September 22, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC My IBS-y friend and I have a running joke. Whenever one of us (not saying who) indulges in an eccentric spice-filled feast, we text the other the movie poster for the fictional South Park universe film Terrence and Phillip: Asses of Fire. I was thinking on that joke when I went to Butt Con the other month (what is my life) and tapped functional medicine doctor Mark Hyman, MD to ask about the perceived link between spicy food and my digestive woes. Because honestly, I’m sick of getting literally burned by my love for Sri Lankan food. However, I learned that while spicy food can cause problems for people with IBS (like my friend), in general they’re pretty good for your digestive health. “Spices can really be helpful for your gut because they help protect your gut flora,” Dr. Hyman says. “They help fertilize the good bugs; they kill the bad bugs.” “I love spicy food for the taste, but I also love its effects for the GI tract,” agrees gastroentologist Niket Sonpal, MD. “One of the biggest misconceptions of spicy food is it gives people reflux or ulcers. Just because it burns a little bit on the way in doesn’t mean it causes any other burning.” Not only that, but I learned that certain spices go the extra mile when it comes to better gut health and um, healthy and reasonable BMs. Read on to find which spices will Do The Most
Tag: Well+Good
The sleep issue each dosha struggles to hit snooze on
September 22, 2019 at 08:06PM by CWC Here are two things that are old as dirt: the constant quest for a good night’s sleep, and Ayurveda, a 5,000-year-old holistic healing tradition that originated in India. Luckily, you’re able to use the latter to aid the former: using Ayurveda for sleep is all about identifying your dosha. In Ayurveda we have a certain mind-body composite, made up of a combination of three doshas. Your most dominant dosha is a reflection of everything from how you sleep to how you respond to your stress. The idea is that you want your doshas to be balanced, but if something’s a little kilter, that means you’re being pulled energetically pulled one way or another. And just so you don’t fear you’re going to have to learn a whole new zodiac wheel of personalities, there’s only three doshas that determine your energy: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha. Knowing what dosha (and yes, like a rank amateur I find mine out from a what dosha are you quiz, I’m a Vata) can give you a more personalized wellness map of sorts. And if you’re in the timeless struggle of tossing-and-turning, we have some insight from Oriental medicine specialist and founder of Juhi Center in New York, Juhi Singh, LAc. Vata Studies tend to show that those who align with Vata have plenty of trouble getting a good night’s rest. Like, perpetual eye baggages is kind of Our Look, and Singh confirms that we struggle the hardest of
Yale’s happiness expert says embracing ‘time affluence’ can maximize vacation happiness
September 22, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Radical suggestion for your next vacation: Toss your travel itinerary, delete your friend’s email full of suggestions, and unfollow that “All Who Wander Are Not Lost” Pinterest board. Why? According to psychologist Laurie Santos, PhD, striving for max idle time, which she calls time affluence, is the key to really, truly enjoying your time away. And she would know; the Yale Professor teaches the happiness-maximizing course “Psychology and the Good Life” and hosts the newly launched podcast The Happiness Lab. But uh, wait: What is time affluence, anyway? It’s basically as it sounds: deriving value and joy from an abundance of unscheduled idle time. And, better yet, this idle time is noted to bring about great joy. In fact, studies consistently demonstrate that not only do we value time over money, but being able to have that empty, mindful time can being hugely beneficial to your psychological well being. And for all you naysayers quick to point out that this sounds equal parts nice and impossible given long days and social-obligation-laden weekends, I do hear you. Like financial affluence, there’s a level of privilege tied to achieving this sacred free time on a regular basis. But, when we’re talking about vacation, what’s your excuse? Though you may have trouble abiding by your own OOO message, you ostensibly do have more control over how you’re spending your time and mental energy when you’re away. The best way to start? Turn off your push notifications, and consider
We found the lazy girl’s alternative to foam rolling, and it has our muscles saying “ahhh!”
