March 19, 2020 at 05:00PM by CWC If you’re a face mask fan, chances are you’ve been through this scenario: You slather on a clay mask to draw gunk out of your pores, only to have it shrivel up on your skin 10 minutes later—leaving your complexion really dry. Clay has useful benefits to your skin, though, so it’s a good thing that we’re in a new era of non-drying clay masks that give you a still-hydrated glow. “The purpose of the clay in a face mask is to draw out impurities from your skin,” says Arash Akhavan, MD, a board-certified dermatologist with The Dermatology and Laser Group in New York City. “The main problem is that people with sensitive skin have classically stayed away from clay masks because of how drying they are. But we’ve definitely seen a toning down of that, and now, a lot of them are more hydrating.” With the new generation of clay masks, you get the pore-clearing benefits of the ingredient, plus moisturizing perks of your fave hydrating skin-care MVPs. “Clay is something to look for if you have combination, oily, or acne skin, or if you feel like you have a lot of congestion in your pores,” says Dr. Akhavan. “To also be hydrating, [the clay mask] have moisturizing ingredients like aloe vera, glycerin, or squalane, or it can have anti-inflammatories like chamomile extract or rosehip and other botanical oils. That way, the clay will either be less drying or less irritating, or both.”
Category: Your Healthiest Relationship
A G.I. doc shares the best healthy foods for restoring the good bacteria in the gut
March 19, 2020 at 04:00PM by CWC At this point, you’ll be hard up to come across a health expert who doesn’t preach the importance of gut health. Remember when we all thought it just had to do with digestive health? Gross as it may be to think about, there are millions of bacteria living in your gut, also called gut flora. The community of gut flora is referred to as the microbiome, and their health and functioning is connected to everything from brain health to mood and even skin irritation. (Although it’s important to note that there can be other causes of these issues as well.) The key to having a healthy microbiome is making sure the good gut bacteria (also known as probiotics) outnumbers the bad bacteria that can live alongside them in your gut. When the bad guys outnumber the good for a prolonged period of time, it can have long-term implications on overall health. Scientific research continues to find correlations between gut health and cognitive function, as well as other chronic disease. And in the short term, a gut flora imbalance can lead to persistent constipation or diarrhea, bloating, and other unpleasant gut issues. So to sum it up, keeping the gut balanced is important for both short-term and long-term health. Here, Fiber Fueled author and gastroenterologist Will Bulsiewicz, MD explains the biggest reasons why bad bacteria in the gut can start outnumbering the good. Plus, he gives his tips for restoring gut flora, bringing balance
I’m a psychologist, and these are my top 8 tips for distracting yourself from overwhelming worry
March 19, 2020 at 03:00PM by CWC Now is not the time to tell someone to stop worrying; COVID-19-related news updates are troubling to many for a variety reasons—confusion about the future of jobs, childcare, the health of loved ones, personal health, and the list goes on. Still, it’s key to learn how to stop worrying about things you can’t control because that skill set will undoubtedly make getting through this crisis with your sanity intact much simpler. I, for one, should know—I worried early and had a breakdown of sorts a week ago about the repercussions this pandemic may have on my personal finances and future plans. Since then, I’ve adopted some new habits to interrupt my worry spirals: reading the news less, opening up the Duolingo app for a quick language lesson when I feel my thoughts getting hysterical, and taking walks through my neighborhood (since I live in a city where this is currently permissible and the streets are deserted). Turns out, I’m on the right track with these techniques. “Distraction is great as a first-line defense against worry,” says Elana Cairo, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist at NYC-based Alma. Below, she and clinical psychologist Aimee Daramus, PsyD, offer eight techniques you can test out ASAP for halting worry loops in their tracks. Check out those tips below. 8 ways to stop yourself from worrying about things you can’t control 1. create a library of “nourishing activities” you can lean on “[For distracting yourself from worry], any type
Use this bodyweight 60/60 workout to keep from getting antsy while WFH
