November 11, 2018 at 06:30PM If you’re on the verge of breaking into a cold sweat even thinking about traveling home for the holidays (how early is too early to arrive at the airport?), welcome to the club. From hosting Friendsgiving in your apartment to eating a tad too much sugar, the added adrenaline of holiday party season means you need extra oomph in the anti-anxiousness department—beyond your usual mug of tea and swipe of lavender oil, that is. Which is why Calm A.S.A.P., an herbal supplement formulated to help promote feelings of tranquility, could be the chill pill you’re looking for to keep your cool during the craziness. “When you do notice the warning signs popping up, try introducing Calm A.S.A.P. to help you get through those stressful days with grace and poise,” says Dr. Mary Bove, a naturopathic physician with more than 40 years of experience and director of medical education at Gaia Herbs® (the brand that has long been known for its premium quality plant-based herbal formulas and adaptogens). The herbal blend taps standbys like lavender and chamomile, plus some lesser known plant powerhouses like skullcap and holy basil—making it a notable arrival on the natural supplement scene and a new candidate for ultimate-stress-meltdown support. Scroll down for 3 reasons to add this buzzy supplement to your anti-stress routine—and why women especially could use it. Photo: Unsplash/Roberto Nickson Because managing stress can help boost your overall health When anxiousness does arise, be proactive—because creating coping strategies can help you get
Category: Relaxation
If you’re sick of your skinny jeans, try this denim trend on for size
November 09, 2018 at 08:39AM It started, like so many fashion trends do these days, with a photo of Gigi Hadid. The supermodel stepped out earlier this week wearing loose-fitted denim, and it was all the incentive the internet needed to give their skinny jeans a rest day. “It was time for something new,” says Katrina Klein, co-founder of the label ASKK NY and the first denim designer for both Rag & Bone and J Brand, of the rise of relaxed-fit pants. “The feeling of putting on a good loose pair of jeans after years of constantly putting on a restricting jean is refreshing. And it’s corny but true: When you feel good, you look good.” High-waisted with holes in the knees, Hadid’s Danielle Guizio vintage jeans sat somewhere between a straight-leg boot cut and a roomy pair of JNCOs. (Remember those?) Hadid paired her pants with a white T-shirt, a blazer, blue sunglasses, and the one thing that’s most crucial to pulling off the trend, according to Klein. “Loose-fitting jeans are all about attitude,” she says. Photo: Getty Images/Gotham/GC Images Not to be confused with boyfriend jeans, “these new loose shapes are built for women and offer her something different,” says Klein. “The cut and shapes are different. Boyfriend jeans are inspired by a men’s jean, tweaked for a woman.” Alternatively, loose-fit jeans are designed with the female figure in mind. They sit higher on the waist and the leg tapers toward the ankle, making them feel less baggy, but still relaxed.
Why does anxiety seem to get even worse at night?
November 08, 2018 at 01:32PM Being all cozied up at home in some silky PJs with a cup of chamomile tea in hand should be the ultimate safe space from anxiety. You’re far away from your boss, you’re no longer dealing with impatient commuters, and you don’t have anyone to answer to but yourself (i.e. your email is finally out of service for the night). So why do you feel more anxious now than you did all day long? It seems like the complete opposite of how anxiety should work, but that’s kind of the hallmark of dealing with it, right? You never know when it’s going to strike. As it turns out, anxiety being minimal during the day then coming in like a ton of bricks once you’re winding down at night is a super-common experience. “It’s the first time of the day when no one is asking you any questions or you’re trying to complete a task. It’s when you’re first alone with your thoughts, and the entire day’s worth of thoughts come into your mind, which causes a level of anxiety,” clinical psychologist Michael Breus, PhD, tells me. So sure, it’s totally normal—just not much fun!—to lay in bed sweating about any and every worry you held off during the day. But how are you actually supposed to wind down and get some shut-eye with all those thoughts hovering over you? To combat the anxiety—and even any physical symptoms that arise, like heavy breathing, a rapid heart rate, and chills—it helps to
The top 5 self-care practices we want RBG to do while she’s on the mend