September 22, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC A rolling pin is something I have stashed away in my kitchen, mainly ignored (much like my cheese grater and my blender). What can I say—I don’t like pie, and whenever I want pizza, I dial up the closest spot in my hood rather than roll it out from scratch on my own, but I may have found another use for the trusty kitchen tool. While in a discussion during a panel at Aqua Studio in New York on lymphatic health—in which different pros spoke on how you can better your own lymphatic drainage system for better overall wellness—I discovered that the rolling pin can be used as a lazy way to foam roll. (Excuse me as I squeal with delight.) “A rolling pin will stimulate the lymph to move, like a pump,” explains Chloe Cofresi, a body work specialist who works with HigherDose. “The lymphatic system is like your body’s circulation system, but without an internal pump, like the heart, so you need to manually stimulate the flow of the lymph so it can drain.” (It can do this on its own, but sometimes it’s slower than we’d like). So instead of rolling out some dough, you’re helping to roll out the lymph and fascia underneath your skin. Also? Not only is this massage boosting your lymphatic drainage, but it’s also multitasking on your fascia—the connective tissue that connects and stabilizes your muscles at the same time, which helps with muscle soreness. “If
The most important meal of day to pack with protein, according to an RD
September 22, 2019 at 12:01PM by CWC Protein isn’t just important in helping you #getswole at the gym. It’s crucial for your day-to-day functions beyond building muscle. And if you’ve been wondering which meal it’s best to load up on it, a registered dietitian says the answer is very clear: breakfast. When you wake up and start your day with some protein, Erin Palinski-Wade, RD, CDE, says you’re basically setting yourself up for success. “Having protein throughout the day is important in order to help you feel full and satisfied. However, starting off your day with a protein-rich breakfast may have the biggest impact, since it can help to stabilize blood sugar levels all day long—meaning less hunger and cravings and more consistent energy,” she says. According to Palinski-Wade, the best way to reap that all-day energy is to eat a good source of protein within an hour of waking up, which not only curbs hunger, but also revs up your metabolism. “For on-the-go breakfast options, I love to recommend eggs because they’re such an easy, versatile complete protein option. You can take a hard-boiled egg with you on the go or make ‘egg muffins’ with eggs and vegetables that can easily be prepped in advance and last all week long,” she says. “Protein-rich smoothies can also make an easy breakfast or on-the-go snack. A good recipe template for a smoothie includes 1 cup frozen or fresh fruit, 1/2 cup vegetables, and 1/2 cup Greek yogurt for a creamy and
A dermatologist reveals the most effective way to get rid of hair *down there*
September 22, 2019 at 06:00AM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8oUKNCZHbo] Whether you’ve embraced #bigbushenergy or are strictly team #baldisbeautiful, deciding what to do with the hair on your nether regions is one of the most personal choices you can make. And man oh man, are there choices. From waxing to shaving to laser, there seems to be a mode of hair removal to fit every personality—or, ya know, at least every level of pain tolerance. But which one reigns supreme? To find out, we consulted board-certified dermatologist Mona Gohara, MD. In our latest episode of Dear Derm, Dr. Gohara answers our burning questions about how best to care for your most, ahem, intimate skin. In addition to spilling on which hair removal method is the most effective in the long term, she also reveals exactly how often you should be shaving to keep things smooth, what you need to know before you go into your first bikini wax, and exactly which laser you should use depending on your skin type. And it would be impossible to talk “booty call beauty” without discussing ingrown hairs, which can pop up (or, more specifically, pop under) no matter how you choose to remove your hair down there. Thankfully, she’s got the foolproof way to keep them at bay. “You can prevent ingrown hairs in one key step: Consistently exfoliating,” she says, adding that she reaches for glycolic peel pads, like Dr. Dennis Gross Skincare Alpha Beta® Universal Daily Peel ($88) to get the job done.
