September 25, 2019 at 10:19PM by CWC Most people are either extroverts or introverts. Extroverts are society’s business-world-ready social butterflies who thrive at parties, captivate a crowd, and are… too aggro for their own good. Introverts are down for a quite night with Netflix, heart-to-heart when you’re feeling blue, and just… really, you’re going to cancel our plans AGAIN? Both personality types are built on extremes, and you might feel lost as the forgotten middle child: the ambivert. Wait, what is an ambivert? Okay, the ambivert (or omnivert) is essentially the Central Jersey of social personalities—some people say it doesn’t exist. But I’m from Monmouth County, baby, and ambiverts do exist. Not everyone feels so socially intense in one direction or another. As such, ambiverts collect a blend of characteristics that are generally ascribed to both ends of the spectrum. “Ambiverts lie in the middle of the traditional introversion and extroversion spectrum,” says clinical psychologist Carla Marie Manly, PhD, author of Joy From Fear. “Ambiverts tend to be more flexible in nature as to their needs for stimulation and contact with others whereas true extroverts and introverts tend to have more specific needs and tendencies. The term omnivert is sometimes used rather than ambivert, but they hold the same meaning.” If you’ve long felt out of place in this war and feel like reclaiming your identity, what signs or characteristics mark you as an ambivert? There are a few contradictory qualities that you might want to look out for. 10 surefire
Tag: Media
Learn to relax in the absolute best way for your specific Myers-Briggs personality
September 20, 2019 at 06:18PM by CWC Everyone has different go-to methods for blowing off steam. Some like to be social with close friends and forget their responsibilities for awhile and others prefer to check off those responsibilities from their to-do list, then spend time alone with no distractions or connection to the outside world. Regardless of your preference, knowing how to relax is key for maintaining optimum happiness and keeping stress levels low. To be clear, there’s no right or wrong way to relax—just different ways. So, if you’re curious about what best recharges your batteries—or your partner’s, or your best friend’s—consider applying your Myers-Briggs personality type to the equation. (Don’t know what your MBTI is? Read this first!) We all have to honor our downtime needs, after all. Learn how to relax in the best way for your MBTI below. Graphic: Well+Good Creative ISFJ As one of the more introverted types, you like to relax alone. Nothing gives you more joy than reading by yourself or a solo pampering session with a sheet mask. That said, if you’re sorting complicated feelings about a relationship or a work project, you love selective hangouts. Inviting over your best friend or just laying low with your partner helps you unwind. ESFJ Planning a party down to the tiny details helps you relax. Not only does this sort of activity give you control of the event you want to go to, but you also get to see all your favorite people. (You don’t
The astrological reason your expectations are out of this world right now
September 20, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC Ten years ago, Obama was sworn in as president, Glee was the show to watch, and you couldn’t escape the Black Eyed Peas’ Boom Boom Pow on the radio. It was also the beginning of a Jupiter-Neptune cycle that began in May-December of that year… and tomorrow, September 21, 2019, we enter the closing square. “Something seeded during this time is at a turning point phase of development and will need your attention,” says astrologer Amy Tripp. “Squares show tension that must be resolved through direct action. With both planets in their sign of rulership this is an especially potent square.” Get ready for some tension between reality and your expectations. Take special note if you are a Sagittarius, Pisces, Virgo, or Gemini—you’re going to be most impacted by this square. “There is an opportunity to be more flexible and open to other possibilities during this transit,” says Tripp. It’s also an “optimistic, enthusiastic, dream-inducing transit that expands the belief that you can make something that is your ideal, real. The tension is in the uncertainty of knowing if the dream is really tangible or if it is just a seductive fantasy,” she explains. I mean, I feel like that is the struggle of my life everyday, but also I am a Pisces so do with that what you will. “You may find you are more generous and charitable, but it is a good idea to make sure you are not being taken
The 8 best ‘Friends’ moments that double as legitimately helpful wellness tips
