December 03, 2018 at 09:14AM It’s a common MO for travelers to flock to heavily-populated cities to check out the ultimate tourist hot spots, but one of the latest vacay trends involves doing the exact opposite: putting your Eiffel Tower dreams on hold in favor of more off-the-beaten-path experiences. Airbnb just released its top destinations to visit in 2019 after culling internal data from users’ searches, bookings, and wish lists—and the results don’t lie. Next year, the most sought-after places to visit and explore aren’t the Londons and Tokyos of the world. The top location on the list? Kaikoura, New Zealand, which showed a 295 percent increase in year-to-year bookings and a 210 percent increase in year-to-year searches on the platform. And get this: There are rentals you can book for as little as $89/night. Back in 2016, the coastal town of 3,800 residents took a massive hit after it was heavily damaged by a 7.8 magnitude earthquake. Two years later, the place is totally booming, and it’s easy to see why. Located on a rocky peninsula, the area provides a taste of the sea and mountains. And not only do visitors get to share their experience with its many friendly non-human locals—including sperm whales, dusky dolphins, and fur seals—but there are endless possibilities to keep you busy while you’re there. View this post on Instagram I don't know about you but I am a sucker for a good sunrise! @Regran_ed from @inestausch_photography – Kaikoura, New Zealand “Own only what you can always
Category: Relaxation
5 Essential Oils That Will Help You Survive the Holidays
December 03, 2018 at 06:07AM Whether you’re exhausted from the party circuit or overwhelmed by your never ending to-do list, the holidays are tough to get through without any scratches. “The holidays are a time for us to embrace traditions and remember our most precious memories with loved ones,” says Retha Nesmith, VP of customer experience at Plant Therapy, a family-run biz with a deep history in plant-based remedies. “Essential oils have the ability to bring back those memories through scent.” It’s true, scent is the sense that can instantly take you back to a moment that feels like yesterday—and when it comes to essential oils, it can pack aromatherapeutic properties, too. To help steer you through the season, we asked Nesmith to share five signature essential oils that’ll help you conquer whatever the holidays throw at you. Keep reading for 5 essential oils that are must-haves for the holiday season. Photo: Stocksy/Daxiao Productions Holiday Blend Set: for making your home smell like pure cheer First step: Transform your space into the scent-equivalent of comfort food with Plant Therapy’s Holiday Blend Set. (Essential oil diffusers are the new candles, after all.) “Whether that is the scent of the magical Christmas tree, home baked holiday treats, or the crisp cold air, the holiday blends remind us of all the things we love about the holidays,” Nesmith says. Pro tip: Stash some away for when the holidays are over and you need cheery pick-me-up. Photo: Adam Kuylenstierna/EyeEm/Getty Chamomile: for a super relaxing night’s sleep If
The perfect cannabis gifts for every archetype on your list
December 03, 2018 at 06:00AM Thinking of giving the gift of cannabis this year? Anna Duckworth, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Miss Grass, an elevated lifestyle shop and publication for women and cannabis, has the insider intel you need in order to make you a CBD-gifting MVP. But remember: When you’re playing Santa with cannabis, do so responsibly. “By gifting cannabis, you are in a position to change people’s minds, to introduce them to a plant that could alter their lives, and to begin a conversation around the history and the communities directly impacted by the War on Drugs,” she says. So along with your presents, “Write cards with information that educates and send follow-up emails to check in and share links to relevant reading.” The holiday season is officially in full-swing: Shoppers are shopping, flockers are flocking, dispensaries (in legal states) are packed to the gills with cannabis enthusiasts stocking up on special holiday editions of their fave products. And since the 2018 holiday season is, arguably, the first that cannabis has officially hit its mainstream stride—the ingredient is so prevalent that even the skeptics are changing their tunes—you may be buzzing at the prospect of adding some extra green to your shopping list. But buying cannabis for yourself and your friends is one thing; buying it for the rest of your list—colleagues, relatives, all those people whom you should give gifts to but for whom you don’t have that kind of relationship—is something else. It’s always better to air on the side of caution:
6 stretches to do before bed for a better night’s sleep
