February 18, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC There’s something so inexplicably satisfying about cracking open a brand-new journal. It’s a blank canvas on which you can record your thoughts, your worries, your dreams, and so much more. But beyond simply being a place to chronicle the events of your life and everything you feel about those goings-on, journaling is a great way to nourish your mental health. I may be going out on a limb here, but I’d venture to say that you’d be hard-pressed to find a mental-health professional who wouldn’t recommend journaling as a tool for general healing, coping with depression, and reducing anxiety. Still, journaling can seem like a daunting task—especially if you’re not in the habit of writing about your feelings regularly. The good news? According to New York–based holistic psychotherapist Alison Stone, LCSW, there’s no such thing as a right or a wrong way to journal—and there’s not a specific amount you have to do it, either. “For some people, it might be daily, while for others it might be weekly,” Stone says. “Experiment with not only what gives you the most benefit, but what is realistic for you to commit to on a regular basis.” “Journaling is great for enhancing self-awareness through helping us detect and track patterns of behavior, thoughts, and feelings.” —Alison Stone, LCSW In other words, if you want to let your thoughts flow freely every day for an hour, great. If it feels more natural to you to express yourself
Tag: Media
Never forget about your leftovers again with these RD-approved fridge organization tips
February 15, 2019 at 08:00AM by CWC Thanks to Marie Kondo’s Netflix show—who knew watching someone tidy up other people’s junk was so satisfying?—the chores typically left for spring cleaning are being tackled now. Closets full of leggings, junk drawers…no mess is safe. And that brings us to the fridge. Even if you’re the type of person who occasionally posts fridge shelfies, there are still some organization tricks worth learning to avoid both food waste and a cluttered fridge. Because honestly…who among us hasn’t forgotten about that half-opened carton of yogurt, or the celery from December that’s now mostly a puddle of brown liquid in the crisper? Enter executive chef and registered dietitian Jessica Swift, RD, better known as Chef Jess. Because she works in a commercial kitchen, she’s privy to the best way to organize the fridge that allows for quick cooking *and* food safety. And because she’s a health-conscious RD, she also knows how to make the set up one that leads to the best food choices possible. Let’s take it shelf by shelf. Keep reading to see exactly how to organize your fridge for optimal freshness and health: Illustration by Well+Good Creative Top shelf It doesn’t take growing up watching MTV Cribs to know that the top shelf is where most people stash their drinks. But Swift says this shelf—which is where the eyes go first—is the best place for leftovers and anything else you want to use up quickly. “If you have something in your fridge
This Valentine’s Day, I’m in a committed relationship with my beauty products
February 13, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC I’ve been single for exactly one year, four months, and 26 days (who’s counting?). My last breakup was a traumatic one for a myriad of complicated reasons, which left me swearing off relationships for good (okay fine—at least for now). So instead, I’ve decided to replace the men in my life with a deep, committed love affair with beauty products. Allow me to explain: In the wake of that breakup, I felt like complete and total garbage. Physically, mentally, emotionally…the whole nine. And at first, I didn’t know how to fill all those sad, endless hours alone other than listening to Britney Spears’ “Everytime” on repeat, refreshing my ex’s Instagram, and crying. Like, really crying. Eventually, after a lot longer than I would like to admit (it was a dark few months, lemme tell ya), I decided I needed to do something—anything, really—to pull myself out the horrible, painful funk I’d fallen into. So I turned to my beauty cabinet. My Sunday afternoons, which had previously been occupied by me snuggling up on the couch with my boyfriend (yeah, we were those people), became a full-on self-care day. I spent hours lounging in the bath with some combination of bath bombs, salts, and essential oils swirling around me, and some type of clay mask slathered on my face or hair mask slicked through my strands. And every night, instead of engaging in the pillow talk or, erm, other “evening activities” that relationship me had become so accustomed to,
How to know if you’re ready to move in with your significant other
February 11, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Every relationship has its memorable milestones: the first time you kiss, the first time you have sex, the first time you binge Sex Education instead of having sex…. And while some of these milestones can feel pretty low-pressure (what’s a little spit-swapping, really?), others can leave you sweating through your favorite sweater or grinding your pearly whites at night. An example? Moving in together—because how, exactly, do you know if you’re ready to cohabitate? Is it a matter of how long you’ve been dating? Or whether you’re getting married? Or whether you’re in love? Or whether your leases are conveniently expiring at the exact same time? Of course, different people have completely different priorities, beliefs, and values that help inform this important decision, but talking with several experts made clear that there are some common denominators that point to a romance not quite being ready for roommate status. Plus, there are several questions to ask yourself to help you decide. First off, take the time to do a bit of self-reflection and decide whether you feel truly ready for this level of commitment. “A very clear ‘no’ that you’re not ready is that you still feel like you want to date others,” says relationship expert Jaime Bronstein, LCSW. [Editor’s note: Open relationships can certainly be healthy, and being in one doesn’t mean you’re not ready to live together. In this case, introspect and make sure that your potential roommate is a partner with whom you are confident
We want to talk about sleep and fatigue, but we need your help!
