December 16, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC In a culture that teaches us to intertwine our self-worth with our jobs, getting laid off can have devastating effects. This year alone, hundreds of thousands have been there. Following the first quarter of 2019, outplacement company Challenger, Gray & Christmas announced that job cuts totaled 190,410—the highest quarterly total since 2015’s third quarter. Sadly, the end of the year is looking just as bleak with cuts jumping 20.97 percent between September and October 2019. We can also expect additional layoffs to occur right around the holidays because, according to Fast Company, companies will want a fresh start for the new year and to reach end-of-year numbers. If you’ve recently been laid off, it’s important to remember that you’re not an anomaly, and that it’s normal if you don’t know what to do next (or even right now). To get advice from those who have “been there, done that” when it comes to layoffs, we talked with nine women about what they wish they’d known before being laid off. Though, spoiler alert: Getting let go could end up being for the best. Photo: Catherine Santino Catherine Santino Job then: Staff writer at a digital publication Job now: Freelance writer “The first time [I got laid off], I was completely blindsided, so I would tell myself to stash some money away in case of emergencies—especially since I was working at a startup in such an unpredictable field. That layoff devastated me, financially, and I had to put a hold on my student
Category: Travel
This Greek super ingredient is your next go-to to help with nausea and other stomach problems
December 16, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC For the last 10 years, it seems the term “superfood” was on everyone’s tongue (and in everyone’s smoothie). But those superfoods? Fruit with deep blue or vibrant red hues, greens with a hearty, leafy texture, or seeds only found deep in some remote village in Peru. Yet there’s one the world has seemingly missed, although its existence has benefitted and been harvested by Greeks for more than 2,500 years, and first mentioned even centuries before by ancient Greek physicians Hippocrates, Dioscorides, and Galenos. Mastiha is a sap that drips from the pistacia (or mastic) tree and hails from one part of the Greek island Chios, in the northern Aegean Sea near Turkey. The sap (pronounced: mas-tee-ha and also known as mastic) hardens in the shape of semi-translucent waxy tears that somewhat resemble tiny pieces of rock candy, and it has been used for centuries to aid in digestion, stomach issues, skin problems, and more. The resin is traditionally chewed as a gum to freshen breath, as well. “Chios mastiha has a long history of being used as the first natural chewing gum, and that alone is interesting,” says Artemis Kohas, founder of mastihashop in New York, who also notes that it was used as a spice for dishes and a natural remedy for ailments. “Add in that the resin comes from one island on the planet, must be hand-cultivated (making it fair trade), is [currently] run by a cooperative, and has many recognitions
What to expect, cosmically, from the last winter solstice of the decade
December 15, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC By the end of the week, on Saturday, December 21, 11:19 p.m., EST, the sun moves from bold and blunt Sagittarius into stern and stoic Capricorn, heralding the official change of seasons. The northern hemisphere’s winter solstice of 2019 happens when the sun’s most direct light reaches the Tropic of Capricorn. This isn’t because the sun itself is moving, but rather we, on planet Earth, are hurling through space and traveling in a new quadrant of the sky in a new season, relating differently to the sun. In the north, this night marks the longest of the year. And with temperatures dropping, calls increase to get cozy indoors, making winter the ideal time to restore what Traditional Chinese Medicine would refer to as our yin energy. Yin energy is vital to our well being, and nourishing it provides many benefits—it specifically helps to combat the challenges of aging, helping the body to feel supple, restored, and bright. Soon, the length of day will gradually expand as the sun enters a cycle of rebirth. But it’s so important to linger in this moment of darkness while it lasts. Getting quiet and nurturing yourself provides way more long-term energy than another shot of espresso will land you. In fact, more than any other time of year, staying mindful of caffeine consumption now will deeply impact your well-being. This week, specifically, provides the perfect conditions for sleep, so take advantage. Since this cosmic event marks not
8 delicious, gut-friendly snacks that registered dietitians love
