August 25, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC If I sat and wrote out out all of the benefits associated with exercising, we’d both be here all day. But one more thing that I recently learned can be added to the endless laundry list of “why working out is good for you,” after “building strength,” “boosting your mood,” and “helping with sleep”? It aids in lymphatic drainage. Think of the lymphatic system as a series of pipes that removes toxins and waste from your body. It does the job just fine on its own, but we can do certain things—like getting lymphatic drainage massages or taking certain supplements—to help it move more efficiently. While there’s been a whole lot of conversation around whether or not lymphatic drainage—AKA detoxing your lymphatic system—is totally necessary, that hasn’t stopped people from trying all sorts of things in its pursuits. You can get lymphatic drainage massages, pop certain supplements, and even jade rolling is purported to help with the process. If you’re committed to the cause, these workout moves are said to help, too. ad_intervals[‘416877_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘416877_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); On a trampoline Consider this the most fun way ever to help get your lymph system moving. “Bounce is more effective than other workouts for lymphatic drainage because of the effects of gravity and your body’s muscle contractions while on the trampoline,” says Aly Giampolo, co-founder of the ness, a studio in New York City that offers trampoline
Category: You and your body
6 traits that make Scorpios the most intense and intuitive powerhouses of the zodiac
August 25, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC To all the Scorpios I’ve loved before (and also just regular platonic friends who were born between October 21 and November 23), plain and simple, I would follow you to hell and back. Something about being born amid the crisp air of peak fall, when the world’s still excited about sweater weather and more JOMO nights in, gives people of this zodiac sign a darkly magnetic lure. And if you’re one of them, surely you know it. I know it. So, consider this my love letter to Scorpios of the world and their captivating qualities. Okay, okay, to make this a little less creepy, let me provide some context: I’m a Taurus, and Scorpio is my total opposite on the zodiac wheel—I’ve always been drawn to them. Since so many of my friends are Scorpios, my bank account cringes every year come late October since it’s when I’m annually stockpiling birthday gifts for my most smoldering friends. My first love, in fact, was a total Scorpio. But he was also was a grade-A A-hole who ditched me on prom night…so I won’t derail this love letter to Scorpio personality traits to wax poetic about a romance I had when the hashtag symbol still meant “pound.” That said, his less-than-stellar handling of prom (and our relationship) does reflect a certain Scorpio tendency to avail oneself of traditions, astrologer Emma Toynbee tells me. And, hey, I have to learn to take the good with
Digestion experts name the 4 hallmarks of a perfect poop
August 25, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC People say that perfection is overrated. They’ve clearly never experienced the joys of a satisfying a.m. bowel movement. And, medical professionals agree, a healthy stool is a great indicator that your pipes are in tip-top shape and your body is getting the proper nutrients. But what, exactly, is the Platonic ideal of a poo? A functional medicine doctor and a gastroenterologist give me a checklist for what your poop should look like. 1. It’s brown “The first [thing] is color,” says gastroenterologist Niket Sonpal, MD. “Stool should be consistent in color.” According to the Mayo Clinic, all shades of brown tick this box. Greens, light-colored whites, yellows, black, and reds, meanwhile, all call for a visit to your doctor. If a peek into the bowl reveals a Pantone-style match for the classic poop emoji, you’re one step closer to the perfect plop. ad_intervals[‘417987_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417987_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); 2. It has a “Goldilocks” texture The next poo-criteria has to do with consistency, according to Dr. Sonpal and functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman, MD. At Butt-Con—a real event in New York City that bidet brand Tushy threw last week—Dr. Hyman said a good number two shouldn’t be too hard. “The quality should be not too hard and not too soft—it’s a Goldilocks phenomenon,” Dr. Sonpal elaborates. “You also shouldn’t see any undigested food chronically. It’s fine to see some corn on the way out, but if it’s
Everything you need to know about treating—and preventing—under-eye wrinkles
