September 07, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC I’m not sure if you play the The Sims 4 like I do, or if you otherwise lead a rich, fulfilling life among people you can’t control, so roll with me here. Sometimes my Sim will start glitching and then promptly begin behaving like a moron, doing things like making garden salads on an endless loop or peeing themselves because they think they’re trapped behind a counter (JUST WALK AROUND THE PERSON IN FRONT OF YOU, OMG). These Sims in distress seem trapped within their self-made states of being overwhelmed, unable to do anything right until you click the option to “Reset Object (Debug).” After a minute of standing still in a state of nothingness, they’ll finally be able to function. Clearly, the Sims could use some tips for how to manage stress, but since I feel like I—a real-life human being—was glitching just the other day, I could use some help in this department too. When I was moving a new roommate into my apartment last month, I was overwhelmed to the point of dysfunction. I couldn’t carry any more trash bags, I couldn’t unpack any more glassware, I was shaking and panicked, overcome with the refrain of “what do I do, what do I do, why can’t I do it.” Nearly paralyzed by the feeling, I did what felt the most reasonable: nothing. I sat in a chair and stared ahead in the silence for 5 or 10 minutes. What I
Category: You and your body
The waterproof headphones that won’t slip during my sweatiest workouts
September 07, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC In case you don’t have a Google alert for “Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson” (as I do), here’s the 411: in late May, the actor-slash-fitness-fanatic released a pair of headphones in partnership with Under Armour and JBL. The Project Rock’s True Wireless Flash earbuds come with all the trappings of sporty ear-wear you see from Apple, Beats, Jaybird, and more. The only real diff? They’re waterproof. Which, to anyone who likes to sweat reads: “will not slide out of your ear canals no matter how many burpees you do.” Upon first opening the packaging of the headphones, two words pop into my head: bad. ass. Each wireless bud displays the image of bull and the punchline “Blood. Sweat. Respect.” is stamped on the packaging like a challenge. If that’s not a slogan, I certainly don’t know what is. As I slip them into the ear, I imagine I’m physically carrying the warrior spirit of The Rock in my eardrums (you know, like a total weirdo). The actor is the closest human equivalent to The Hulk, so I feel mighty as I stride into the gym, open Instagram, and find the strength training video I’ll be relying on for my workout. Once I’ve turned on my training playlist, I wedge the buds into my ears and turn the volume all the way up. (Disclaimer: This is terrible for you eardrums! You should never do it, just sayin’.) Cardi B. sings to me and suddenly I’m
Here’s why you should rate your sexual desire on a scale of 1 to 9
September 07, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC “On a scale from 1 to 9, how turned on are you right now?” Isn’t it always so sweet and considerate when a significant other takes the time to ask you that? Oh, wait… that has never happened to me. And judging by the vast amount of people (specifically women) who just aren’t in the mood, I can’t possibly be alone. Learning to state our needs, and inquire about those of our partner(s), is a skill many of us don’t possess just yet. That’s why the folks over at The Gottman Institute, a research-based group of relationship experts, are strong proponents of rating your desire for sex on a scale of 1 to 9 before things get hot, heavy, and, um, confusing. “Many couples are uncomfortable discussing how to initiate sex and also don’t know how to say, ‘Sorry, I’m not in the mood,’ in a way that doesn’t feel hurtful or rejecting.” —The Gottman Institute “Many couples are uncomfortable discussing how to initiate sex and also don’t know how to say, ‘Sorry, I’m not in the mood,’ in a way that doesn’t feel hurtful or rejecting,” the Gottman Institute posted to Instagram. “It’s also difficult to cope with being turned down.” That’s why sex therapist Lonnie Barbach, PhD, strongly advocates for plowing through the awkwardness of rating your arousal based on a numbers system. On the other side both you and your partner will emerge with a stronger, clearer means of communication.
Meal-replacement shakes are back with a new look—but are they healthy?