February 08, 2019 at 09:53AM by CWC For years, I was lucky enough to sleep like a baby. Not to brag or anything, but for me, it was really a pass-out-the-second-my-head-hits-the-pillow kind of situation, and I wouldn’t wake up until my alarm blared come morning. But now, that’s not always the case: My once-flawless sleep schedule has sometimes turned into lying awake in bed for hours, making me incredibly tired the next day. And I know I’m not the only one dealing with these issues. While it’s recommended to sleep at least seven hours a night, 1 in 3 adults don’t meet those requirements, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. And there are many reasons for that, like technology—yes, Netflix binge-watching, that includes you—and stressing about money and your job. In fact, one study found 71 percent of millennials wake up worrying about something at least three nights a week. Unfortunately, that lack of sleep can seriously affect your health and well-being: According to Harvard Medical School, it not only impacts your “judgment, mood, and ability to learn and retain information,” but it can also increase your risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and death. We’re passionate about this issue at Well+Good, and that’s where you come in. Take a few minutes to fill out the sleep and fatigue survey below to help us understand what’s keeping you up at night (maybe literally) regarding sleep and fatigue. You’ll be helping us better serve you and your needs—and hopefully together we can
The dainty bralettes for larger breasts that passed our DD test
February 06, 2019 at 12:42PM by CWC Bralettes have taunted me all of my life. When I was younger, it was because I couldn’t even begin to fathom wearing one as even my everyday bras were coming from specialty stores. Now, it’s because the ones available for women my size (36 DD) are very heavy on the utilitarian aspect and way too light on the chic, aesthetically pleasing part. But after a lifetime of disappointment, I’m starting to see the size inclusive light at the end of my online shopping tunnel. A few underwear companies have finally figured out how to make a bralette for bigger boobs that can do both. You see, it’s not that I can’t find bralettes for my cup size—supportive options without underwires exist. But the problem is that these tend to look like a sports bra or are simple by design. There’s none of the delicate lace, pastel colors, or subtleties that the item often conjures. And those dainty and effortless touches are the essence of what a bralette is and what I’m searching for in the undergarment. I’ve put a dozen different bralettes through my own customized fit test. With these criteria in mind, I’ve put a dozen different bralettes through my own customized fit test using some very basic measurements of success. Number one was the fit, obviously—there just needed to be enough support that the bralette wouldn’t become relegated to the confines of my loungewear wardrobe. In other words, I wanted to be able to
Having an “addictive personality” is a myth—here’s what’s *really* behind your unstoppable TV binges
February 05, 2019 at 01:52PM by CWC Practically everyone (except maybe nuns) knows what it’s like to do something and then almost immediately regret it. Maybe it’s finding yourself five episodes deep into the show You at 2 a.m. on a Wednesday. Maybe it was eating that third slice of cauli-crust pizza that you know will give you grandma-levels of heartburn, or drinking that second glass of wine. This I-can’t-help-myself behavior is often labeled with two loaded words: addictive personality. But according to medical and addiction authorities, the whole idea of having an “addictive personality” is a big, misunderstood fallacy. “Fundamentally, the idea of a general addictive personality is a myth when we’re talking about it in terms of addiction,” says Samantha Arsenault, the Director of National Treatment Quality Initiatives for Shatterproof, a non-profit devoted to ending the devastation addiction causes families. People of every personality type can become an addict, Arsenault says, whether you’re introverted, extroverted, shy, or something in between. “There’s no universal characteristic trait for people with addiction,” she says. So what are we really talking about when we can’t resist that next episode, slice of pizza, and on, and on, and on? You’re likely struggling with impulse control, says therapist Ruschelle Khanna, LCSW, who operates out of medical co-working space LINA. Impulse control as we’re using it here—compared to the potentially more serious impulse control disorder—is defined as “the ability to manage behaviors,” she says. Or, in board-certified psychiatrist Ellen Vora, MD’s words, “the function that allows you to