August 25, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC There are a lot of things that are really fun about getting older: no bedtime, being able to eat ice cream whenever you want, spicy margaritas. But on the other side of this naughty and nice list—right below “paying bills” and “going to work”—you’ll find under-eye wrinkles. I noticed my own “crow’s feet” for the first time earlier this year, at the ripe old age of 28, when a dermatologist pointed them out to me… before offering to inject them with Botox. And while I’ve always known that these fine lines were a natural part of getting older, I couldn’t help but wonder where the heck they came from, and why they suddenly decided to show up. What causes under-eye wrinkles? “The skin around the eye is one of the thinnest areas of skin in the body and is very fragile,” says board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group in Brooklyn. And over time, “the collagen in the dermis of the skin under the eyes breaks down and loses its volume and elasticity. This occurs because of age, sun exposure, genetic factors, and environmental damage.” She adds that people with lighter skin tones are more susceptible to under-eye wrinkles because people with darker skin tones have a greater amount of pigment, which acts as a natural sun protectant and “will prevent an acceleration of collagen breakdown.” ad_intervals[‘417660_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417660_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); The fact
These herbs, flowers, and plants will help make your home an insect-free zone
August 24, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC You know the insect prob has gotten bad when opening a window leads to a whole internal debate: How much fresh air is worth a swarm of gnats moving in? Hmm, maybe if I wear a hoodie and sweats I can sit on the porch with my wine without getting any mosquito bites. Sure, there are workarounds, like setting natural traps on every surface, or gifting every guest who enters your home a complimentary fly swatter. But there’s also an easier—and beautiful—way to ward off bugs: using plants. Home decor that adds greenery and works to repel bugs at the same time is a double win—but it’s important to know which plants are actually up to the job. Here, Paris Lalicata, a customer experience coordinator at garden center marketplace and resource The Sill, shares exactly which ones will work. ad_intervals[‘413836_div-gpt-ad-5443410-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413836_div-gpt-ad-5443410-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-5443410-3’);}); } }, 100); Herbs that repel bugs “There are a lot of common herbs you can grow [in pots] in your windowsill that repel bugs including rosemary, lemon balm, lemon grass, peppermint, and lavender,” Lalicata says. The reason why they work so well, she says, is because they all have strong aromas, which insects—including gnats, flies, and mosquitos—don’t like. (For whatever reason, trash and rotting food is more their jam.) “When you’re growing these herbs, they’re going to need a lot of light,” she says. “You can either put them in a place where
Grab your headphones: These 10 must-listen health podcasts drop wellness knowledge you can actually trust
August 24, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC Navigating the world of wellness has always been tricky, but it’s especially true in the digital age. With so much information at your fingertips—from Instagram posts to Dr. Google—it’s hard to separate the trustworthy intel from the scams. But there is a major plus side to technology: New media platforms, including health podcasts, make it easy to keep up with the world’s top doctors, nutritionists, therapists, and other experts, no appointments necessary. Whether you’re hoping to adopt an anti-inflammatory diet, wondering how to biohack your way to a healthier life, or researching ways to improve your mental health, there’s a podcast for that. And then some. In the span of your daily commute, you can get bite-sized health ed classes courtesy of pros such as functional medicine superstar Mark Hyman, MD, celebrity nutritionist Kimberly Snyder, and happiness researcher Gretchen Rubin—authorities that most of us would never have access to otherwise. Plus, you can rest assured that these health podcasts are doling out legit information. In an era when free digital content filled with questionable health claims abounds, that peace of mind is, well, priceless. Subscribe to these 10 health podcasts for an expert wellness education on demand. 1. Deliciously Ella In the Deliciously Ella Podcast, Ella Mills and her husband, Matthew, chat with top health experts every week about a wide range of topics, whether that’s bettering your gut health, mental health, or dealing with stress. They take the most confusing information
A facialist, my mom, and I can’t get enough of this hydrating facial spritz
August 24, 2019 at 06:00PM by CWC When it comes to crowning my favorite beauty finds, one of the first factors I consider is smell. That’s because before I even apply a product, its scent informs my first impression. Like moth to aromatic flame, I shop to appease my nose, so when a facialist introduced me to Eminence Stone Crop Hydrating Mist ($38), my heart fluttered—and I may or may not have bought three bottles right on the spot (one of which I overnighted to my mother). The hydrating face mist has since found a permanent home on my desk. I spritz it on liberally any time I feel like the dry office air has drained all moisture from my skin, or whenever I need to hit the metaphorical refresh button to spark new creativity. And though describing the smell accurately in all its worthy glory using words alone seems like a Sisyphean task, here goes nothing: It smells like the first day of spring. It smells the way you feel in the most ooey-gooey yoga pose. It smells like falling face-first into the flower field in Twilight. It’s heady, but not overpowering and, um, I think “I can hear the bells” each time I spray it. ad_intervals[‘417338_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417338_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Scent aside, the mist’s formula is also worthy of some serious adulation. A combination of stone crop, aloe (an anti-inflammatory), salicylic acid (which is both anti-inflammatory and antibacterial), and algae extract, the