September 07, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC I was just a kid when SlimFast meal replacement shakes were popular, but I still remember the commercials. It always involved a svelte looking woman excitedly popping open the can—as if a slice of cake would jump out of it—gulping it down, and leaving a big chocolate milk mustache above her smiling mouth. Back then, I was a big fan of chocolate milk—more of the Nesquik variety—but I still couldn’t understand why someone would want to drink their meal instead of eat it. Then, I grew up, became a Working Girl myself, and understood the concept (kinda). Sometimes, mornings or afternoons were just so crazy that there didn’t seem to be enough time for a proper sit- down meal. Eating on-the-go was necessary, sometimes, and salads aren’t exactly ideal for that. Only meal replacement shakes weren’t popular anymore; protein bars had replaced them. It stayed this way for a long while until 2013 when Rob Rhinehart, a young, hungry (both metaphorically and physically) Silicon Valley entrepreneur decided to take meal replacement to the next level with Soylent, a drink that contains all the nutrients someone needs for the day all in one go. Now, we’ve landed somewhere in the middle of the SlimFast and Soylent mentality: post-protein bar success, food startups like Mēle, Gemini, and Huel, are reinventing the meal replacement shake category with products that have more substance than the ’80s canned options but still left room for eating later in the
Citrus essential oils are mood-boosting superstars—here’s how to use them
September 06, 2019 at 11:15PM by CWC During the summer months, the quickest mood boost comes from stepping outside, basking in the warm sun, and breathing in the fresh air. However, with fall quickly approaching, some extra help might be necessary. The good news is you probably already have exactly what you need hiding in your essential oils collection. Citrus scents—orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and more—are superstars when it comes to boosting your mood. Which, TBH, probably explains why I suddenly feel weirdly happy when I’m cleaning with essential oil-infused disinfectants, even though I’m… you know, cleaning. And there’s a simple explanation for why that magic happens. “The typical fresh and uplifting smell of citruses comes from their main chemical component, d-limonene,” says certified aromatherapist Caroline Schroeder. “Extracted from the fresh fruit rind and usually pressed, citrus essential oils contain up to 97 percent of d-limonene, and studies suggest this component supports the part of the nervous system that’s responsible for relaxation. In other words, it can decrease stress.” There are a handful of different kinds of citrus essential oils, and each is “refreshing, brings energy, and has an uplifting, cleansing effect,” Schroeder says. But different types can make you feel different things. “Lemon is cool and joyful while orange is warm and pampers. And grapefruit boosts energy in an entirely different way,” she adds. A recent study from the University of Sussex even found the scent of a lemon can help boost your self-confidence and body-image. If you want to
How to emotionally prepare yourself to live with a stranger in college
September 06, 2019 at 10:22PM by CWC My sister and I shared a room growing up. Whenever we complained (and, oh, we did so often), my mom said the same thing: “I’m preparing you for college! One day, you’ll thank me.” In a strange twist of fate, I didn’t have a roommate freshman year, and roomed with my best friend from there on out. Later in life, however, I did encounter the odd experience that is moving in with a stranger. (And let’s just say, it didn’t go as well as I’d hoped.) If you, dear student, are about to embark on the adventure of sharing living quarters with someone who you know strictly from their social media presence, this one’s for you. Nowadays, most colleges require students to fill out a comprehensive survey that determines who you’ll be bunking with based on their cleaning, sleeping, and socializing habits. But alas! Personality cannot be boiled down to a 10-minute questionnaire. So to do some of the legwork of getting to know your future roommate, psychologists have some hot tips. Get out your shiny new pens and notebooks and jot this down. (Or, you know, type it out. It is 2019, after all.) How to emotionally prepare for living with a college roommate before you arrive on campus 1. Break the ice with your roommate So the school sent you your future roommates email and you’re ready to reach out and say hello. Here’s how to do it: “Focus on general,
If you can’t touch your toes, try these yoga stretches for flexibility