December 02, 2018 at 01:00PM As any wellness junkie—or, you know, human with internet access—knows, a solid bedtime routine is a #majorkey to success. And while you may have your pre-lights-out regimen down to an art (ILYSM, journaling and meditation), there’s one thing worth adding to your nighttime to-do list for the sake of better sleep: A series of evening stretches. “Stretching should be an important part of your evening routine,” explains international yogi Claire Grieve. “Regular stretching helps to melt away daily tension, stress and worry. Stretching your hips is particularly useful for clearing the emotional junk from the day. Stretching in a passive, restorative way will prime your body for sleep by helping you to enter a state of relaxation.” Cycling through a few cat-cows to start your morning may be second nature, but adding a bendy element in the evening can help you chill out while also releasing some of the daytime tension from your body. “Stretching at the end of the day should be more restorative than at other times of day when maybe you would engage in a more active stretch,” says Grieve. “The important thing is to listen to your body. What your body needs will be different from day to day, so take this time to really tune into what your body is telling you.” Meanwhile, stretching also boosts major gains for your brain as well. “While stretching, endorphins are released in the brain which can help improve your mood along with feelings
Looking for cupping therapy in Chicago? Here are 5 places to try
December 02, 2018 at 07:00AM Like acupuncture before it, cupping therapy is becoming a buzzy healing practice that’s gone from being an under-the-radar treatment to mainstream obsession as of late. (You can thank celebs like Gwyneth Paltrow and pro athletes like Michael Phelps for introducing popular culture to the ancient practice.) But before you lie down on a table and let someone dot your back with perfectly round suction marks, there are a few things you should know. First off, cupping therapy is a modality of Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) that’s been used for thousands of years in not only ancient Chinese civilizations but also ancient Egypt. At this point, due to the lack of scientific research, cupping therapy benefits are largely based on anecdotal evidence. But those that swear by the ancient practice credit it with improving blood flow, helping with athletic performance and recovery, stretching muscles and tissues, reducing inflammation, and even calming the nervous system. Cupping therapy typically involves vacuum sealing cups made out of glass, plastic, bamboo, or silicone on pressure and trigger points by using heat. It’s technically called dry cupping (the most-popular type at most places), but you can also find flash and wet cupping sessions, too. Although the healing method leaves behind marks that look like bruises, the treatment is usually considered to be painless and revitalizing. It’s targeted at deep tissue relaxation similar to the way you’d use a foam roller or Theragun. As interest in cupping therapy increases, it’s becoming easier and easier to find
Canker sores are the absolute worst, but these home remedies could help
December 01, 2018 at 07:00AM Like an accidental dry-shampoo overdose or a bad first date, canker sores can strike anyone at anytime, without warning. So it’s important to have an arsenal of home remedies for canker sores at your disposal—that way, you know exactly how to deal with your mouth ulcer so it doesn’t slow down your enjoyment of vegan Rice Krispie treats. But before we get to that part, it helps to have a general understanding of what a canker sore actually is. In short, a canker sore is a shallow ulcer that forms in your mouth. It’s usually small, with a white or yellow center surrounded by a red halo. This nasty little pain-in-the-mouth can stake out real estate in a variety of locations, including the gums, tongue, soft palate, lips, or cheeks. So how do you know you’re dealing with a canker sore? Unlike cold sores, which are caused by a virus and pop up on visible parts on your face, canker sores almost always take up residence in the hidden nooks and crannies inside your mouth. You may experience a stinging, burning, or tingling sensation prior to when the canker sore makes its debut. The most troublesome symptom, and the one most likely to send you on the hunt for a remedy, is the pain you will likely experience at the site of canker sore once it’s erupted, especially when talking or eating. Are you ready for the good news? Canker sores are not contagious, which means you
If men get contraceptive arm gel (yep, being tested), let’s get women these 7 forms of birth control
November 30, 2018 at 08:49AM I’ve been on several different forms of birth control in my life. I’ve done the pill, the ring, and finally, fed up with both of these methods (slash worried about the future of women’s health in this country), I pulled the trigger and got an IUD. This involved me going into the doctor’s office and having a device literally implanted into my uterus so that I could enjoy sex without having to worry about getting pregnant. Was the fuss worth the five to seven years of protection against unplanned pregnancy? Yes, but it was also the worst pain I’ve ever experienced. So, it’s with a bitter breed of rejoice that I welcome news that clinical trials for a new male birth control gel are set to begin. Why bitter? Well, the specific development the University of Washington School of Medicine in Seattle’s testing is essentially contraceptive deodorant (not a pill, or an implant, or a shot). Meanwhile, my lady comrades and I are over here, taking sick days to heal from our surgical procedures to accomplish the same effect. So yeah, the playing field doesn’t feel like it’s quite equalizing. Furthermore, I’m not exactly holding my breath for this to product to reach market because last time I heard about a male birth control trial, it ended because men experienced symptoms like mood swings, acne, and changes in sex drive—AKA common side effects of…you guessed it: hormonal female birth control methods. “The gel…is designed to decrease a man’s
