November 01, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC I am not, by any means, a morning person. I’m actually the polar opposite—mornings crush me. Ever since my earliest days in undergrad, I’ve struggled with acute morning anxiety. At my best, I’ll wake up and internalize all my worries, mentally running through my to-do list over and over again until, well, I actually do it. But at my worst? It’s not very pretty. Think: crying spells, panic attacks, and/or emergency phone calls to my therapist to talk me out of another mental spiral. This is what my mornings were like for years. Waking up was a roll of the dice—I never knew what I was going to feel. It came to a head one morning while I was showering before work in mid-July. As I shampooed my hair, I just couldn’t stop fretting. The anxious thoughts kept rolling in about, quite literally, everything: my career path, my sister in Boston, my dog in New Jersey, how I could possibly make it through another hectic day, etc., etc. As I stepped out of the shower, I knew I needed to get out this headspace ASAP before my brain completely sabotaged the rest of my day. So on a whim, I grabbed the book on my bedside table and just read, in my towel, for 15 minutes. And you know what? It helped. A lot. The deluge of thoughts and feelings of panic had dwindled almost entirely. My thoughts re-focused. It was as if,
Category: Your Regeneration
Google just got into the step-tracking game for $2.1 billion
November 01, 2019 at 03:04PM by CWC Google has announced that it will acquire active tracker company Fitbit for $2.1 billion, according to a statement Friday. In a press release, senior vice president of devices and services Rick Osterloh, said the mega-corporation will use the acquisition to expand its Made by Google wearables while investing more in Wear OS and Google Fit. “Google aspires to create tools that help people enhance their knowledge, success, health and happiness,” said Osterloh. “This goal is closely aligned with Fitbit’s long-time focus on wellness and helping people live healthier, more active lives.” But of course, the purchase does raise questions of privacy, which both Google and Fitbit quickly addressed. In a separate press release issued by Fitbit, the company guaranteed to protect user privacy: “Fitbit will continue to put users in control of their data and will remain transparent about the data it collects and why. The company never sells personal information, and Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads.” For Google, the acquisition marks the next phase toward winning the 10,000-steps race against the Apple Watch. Existing Google Fit apps could become more seamlessly integrated with Fitbit products like the Versa. Only time will tell if Google has what it takes to overtake Apple as the maker of the world’s best-selling wearable. Here’s our favorite fitness tech of 2019 and what a cardiologist wants you to pay attention to on your Apple Watch. Continue Reading… Author Kells McPhillips | Well
6 telltale signs you’re an empath (in case you’re not already feeling those vibes)
November 01, 2019 at 03:00PM by CWC Ever feel like your best friend’s breakup is making you ache? Or that the excitement radiating off your sister because she got a promotion is your excitement? Positive or negative, highly emotional events that aren’t even yours, but those of other people, often leave you feeling exhausted. If these telltale traits of being an empath ring true to you, you probably have no problems accessing empathy so strong, you can put yourself in someone else’s shoes to a startlingly realistic effect. But being an empath through and through calls upon a stronger and more continuous thread of empathy than one that’s situational for the most part. In her book, Thriving as an Empath: 365 Days of Self-Care for Sensitive People, psychiatrist Judith Orloff, MD, describes empaths as highly sensitive individuals who “filter the world through their intuition and have a difficult time intellectualizing their feelings.” Basically, empaths take in the emotions of others. And, fun fact, for those of you concerned about being self-absorbent, so to speak: Being an empath is actually opposite to being a narcissist. Narcissism hinges on thinking only of oneself, with a complete disregard to empathy, whereas for empaths, this is clearly not an issue. But what exactly should you look out for if you feel—like really feel—you may be an empath? Clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, shares some clear signs below. 1. You feel like a sponge to other people’s feelings No matter the emotion at hand,
What to look for in a hand cream, according to a dermatologist who knows
