June 19, 2019 at 09:59AM by CWC I’m one of those people who gets totally eaten up by mosquitos within minutes of stepping outside. I don’t know if it’s because of my blood type or because “I’m so sweet,” as my mom says, but it’s safe to say I’m not a fan of bug bites that cause itchiness for days. Since making an X with my fingernails stopped working after the second grade, I’ve been left trying to find other ways to deal with itchy skin from bug bites. While there are plenty of creams you can pick up at the pharmacy, there are plenty of home remedies for bug bites that banish itchiness the natural way and work just as well. “There’s no need for topical steroids, calamine lotion, or Benadryl,” says dermatologist Keira L. Barr, MD, founder and chief wellness officer of Resilient Health Institute. “Just look in your kitchen for some ‘in a pinch’ skin relief for bug bites.” From frozen popcorn kernels (yes, really!) to baking soda, these are the best natural itch-relieving solutions you’ll find. ad_intervals[‘401807_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401807_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); 5 home remedies for bug bites that promise quick itch relief 1. Oatmeal bath You know how oatmeal baths are a must when you come into contact with poison ivy? It’s also a soothing—and super relaxing!—way to help with itchiness from bug bites. Especially if you have them all over your body. “Colloidal oatmeal is simply oats
Category: Relaxation
Here’s why taking a cold shower might boost your metabolism
June 18, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC When we first heard of a report that hot showers can slow metabolism, it caused a bit of an uproar. After all, what’s better than a long hot shower (or bath) at the end of a stressful day? It’s basically an advertisement for the whole self-care movement. Surely there can’t be anything bad about a steamy shower, right? Metabolism, the process by which your body converts what you eat into energy, is affected by everything from fiber intake to quality of sleep. But the temperature of the water when you take a shower? I reached out to New York-based gastroenterologist and internist Niket Sonpal, MD, to fact check the claim. “Hot showers are great for relaxing muscles and clearing sinuses, but they aren’t helpful—or harmful—to your metabolism,” says Dr. Sonpal. “After meals, try to wait at least an hour before heading into the shower. Like swimming, showering can slow down digestion as blood is flowing to other parts of the body.” ad_intervals[‘401877_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401877_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “Cold showers, on the other hand, make it so that your body has to heat up to regulate its temperature,” he says. When you’re cold, your body shivers in order to warm itself up, which requires energy (aka burning calories). Such a boost in your metabolism is one of the benefits of a cold shower, which can help with weight management, says Dr. Sonpal. In this case, Dr. Sonpal says
You really gotta step out of your comfort zone already—here’s how to actually do it
June 18, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Whether or not you realize it, you probably have a comfort zone you like to stay in. Maybe you follow the same routine at the gym, or you gravitate toward a certain type of person when it comes to dating. Or maybe you’ve been in the same job for ages, but just the thought of doing something else is enough to make you break out into a cold sweat. Whatever it is, your comfort zone can be simultaneously comfortable and limiting. It’s your safe haven—the spot where you feel the most protected, free to be yourself, and uninhibited. And even if you fancy yourself an adventurous type, you probably have one—which is totally normal. Why people form their own comfort zone “Comfort zones are safe, protected, stress-free, and low-risk. They keep stress and depression away,” says licensed clinical psychologist John Mayer, PhD, author of Family Fit: Find Your Balance in Life. Basically, when you’re in your comfort zone, you feel at home. ad_intervals[‘399542_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘399542_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); And, for similar reasons as why it feels so good to cancel plans and stay in, many of us feel the most comfortable being at home, where we know exactly what to expect. “We are creatures of habit, and habits allow us room to relax and avoid things and situations that are needlessly stressful,” says licensed clinical psychologist Alicia H. Clark, PsyD, author of Hack Your Anxiety. “We are creatures of habit,
9 moves to strengthen the part of the body most of us neglect—but shouldn’t