March 19, 2020 at 02:00PM by CWC At the end of a long day of working from home, there’s a high chance that your brain and body are filled with pent-up energy. If hours of sitting criss-cross-applesauce on your couch have you yearning to run laps around the block come quitting time, we’ve got an easy way to get some of those ants out of your (sweat) pants: Commit to moving all day long by way of the 60/60 workout plan, which basically equates to a 1-minute desk workout. It requires zero equipment, and is easy to do no matter where you are. All you have to do is get your body moving for 60 seconds, every 60 minutes. It may sound simple, but doing a one-minute desk workout at multiple intervals throughout the day can help keep your mind and muscles from getting bored. “By moving on the hour, you’re stimulating both your mind and body, which reduces anxiety and improves performance,” says Rhys Athayde, chief experience officer and founding trainer at DOGPOUND. He notes that it’s recommended to get up and take a walk every hour to stimulate blood flow (and to get those steps in!), but getting creative with how you’re moving can help kick things up a notch. “Finding alternative movements that are more challenging can help you focus on areas of your workouts you may need to improve on,” he says. So for example, if you want to be able to do 30 pushups in a
Why now is the best time to start incorporating long-game skin-care ingredients
March 19, 2020 at 01:00PM by CWC Typically, people want their skin-care products to show results immediately. While that’s fair and understandable, there are a good number of ingredients that grant your complexion amazing benefits if you just have the patience to wait as they work. What better time to start incorporating long-term skin-care ingredients in your regimen than now, when everyone’s stuck inside waiting out the effects of COVID-19? “This is a good time to use those kinds of ingredients that have an initial downtime associated with them, where you don’t necessarily want to be going out,” says Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skin care. “Some of these ingredients can [also] make you sensitive to the sun, and most of us will be spending a lot less time being exposed to it.” Besides ingredients that have some downtime, there are others that just simply take a few weeks to really show their skin-boosting benefits (like vitamin C). So, in the name of upgrading your beauty regimen as you’re social distancing, keep scrolling for the four skin-care ingredients Dr. Ciraldo recommends to start using so that we all come out of our quarantines with the best skin ever. Photo: The Ordinary Shop now: The Ordinary Retinol 0.5% in Squalane, $6 1. Retinoids: First up is any retinoid, especially retinol in high concentrations, or tretinoin, the prescription strength option. A retinoid is a vitamin A derivative that has a slew of perks, from gentle exfoliation through increased
5 ways to bring a sense of the great outdoors inside using visual ASMR
March 19, 2020 at 12:00PM by CWC One thing keeping me going during this period of social distancing in light of the COVID-19 pandemic is the daffodils. I live next to a park, and I can see the blooms from my window—cheerful, bright, and lively, absolute rebels to the feeling of chaos that’s otherwise sweeping the world. I’m grateful for those daffodils and their promises of spring, but I also wish I knew how to bring nature indoors during this time so I could enjoy more than just a limited window view of said flowers. As Carla Marie Manly, PhD, clinical psychologist and author of Joy From Fear, points out, being stuck inside can do a real number on mental health. “The sense of confinement and immobilization can be extremely difficult for people to bear. And for those who are accustomed to active lifestyles, being confined inside can be especially anxiety-inducing and depressing,” Dr. Manly says. That’s why if you can’t go forest bathing over a long weekend or, hell, even get some sunshine right now, you may feel as though you’re losing a sense of control. Nature inherently provides us with a sense of stability, and relaxation, so it’s a detrimental part of living a well life. “When we are confined indoors, it can be truly important to bring nature into our living spaces as much as possible.” —clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD “When we see ‘green,’ the brain immediately feels soothed and relaxed,” says Dr. Manly. “Hospitals and
This 10-minute, equipment-free Pilates workout seriously combats couch butt
March 19, 2020 at 11:00AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=anFVLMbs-EU] Pilates instructor Chloe Gregor views the glutes as part of your core. Why? Your glutes muscles are also in the center of your body, and play a major role in practically every movement that you make, and so strengthening them by doing Pilates for glutes is a great way to ensure your whole body moves better. “Glute strength is so important to help stabilize your pelvis so that you move better, you stand better, you exercise better—I see them as part of our core, so let’s get them really strong,” says Gregor, who’s bringing us a 10-minute workout that does just that in this week’s episode of Good Moves, Well+Good’s YouTube fitness series (subscribe if you haven’t yet!). The good news is that this Pilates workout sesh requires zero equipment—all you need is a mat, and you’re ready to start sweating. Keep scrolling to try it for yourself. Pilates for glutes workout Lifted clam—left: Start on your side, and lie down, using either a pillow or extending your arm out to rest your head on. Keep your head in line with your spine. Pick your feet up and move them back so that they’re in line with your spine, bending your knees out. Stack your hips and make a space underneath your lower waist. Lift both of your feet up, squeezing your heels together. Then, lift your top knee up, exhaling to lift, inhaling to lower it back down. Keep your ribcage drawn in.