November 08, 2018 at 11:51AM If there’s anyone to strive to be like in this world, it’s Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. At 85, the two-time cancer survivor, scrunchie-loving fitness planking queen, and—no NBD—oldest serving member on the bench has never not been a #girlboss. Like, not even in the ’50s when she became a lawyer at a time when no women were lawyers. But right now, for the first time in her life, she has to slow down. At least for a little while. According to CNN, Ginsburg fractured three ribs last night after a fall in her office—something, in true RBG-fashion, she described as “discomfort” before going to get treatment. Even though she most definitely hates every single second of being on the mend, she’s gotta take it easy while she heals up—not just for her, but for all of us: She’s basically the only beacon of hope and strength we have to get through this year. To make sure she’s back on the bench in tip-top shape again soon, it’s time for her to prioritize her own care over her constant care of the nation—and these are the practices she should start with. Dear, RBG: Please do these self-care practices so you can feel better again soon. View this post on Instagram Preparing to run to the polls tomorrow like ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀ ⠀ #VOTE #ElectionDay #EqualityForAll #Repost @participant A post shared by RBG (@rbgmovie) on Nov 5, 2018 at 3:53pm PST //www.instagram.com/embed.js 1. Drink a golden milk latte for great sleep “The fastest
What the historic midterm election results *really* mean for the future of women’s health care
November 07, 2018 at 04:13PM Let’s be real: Between the recent spate of mass shootings, reports of racially motivated voter suppression, and a new legislative proposal that seeks to narrow the very definition of gender, we Americans have a lot on our minds right now. But of all the issues influencing our choices in the 2018 midterm elections, health care was top of mind—an AP poll conducted in the run-up to Election Day found voters consider it the most important issue facing the nation, a sentiment that’s particularly strong among Democrats. So now that that the ballots have been counted and the Dems have officially reclaimed control of the House of Representatives, you’re probably wondering what’s next when it comes to issues relating to your own health. Is Roe v Wade still endangered? Is Planned Parenthood’s funding safe now? And what about pre-existing conditions—will the Trump administration actually be able to do away with protections afforded to them under the Affordable Care Act, as recently proposed? While a lot of these answers still remain to be seen, below are a few of the election results that indicate how things could play out in the years to come along with some of the most significant state-level decisions made, affecting everything from abortion rights to drugstore shopping lists. We’ve got more women representing us—and our bodies—than ever before One of the biggest midterm wins was the fact that more than 100 women are heading to Congress in 2019—the largest number in history. Forty of these
Color me intrigued: A new hotel lets you pick your room according to your mood
November 06, 2018 at 04:18PM When you check into the Angad Arts Hotel in St. Louis, Missouri, after you choose between a queen- or king-size bed, you can choose between happiness and tranquility. Or maybe passion is more your speed… The 146-room hotel, which opened earlier this month, is bursting with color. And the choice isn’t purely for aesthetic reasons: The hoteliers want the rooms’ decor to match—or influence—your mood. “We realized the experience of being in a room that’s all blue or all red is going to have a different effect on the guest,” Steve Smith, CEO, told Travel + Leisure. “If we were going to saturate the rooms with color, why not promote the emotions?” There are four colors in the hotel’s palette: yellow to boost happiness, blue to inspire tranquility, red to ignite passion, and green to encourage rejuvenation. View this post on Instagram Come and get rejuvenated November 1st A post shared by Angad Arts Hotel (@angadartshotel) on Oct 16, 2018 at 2:46pm PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js But is this a gimmick, or can soaking in a blue bathtub really make you feel extra Zen? “Color has a very strong impact, as our color choices are a reflection of what we need emotionally,” color therapy expert Walaa AlMuhaiteeb, founder of Walaa’s Color Ways, tells me. “The color of our spaces tell us how to live in this space, so a blue space will tell us to relax and let go and even have lovely laid-back conversations. A red room would bring
You can stop searching for buffalo plaid because we’ve found the season’s best pieces
November 06, 2018 at 12:41PM Flannel is the unofficial fabric of fall. And of all the ways to cozy up to the soft-woven material, buffalo plaid might be the most popular. Don’t believe me? Searches for the checked pattern surged 417 percent on Pinterest recently, and that’s a whole lot of people on the lookout for the oversized gingham print. So many, in fact, I’d guess that they can’t all be lumberjacks…or hipsters Whoever you are, people, your hunt is over because we’ve wrangled the top ways to wear buffalo plaid this season. To start, there’s the classic flannel shirt, which really hasn’t changed much since Woolrich introduced the print in the 1850s. Everything they say about not messing with a good thing applies here—with one exception: This season, button downs benefit from strategic tailoring that’ll make it easier to French tuck or full-on stuff your shirt into your waistband without the extra bulk of a boyfriend shirt. So, do yourself a favor and buy a slim-fitted style like this one from Old Navy ($25)…then steal your actual S.O.’s for the days you don’t feel like being quite so put together. Photo: Old Navy Can’t bring yourself to dress like Paul Bunyon? Madewell’s got you. They’ve put a more modern twist on the checked pattern with a short-sleeve, slightly boxy courier shirt ($74). (In case you were wondering, it’s totally fine to wear it whether you’re couriering anything or not.) Plus, judging by the number of five-star reviews and people
