June 04, 2019 at 11:50AM by CWC What is clear from hours spent hunched over my computer and doing some pro-level slouching while relaxing at night is this: My posture sucks for the majority of the day, resulting in pain and knots in my lower back. While the aches can be combated through certain exercises, my favorite way to help stretch things out involves nothing more than mat and a handful of yoga twists. “Twisting poses will help restore your spine’s natural range of motion and stimulate circulation,” writes Julie Gudmestad, physical therapist and yoga teacher. “Many people lose full spinal rotation in the course of living a sedentary lifestyle. If you don’t lengthen the muscles, tendons, ligaments, and connective tissues to their full length at least a few times a week, they will gradually shorten and limit the nearby joint’s mobility.” According to Gudmestad, practicing yoga twists regularly will help prevent these problems from occurring, as well as improve how your body feels and moves every day. Basically, they’re just as important as your workouts, and reaping the benefits doesn’t require nearly as much time. Whether you stick with simple spinal twists for a few minutes or follow along with in-depth restorative videos, these are the best options on YouTube to help you beat your back pain for good. Try these 6 yoga twist videos for the ultimate lower back pain relief: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PgQaILIiyO0] 1. If you only have 10 minutes In this video, you’ll be taken through a series
Category: Yoga
If you’re struggling with knee pain, pay attention to your treadmill incline
June 04, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC As much as I love running, I know a number of people who refuse to do it for a number of reasons. Some people say that they simply don’t like it, others prefer lower-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates, and then there are those who don’t run because they have knee pain. I get it, it’s not for everyone. But since running and walking are pretty foundational movements in fitness, I bring good news: If the high-impact motions make your knees hurt, Precision Running—the new running studio in New York, based off of the Equinox class—instructor and founder David Siik says that you can use your incline to help lessen the impact on your knees. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience,” says Siik. “The other bonus is a little extra work on your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, and really improving strength.” And it’s not like you have to hike Everest (bless up for that) to reap the benefits on your treadmill. “While there’s no perfect incline for every body type, the one to three percent incline range is a great place to run for those with knee issues or recovering from a knee injury,” says Siik. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience for those with knee issues.” —David Siik Corinne Croce, physical therapist and co-founder of Body Evolved, pretty much
If you’re struggling with knee pain, pay attention to your treadmill incline
June 04, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC As much as I love running, I know a number of people who refuse to do it for a number of reasons. Some people say that they simply don’t like it, others prefer lower-impact workouts like yoga and Pilates, and then there are those who don’t run because they have knee pain. I get it, it’s not for everyone. But since running and walking are pretty foundational movements in fitness, I bring good news: If the high-impact motions make your knees hurt, Precision Running—the new running studio in New York, based off of the Equinox class—instructor and founder David Siik says that you can use your incline to help lessen the impact on your knees. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience,” says Siik. “The other bonus is a little extra work on your glutes, quads, hamstrings, and calves, and really improving strength.” And it’s not like you have to hike Everest (bless up for that) to reap the benefits on your treadmill. “While there’s no perfect incline for every body type, the one to three percent incline range is a great place to run for those with knee issues or recovering from a knee injury,” says Siik. “Adding incline reduces certain forces acting on the knees, which can create a much more comfortable experience for those with knee issues.” —David Siik Corinne Croce, physical therapist and co-founder of Body Evolved, pretty much
9 healthy, minimally processed packaged snacks because eating on the go happens—a lot