December 15, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC Sorry, high-protein everything—we’re all about fiber right now. Why? The nutrient found in foods like fruits, vegetables, beans, and grains, has been linked a whole slew of health benefits from more regular digestion to promoting the health of your gut microbiome. Hell, it can even improve your skin. And unlike protein, most of us aren’t getting enough of it in our diets. That’s where high-fiber snacks come in. They can help you more easily meet your daily fiber quota without feeling like you have to load up all at one meal and risk gastrointestinal distress. Speaking of gut health, here’s the 101 on the topic straight from a dietitian: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpAjl3cFn6A] “Since the standard recommendation of 25 grams for women and 30 grams for men is just an average, it’s helpful to know that the real recommendation is a minimum 14 grams for every 1000 calories consumed,” says Kelly Jones, MS, RD, CSSD, LDN. Adding in fiber to snacks—at least four grams per serving, she says—is an easy way to make sure you’re getting enough each day. But instead of scouring labels all day at the grocery store, we asked a few dietitians to share some of their favorite high-fiber snacks. These picks are sure to keep you and your gut happy. Keep reading for the best high-fiber snacks for optimal gut health. Photo: Courtesy of brand 1. Enlightened Bada Bean Bada Boom Crunchy Broad Beans ($22 for 24) Fiber: 5 grams per serving
8 tried-and-true stress relief products for staying calm in every situation
December 14, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC Even if your home is a Zen respite and your workplace epitomizes what a healthy office can offer, it’s hard to keep your cool 24/7. We dwell in a gloriously effed up burnout culture that overloads us at all times, so emotional and mental exhaustion is the default, and calm is something we work toward. The good news? Stress-relief products exist to help achieve that sense of calm. The less-good news? Plenty of stress-relief products exist to help achieve that sense of calm, so how can you decipher which ones will work best? Truth be told, every person is different, so every person may find different strategies work best for de-stressing. So to take out some guesswork (and expensive trial-and-error-style testing), rounded up below are several standout stress relief products team Well+Good swears by for restoring a sense of calm in the most frazzling of moments. Whether you’re buried under too many assignments at work, more social events than feels manageable, or an irritating number of texts from your mom asking for help on how to send an attachment on an email, there’s something great you can try in order to put yourself at ease. Below, find 8 tried-and-true stress relief products for big-time Zen feels. 1. Lord Jones Royal Oil, $100 While the world may have reached peak CBD-product saturation (thus making room for other cannabinoids to take their turn in the spotlight), this one is still of note for the regal-leaning
This is how quickly skin dries out on a plane compared to on land
December 13, 2019 at 09:30PM by CWC I’ve never taken before-and-after selfies to document my transformation on a plane ride, but I’m sure the results wouldn’t be cute. Airborne conditions don’t exactly set you up to feel (or look) like your best self, and celebrity esthetician Renée Rouleau names dry airplane skin as one of many sky-high plights. “It’s well known that airplane cabins have extremely low humidity [less than 20 percent], which leads to skin dehydration and dryness,” says Rouleau. “That’s because dry air will always seek moisture wherever it can get it, and that means it’s going to take it directly from deep within your skin. If you have a dry skin type, your skin will become drier. And it can even make oily skin oilier because when the skin has no water, it attempts to compensate for the dehydration by producing more oil—which is the last thing that oily skin needs.” Basically, cabin air does zero favors for any type of skin. In fact, New York City-based dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD says dryness is just the start. A plane’s atmosphere can cause a domino effect of skin woes. “Inflammation can promote acne breakouts by blocking your pores. Your skin is at risk for UV light damage on the plane, as you are much closer to the sun at 10,000 feet and UVA light can penetrate right through window glass,” he adds. (So make sure to slather on the sunscreen before your flight.) There’s no need to fret too much,
The sneaky reason your waterproof eyeliner isn’t staying put
December 13, 2019 at 08:26PM by CWC The eternal dilemma: No matter what type of eyeliner I use or how meticulously I apply it, somehow I wind up looking like a sad prom queen every time I leave the house. The worst part is that while people are happy to send me unflattering memes that remind them of my perpetually inky under eyes, they never tell me to actually fix my problem. So, I asked a couple of makeup artists if they could teach me how to do what every pre-teen on YouTube seems to have mastered, and they were kind enough to not only oblige, but also to make me feel better about myself in the process. For starters, Merrady Wickes, a makeup artist and beauty director for Detox Market, assures me this is a common dilemma more than a personal failing, which I appreciate. She blames genetics, which is unexpected but no less welcome. “As a makeup artist, I’ve noticed that those prone to eyeliner smudging typically (though not always) have bone structure that lends itself to this,” she tells me. “Whether it’s a hooded lid, or prominent cheekbones that are prone to being grazed by lashes, some people are just more susceptible to smearing.” Obviously no one can change their bone structure, so I’m stuck with that. When I press her on what I can change, she gives me an interesting and unexpected tip: While it might seem counterintuitive, reaching for waterproof formulas could be making the
