March 12, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC In the pursuit to achieve professional success, it’s incredibly helpful to have a vision of how that success may look—and, more crucially, how success for you may look. But what if at your place of work, you don’t see any women in leadership roles? In this edition of Good@Work, career expert Amy Odell—whom you may know as the former editor of Cosmopolitan.com and founding blogger of New York magazine’s The Cut—explains how you can take matters into your own hands this Women’s History Month, and why it’s so important for all women that you do. Question: It’s hard for me to envision climbing the career ladder at the company where I work because I don’t see any women in leadership roles. As an ambitious woman at my company who’s ready to hustle and achieve, how can I best set myself up for success—or is it hopeless to even try? Answer: Trying to get promoted is not hopeless. Yes, women—and especially women of color—lag far behind men in leadership roles and compensation, earning 79 cents to every dollar a man earns under age 40, according to recent research. But that’s no reason to stop trying. Change has to happen in both your organization and American society more broadly so that women are given the same opportunities to succeed and amass wealth as men are. And if women collectively give up on the pursuit of promotions and raises, those statistics will never change. So what can you
Category: Your Healthiest Relationship
No, a vegan diet isn’t *always* healthy—but these 7 dietitian-approved tips will make sure yours is
March 12, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC Once you go vegan, it feels like people instantly assumes that you’re just a healthy queen whose diet consists of kale smoothies and tempeh grain bowls 24/7. While I’d love to say yes, that’s all facts, I’m going to tell you a little secret. As amazing as that sounds, it’s not always the reality. Because, umm, French fries are vegan, too. When I first went vegan a few years ago, being vegan meant eating lots of vegetables and whole foods, but that’s because the packaged products hadn’t quite caught up yet. The dairy-free cheeses and ice creams available were still mediocre at best, and it was nothing short of a miracle to find the Impossible Burger on a restaurant menu. Fast-forward to today, where I can order something at nearly every fast food drive-thru (a far cry from the days I was left choking down a plain salad on road trips) and new vegan products call my name every time I go grocery shopping. “While a well-planned vegan diet can absolutely be highly nutritious, just because someone is vegan doesn’t mean they’re eating nourishing food,” says Lauren McNeill, RD, MPH, the vegan nutrition expert behind Tasting to Thrive. “With so many vegan options on the market these days, it’s certainly possible to be vegan while mostly eating highly-processed foods like chips, cookies, cakes, desserts, and convenience foods. Even some of the seemingly-healthy vegan products on the market aren’t always all they’re cut out to
I’m a gynecologist, and I’m begging you not to masturbate with these 3 things
March 12, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC Something I’ve known since the dawn of time—at least since the dawn of American Pie—is that people can get really creative when it comes to masturbation. Even though the diversity of vibrators that are available for purchase is great, many of us have turned to DIY sex toys either in a pinch or to simply explore a sexual curiosity. But alas, while the pursuit of pleasure is one we can all get behind, health is remains the number-one priority, and because of this, some of us could use some help learning the differences between what is and what is not a sex toy. And okay, while some household items can make for totally healthy impromptu sex toys in the heat of the moment (like, ice, for one), there are other things that don’t belong anywhere near your sexual organs. To help clear up the confusion, find out which items gynecologist Alyssa Dweck, MD, OB/GYN, says are not a sex toy at all. 3 things that are definitely not a sex toy, according to a gynecologist 1. Produce As Well+Good previously reported in a piece about household objects that can double as sex toys, while phallic-shaped foods can safely be used erotically, they carry a list of safety precautions that should give you pause. “Despite their phallic shapes, fresh fruits and veggies, such as bananas, zucchinis, and carrots, should be avoided in the vagina,” says Dr. Dweck. “First, they can disintegrate inside and be