June 04, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC As much joy as family dinners and meals out with friends can be, we are a culture of snackers. We eat protein bars while walking to work. We drink our vegetables in smoothie form in the car. We snack while we cook dinner—and again after dinner too (or is that just me?). And even if your Sunday meal prep game is on point, it’s nearly impossible to be so masterful at advance planning that you’ll never been in a situation where you just need a snack like, right now. And in those situations, your only option is processed food—essentially a dirty word in wellness. The legal, official definition of a processed food is “any food other than a raw agricultural commodity and includes any raw agricultural commodity that has been subject to processing, such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydration, or milling.” So basically, if it’s not a raw food in the produce aisle, it’s been processed in some way to get to that grocery shelf. Diets high in processed foods are linked to poor health outcomes, including unwanted weight gain and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and early mortality. But it’s also important to note that some foods are more processed than others: A snack bar with a long ingredients list that includes artificial flavorings and oils (or, ahem, an order of chicken nuggets at your fav fast food joint) are inherently more processed than just a bag of salted peanuts—and thus not are
9 healthy, minimally processed packaged snacks because eating on the go happens—a lot
June 04, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC As much joy as family dinners and meals out with friends can be, we are a culture of snackers. We eat protein bars while walking to work. We drink our vegetables in smoothie form in the car. We snack while we cook dinner—and again after dinner too (or is that just me?). And even if your Sunday meal prep game is on point, it’s nearly impossible to be so masterful at advance planning that you’ll never been in a situation where you just need a snack like, right now. And in those situations, your only option is processed food—essentially a dirty word in wellness. The legal, official definition of a processed food is “any food other than a raw agricultural commodity and includes any raw agricultural commodity that has been subject to processing, such as canning, cooking, freezing, dehydration, or milling.” So basically, if it’s not a raw food in the produce aisle, it’s been processed in some way to get to that grocery shelf. Diets high in processed foods are linked to poor health outcomes, including unwanted weight gain and increased risk of cardiovascular disease and early mortality. But it’s also important to note that some foods are more processed than others: A snack bar with a long ingredients list that includes artificial flavorings and oils (or, ahem, an order of chicken nuggets at your fav fast food joint) are inherently more processed than just a bag of salted peanuts—and thus not are
13 minimalist brands that make getting dressed the easiest thing you’ll do all day
June 03, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC Imagine opening up your closet to find a calming sea of neutrals, each of which you can pull off the hanger, pair with literally anything else in your wardrobe, and head out for the day. Such is the beauty of creating a minimalist wardrobe, which will not only keep you looking endlessly chic (peep the #minimalistoutfit hashtag on Instagram for inspo and proof), but will also shave significant time off of your morning routine. You know those cool-looking women who are always outfitted in some stunning combination of grey, black, white, and camel? Well, with the help of these minimalist clothing brands, that could be you. The allure of a minimalist wardrobe comes in its simplicity. You know that every item in your wardrobe matches, and don’t have to stress about finding things that go together. Plus, just because getting dressed can be easy doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be boring. You can add a pop of color to your neutral palette by way of a scarf (a la leopard print, maybe?), or dress things up with some structured metal earrings. Whether you have $10 to spend or $100, scroll through for 17 minimalist clothing brands to keep on your radar. And be prepared to never say “Ugh, I have nothing to wear” again. View this post on Instagram Win your summer essentials. Share how you wear COS by posting a photo on Instagram and tagging @cosstores in the image, along with #COSEssentials,
13 minimalist brands that make getting dressed the easiest thing you’ll do all day
June 03, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC Imagine opening up your closet to find a calming sea of neutrals, each of which you can pull off the hanger, pair with literally anything else in your wardrobe, and head out for the day. Such is the beauty of creating a minimalist wardrobe, which will not only keep you looking endlessly chic (peep the #minimalistoutfit hashtag on Instagram for inspo and proof), but will also shave significant time off of your morning routine. You know those cool-looking women who are always outfitted in some stunning combination of grey, black, white, and camel? Well, with the help of these minimalist clothing brands, that could be you. The allure of a minimalist wardrobe comes in its simplicity. You know that every item in your wardrobe matches, and don’t have to stress about finding things that go together. Plus, just because getting dressed can be easy doesn’t necessarily mean it has to be boring. You can add a pop of color to your neutral palette by way of a scarf (a la leopard print, maybe?), or dress things up with some structured metal earrings. Whether you have $10 to spend or $100, scroll through for 17 minimalist clothing brands to keep on your radar. And be prepared to never say “Ugh, I have nothing to wear” again. View this post on Instagram Win your summer essentials. Share how you wear COS by posting a photo on Instagram and tagging @cosstores in the image, along with #COSEssentials,
