August 27, 2019 at 11:17PM by CWC Looking at the glass half full is like sipping the Elixer of Immortality, according to exhaustive research conducted by Boston University School of Medicine over 30 years. I mean you won’t get a full Tuck Everlasting thing going on, but according to the study, being an optimist contributes to “11 to 15 percent longer life span, on average, and to greater odds of achieving ‘exceptional longevity,’” or living to the age of 85 or beyond. This is great news if you’re an optimist. If you’re a pessimist, not so much. Like IMHO, everything is a terrible dumpster fire. (Anyone want to guess which side I’m on?) And is it even possible for me to learn how to be more positive? If you’re wired to be naturally pessimistic but not interested in dying prematurely, are there any strategies to achieve a positive mindset that doesn’t border on delusion? In fact, yes. Here’s how to look on the bright side. ad_intervals[‘418553_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418553_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Consider if a negative thought serves you “Whenever a client is speaking in a negative way about a future event or having a negative prediction, I always encourage them to ask themselves: ‘How is this belief or assumption serving me?’” says psychotherapist Jennifer Silvershein, LCSW. Keeping realistic expectations can be a good protective barrier when it comes to navigating life. If you walk into a job interview thinking an offer is in the
Category: You and your body
8 under-$30 bathing suits you can order now on Amazon and get in time for Labor Day
August 27, 2019 at 11:12PM by CWC Current mood: mourning the end of #HotGirlSummer. It seems like just yesterday we were all anxiously awaiting the first single from Taylor Swift’s new album, and spiked seltzer hadn’t yet overtaken rosé as the official drink of summer. Now, Labor Day Weekend is coming up faster than I can finish the last of the White Claw I bought. And this week, as I looked ahead to the holiday, I found myself combing through my closet and feeling thoroughly unimpressed with all my swimsuit options. Instead of being practical and wearing one of the suits I already have (BORING!), I decided to take to Amazon to see if there were any cute swimsuits I could pad my collection with, and also temporarily soothe my sadness that summer is almost over. Of course, the site delivered. Toast to the end of summer with one of these inexpensive Amazon swimsuits. They’re cute, will cost you less than $30 a pop, and the endorphins you get from hitting the “Buy Now” button will give you the boost you need to make it through the end of the work day. Or maybe that’s just me. Either way, praise be for free two-day shipping. ad_intervals[‘418648_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418648_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Photo: Amazon Wavely Women’s Plus Size Swimsuits Ruffled Flounce Off Shoulder, $28.99 This suit comes in a variety of patterns and colors, but I am partial to this tropical palm leaf print.
Can’t decide between Instant Pot and Air Fryer? Now you don’t have to
August 27, 2019 at 09:43PM by CWC Air fryers and Instant Pots are the Sharks and the Jets of countertop cooking appliances. Ask anyone to choose a favorite, and you’ll get a lengthy explanation of all the reasons that one is better than the other. But there’s really no need to take sides anymore. The Instant Pot is like a slow-cooker but… fast. Just throw stuff in there, and in the blink of an eye it looks and taste like it’s been stewing all day. On the other hand, the air fryer gives virtually any food a satisfying crunch—without all the unhealthy oils and saturated fats used in traditional frying. And that’s just the beginning of what each can do, at least according to literally everyone I know who has one. Both Instant Pots and air fryers seem like healthy cooking tools to me, but I lack something they seem to require: space. My kitchen isn’t exactly sprawling, and I like to keep what counter space I do have clean and clear. So, to decide which one was worth the investment, I posed the question to Cook With Us, a Facebook group created by Well+Good. ad_intervals[‘418618_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418618_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); While there were definite members of Team Instant Pot and Team Air Fryer, several members chimed in with an answer I wasn’t expecting: why not get an appliance that does both? Repeat adulation kept surfacing for the Ninja Foodi ($199), and I
Why lunch is even more important than dinner for healthy eaters