5 expert camping tips every aspirational adventurer should bookmark
December 13, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC Cheryl Strayed’s Wild, a 2012 memoir recounting her solo trek along the Pacific Crest Trail, sparked a movement of female outdoor enthusiasts also taking to the trails. Since then, a profusion of diverse, female outdoor influencers and woman-led outdoor groups have been making al fresco adventures more accessible to even the least adventurous among us—myself included. I recently found myself hiking alongside two of these fearless females—photographers Noel Russell and Meghan Young—while exploring Vermejo Park Ranch in New Mexico. All three of us shared a genuine belief in the healing power of the outdoors, but being around these ladies revealed to me a disconnect between that harbored belief and my own experience with getting outdoors. Or, I should say, lack thereof. With each story they shared, I felt increasingly encouraged to solo camp, climb, and hike. So, in the interest of extending that encouragement with other would-be outdoorswomen, I got back in touch with Russell and Young, along with several other outdoors influencers to gather best practices and camping tips for the novice adventurer. If you’re ready to plan your own boundary-pushing, perspective-shifting, heart-opening wilderness trek, allow the following five insights from pros help you make it a more successful one. Pretty soon, you’ll have your own inspirational story to share. 5 camping tips from pros that every novice should bookmark. 1. Get the right gear Stocking up on gear can feel overwhelming thanks to the long list of items (and associated price
6 easy ways to minimize your holiday waste—including gifts, decor, food, and more
December 10, 2019 at 11:00PM by CWC The holidays are a period of excess. Excess eating. Excess traveling. Excess buying. If you look at the actual stats, all that extra consumption is contributing to your carbon footprint in ways that might put a damper on your holiday spirit. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, American households produce 25 percent more waste between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, adding one million tons per week to our landfills (plus enough ribbon to wrap around the entire globe!). That’s a lot of pressure on a planet with finite, dwindling resources. But it’s not only environmental waste that’s a cause for concern. “Looking at economic ramifications, it’s no secret that the holiday season can be an extremely expensive time of year,” says Brent Bell, VP of recycling at Waste Management. “By cutting down and being more mindful with shopping, hosting and gift-giving, you can also give your wallets a breather. Focus on spending special times with family and friends, and giving back to those in need.” With these tips on how to minimize waste during the holidays, you’ll be reducing, reusing, and recycling your way to fulfilled New Year’s resolutions—and a protected planet. Decking the halls Decorations are a huge part of creating holiday cheer, but their materials are not doing the environment any good (especially if you throw them out instead of recycling them properly—oops!). Bell recommends donating older decorations to local charities before buying new ones, or even better, reusing your decorations from
New tech is putting our health data at our fingertips—and our health care in our hands
December 10, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC When the Apple Watch was first announced in late 2014, the general public’s reaction was, basically, “Why?” Why do I need a mini phone on my wrist when my phone is in my pocket? Why do I need to pay $350 (or more) for a step tracker when my Fitbit costs less than a third of that? Now, five years later, the answer is becoming clear: Thanks to rapid advances in technology, the Apple Watch and other wearable fitness trackers aren’t so much mini smartphones as they are personalized health-care devices, arming users with easy-to-digest snapshots of their activity and recovery data in order to optimize their health and wellness. And in 2020, new gadgets, features, and health-care applications for this tech will reach more people than ever before. The smart wearables market is booming—by 2022, it’s estimated to be worth $27 billion, which is double its 2018 value. Market analysis firm CCS Insight projects that 85 million smartwatches will be sold globally in 2019, with the Apple Watch accounting for approximately half of all smartwatch units sold between January and June (the Chinese brand iMoo, Samsung, and Fitbit are second, third, and fourth in sales). In November, Google’s parent company Alphabet threw its weight behind Fitbit, purchasing the step-tracking pioneer for $7.35 per share in cash (the equivalent of about $2.1 billion). That same month, the sleep and activity tracker Whoop secured an additional $55 million in funding for “consumer acquisition, membership