November 01, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC The search for a good hand cream is like the search for a lover (can’t even type that without smirking). It’s not always so easy to find one good enough to keep around. Hand creams are either too thick, or don’t absorb well enough. They can be too greasy and just feel like slime on your fingers (yuck). I guess in my case, finding the perfect hand cream is even harder than finding a boyfriend…because I’ve found the latter but not the former. What’s a gal to do? Call a dermatologist of course. “All hand creams seem great when you first put them on,” notes Gretchen Frieling, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. “After one wash, or an hour or two, hands seem to revert back to their dry or scaly state, or some make your hands so greasy that buttoning your shirt in the morning or typing is an exercise in futility.” #Truth. Finding a feel-good, effective hand cream is all about knowing what key ingredients to look for. “When looking for a hand cream, look for glycolic acid to help prevent the loss of elasticity,” says Dr. Frieling. Also beneficial, according to her: vitamin C, vitamin B, peptides, shea butter, lanolin, and hyaluronic acid. “No single hand cream will have all of these ingredients, but try to find one that has at least three of these,” she says, noting that these all work to help prevent moisture loss and protect the skin so
The most unexpected, surprising quality of each Myers-Briggs personality type
November 01, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC The Myers-Briggs Type Indicator can be a great tool to help you understand yourself and others. That said, if you’ve ever poked around the internet, you’re probably aware of just how easy it is to pigeonhole the types, which can, in effect, hinder your deeper understanding of personality. (Meaning, just because someone’s an ISFP doesn’t mean she’s flighty. And just because he’s an ENFP doesn’t mean he’s an overly emotional human-interrogator). That’s because we’re all nuanced and have an array of personal qualities that make us who we are. So, while typing can be great for the purpose of helping you to understand someone’s behaviors and motivations, make sure you don’t fall into the trap of stereotyping that person based on their four-letter MBTI profile. Ready to flip some common misperceptions? Rounded up below is the most unexpected personal qualities of each type. (Don’t know what your MBTI is? Read this first!) Read on to learn the most surprising personal qualities common to each Myers-Briggs type. Graphic by Well+Good Creative ISFJ: fierce protectors ISFJs are commonly painted as soft-spoken and shy, but they have strong values and a very protective streak (so don’t press their buttons or hurt their loved ones). They won’t stand for anyone trying to do hard and are the first to jump in and offer comfort to someone in need. Having an ISFJ in your life means always having a fierce protector—even if they’ll happily let you speak for
7 waterproof fitness trackers so good you’ll be singing their praises (in the rain)
November 01, 2019 at 11:00AM by CWC I’ve dropped enough iPhones into water (read: the toilet) to know that H2O resistance is an incredibly important everyday feature of technology. Though they’re less likely to slip into the sewage system than your cell, water resistance is an especially important feature in wearable world, given the sweat one hopes to be drenched in. Most modern trackers meet this very requirement, offering a high resistance that is essentially billed as waterproofing despite there being (reasonable) limits to the amount of liquid they can take in. So while they won’t withstand a substantial submerging, they will allow you to track laps at your gym’s pool, sweat through a hot yoga session without fear of malfunction, and/or continue your outdoor training through rain, sleet, and snow this winter. Below, some of the best moisture-resistant fitness tracking tech on the market. Photo: Fitbit 1. Fitbit Versa 2, $200 Fitbit’s newest smartwatch is water resistant up to 50 meters, or five ATM, which is pretty much as good as it gets. In addition to its fitness—including swim—tracking abilities, the Versa 2 offers Fitbit’s excellent sleep tracking technology, 24/7 heart monitoring, and Alexa capabilities, among other features. You can also make use of Fitbit Premium, a monthly subscription service which ups the device’s fitness offerings by offering you personalized coaching and goal guidance. Photo: Fitbit 2. Fitbit Inspire HR Heart Rate and Fitness Tracker, $100 For those on more of a budget who still want
This type of exercise engages 86% of your muscles—here’s how to work it into your fitness routine
November 01, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC I always feel bad for the rowing machine. The treadmills are always packed, the ellipticals are never lonely, and the stair climber stopped counting flights. Yet the rowing ergometer always seems to collect dust. But that’s just because not everyone has experienced its true potential. In a study from the English Institute of Sport, researchers found that the rowing machine engages 86 percent of the muscles in your body—not just your legs, as many people believe. (Take that, treadmill.) Aside from toning your legs, arms, core, and more, it’s low-impact and great for all fitness levels. I mean, even astronauts are doing it; research has found that rowing for just 30 minutes a day is as effective as 90 minutes of cycling when it comes to keeping hearts healthy in space. And on Earth, incorporating the benefits of a rowing machine into your workout routine is easy. How to incorporate rowing into your workout routine 1. Do it as a warm-up If you like to get in a little cardio before your workout as a warm-up but don’t like the treadmill, hop on the rowing machine instead. Even five minutes will get your heart rate up. 2. Use it as your workout Instead of using the rowing machine as a warm-up, spend a little extra time on it to get in a full workout. Libby Peters, the former associate head coach of the University of Pennsylvania women’s rowing team, says you can get