The muscle group that you should be thinking about? Your pelvic floor
August 24, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC When I hit the gym, there are certain muscles I’m constantly thinking about working—like my arms, abs, and butt. One thing I have never, ever thought twice (or even once) about paying attention to during my workouts? My pelvic floor. Apparently, this is a pretty major mistake on my part. The “pelvic floor” is one of those terms that’s thrown around all the time, and if you’re anything like me, you just kind of smile, nod, and think “kegels!”—and then immediately start doing kegels—anytime anyone mentions it. There’s a reason why people are constantly talking about this group of mysterious muscles: Because it is really, really important to keep them strong. A quick anatomy lesson if you still aren’t totally sure what the heck a pelvic floor actually is: It’s a bowl-shaped group of skeletal muscles at the bottom of your pelvis, which supports the pelvic organs like your bladder, uterus, and rectum, and makes sure they can do what they’re supposed to. “Keeping it strong can help maintain sexual, bowel, and bladder functions, and prevent things like pelvic organ prolapse and urinary incontinence,” explains Amy Hoover, DPT, a physical therapist with P.volve. ad_intervals[‘416620_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘416620_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); The most popular way to keep them strong—the Regina George of pelvic floor workouts, if you will—is with kegels. But to ensure that you’re building Schwarzenegger-level strength down there, you’re going to want to integrate you pelvic floor
4 things a sleep expert wants you to know about white noise before you tune in
August 24, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC White noise is essentially the little black dress of sleep. Just when it seems like we’ve tried every quirky hack available to facilitate the sweet salvation of slumber—from the ancient practice of yoga nidra to the thoroughly modern method of jumping into bed with a sleep robot and co-opting tips from the military—there’s one method that transcends time and style. Using white noise for sleep (or to drown out office noises of typing and chatter, like my editor does) is classic. Timeless, even. (Just to be clear, white noise is such a stalwart thanks in large part to its simplicity. It most closely sounds like a fan, and is not to be confused with other common noises to sleep to, like jungle sounds, rain sounds, bird sounds, or ocean sounds. And that makes sense to me, because I have never understood what’s so soothing about a toucan shrieking “CA-CAW, CA-CAW.” But I digress.) ad_intervals[‘413418_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413418_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); If you’re thinking of buying a white noise sleep machine or dozing off to some happy static on YouTube, rest assured the practice is sleep-expert vetted. To drive that point home, check out four tips a sleep pro wants you to know about white noise before you actually tune in. 1. The reason white noise works is because it creates a sonic wall “White noise is a consistent noise that is completely even across all frequencies that
5 low-glycemic breakfasts that still feel—and taste—like a treat
August 24, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC Mention to any MD or dietitian that you experience afternoon fatigue on the reg and they’re bound to ask you: What are you having for breakfast? This probably won’t come as a shock, but foods high on the glycemic index—aka insulin and blood sugar spikers—are bound to lead to an energy crash later. If your idea of a perfect morning is savoring a sweet pastry with your cup of coffee, this can be a major bummer. Fortunately, healthy workarounds around—and we’ve done the hard part of finding them for you. Rounded up here are six breakfast ideas that still taste sweet, but because of smart substitutions, their GI scores stay low. Keep reading for 5 low-glycemic breakfast ideas. Photo: Becks Lives Healthy 1. Banana and egg white stovetop oatmeal Protein and healthy fats help with nutrient absorption, working to keep blood sugar levels steady—even if you’re having something a little sweet. That’s why adding an egg to banana cinnamon oatmeal works so well. You’re still getting that hit of sweetness, but you’re also getting a healthy dose of protein, healthy fats, and fiber. ad_intervals[‘416835_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘416835_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); Photo: Joy Food Sunshine 2. Peanut butter breakfast bars These bars feel like a creamy, decadent dessert, but because peanut butter is full of protein—and a scoop of protein powder is added for good measure—they won’t leave you bouncing off the walls later. They’re also made with