August 27, 2019 at 07:00PM by CWC Let me guess what you did for lunch today: a. Eating it at your desk while catching up on emails b. Getting a sandwich to-go and scarfing it down on a park bench or in the car c. Lunch? Oh, you mean the protein bar in your purse? I wasn’t wrong, was it? Well, you’re not alone with your sad lunch habits. According to a 2018 survey of 2,000 people, 51 percent of respondents said that taking a legit lunch break during the workday is rare or unrealistic for them. Most people’s lunch “break” is less than 30 minutes—and it’s getting shorter. The truth is that once you’re out of school, lunch is an afterthought in American culture. For most workers, the idea of taking a mid-day break to actually sit down somewhere and eat with friends, whether it’s in a cafeteria or at a restaurant, is about as feasible as Twinkies becoming the next superfood. ad_intervals[‘418217_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418217_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); But our collective dismissal of lunch is not doing anyone any favors. Inspired by the impending back-to-school season and all of us getting back into our healthy routines after a summer of travel, we’re here to make the case that lunch is even more important than dinner—and should be given more love and attention than it currently merits now. Your physical and mental health will thank you. A snackable history of lunch in America
Here’s how to train your posture—because yeah, we should all be doing that
August 27, 2019 at 06:48PM by CWC I have a laundry list of items I’d like to “train” myself to do. I think it would be super cool, for example, if I could master the extra-loud, coach whistle using just my fingers. I’d also like to learn how to jump rope without face planting and how to make an omelette that didn’t have the extra crunch of eggs shells. My point is, sigh, we all have pipe dreams that may never become a reality. But thanks to Instagram athlete Hanna Öberg and her suggested exercises for better posture, standing tall no longer has to be one of them. In a recent Instagram post, Öberg shared a four-part training plan designed to target your rounded shoulders. According to the athlete, training an often overlooked muscle is, like, the golden ticket to better posture. And it’s one you probably haven’t even heard of. “Rear delts. Rear delts. REAR DELTS!!” This is your ‘back shoulders’ and a small muscle located on your upper back,” she writes. “By training this […] with a good back workout you can prevent both pain and ’rounded’ posture.” ad_intervals[‘418548_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418548_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); View this post on Instagram WHY YOUR POSTURE IS IMPORTANT PLZ DO NOT forget to leave a LIKE 💚 to support your girly & save for laterrrr HOW TO TRAIN YOUR POSTURE?.. Do you feel “rounded” in your posture? Like your shoulders are front rotated?
How to use the glycemic index to choose the best pre- and post-workout meals
August 27, 2019 at 06:06PM by CWC Even with all the information available on what to eat before and after a workout, it might seem tricky to find the right options to help you power through as well as properly recover. But maybe that’s just because you haven’t looked to the glycemic index yet. The glycemic index essentially ranks foods based on how much of an impact it will have on your blood sugar levels. High GI foods, like white bread and table sugar, can cause a big spike in blood sugar levels, while low GI foods like chickpeas and even chocolate will have a less dramatic effect—which can help with regulating energy and mood. While such food choices are important in your day-to-day life, it can be crucial to your fitness goals, too. We asked a registered dietitian exactly what you should be eating before and after your workouts for the best results, according to the glycemic index. ad_intervals[‘418221_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418221_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); What to eat before workouts While there’s been limited research on the impact of a low-glycemic-index diet on exercise, it could be beneficial for certain types of athletes. “A study in Nutrients on endurance runners eating a high-carb, low-glycemic-index diet for three weeks showed a small, yet significant, improvement in athletic performance for the runners,” says Amy Gorin, MS, RDN, owner of Amy Gorin Nutrition in the New York City area. “Before a hard workout, it’s important to
The best morning routine to set up your day for success, according to your zodiac sign
August 27, 2019 at 06:03PM by CWC Unless you’re one of those genetically blessed short sleepers, mornings can be tough be tough to master. There are so many reasons you might not feel ready to take on the day, whether it’s morning anxiety, the still-sleepy effects of insomnia, or something else. If you suspect a health condition may be at play, certainly seek a professional opinion for strategies to improve your situation, but otherwise, some good, old-fashioned trial and error may be your best play for nailing a healthy morning routine that feels perfectly tailored to you. One factor you may also want to consider? How your zodiac sign may influence and inform the best way to set up all your days for success. According to astrologer Kyle Thomas, each zodiac sign has a specific strength and energy, and the right healthy morning routine can help to productively propel a person’s day forward. “By focusing on these specific ways to harness their strengths, each sign will be able to optimize both productivity and morning mindfulness,” he says. Below, check out Thomas’s recommendations for the best way to start your day, astrologically speaking. ad_intervals[‘418202_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘418202_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Below, find the best healthy morning routine for your zodiac sign, according to an astrologer. Graphics: Well+Good Creative/Abby Maker Aries: morning exercise “Ruled by Mars, Aries is an active and feisty zodiac sign,” says Thomas. “These excited rams need to get their bodies moving to