6 date night outfits Marie Kondo would approve
February 05, 2019 at 10:07AM by CWC As a typical New Yorker with a strong desire to expand her closet, but the sinking reality that my apartment space just won’t allow for it (or my budget for that matter), there’s one question that, in one way or another, I’ve been asking myself a lot thus far into 2019 and that’s: WWMKD? (What would Marie Kondo do?) What would Marie Kondo do about this extreme weather? What would Marie Kondo do about (another) government shutdown? What would Marie Kondo do with Ariana Grande’s jewelry collection? And while this story isn’t necessarily here to answer any of the above burning questions (although we should still look for their answers!), it does get me wondering how the Tidy Queen herself approaches something a bit more tangible and up her alley, like Valentine’s Day. Regardless of how you celebrate (or don’t celebrate), I think we can all agree, Valentine’s Day comes with its own fair share of consumerism baggage—a quick walk into any local CVS will confirm this, with a never-ending variety of stuffed animals that play ting-y sounding renditions of “My Girl,” “You Sexy Thing,” and, my favorite left-field option, Toto’s “Africa.” Of course, once you factor in candy or flowers, dinner reservations, and possibly a gift that isn’t of the stuffed animal variety, Valentine’s Day starts to resemble a collection of things veering into the “no longer sparking joy” pile. Throw in a pink sequin cocktail dress that doesn’t quite fold well using the
I opted out of these 3 popular things, and I’ve never been happier
February 05, 2019 at 05:32AM by CWC I’m a single guy, and I haven’t ever used a dating app (I did once upon a time use the dating site OkCupid—more on that later). I’ve never had my work Slack or email on my phone. I haven’t posted on Instagram in well over a year. And believe it or not, my dating, professional, and social lives have never been better. To be clear, I’m not some kind of ascetic or martyr or one of those people who decided to live in the woods without technology. (No judgment though!) I have an iPhone, watch Netflix, and go down deep YouTube rabbit holes. I definitely haven’t rejected modernity or pop culture, but I’ve tried over the past few years to be more aware of what I think I can’t live without and what I actually can’t live without. I want to distinguish between a want and a need, and I want to need as little as possible. When I Kondo-ed my apartment last year, I realized I’ve been gradually decluttering my life for years—paring down and simplifying and finding myself happier, calmer, and more self-actualized. Specifically when it comes to how I interact with technology. Below are a few techy things I’ve opted out of already. Photo: Julia Garan 1. Instagram (and pretty much social media in general) It started with deleting my personal Facebook page in lieu of a professional one, where I used to but now rarely post my writing. My
Grab a bowl: Noodles are healthy if you choose the right kind
February 05, 2019 at 05:31AM by CWC Whether you’re braving the polar vortex, battling a winter cold, or deep into a post-breakup Netflix binge, there’s one food that’s guaranteed to make you feel a whole lot warmer and fuzzier: noodles. Clearly, the ultimate comfort dish is good for our emotional health, as anyone who’s inhaled a steamy bowl of ramen on a sub-zero day can attest. But is it just as beneficial from a nutritional perspective? With fingers firmly crossed, I checked in with dietician Brooke Alpert, RD, to find out. Lucky for all of us, she had good news. “Noodles and pasta can be a healthy choice, depending on what they are made out of,” the dietician told me. (Phew!) Here are the healthy noodles she loves the most: 1. Kelp noodles Kelp noodles received top marks from Alpert, as they’re rich in key minerals. “Kelp noodles have calcium and magnesium and, unlike traditional white flour pasta, will not cause a huge spike in your blood sugar,” she explains. This gluten-free seaweed noodle (made from the powdered flesh of kelp) is often served raw, but it’s just as delish as a base for pad Thai and pho. 2. Shirataki noodles Alpert’s also a fan of high-fiber, gluten-free shirataki noodles—another A+ option for homemade pad Thai—which are made from yam flour. (Tituss Burgess is another shirataki lover, although his go-to option is made with tofu and yam.) 3. Mung bean pasta If you’re more into Italian-style noodles, Alpert recommends trying mung