Work your hamstrings and your back at once with ‘good mornings’
September 22, 2019 at 12:04AM by CWC Waking up to a workout is always a good idea. While there are plenty of different exercises to choose from to help you get in a solid sweat sesh before running off to work, there’s one in particular that reigns supreme when it comes to setting you up for the day ahead. If you haven’t heard of “good mornings,” I’m pretty sure they’re about to become your new favorite thing. The exercise can be done banded or with a bar, but both bring on the same benefits: a stronger lower back and toned hamstrings. And if you’re going to be sitting all day—the worst thing for your lower back—doing a few reps will keep your body feeling its best, even when you’re stuck at your desk for hours. How to do “good mornings”: Stand on a looped band with your feet hip-width apart and toes pointed straight ahead. Squat down, put the band around your neck so it’s sitting on your traps, and stand straight back up. Keeping your shoulders pulled back, core tight, and knees slightly bent, slowly push your hips back as you bend forward into a nearly 90-degree angle. Once you reach the top, squeeze your butt. Perform 3 sets of 8 to 12 reps. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CTRaCzE8pWU] Before working out, start with this warm-up that will take you straight back to elementary school recess. Then if you want a quickie sweat session, go for this 9-minute Pilates workout that targets
How to shop for skin care on Instagram, because you can’t believe everything you see
September 21, 2019 at 10:00PM by CWC It’s hard to believe that 10 years ago, the word “shelfie” didn’t exist. Over the course of the last decade, Instagram has completely changed our relationship to skin care. An industry that once only existed in drugstores and department stores has now become a social media stronghold, with everyone from Kim Kardashian to Alexandra Oscasio Cortez taking to the ‘gram to show off their routines. If you want to discover a new brand, all you have to do is scroll through your discover page. To learn how to use it, just consult your favorite beauty blogger. To buy it, you can now even do that directly in the app. Instagram has changed the way we interact with skin care in literally every possible way, and is as much a part of many people’s routine as the actual slathering on of products is. While there are a lot of positives to the fact that this is now at our fingertips in an entirely new way, there are also some major setbacks, because—and say it with me now—you can’t always believe what you see on IG. “Social media is a powerful marketing tool for small brands, and it is actually the way that many people receive their news. So it makes sense that consumers learn about skin-care products through their social media channels,” says board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, MD. “However, it is important that a product is well formulated and actually benefits the skin. Social media
The rules for eating a plant-based burger are the same as eating a regular beef burger
September 21, 2019 at 08:00PM by CWC Not to brag, but we totally predicted 2019 would be the year of alt-meats. Not only do I live within spitting’s distance of innumerable joints slinging Beyond and Impossible Burgers here in vegan-friendly Los Angeles, but I have also spotted them on multiple menus in my Texas hometown, where “meat-free” typically registers as a slur. Alt-meat’s fast becoming a staple on menus at Burger King, Dunkin’ Donuts, White Castle, Carl’s Jr., and Subway, which signals a mainstreaming of the trend beyond any quinoa-eating old-school vegan’s wildest dreams. However, just because they’re plant-based doesn’t mean they automatically deserve a place at every meal. “We know that real burgers are not a health food, and these fake burgers are not meant to be a health food,” cautions Dana Hunnes, PhD, MPH, RD, senior dietitian at UCLA Medical Center. “They are meant to be a direct substitute for a meat burger that doesn’t harm any animals and reduces harm to the environment.” Still, she posits, they are technically better in some ways than a beef burger from a health perspective. Despite being processed, “they’re are not nearly as likely to be potential carcinogens since they are plant-based,” she says, referring to the scientifically-established link between red meat and cancer risk. Nutrition science journalist Max Lugavere takes a somewhat contrary view. “Every ingredient in these fake meat burgers has already undergone intensive processing on their own, often using heat and harsh chemical solvents, which then come together to achieve
8 natural air purifier hacks, because we can’t all afford fancy machines in every room
September 21, 2019 at 06:00PM by CWC Full disclosure: I actually have a Dyson air purifier situated in the largest room of my home. That one machine—mighty as it may be—doesn’t purify my entire living space, given that I live in a perpetually dusty space in smoggy Los Angeles with two dander-dropping cats and their particle-spewing litter box. But since I can’t afford to Dyson-ify each room, I keep at least one window cracked 24/7, clean regularly (though not as often as I should), and just hope I’m not harming myself with indoor air pollution. Clearly, I could stand to better educate myself by exploring natural air purifier options. To pinpoint an effective, cost-saving solution, I began investigating different ways to naturally clean the indoor air. Below, clean living experts offer eight tips for detoxing your (and my) home the natural, cost-saving way. Below find 8 natural air purifier options, straight from experts. 1. Prioritize plants As evidenced by her uber-green office, Well+Good Council member Sophia Gushée is a plant fanatic. Her obsession isn’t simply aesthetic, either. “Some plants have been proven to convert harmful chemicals, like formaldehyde and benzene, into oxygen,” Gushée tells me. Her favorite plants that have natural air purifier powers are Sansevieria trifasciata (or snake plant), peace lillies, and the Zamioculcas zamiifolia (or ZZ plant). “They are low maintenance plants that can survive my dry NYC apartment and hectic lifestyle,” she explains. And for a deeper dive into detoxing your home, watch the What the Wellness