Spaghetti squash is the high-fiber, nutrient-rich pasta alternative we deserve
November 01, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC There are few things as comforting as a big bowl of spaghetti with marinara sauce and meatballs. Traditional white wheat pasta, tasty as it is, isn’t necessarily the healthiest option, especially for gluten-intolerant folks. Enter spaghetti squash. It might not look super appealing on the outside, but on the inside, it transforms into thin strands that resemble—you guessed it—spaghetti. The winter vegetable is a trusted ally whenever you’re looking for a lower-carb, more nutrient-dense version of pasta. But as with any other trendy food, it’s easy to wonder if it’s truly healthy or just an overhyped ingredient (giving you some side-eye, activated charcoal). We tapped a few nutrition experts to find out the full deets. Spaghetti squash nutrition: Does it have any benefits? 1. It’s good for gut health Spaghetti squash is rich in fiber, offering up around two grams per cup—just under 10 percent of your daily recommended intake. And as you surely know at this point, fiber is crucial for digestive health. “Fiber acts as a prebiotic by feeding the good bacteria in your intestines which form a vital part of your digestive and immune systems,” says Lisa Richards, CNC, a nutritionist and author of The Candida Diet. “This fiber also improves digestion by moving slowly through your gastrointestinal tract and improving regularity.” Nutrition expert Cynthia Thurlow, NP, adds that, “A healthy gut promotes excellent immunity.” Looking for more foods good for gut health? Check out these dietitian-approved picks: [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpAjl3cFn6A]
The ultimate tropical spirit animal is here—why toucan medicine will transform your gray days
October 31, 2019 at 11:15PM by CWC If you’re woo-woo-curious (and hey, there are a lot of us), you’ve probably heard this advice from an astrologer/shaman/life coach before: “It’s a good time to let go of things that no longer serve you.” Which, honestly, is really hard to do! When does all this work pay off? Right now, according to “RockStar Shaman” Alyson Charles, who predicts that in November you could even see “lifelong dreams actualizing and coming true.” Finally! Here’s what you need to know, plus the spirit animal to support you through it all. Wow, October was not playing when it came to excavating and clearing some of the most ancient aspects of ourselves that are no longer serving us—and opening up new space for new-paradigm energies to now enter in. There were a lot of great, deep changes and purging-type activities, along with themes of unshackling our hearts more, to experience greater love for ourselves and others. Very, very alchemizing and amplifying times for sure! As all these major shifts were happening, I was seeing something else as well: new golden energy grids, energy codes, and frequencies that are now making their way in. These will support us moving forward as we begin to truly live and be witness to huge outward changes for the good in our lives. Many who walk the spiritual path and do this brave inner work have been wondering lately—due to the sometimes-exhausting nature of clearing and going so deep—if it will
The one skin-care tool a dermatologist can’t live without (and the one to ditch ASAP)
October 31, 2019 at 11:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL4fkeHmC6c] From fancy lasers to injectables, dermatologists have no shortage of beauty tools in their offices (none of which should ever be used by an untrained hand, BTW). But when board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD gets home for the night, there’s one at-home device in particular that she can’t live without—and that you should be swearing by, too. In the latest episode of Dear Derm, Dr. Gohara calls out the microneedling device as her favorite at-home tool on the market. Her fandom comes thanks to the prickly roller’s effective, triple-whammy of skin-boosting benefits. Microneedling devices are teeny, tiny needles— don’t worry, they don’t hurt—that create microscopic puncture wounds in your skin, which kicks collagen production into gear, increases product absorption, and gets your blood pumping. The result of the whole process is a radiant complexion that products on their own just can’t compete with. Though they may sound fancy—and you certainly can drop a few hundred dollars on a top of the line one—you can grab a microneedler on Amazon for under $20, and it will do the job just fine. As for the tool that she’d ditch ASAP? While she sings the praises of gua sha to lift and sculpt the face and loves a bit of microcurrent here and there to de-puff and get the lymphatic drainage going, we were stunned to find out that Dr. Gohara could live without one of most common tools around. Wonder which one she’s talking about?