Relationships are the single biggest contributor to a happy and fulfilling life
November 30, 2018 at 07:02AM When you’re a cute little grandma sitting on your porch someday—obviously still rocking high-waisted leggings with a matcha latte in hand—which parts of your long and awesome life do you think will have made you feel the happiest and most fulfilled? Probably not hitting a certain number of Insta followers or all those times you ditched friends to put in extra-long hours at work, right? The truth is, the single biggest contributor to well-being has been identified, and it’s much simpler. For a study of 75 years out of Harvard, researchers collected data on the well-being of two groups: 268 Harvard graduates from the classes of 1939 to 1944, and 456 men from inner-city neighborhoods in Boston. Over the years, researchers analyzed which aspects of the participants’ early lives best predicted being healthy and fulfilled down the line (using methods like brain scans and self-reported surveys). The main result? Making time for the important people in their lives is beneficial. “The clearest message that we get from this 75-year study is this: Good relationships keep us happier and healthier. Period,” says Robert Waldinger, MD, director of the Harvard Study of Adult Development. The study shows having love in your life—whether that’s with a significant other or great friends—makes you healthier both physically and mentally. It also provides you with trust and openness because you know someone always has your back, and you can feel comfortable and relaxed when you’re around them. In comparison, lonelier participants who didn’t have
Pissed about your constant UTIs? Try physical therapy
November 29, 2018 at 09:08AM I’m going to make a wild guess and say that if you’re reading this article, you’ve had at least one UTI. And given that 40 to 60 percent of women will have a UTI in their lives, according to the NIH, you’re definitely not alone in knowing how straight-up terrible they are. The burning, the constant need to pee—no thanks. But often, getting a UTI is not just a one-and-done kind of deal. Twenty percent of women who get a UTI will get another one, and 30 percent of those people will get a third, because yay being a woman is amazing! And if you’re a lucky member of the recurrent UTI club, you’ve probably tried every natural remedy and preventive method under the sun. Guzzling water and cranberry juice, taking supplements, sacrificing your first-born…you know, everything. But here’s one up-and-coming tactic you might not have tried: pelvic floor physical therapy. Hold up: What is pelvic floor therapy? First, a quick anatomy lesson. “The pelvic floor contains a group of muscles that attach to the pelvic and thigh bones,” says Kecia Gaither, MD, MPH, FACOG, double board-certified in ob-gyn and maternal fetal medicine, “which provide support for the pelvic organs, are responsible for healthy sexual activity, and maintain control over bladder and bowel function.” In women, these muscles are located near the bladder, bowel, and uterus. Pelvic floor physical therapy is basically like any other form of physical therapy; it’s just focused on strengthening your pelvic
The top relationship fear for each Myers-Briggs personality type
November 29, 2018 at 03:00AM Wanting to fall in love with a partner who makes life more exciting is a tale as old as time. There’s nothing better than that dreamy, near euphoric early phase of a relationship, when each date brings about new fantasies about what could be. That said, this stage is also fraught with moments of unease and hesitation. Everyone has a relationship deal breaker, after all, but knowing exactly what it is can be helpful for parsing how you really feel about a new fling. It’s common to approach relationships with fears and baggage—and some of these things might just be part of your wiring. That’s where your Myers-Briggs personality type can come into play by illuminating your most pressing relationship hang-up. (Don’t know what your type is? Read this first!) Find out what the top issue is for your type so you can address it head-on before the problem gets the chance to compromise your romantic bliss. Check out your top relationship issue, according to your Myers-Briggs personality type. Graphics by Well+Good Creative ISFJ: Pursuing a relationship when your partner isn’t fully committed You’re not a casual dater, so you’re always looking for a relationship that will go the distance toward marriage. However, while you may well be strategic with your dates, you often desire full commitment before your partner does. Just remember that it’s unreasonable to expect to be perfectly synched with your companion in terms of commitment. And it’s A-okay for your timelines