August 17, 2019 at 10:00AM by CWC Nearly 10 million people visit Hawaiʻi each year, and despite the enduring cliché of the sunburned tourist, the majority of travelers wear sunscreen at some point. But as people have been protecting their skin, they’ve inadvertently been damaging one of the islands’ most valuable assets: its coral reefs. Chemicals commonly found in sunscreens cause coral bleaching and overall degradation of the marine environment. The situation is dire enough that last year, Hawaiʻi became the first United States state to ban the sale of sunscreens containing two chemicals known to harm reefs. Beginning in 2021, sunscreen formulas with oxybenzone and octinoxate will no longer be available for purchase in Hawaiʻi. But considering the amount of sunscreen that ends up in reef waters—at least 4,000 tons per year, according to the National Park Service—there’s already an effort to encourage visitors to use a safer option as soon as possible. After giving away nearly 300,000 sample packets of Raw Elements mineral sunscreen on its flights, Hawaiian Airlines now sells the product on its flights at a discounted price—which gives tourists an incentive to make a better choice before stepping foot on the islands. Similarly, the Surfjack hotel in Waikiki offers guests the same sunscreen in pump dispensers—free—so visitors are encouraged to slather it on before they head to the beach. And yet, if you ask locals in Hawaiʻi, banning two chemicals is just one step in protecting the state’s reefs. The bigger challenge involves getting people
Category: You and your body
The real reason mood lighting works like a romantic magic trick
August 17, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC My very favorite cocktail bar is nearly a dead ringer for for Miss Havisham’s dilapidated mansion in the 1998 remake of Great Expectations. The main difference between the two venues? Candlelight. That’s presumably because when it comes to setting the mood, candlelight is a GD game-changer. Without it, I surely wouldn’t repeatedly stumble into the venue for a nightcap with my boyfriend (because, again, it would look like Miss Havisham’s dilapidated mansion). So I have to wonder: Is gaining the desired effect of mood lighting solely reliant on a material good you can buy en masse at Dollar Tree, or is it more so a state of mind? Unfortunately there’s not much by way of scientific evidence to explain why the common mood since the beginning of romance itself is that candlelight is the move for when you mean business regarding matters of the heart. But, as one pro points out, there’s a good chance human beings have been into the amber glow for entire eras in large part because it makes you look good. “In general, most people tell me they like warm tones that feel soft and flattering against the skin,” says psychotherapist and sex therapist Vanessa Marin. And really, who doesn’t feel good when they feel they look good? Setting the mood with lighting appeals to self-confidence From my scientific research of introspecting about my own opinion and unofficially polling my friends for theirs, it’s clear that being intimate with
15 at-home cardio exercises that will make you want to cancel your gym membership
August 17, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC No matter what your exercise of choice is—whether you’re Pilates-forward or prefer to sweat it out in the boxing ring—cardio is an important part of every routine. In fact, you’d be hard pressed to find any coach or trainer who wouldn’t tell you to make it a priority. If you’re a fan of at-home fitness, however, it can admittedly be challenging to find ways to fit it in, because most of us assume that “cardio” is synonymous with logging miles on a treadmill or a bike. But contrary to popular belief, at-home cardio can get your heart rate pumping to max capacity without ever having to leave your living room—or put on pants. Cardio is really important in your routine First of all, you’re going to want to understand why cardio should be a part of your life. In the same way you prioritize brushing your teeth and washing your face for the sake of a healthy mouth and well-functioning skin, you should also be making time to get your blood pumping for the sake of a healthy heart. “Cardio is by definition exercise of the heart,” says Jaime McFaden, an Aaptiv master trainer, noting that it’s particularly important because it helps to circulate blood throughout our bodies. Our heart, as we all well know, is essentially what keeps us alive (thanks, heart!), and carries nutrients throughout our bodies and brings oxygen to our tissue. Not only is a good cardio workout getting
Asking for a “friend”: What’s the best way to get rid of cleavage hair?