June 18, 2019 at 01:05PM by CWC There’s some thing about squatting low and hitting some donkey kicks that’s oh so satisfying. And nothing makes me feel stronger than burning out my back with (assisted) pull-ups and battle ropes. Come to think of it, I truly enjoy working every muscle group—except when it comes to chest exercises. Strengthening my pecs isn’t exactly a top priority, and I would rather do 5,668,6748 things other than a bench press. And I know I’m not alone. “I think that the constant fear from women when it comes to weight lifting or working the ‘manlier’ parts of their body like the pectoral muscles or the biceps is that they will end up looking too masculine,” says Cassey Ho, the powerhouse behind Blogilates. “Women have been taught to believe that tiny waists and curvy hips are the most desirable thing on a woman’s frame, so that is what we put so much effort towards sculpting those parts of our bodies.” ad_intervals[‘401839_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401839_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); And according to Kara Levine, director of pilates at Flex Studios, avoiding chest exercises is a big mistake. “It’s not a great idea to skip working out certain body parts because that can create muscle imbalances which lead to injury,” Levine says. “Working all the muscles in the torso—chest, back, abdominals—is important to build and maintain great posture, reduce likelihood of neck and back injuries, and help improve breathing.” Working your pectoral
A coffee-cup reader taught me how to see images, messages, and meaning in my mug
June 18, 2019 at 08:24AM by CWC With my Greek relatives being long gone, all I have left to speak for my heritage is my tasseography abilities (which refers to reading coffee cups, tea leaves, sometimes, wine sediments). And a bunch of gold costume jewelry. And 14 photo albums. And a family-heirloom hookah. (Okay, I come from a long line of hoarders, so I’m not lacking in physical relics.) But, to get back to cultural practices, I only have faint memories of the coffee fortune-telling practice my aunt, theía Georgia, taught me. As such, properly learning tasseography, or reading coffee cups for fortunes in the grounds, is a twofold desire for me: It’s both a means to connect with my Greek heritage and my current Brooklyn community, because since all my friends do tarot, knowing a different woo-woo fortune-telling practice will really resonate and also feel all my own. To brush up on my skills, I met with Turkish coffee messenger Sema Bal, the wise and wonderful cup reader of 30 years, infamously featured on that episode of The Real Housewives of New York. ad_intervals[‘393586_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘393586_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); First, the specifics about reading coffee cups: Tasseography requires a thicker Mediterranean coffee, which is brewed differently than your go-to Starbucks order. To make it, scoop the concentrated grounds into a Turkish coffee pot, and add in the water you measure by the cup. To make it sweet, add a cube or two of
The foam rolling technique an orthopedic surgeon swears by for hip pain
June 17, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC I used to think hip pain was only something cute little old ladies complained about. But if you’re glued to a desk all day at work, you’re probably familiar with. Spending that much time planted in a chair in front of your laptop surely helps you achieve your career goals, but it doesn’t do any good for your body. Luckily, one expert says combating hip pain with a foam roller is easier than you think. The causes of hip pain are many, says New York City-based orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine expert Steven Struhl, MD. Sometimes it’s from tight hip flexors that become stiff from being in a seated position for long periods of time, and other times it’s from running, sprains, and strains. Whatever the case may be, dealing with hip pain isn’t fun, and grabbing your trusty foam roller is a simple and effective way to fix it. “In a nutshell, foam rolling smooths out your fascia—connective tissue that binds and stabilizes your muscles—and is similar to giving yourself a deep tissue massage,” Dr. Struhl says. “Foam rolling is able to release knots or trigger points in muscles and connective tissue, which cause pain. Similarly, it’s able to increase blood flow in the muscles, help with recovery, and enhance joint mobility.” ad_intervals[‘400805_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘400805_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Dr. Struhl says the best way to go about relieving hip pain with a foam roller is
How to score a first class flight upgrade at a fraction of the cost
June 17, 2019 at 01:13PM by CWC Several months ago, a booking error landed me in first class for the very first time in my life. As we soared over the clouds, the flight attendant served me a warm bowl of assorted nuts, refilled my coffee on the five-minute mark (bless her soul), and read the mile-high dinner menu with the enthusiasm of a French sommelier describing the fermentation process of a fine Cabernet Sauvignon. All my stress melted away as I drifted off to sleep in deeply reclined leather seat. I landed relaxed and ready to explore my destination. Now that a coworker has let slip her inside secret for upgrading on the cheap, I know how to fly first class without giving an arm and a leg. If you, too, would like to inch ever-closer to the front of the plane, get bidding. More than 50 airlines—including Virgin Atlantic, Lufthansa, Air Canada, and Swiss—send follow-up emails after fliers book their travel itineraries inviting them to upgrade to first or business class for a fraction of the price, reports Forbes. Simply click on a link they send you, enter the amount you’re willing to pay, and they’ll notify you if you’re the lucky winner. In the case of my colleague, she bumped herself to the premium class of a Norwegian flight from Amsterdam to New York City for a mere $150. ad_intervals[‘401558_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401558_div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-6934292-3’);}); } }, 100); Not sure what to bid?