This wildly popular device is a science-backed method to keep your phone clean
March 12, 2020 at 01:00PM by CWC You touch your phone an average of 150 times a day—including while you’re in the bathroom. And while it’s more important than ever to wash your hands, if you aren’t cleaning your phone, germs are being transferred right back to your fingertips and everything else you touch. Knowing how to clean your phone is tricky. You can’t exactly scrub it for 20 seconds with soap and water. If you have an antibacterial wipe handy, that could work. Another option: PhoneSoap, a science-backed device that uses UV-C light to do the cleaning. PhoneSoap sort of looks like a tanning bed for your phone. It works with ultraviolet germicidal irradiation, a disinfection method that uses UV-C light (which has a shorter wavelength than UV-A and UV-B light) to break apart bacterial DNA, rendering it unable to function or reproduce. The sanitizing process only takes about 10 minutes, but the bed doubles as a phone charger, so if you want to leave your phone in there to get some juice, that’s fine, too. The idea of using UV-C light to fight germs isn’t new. One study out of the Center for Radiological Research at Columbia University found that incorporating short wavelength rays in public spaces helps to cut down on the spread of the flu. In fact, it’s been proven to be so effective at killing bacteria that it’s already being used in hospitals to sterilize surgical equipment. Another study also found UV-C light to be
Download these 8 self-care apps to nourish your mind, body, and soul
March 12, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC Self-care has become a literal commodity in this modern age of wellness, with companies, emerging industries, and consumer products all buying in. And that’s with good reason, given that self-care practices are essential for upholding our mental, emotional, and physical well-being. But even with this widely understood and accepted reality that prioritizing the mind, body, and soul is crucial for living a well life, we get busy. So busy, in fact, that squeezing in that special me-time can sometimes be a challenge. That’s where self-care apps come into play. Self-care apps are designed to make achieving your wellness goals and staying on top of your self-care practices simple. Because when your self-care rituals exist in the palm of your hand, it’s so much easier to reap their benefits while still being convenient and motivating you to stay consistent. Whether you’re looking for workout inspiration, therapy, or sleep-optimizing tips, you’re covered with the eight self-care apps outlined below. All you have to do is download. Ready to step up your self-care game? Here are 8 self-care apps to download, stat. 1. Think Dirty Price: Free If your go-to self-care practices involve pampering with face masks and bubble baths, Think Dirty is an excellent app to have on hand (er, phone). With this self-care app, you can scan an item or search the database of more than 4,000 brands and 1.4 million beauty- and personal-care products to learn how “dirty” a product is based on
Flow through this at-home Pilates workout for better hip mobility (and, of course, core strength)
March 12, 2020 at 11:00AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=510FdqCvZ-k] Out of all of our body parts, our hips tend to get the brunt of time spent sitting at our desks. This is why hip mobility work is so important—because, ya know, we want to be able to move fluidly and without that annoying tightness. Enter: a Pilates workout for tight hip flexors. In this week’s episode of Good Moves, East River Pilates instructor and physiotherapist Chloe Gregor brings us a 15-minute full-body Pilates workout that gives special TLC to tight hips. It’s something you can flow through literally anywhere, with zero equipment—all you need is a mat (and maybe some cute leggings). Though you’re definitely going to feel the burn in your core (including your obliques), this Pilates sesh will strengthen all of your muscles from head to toe. And, yes, a lot of the exercises are going to strengthen the muscles in your hip area as they boost your mobility. Try this Pilates workout for tight hip flexors Roll down: Start seated with your legs extended in front of you, hip-width distance apart. Flex your feet. If your hamstrings are really tight, you can have a slight bend in the knees. Reach your arms forward in front of you, lengthen your spine, and keep that length as you scoop your tailbone and start to roll your spine back. Work your abdominals as you slowly roll back, chest open, and pause before the bottom. Then, roll yourself back up, sitting tall at the top.