September 06, 2019 at 09:31PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-_d5hkoIj8] Raise your hand if you felt personally victimized by the Presidential Fitness Test when you were in grade school. Sorry to bring back terrible memories for most of us, but please recall the shuttle (aka bean bag) run (side note: What? Why? So many unanswered questions.), the pull-ups, and the “sit-and-reach” flexibility test. I think the last one was the most scarring for me, as I was definitely not flexible, and I can still picture my classmates watching me as I struggled to touch my toes. Not that there’s anything wrong with any of these activities, it just seems a little, well, mean to have to do that in front of your fellow schoolmates. This may be part of the reason why, even though I have improved my flexibility since then, I’m still a little hesitant to go to yoga. “One of the biggest reactions I always get when I say I’m a yoga teacher is, ‘Ugh I can’t do yoga, I’m not flexible, I can’t touch my toes,’” says yoga instructor Tess Koenig in the latest installment of our Good Moves series. “Yoga is so not about touching your toes.” (Read: yoga is for everyone!) But if you want to improve your flexibility, these stretches can help. Koenig recommends investing in a few props: yoga straps, a blanket, and a block. If you don’t have those, she says you can sub in a book for the block, and use a
The nifty way to transform your old tanks and T-shirts into the ‘it’ workout top of the moment
September 06, 2019 at 07:21PM by CWC I like to think of my tank collection as a scrapbook of sweaty workouts past. In my closet, you’ll find a legit mountain of tops from 10Ks, high school volleyball tournaments, and—yes—mammoth athleticwear names like Lululemon, Athleta, and Adidas. Marie Kondo-ing my T-shirts isn’t an option (sorry not sorry), so to give some of the—let’s say, “shabbier”—garments a glow-up, I’ve designed a system known as the “slit and tie.” Please allow me to explain. If you, like me, enjoy window shopping some of the higher-ticket sportswear companies of today, then you know that tanks and shirts that tie off just above the waste are a thing right now (exhibits A and B). You also know that that, well, that ish ain’t cheap—and you just might end up dropping $60 on not that much fabric for the sake of #fashion. If you’re treating yourself to a fresh outfit that will re-inspire your workouts, then more power to you. (Go! Shop! Sweat!) If your athleticwear drawer is keeping you from staying within your monthly budget, however, consider the slit and tie your way to make everything that’s old in your closet new again. It goes like this: How to make your own tie front tank tops Select the tank you want to makeover and grab a pair of scissors. Cut a 5-8 inch slit in the right side, left side, front, or back of the tank top. (Note: Your slit will be longer or shorter depending
So, is there any real difference between being an introvert and just being rude?
September 06, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC I feel personally victimized by the conceit of this article, which is to point a spotlight on the fact that introversion shouldn’t be called upon as an excuse for being straight-up rude. As someone who’d prefer the guillotine to icebreaker games, “I’m an introvert” is my timeless, grimace-inducing refrain to safeguard me from just about any group gathering that preys on my energy reserves. But though I wouldn’t call myself a social butterfly, I’m also not delusional and do totally realize that many people (me) are guilty of one of the most common introvert problems: unintentionally being disrespectful of other people and their time. But is it possible to lean into your authentic yearnings to honor your JOMO goals without offending everyone you know? Or, in simpler terms, how can I tell the different between being an introvert and being an asshole? “When it comes to being an introvert without being rude, I agree that some people do tend to use being introverted as an excuse,” says clinical psychologist and self-identified introvert Carla Marie Manly, PhD. “In a humorous defense of introverts, extroverts tend to be rude in the same way—not showing up to a party without notice—they just use the ‘I have too much going on’ rather than the introvert card.” Score 1, Team Introvert! “Some people do tend to use being introverted as an excuse…. Extroverts tend to be rude in the same way—not showing up to a party without notice—they
‘I’m a cardiologist, and these are the 5 things I do to keep my heart healthy’
September 06, 2019 at 06:51PM by CWC Here’s a fun fact: the average doctor visit takes 17.5 minutes. That means you have less than 18 minutes to go over your vital signs (weight, blood pressure, temperature, all that jazz), talk through how you’re feeling, and ask your doctor questions before they have to see another patient waiting in the next exam room. Clearly, it’s not often that people have the chance to pick the brain of a doctor—which is why it’s ultra exciting that Jennifer Haythe, MD, director of cardio-obstetrics and internist at NYPH/Columbia, is sharing an inside look at the things she does to keep her heart in tip-top shape. “Cardiovascular disease is the number one cause of death for men and women in this country,” says Dr. Haythe, who is also the co-director of the Women’s Center for Cardiovascular Health at Columbia. “The key to longevity is to take really great care of your heart.” Dr. Haythe explains that your heart is a muscle and, therefore, like your other muscles, it needs to stay in shape. “It’s also intimately connected with your neurological system,” she says. “So your mood and stress levels have a huge impact on how your heart feels.” So what are the heart health tips that a cardiologist actually lives by? See for yourself, straight from Dr. Haythe. 1. Set exercise goals Dr. Haythe loves to run, and says that setting goals for herself, like signing up for a half or full marathon, helps her