Not only is laughter super-contagious, but it also boosts endorphins
June 03, 2019 at 09:12AM by CWC There are few things I love more than a good, senseless giggle epidemic—you know, the contagious laughter that starts when one patient zero pronounces quiche as “kweesh” at brunch. And that cackle fit, though unquestionably silly, makes sense—something objectively funny-ish happened. But what about the case of when, say, your co-worker starts snickering at at something on their computer screen, and though only they can see it, the whole team ends up in hysterics? It seems that sometimes we start laughing simply because someone else is laughing—which might make it the most joyful communicative disease around…could it be? The short answer here is a loud, cackling yes that the giggles are contagious. One 2006 study by researchers from the University College London and Imperial College London found this is because positive sounds, such as laughter, tend to trigger a response in the premotor cortical region, i.e., the part of our brain that reacts to sound. When we see our toddler niece giggle while watching Moana, for example, the premotor cortical region tells us to smile, and smiling makes us think we’re about to laugh. That phenomenon then compounds with an innate, primitive urge reflex to mimic each other’s emotions. But wait, there’s more: “Another [person’s] laughter can certainly jump-start one’s own seemingly uncontrollable laughter when you are on the same page as someone (same sense of humor), need a release yourself, or enjoy the inappropriateness more than the actual humor,” says clinical psychologist
Not only is laughter super-contagious, but it also boosts endorphins
June 03, 2019 at 09:12AM by CWC There are few things I love more than a good, senseless giggle epidemic—you know, the contagious laughter that starts when one patient zero pronounces quiche as “kweesh” at brunch. And that cackle fit, though unquestionably silly, makes sense—something objectively funny-ish happened. But what about the case of when, say, your co-worker starts snickering at at something on their computer screen, and though only they can see it, the whole team ends up in hysterics? It seems that sometimes we start laughing simply because someone else is laughing—which might make it the most joyful communicative disease around…could it be? The short answer here is a loud, cackling yes that the giggles are contagious. One 2006 study by researchers from the University College London and Imperial College London found this is because positive sounds, such as laughter, tend to trigger a response in the premotor cortical region, i.e., the part of our brain that reacts to sound. When we see our toddler niece giggle while watching Moana, for example, the premotor cortical region tells us to smile, and smiling makes us think we’re about to laugh. That phenomenon then compounds with an innate, primitive urge reflex to mimic each other’s emotions. But wait, there’s more: “Another [person’s] laughter can certainly jump-start one’s own seemingly uncontrollable laughter when you are on the same page as someone (same sense of humor), need a release yourself, or enjoy the inappropriateness more than the actual humor,” says clinical psychologist
A derm finally calls BS on that whole “bikini waxes get easier” thing
May 31, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC The other week, I decided it was time to get back into the habit of bikini waxing. I just feel better when my bikini area is trimmed back, and I was really fed up with having to shave. For some reason I am unable to master the technique of bikini line shaving (it’s not just me!), and I always end up with painful, itchy, red bumps wherever the razor has touched. I remembered that waxing was uncomfortable, but I had forgotten just how painful it can actually feel (read: worse than the pain of your favorite TV show making some very questionable narrative choices in the series finale). But, as with the aforementioned TV show, I persisted. As I was lying there, I kept repeating to myself: The more you do it, the less it hurts. I clung to that mantra during the darkest moments of my waxing appointment. Because, as you’ve probably heard, bikini waxes supposedly get less painful the more frequently you get them. This got me through the appointment, but is it actually true? Something about it…feels like a lie? Not a malicious one, but like one we tell ourselves so that we feel better about something. Like, I’m never going to drunk text my toxic ex ever again because I deleted him from my phone (even though I have his number memorized). So I set out to see if this was just a thing we tell ourselves to make