I’m an esthetician with sensitive-combination skin, here’s my beauty routine
March 19, 2020 at 02:00AM by CWC When you’re an esthetician, understanding what skin needs is crucial, and after years of treating other people’s complexions, it’s safe to say that Cindy Kim, co-founder of Silver Mirror Facial Bar, has learned a lot about what her own requires to stay happy and healthy. Dealing with skin that’s both sensitive and combination, like hers, requires a certain level of trial and error. “My skin is very finicky and sensitive,” says Kim. I often feel like a skin detective, constantly trying to figure out why my skin is behaving or reacting the way it is, and what I could be using to calm it down,” says Kim. Some of the things she’s figured out in her years of skin sleuthing is that her combination skin is prone to both dehydration and congestion, which means she’s learned to integrate ingredients into her routine that help treat both issues. “I always make sure to incorporate light daily exfoliants and hydrating powerhouse ingredients like hyaluronic acid into my skin-care routine,” she says. Here, she shares the step by step routine she treats her own skin to when she’s done treating her clients. Morning skin-care routine for sensitive combination skin For her morning routine, Kim swears by a simple five-step skin regimen that any dermatologist or esthetician would approve of: a gentle cleanser, a calming toner, a skin-protecting antioxidant, a moisturizer, and an SPF. Each of her product picks is safe for sensitive skin, and doesn’t dry or irritate
Want to give your brain *and* immune system a boost? Sip on pomegranate juice
March 19, 2020 at 01:00AM by CWC If you think of the produce section as a treasure trove of healthy jewels, ruby-colored pomegranates are prized gems, but they’re often overlooked for bigger, more popular prizes. It’s easy to see why: they are a bit confusing. Even healthy eaters struggle with knowing how to cut a pomegranate or what the heck to do with it. If you’re unfamiliar with the fruit, pomegranates are red fruits traditionally grown in the Mediterranean region (the land of so many healthy foods). Inside, it’s full of seeds called arils, which are the main edible part of the fruit. Pomegranates are super sweet, with a slightly tart taste. In addition to being eaten whole, enjoying the fruit in its juiced form is one of the most popular ways to consume it. You’ll often find pomegranate juice right in the refrigerated section of the produce area at the store. You can also make it yourself using fresh pomegranates by seeding the pomegranates and then blending the seeds and pulp using a blender until the consistency is smooth. Besides being a sweet sip, there are also many benefits to pomegranate juice. Here, registered dietitian and Verywell general manager Rachel Berman, RD, explains the benefits as well as any side effects to be aware of. Plus, ideas for creative ways to sip on it at home. 9 pomegranate juice benefits that make it a delicious and healthy drink: 1. pomegranate juice is high in antioxidants. Berman says that one of the
Grocery delivery apps are seeing record downloads—here’s what you need to know
March 19, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC Getting your groceries delivered has always seemed to me like something done by very bougie, busy people. But now, with the majority of the country hunkering down and practicing social distancing, there’s never been a better time to get your groceries delivered. The nation agrees—grocery delivery apps are seeing a surge in downloads. Instacart, Walmart Grocery, Shipt, have seen, respectively, 218 percent, 160 percent, 124 percent, 98 percent increases in average daily downloads compared to February, according to research from Apptopia. And grocers across the country are scrambling to hire workers to fill e-commerce, cleaning, stocking, delivery, and personal shopping positions. Stores like Walmart and e-commerce sites like Fresh Direct and Amazon Fresh deliver their own supply of goods. While services like Shipt and Instacart deliver from grocery stores in your area such as Costco, Wegmans, and Kroger (but, sadly, not Trader Joes). If you’ve never ordered groceries online before, it’s a pretty simple process. Here’s what you need to know to get started. A simple guide to grocery delivery apps Do these apps serve my area? Instacart seems to have the widest reach among the grocery delivery apps, serving thousands of cities in all 50 states and Washington, D.C. Shipt serves 48 states, while Walmart Grocery serves 46. Can I order online or do I have to use an app? You can order online. Grocery delivery apps are great for when you’re on the go, but if, like most of us, you’re