September 17, 2019 at 09:22PM by CWC In the 25 years since the September 22, 1994, premiere of Friends on NBC, the sitcom has not only proved to have incredible staying power in pop culture via its characters, its cult-beloved haircuts, and its syndication. Often cited as one of the most-viewed shows on Netflix (though its days available on the platform are numbered), people can’t stop watching over and over and over again. There are surely many reasons for this, including that some of the best Friends moments double as healthy-living tips we can all stand to bookmark. No one’s arguing that many plot lines from those late-’90s/early-aughts episodes don’t hold up in today’s more socially conscious world. (For one example, consider the highly insensitive Fat Monica back-story. Yikes.) And the series couldn’t have been more homogenous from every angle if it tried. If there were ever a reboot, rallying for more authenticity and diversity would be the top priority. But to be clear, celebrating the series doesn’t mean ignoring its pain points—it means acknowledging them, and demanding more of entertainment sources moving forward. It also means appreciating the additions the six Friends have added to our cultural lexicon. So, without further ado, turn on that Rembrandts bop (in your head, where it will no doubt continue playing involuntarily for the next stretch of time) and check out the best Friends moments that double as serious wellness tips. 1. Say it with me: coffee Other than their apartments, the Friends
Here’s why you should rate your sexual desire on a scale of 1 to 9
September 07, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC “On a scale from 1 to 9, how turned on are you right now?” Isn’t it always so sweet and considerate when a significant other takes the time to ask you that? Oh, wait… that has never happened to me. And judging by the vast amount of people (specifically women) who just aren’t in the mood, I can’t possibly be alone. Learning to state our needs, and inquire about those of our partner(s), is a skill many of us don’t possess just yet. That’s why the folks over at The Gottman Institute, a research-based group of relationship experts, are strong proponents of rating your desire for sex on a scale of 1 to 9 before things get hot, heavy, and, um, confusing. “Many couples are uncomfortable discussing how to initiate sex and also don’t know how to say, ‘Sorry, I’m not in the mood,’ in a way that doesn’t feel hurtful or rejecting.” —The Gottman Institute “Many couples are uncomfortable discussing how to initiate sex and also don’t know how to say, ‘Sorry, I’m not in the mood,’ in a way that doesn’t feel hurtful or rejecting,” the Gottman Institute posted to Instagram. “It’s also difficult to cope with being turned down.” That’s why sex therapist Lonnie Barbach, PhD, strongly advocates for plowing through the awkwardness of rating your arousal based on a numbers system. On the other side both you and your partner will emerge with a stronger, clearer means of communication.
Citrus essential oils are mood-boosting superstars—here’s how to use them
September 06, 2019 at 11:15PM by CWC During the summer months, the quickest mood boost comes from stepping outside, basking in the warm sun, and breathing in the fresh air. However, with fall quickly approaching, some extra help might be necessary. The good news is you probably already have exactly what you need hiding in your essential oils collection. Citrus scents—orange, lemon, lime, grapefruit, and more—are superstars when it comes to boosting your mood. Which, TBH, probably explains why I suddenly feel weirdly happy when I’m cleaning with essential oil-infused disinfectants, even though I’m… you know, cleaning. And there’s a simple explanation for why that magic happens. “The typical fresh and uplifting smell of citruses comes from their main chemical component, d-limonene,” says certified aromatherapist Caroline Schroeder. “Extracted from the fresh fruit rind and usually pressed, citrus essential oils contain up to 97 percent of d-limonene, and studies suggest this component supports the part of the nervous system that’s responsible for relaxation. In other words, it can decrease stress.” There are a handful of different kinds of citrus essential oils, and each is “refreshing, brings energy, and has an uplifting, cleansing effect,” Schroeder says. But different types can make you feel different things. “Lemon is cool and joyful while orange is warm and pampers. And grapefruit boosts energy in an entirely different way,” she adds. A recent study from the University of Sussex even found the scent of a lemon can help boost your self-confidence and body-image. If you want to
Mushrooms aren’t just for cooking—here’s why you’re about to put them on your face
September 04, 2019 at 04:30AM by CWC Grilled on skewers, whipped into an omelette, or acting as a vessel to stuff in even more veggies—is there any way you don’t love mushrooms? Newsflash: There’s about to be a new one, because they want in on your face. That’s right, the potential benefits of mushroom (and other forest-grown ingredients) are making their way into your skin care, and it couldn’t be happening at a better time. “Stressors from environmental pollution, digital pollution, and our fast-paced modern lifestyles [can] create barriers to the natural world and wreak havoc on our health and our skin,” says Natalie Pergar, lead skin care trainer at Eminence Organic Skin Care. So are Netflix and smog doing not so-great-things for your skin? Pergar thinks so—but says that exposing your skin to nature, like the Japanese practice of forest bathing, can help. “The Pure Forest Collection brings the restorative properties of the forest directly to the skin, allowing us to release the stress of urban living and reconnect with nature.” That’s why Pergar and the team at Eminence Organics took things back to basics with their latest collection. “The Pure Forest Collection [helps] bring the restorative properties of the forest directly to the skin, allowing us to release the stress of urban living and reconnect with nature,” she says. And the star ingredient? Mushrooms, of course—specifically supercharged reishi and snow mushrooms, both of which have been buzzed about for their potential radiance-boosting powers. Keep scrolling to learn more