August 17, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Whenever my “friend” is wearing anything that isn’t a crew-neck T-shirt—like a summer dress, or a deep V—she complains that all she sees when she looks down is her cleavage hair. I’m not talking about nipple hair, which is its own whole thing, but rather longer hairs that sprout out from the center the space between your boobs. And as with other certain body parts that can grow hair, like your chin or butt, some women (like my “friend”) aren’t so keen on having… chest hair. While those rogue nipple hairs are totally OK to pluck, cleavage/chest hair is more similar to, say, leg hair, so if you choose to remove it, the methods are pretty similar. As in: You can shave it, wax it, and/or opt for laser hair removal. “Traditional and older methods of removing hair such as waxing or shaving require ongoing maintenance, and can cause ingrown hairs as the hair begins to grow back,” says Quenby Erickson, MD, a Chicago-based dermatologist. “While they may be less expensive, they’re temporary solutions that will need ongoing treatments. Laser hair removal has improved drastically over the years and surpasses any other option.” Christian Karavolas, owner of Romeo and Juliet Laser Hair Removal in New York, agrees. “The best way to remove hair in those areas would be with laser,” he says. “If you do six sessions, spaced six to eight weeks apart, it’d suffice for permanent hair reduction.” His advice? Avoid waxing
Driving along the rocky cliffs of Ireland helped me navigate my feelings post-divorce
August 17, 2019 at 04:02AM by CWC A friendly sign inside the rental car reminds me that I have one responsibility and one only—to drive on the left-hand side of the road. This roadtrip along Ireland’s Wild Atlantic Way seemed like a much better idea several months ago when my best friend and I had decided to divorce our husbands at the same time. I couldn’t think of a more perfect place to escape reality than Ireland in December, where it would be perfectly acceptable to drink and cry at all hours of the day in dark pubs next to hot Irishmen. “I can’t do this,” I say. “You have to,” Allison replies. “It’s your turn. I’ve already done the first leg.” I’m still jet-lagged, and I don’t know how to convert kilometers to miles, but at least if I die here, I won’t have to go back home and deal with attorneys and divorce papers. I inch out onto the roadway. A car honks. I swerve back into the left lane. Even with the warning sign directly in my face, I’ve already forgotten how to drive here. Allison shoots me a look, the same one she’s given me for the last 25 years whenever I’ve done something stupid, like when I got the bright idea to wax my own eyebrows. I know Allison is wondering maybe if she should just take over, but this would mean she’d have to drive. She checks her phone, perhaps sending a good-bye text
Here’s exactly how to care for your new snake plant, according to someone with a green thumb
August 17, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC My plant obsession has gotten a little out of control over the past couple years. Greenery graces every corner of my apartment—on shelves, in big planters on the floor, on my dresser. I’ve got an urban jungle, and I love it. But even with all the different species I’ve collected, one of my favorites will always be the trusty snake plant. While some plants are pretty fickle—dying if you even slightly overwater them or don’t give them enough light—sansevieria, better known as the snake plant due to its reptilian leaf pattern and shape, are basically the cockroach of the plant world. And I mean that as the biggest compliment. Although they’re much prettier than the insect to look at, they’re just as tough. Even through the long, dark days of winter, my little guy has never wavered. In fact, somehow he keeps on thriving no matter the conditions, happily sprouting new leaves year-round. “The snake plant is a great option for beginners for a two big reasons,” says Erin Marino, director of brand marketing at The Sill. “First, it’s technically a drought tolerant succulent. This means you’ll be watering it less frequently than other common houseplants, and when you forget a watering (or two!), it’ll be fine. Second, the snake plant is also low light tolerant. Although snake plants prefer medium to bright light, they can tolerate lower light levels than other common houseplants. This means you can pretty much stick it in
6 types of insomnia exist, and each responds to a different kind of treatment
August 16, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC “Insomnia” is one of those buzzwords with which most of us wish we were way less acquainted. But alas, the persistent problem with sleeping that keeps us from falling and staying amid our dreams affects an estimated 50 percent of us. A lesser-known fact, though, is that the condition is actually something multifaceted and varied. That’s right—there are six types of insomnia that may be keeping you from accessing peak snooze. First, to be clear, the clinical criteria for insomnia clarifies that it takes place when a regular lack of a good night’s sleep is messing with your ability to function normally. According to the International Classification of Sleep Disorders, difficulty sleeping can be considered insomnia when someone has “a persistent difficulty with sleep initiation, duration, consolidation, or quality that occurs despite adequate opportunity and circumstances for sleep, and results in some form of daytime impairment.” Since there are different types of insomnia (and a person can suffer from different types concurrently) knowing the kind plaguing your lack of dreams is important intel for being able to effectively treat it, says neurologist and sleep specialist Kenneth Sassower, MD. Rounded up below are the types of insomnia doctors look for. Learn about the 6 types of insomnia below, and how each is commonly treated. 1. Acute insomnia Acute insomnia happens when a person has trouble sleeping, but it doesn’t last for three months or more, says sleep medicine specialist Aneesa Das, MD. This is
