a convenient laminated pocket for her smartphone, protecting it from sweat and snow. Buy Now $70 ASICS Urban Racer Jacket Since winter is all about smart layering, this heat-retaining, lightweight jacket is guaranteed to be a mainstay in her lineup. She can throw on as a top layer for outdoor workouts, and wear it as a mid-layer to stay super toasty on her walk to the gym. Buy Now $130 TheraGun G2PRO Professional Massager Foam rolling is so last year. Introduce your fitness enthusiast to DIY percussive therapy and she’ll never
12 pairs of comfy jeans that’ll convince you to leave the stretch for your workout
December 03, 2018 at 09:46AM With the heavy influence of nostalgia in fashion right now, non-stretch denim is the look du jour, often with a high-rise waist and in a straight or slim-fit silhouette—you might also know them as “mom” jeans. But that moniker doesn’t really do this denim justice say those who are fans of the new styles on the market right now. “Non-stretch denim is one of our favorite fabrics to play with because of the cool, vintage attitude it gives to jeans,” says Jill Guenza, vice president of global women’s design at Levi’s. If you’re accustomed to super-stretchy jeans, rigid denim might feel like an unsavory style. But stiffer fabrics can actually be more flattering and get better over time, rather than breaking down and needing to be replaced after a season or two. (Let’s call it a win for conscientious consumption.) “The denim has just the right amount of body-molding give, yet holds you in and up in all the right places,” says Guenza. “Because non-stretch denim generally has more structure than high-stretch denim, it gives slim and straight-leg fits amazing attitude.” Warming to the idea of adding a pair to your wardrobe? Here’s a pro-tip for you: “With non-stretch denim, you can expect the jeans will expand slightly as they shape to your body, so be sure to buy them on the snug side,” Guenza advises. Photo: Tim Gibson for Well+Good Alaina Miller, women’s design director for Citizens of Humanity, agrees that a “perfect” or “snug” fit