Five ways to stop the seasonal blues from taking over
November 06, 2018 at 12:00PM The days are short, the skies are dark… and it can be incredibly hard to keep your spirits up. But, says W+G Council member and Mama Glow founder Latham Thomas, the way to successfully cope is to embrace your feelings and nurture yourself. Tomorrow in Brooklyn, she will be be part of In My Feelings, a mental health and self-care circle featuring Claire Fountain and sponsored by Saje Wellness. Autumn is a magical time of year, but the chilly weather and lack of sun can take their toll. As the season changes and the days get shorter, it’s easy to feel lonely, down, and low-energy. Whether you call it seasonal affective disorder or just the seasonal blues, these feelings can be a lot to handle. But guess what: They’re not weird at all, and nothing is wrong with you. These are normal aspects of a person’s life as we move through seasons. This is why it’s so important to have hands-on tools that you can use to remind yourself to engage in a self-care practice. Here, I’m not talking about just yourself—I’m talking about the community around you. Whether it’s a sister, a friend, or someone you’ve just met, this is an opportunity to engage your community with intention. Look out for each other. Here are some ways to help yourself feel better when SAD is nipping at your heels. Photo: Stocksy/Marco Govel Listen to your body and mind I’m someone who’s always cold, so
This straight-up magical child’s pose variation quells period cramps *and* banishes bloat
November 06, 2018 at 11:45AM Child’s pose is one of those ooey-gooey asanas that even non-yogis can get on board with. I mean, what other opportunities do you get in life to curl up in a ball and feel all your feelings? Even if you’re 100 percent here for the super calming posture already though, there’s one variation you might not know about yet that helps sooth period cramps and banish bloat. The modification, which involves balling your fists and placing them on your mid-section between your lower ribs and hip bones before folding into child’s pose, is kind of like a massage for the organs in your torso. “If there is inflammation in the reproductive area or digestive organs, applying light pressure can help release stagnant energy that leaves you feeling bloated,” says yoga teacher and physical therapist Lara Heimann. “In child’s pose, you are able to access that area in a more relaxed state.” //players.brightcove.net/4872551774001/default_default/index.min.js At first, the move might feel a little uncomfortable. But as more inhales and exhales pass, you’ll start to feel more at home in the posture. Bring it on, Thanksgiving bloat. To get more stretching intel, join use for our Well+Good Retreat in Miami. Email experiences@wellandgood.com to book your spot. Continue Reading… Author Kells McPhillips | Well and Good Selected by iversue
What to do *instead of* taking deep breaths to treat an anxiety or panic attack
November 06, 2018 at 10:00AM Mental-health issues are becoming less stigmatized and easier to talk about by the day, especially with celebs getting real about their personal struggles. Still, articulating the experience of having conditions like depression or anxiety can seem confusing or even impossible, so larger scale conversations about defining, then researching and treating them can likewise suffer. A product of this plagues panic disorders, a condition that the Anxiety and Depression Association of America reports effects 2 to 3 percent of the national population each year, despite many of these people not even knowing what they’re battling is treatable. Both anxiety and panic attacks can feel like having a heart attack, says therapist and social worker Scott Dehorty, executive director of a mental-health treatment facility: They can bring about dizziness, loss of balance, increased heart rate, nausea, chest discomfort or pain, choking sensation, and sweating. If you find yourself experiencing this scary laundry list of no-fun symptoms, you’ve likely been told (maybe even by yourself!) to try to calm down and take deep breaths. But that might not be the only course of action. Psychologist and Mindsail expert Carder Stout, PhD, says the best breathing technique during these attacks is to “take medium, regulated breaths, inhaling through your nose and exhaling with your mouth” since both deep and shallow breaths pose their own issues. Deep breaths have been thought to exacerbate the problem by elongating the hyperventilation that commonly occurs during an attack. Alternatively, Dr. Stout says breathing too shallowly “can cause a feeling