“Heavy carries” are the surefire way to get stronger without lifting weights
August 16, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC You’ll be hard-pressed to see me schlepping around with less than two bags at any given time. (Gym bag, purse, laptop bag… the list of bags really goes on and on.) But I tend to view this as an annoyance—I’ve grown to hate carrying things. Sometimes I’ll knock out some bicep curls with my heavy bags, sure—but I don’t really think of carrying stuff as a workout. Fitness trainers beg to differ. “There’s nothing better than wrapping your hands around some heavy bells and just holding, marching, or walking,” says Samantha Ciaccia, a New York City-based trainer. Exercises involving these “holds” include the popular farmer’s walk exercise, which involves simply walking in a straight line while holding heavy weights in your hands. (Sometimes people do single-arm farmer’s walks for more of a focus on the obliques.) This is functional fitness at its best, because while you can use kettlebells at your gym or weights at home, things like groceries and giant bags work just as well. “Farmer’s walks are beneficial because they’re simple and efficient, but help with core strength and total body coordination,” says celebrity trainer Paolo Mascitti. To do them properly, he says to make sure your core is tight, and shoulders are back and down away from your ears. “Keep awareness of your posture, and make sure you’re comfortable with the weight so it doesn’t compromise your form.” As for what weights to carry, Ciaccia says to “go as heavy as
Steal this psychologist’s script when a bad listener makes your blood boil
August 16, 2019 at 12:31PM by CWC One of my pet peeves (and, oh, I have many, but this is at the top) is when someone asks me a question, I answer, and then they proceed to twist what I said to mean something else entirely. I tell them, for example, that my favorite flavor of ice cream is mint chocolate chip. And before I know it, they’re vilifying me for not giving Chunky Monkey its due adoration. (There are more serious examples of this, too—obviously.) When this happens, I’m left stammering, arguing, trying to defend myself as my rage builds. And when a conversation escalates to an argument, nobody walks away feeling good. Which is why Nicole LePera, PhD, a holistic psychologist in Philadelphia, recently shared a better, mental-health-specialist-approved game plan. In a recent Instagram post, Dr. LePera gives an exact script for what to say when a bad listener interprets your words worse than Siri. Just use one of these lines, and exit the convo gracefully. 1. “I’m not looking for you to agree with me.” 2. “We see things differently.” 3. “I can understand your perspective.” 4. “You might be right about that.” 5. “I appreciate you sharing your viewpoint.” 6. “Can we pause this conversation before we feel overwhelmed?” 7. Say nothing at all. View this post on Instagram If you want to live an authentic life, you’ll have to practice being misunderstood. This is one of the most difficult things to practice, because we’ve evolved to
This 8-minute Pilates ring workout will leave your abs sore for days
August 16, 2019 at 11:37AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f902gJ3FPSY] Much like medicine balls or yoga wheels, Pilates rings tend to fall into the category of workout tools that look pretty innocent. It’s just a hollow, simple ring—how sore can it leave you anyways? Fun fact: Very. In our latest episode of Good Moves, Well+Good’s video series that showcases sweat-packed at-home workouts, trainer Rahel Ghebremichael—a fitness pro who currently teaches at Modelfit—walks us through an abs-burning Pilates ring workout that will leave you seriously sore. Part strength training, part Pilates, this eight-minute sesh (which you can do from the comfort of your living room, BTW) works your arms, your core, your legs, and your balance. You might even say it’s a well-rounded sweat sesh you can do anytime, anywhere—even without a Pilates ring (Ghebremichael says it’s totally optional). Her advice for getting through the pain? “You can do anything for five reps!” Set one 1. Reverse lunge—left: Take a step back with your left leg, right knee over your right ankle on the same line. As you lunge, you’re going to keep your chest out, stomach in, core engaged. Take a squeeze of the Pilates ring in your hands, then as you extend your arms out, release and toe tap your right foot back as you stand up. Then take another giant step back, arms extending, pause—pull in the ring and squeeze—then release. Keep your shoulders away from your ears. 2. Oblique wood chop in lunge—right: Step back with your left