Recovery sneakers have arrived, because we all deserve a foot massage after the gym
March 12, 2020 at 02:00AM by CWC Sneakers are getting smarter. Last year, Nike designers launched the Zoom Vaporfly Elite to make the sub two hour marathon a reality, and On added a little extra bounce to our steps with their pillowy CloudTec soles. The same technology once earmarked for performance, is now laser-focused on recovery. A crop of companies has started creating the footwear equivalent of foam rollers. Leading the charge is Oofos: a shoe designed to absorb 37 percent more impact than the average sneak. Shock-absorbing footwear, designed to propel you forward with maximum energy return is hardly new: Adidas Boost hit the market in 2013 and Nike React foam cushioning followed suit five years later in 2018. But Oofos president Steve Gallo says that the brand’s signature recovery sole—”Oofoam Technology”—has no desire to emulate those products. In fact, the brand wants to do the exact opposite. “Our foam, which is the entire footbed, is made out of a proprietary mix of different chemicals and foam, and what it does is the exact opposite of what you see with Nike React and Adidas Boost. The idea is, when you step down on it, it actually requires less ankle power when you walk,” says Gallo. In other words, the technology doesn’t just absorb the shock of your foot hitting the ground; it literally makes every step easier. (Oofos’ brand-sponsored University of Virginia lab study found that Oofoam technology reduces ankle exertion by up to 20 percent.) In theory, that means
If your parents hate your partner, does that seal the fate of your relationship? Therapists weigh in
March 12, 2020 at 01:00AM by CWC The subject of my family’s The Bachelor group chat during last night’s season finale was not really focused on who Pilot Pete was going to end up with but rather his mom, Barb. Specifically, how much Barb disliked the woman Peter is in a relationship with and how, um, aggressively she made that known. While most of us will probably not experience our partner’s mother digging into us on live television, there are plenty of people who deal with their own versions of Barb. But does that necessarily spell doom for your relationship? I asked three relationship experts to share their tips on what to do if your partner’s parents hate you or your parents hate your partner. “It’s an interesting sign if your significant other’s parents don’t like you,” says relationship therapist Tammy Nelson, PhD. “Do they have a reason? Do you remind them of your partner’s ex? Do they have something against you because you are a POC or are you the same sex as your partner? Is it because of how you met? Were you married and left your spouse to be with your partner?” Figuring out the why can help you move forward with the relationship. “If you’ve tried and it’s really not about you but about a secret or covert prejudice or something they are projecting onto you that’s not even about you, ask yourself if you can live with them not liking you,” says Dr Nelson. Things
This is the most-commented on brows thread on Reddit—here’s how to replicate the look
March 12, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC Your eyebrows are one of the most—if not the most—distinguishing features of your face. Science even says so. This is probably why so many brow-enhancing treatments and products exist, from eyebrow extensions to microblading to lamination, all in the name of bushy, beautiful arches. One of the slightly more simple ways to achieve this look at home? With a really good eyebrow grooming routine. Reddit, which happens to be a treasure trove of beauty tips, has thousands of posts on the subject of full brows. But one of them outranks all, with the most comments (103, to be exact) and more than 3,200 upvotes (when users mark a post as, well, good). The user posted a selfie with the caption, “The day my brows peaked,” and she’s right. Her arches are full, perfectly shaped, and brushed up. Lucky for us, the Reddit user shared her step-by-step eyebrow grooming routine so that we can easily copy it for ourselves. Keep scrolling for her secrets. The ultimate eyebrow grooming routine for full arches, according to a Redditor 1. Prep your hair: “I coat [my brush] with Dipbrow, then pinch the base of the brush hairs and pull out the excess product,” the user writes (she’s referencing the Anastasia Dipbrow Pomade, $21). “It acts like a gel and it’ll give me a firm, thin edge.” For this, she uses a really sharp, small brush, like the Anastasia 7B Brush ($18). 2. Apply powder: Grab a translucent powder and dab
The secret to intermittent fasting’s touted benefits may have to do with the sun
March 11, 2020 at 11:00PM by CWC Intermittent fasting (IF) is everywhere these days, a staple of Silicon Valley health “pros” and ketogenic diet fans alike. The eating plan, which has people restrict their eating to specific times of day or days of the week, seems to come with lots of benefits. A 2019 meta-review of studies found that following an IF diet appears to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation; help people lose weight; and reduce the risk of developing type 2 diabetes. But why, exactly, is IF effective? That question has been the subject of debate for years. Some doctors argue that IF is just another form of calorie restriction; by eating for fewer hours during the day, you’re likely eating less overall. Others claim that fasting temporarily triggers a “switch” that supercharges your metabolism. But thanks to new research, experts suggest that IF’s benefits could stem from timing meals to the rise and set of the sun. The concept is part of a larger movement in the health and wellness communities towards “circadian” health, as coined by the Global Wellness Institute. “While intermittent fasting is all the rage, people don’t realize that this is also usually a circadian-based solution,” reads the institute’s 2020 trends report. “It’s natural for diurnal animals such as humans to eat during daylight when we evolved to digest food.” So, should we all start thinking of intermittent fasting as circadian rhythm fasting? Here’s what you should know, straight from two experts who study circadian