This 5-minute stretch sequence will have you doing a split in no time
June 17, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Some people dream of finishing a marathon or executing a pull-up—but I’ve always been fascinated with mastering a full split. As a long-time yogi, former figure skater, and Bring It On superfan, I’ve attempted to stretch my way to a split in the past, but never quite mastered it. Eventually, I figured my lower body just wasn’t naturally flexible enough to execute this cheer-squad staple and gave up. But according to one expert, pretty much anyone can do a split with a little time, patience, and the right conditioning. Not only is a split more accessible than you might think, but it’s a super healthy milestone to aim for, says Kristina Nekyia, founder of Los Angeles flexibility training studio Fit & Bendy. “There are so many benefits to flexibility, because flexibility is all about increasing our ability to move in the world,” says Nekyia, who has a background as a dancer, Pilates instructor, and contortionist. “It requires a very deep knowledge and understanding of your body—you learn something abut yourself through the process.” She adds that flexibility can help make you stronger in pretty much any other fitness endeavor, from running and cycling to surfing and dancing. (And let’s not forget that splits just look fun.) ad_intervals[‘391887_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘391887_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); If you’re new to flexibility training, Nekyia recommends starting with a front split, where one leg is coming out in front of you and
Leg day, or no way? Here’s how to tell if you’re *actually* too sore to work out
June 14, 2019 at 12:10PM by CWC Waking up the day after a particularly grueling workout with a super-sore bod is bittersweet. You’re probably stoked that you #crushedit during your latest sweat sesh, but you’re seriously wondering whether you’re too achy for that tempo run scheduled to start in 30 minutes. Well, according to Victor Romano, MD, an Illinois-based orthopedic surgeon who specializes in sports medicine, discerning whether you should tough it out or opt for a much-needed rest day really comes down to understanding your actual symptoms and how to best treat them. “In general, I recommend having at least one rest day per week,” says Charlee Atkins, founder of Le Sweat. “If you can’t get yourself to fully ‘rest’ for a day, then at least make your recovery active. Meaning, if you feel the need to move, go swimming in the ocean, play tennis, take a walk in the park, [bike] ride around the city.” Occasionally, however, you’ll have to make a judgement call that goes beyond “today is my rest day.” Below, Atkins and Dr. Romano share exactly how to give yourself a quick checkup before ultimately lacing up your sneakers or declaring a self-care workout hiatus for recovery. ad_intervals[‘321046_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘321046_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); Ask yourself these four questions if you think you’re just too sore to hit the gym. Photo: Unsplash/Becca Matimba 1. Is anything swelling up? While Dr. Romano says sore or stiff muscles are A-okay to get you through a workout,
Why this acupuncturist swears by abdominal massage for better digestive health
June 13, 2019 at 08:40AM by CWC Hear the word “massage” and your mind probably goes to getting one on your back or your feet… but abdominal massage is the underrated treatment that more people should be incorporating on the reg. “Abdominal massage is actually a subset of regular or Swedish massage or Western massage,” says Daryl Thuroff, LAc, LMT, acupuncturist, herbalist, and massage therapist at Yinova Center. “There are certain aspects of Thai or Shiatsu massages that also have abdominal work in them, and that can be helpful for a variety of different things.” Trained practitioners such as Thuroff use abdominal massage for three main things, she says: promoting digestion, increasing fertility, and helping with musculoskeletal issues. “It can also be used as a diagnostic tool,” she explains. In acupuncture, she says practitioners massage and feel the organs within the abdominal cavity to look for areas of tension, and to find out if something is “excess or deficient.” ad_intervals[‘398995_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘398995_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); That’s because a lot happens in the belly—it’s where your gut is located, which is central to so many other aspects of your health. “Inevitably, when the belly is stuck, it could lead to inflammation in other areas, water retention, cloudiness of mind… a lot can be happening concurrently,” says Thuroff. “Stress is something that can cause things to get stuck in the middle,” she adds. Basically, you want everything in your abdominal area flowing properly so that you