This is exactly the order to apply eye makeup to cover up dark circles
August 27, 2019 at 06:00PM by CWC It’s always jarring when you find out that you’ve spent your entire life living a beauty lie. For example, my mind was straight-up blown when a hairstylist told me I should be putting dry shampoo on my brush, instead of directly on my scalp. I was, again, floored when a dermatologist explained that “dry” and “dehydrated” skin were not at all the same thing. Not to get all dramatic (I’m a Gemini, so that’s pretty much inevitable), but these tidbits of information changed my life—or at the very least, changed my beauty routine. One more piece of beauty intel that I recently discovered, and that shook me to my core? I’ve been concealing my under-eye circles the wrong way for my entire life. I’d always (wrongly) assumed that in order to brighten up the space beneath your lash line, you need to apply color corrector, then concealer, then foundation. Then, Charlotte Tilbury makeup artist Tegan Rice stopped by our office and completely flipped what I thought I knew about foundation on its head. Apparently, you’re supposed to put foundation on first, followed by under eye concealer, topped off with color corrector for best results. Um…who knew? ad_intervals[‘415783_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘415783_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); “I’m a huge fan of layering,” confirms makeup artist Molly R. Stern. “So if the under eyes are dark and you’ve already concealed and applied foundation, a touch of color corrector can often be just the
The 2-step test to determine how strong your hair is
August 27, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC When we talk about “good hair days,” we’re usually referring to our hair being perfectly colored, cut, and styled. One thing most of us aren’t thinking about, though, is its strength. That, it turns out, is a mistake. “Having strong hair is an important foundation, which will support styling, coloring, and the overall health of your hair,” explains John O’Brien, a hair color specialist at Antonio Prieto Salon. Strong hair happens when you have a proper balance of protein and moisture levels in your hair. This balance can fall totally out of whack with the help of heat styling and coloring, which is why your hair might start to look brittle and sort of meh if you aren’t giving it the proper care before and after these types of treatments. While simply looking at your hair can give you a good sense of whether or not it’s in solid shape, O’Brien suggests putting strands through a two-part test to see just how strong they actually are. ad_intervals[‘417970_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417970_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Fragility test Start by holding the ends of a section of dry hair up and away from your scalp, and use the fingers on your other hand to gently “brush” the hair back down towards your scalp, and watch how many shorter strands stand out. “It is common to have about 10 percent of shorter pieces—any more than that could indicate a moderate or
The differences between spontaneous and responsive desire may explain why you never initiate sex
August 27, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC It’s always baffled me that my gray, grimy, candy-wrapper-laden couch is the setting for so much of my sexual activity. But recently, I learned about responsive and spontaneous desire, and the differences between them helped to clear up confusion about the goings-on reserved for my literal love seat and also how to get turned on—no matter who you are or what does it for you. “There are two ways that we get turned on and ready for sex: In our heads and in our bodies,” says sex therapist Vanessa Marin, creator of The Passion Project, an online course for couples who have mismatched sex drives. “We need the mental desire for sex, and we need the physical arousal for sex. Desire and arousal sound pretty similar, but they work independently of each other. Sometimes they can even work in opposite directions.” Since this directional component can be tricky to navigate, knowing the difference between spontaneous and responsive desire is helpful for providing clarity about how to get turned on. “If you’re a spontaneous type, you feel the mental desire first, then the physical arousal second,” Marin says. “If you’re a responsive type, you feel the physical arousal first, then the mental desire second.” ad_intervals[‘417423_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417423_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); “If you’re a spontaneous type, you feel the mental desire first, then the physical arousal second. If you’re a responsive type, you feel the physical arousal first,