A nostalgia expert explains why reminiscing in groups is such a great unifier—at work and otherwise
August 31, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC Which Baby-Sitters Club member do you think best describes you? Well, I’m blonde, wear all black, and feel a constant need to remind people I’m from New York…I’m, ugh, probably Stacey. The other day at the Well+Good office, staffers were feeling nostalgic about BSC since—fun fact—the series is seeing a big revival in the form of a Netflix series. Within minutes, we were discussing the traits of each character and identifying with them, like a more wholesome take on that Sex and the City game. Between this and our recent team-wide debate over the best Disney character, I’m convinced that nostalgia is an excellent unifier. It puts everyone back on the playground where they can be friends again. ad_intervals[‘398339_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘398339_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); And according to a real professional who specializes in the psychology of nostalgia, it totally makes sense that throwback energy may lead to team bonding and maybe even friendship. Discussing things like BSC taps into nostalgia’s ability to deal with the tension of needing to belong while still upholding our independent identity. “Each of us has our own life history that has contributed to our becoming the special person we are,” says licensed psychologist Krystine I. Batcho, PhD. “But we need to feel the common bond that prevents loneliness and alienation. Sharing nostalgic memories about trends during our childhood or youth brings back both the happiness we felt then and the feelings of
The most common thing people in therapy discuss about their parents, according to therapists
August 30, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC The Netflix film Otherhood follows three empty-nester mothers (played by Felicity Huffman, Angela Bassett, and Patricia Arquette), who decide to invade the lives of their neglectful grown sons under the guise of being helpful. The ill-fated plan of the overbearing parents eventually leads each woman to realize what she needs more desperately than attention from her child is to form an identity outside of motherhood—both for the good of herself and her child. Though none of the three sons in the film attended therapy as a method for handling stress and feelings associated with events related to their…intrusive mothers, based on what two pros tell me, it seems like the very topic that comes up most often when clients discuss their parents in sessions. “Common conversations I have with clients about their relationship with their parents revolve around having overbearing or ‘helicopter’ parents and having difficulty creating boundaries with them,” says counselor Liz Higgins, LMFT and founder of Millennial Life Counseling in Dallas. ad_intervals[‘411373_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘411373_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); This often happens as a result of people needing to develop the capacity to rely on themselves early in adulthood, and trying to detach from parents to some degree, says Portland, Oregon-based psychotherapist Satya Doyle Byock, LPC. Parents who are overbearing or even simply too available make this separation incredibly difficult, and as a result, some people, especially generations that are currently navigating the earlier stages of
Here’s how to untie every knot in your neck in 3 minutes flat
August 30, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC Almost every single night, I wind up with the same exact problem: a super tight, cramped-up neck. Between sitting hunched over my laptop all day and having way too many Netflix binge-watching sessions, it’s really no surprise that it’s a regularly occurrence. While getting rid of that pain isn’t exactly easy—or cheap!—there is one super-affordable option that helps almost immediately. I’d love to a masseuse on call to help banish those knots in the neck, but that’s just not realistic. Instead, I’m left with the next best thing: a tennis ball. The solution seems so ridiculously simple—especially considering aspirin has been my BFF lately. And even though it can’t fix crappy posture, it can definitely provide some relief until we all finally decide to sit up straight (it’s hard, okay?). Here’s exactly how to give yourself an epic neck massage right at home. ad_intervals[‘419325_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘419325_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); How to give yourself a massage when you’ve got knots in the neck To give yourself a neck massage with a tennis ball, first find a comfortable spot on the floor to lie down. Then, follow these simple instructions. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5VkX9SygWQ] Side-to-side: Bend your knees, keeping the pressure off your low back, and place the tennis ball in the groove on the back of your neck. Take a few seconds to breathe, letting the tennis ball sink into the muscle tissue. Slowly turn your head to the