September 10, 2019 at 05:46PM by CWC Getting comfortable on an airplane isn’t easy. And falling asleep during your flight is particularly challenging, what with the shrinking leg room and reclined-seat battles. Sarah Foster, a New York City-based flight attendant behind the blog Flying with Foster, knows this all too well. Some days she’s working up to four flights in a single day. While she doesn’t get much a chance for shut-eye while she’s on the job, she takes full advantage of a super soft neck pillow on the weekly flights she takes off-duty. If anyone’s an expert in choosing a travel neck pillow that’ll help you get some sleep in the sky, it’s Foster. “Comfort and functionality is very important, but I personally look for something I can pack easily over anything else,” she tells me. “I live out of a suitcase most of the time and it can get hard to fit everything I need in my carry-on, so something that’s easily portable is the most desirable quality to me.” Photo: Trtl After hundreds of flights, Foster’s travel neck pillow of choice exceeds the standards for comfort and portability. The Trtl Pillow ($30), which wraps around your head like a scarf. It’s soft, machine washable, and—most importantly—prevents you from nodding as you’re falling asleep by holding your head upright. “This is—in my opinion—the best travel neck pillow if you’re looking for one that’s easily transportable and won’t take up a lot of space in your luggage,” Foster says.
Tag: Well+Good
4 dermatologist-backed ways to keep your skin barrier healthy (and honestly they’re so easy)
September 10, 2019 at 05:20PM by CWC Your skin barrier is like your very own zone defense. All around the clock, it’s keeping you protected from skin enemies like pollution, UV rays, dust, gunk—the list goes on. And yet, for the skin barrier to become an MVP, it needs some tender-loving care of its own. “Your skin barrier is the protective layer that guards you from the environment and stops your skin from losing fluids,” explains Purvisha Patel, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of Visha Skincare. “It’s made up of lipids and cells.” When it’s not functioning at its best, it can’t do its job at an optimal level, which means your skin can get damaged. “The more irritated or damaged it is, the less effectively it maintains the moisture barrier,” says Rachel Nazarian, MD, a New York-based dermatologist. This results in things like dryness, inflammation, and sensitized skin. “A normal, healthy skin barrier means your skin is even, toned, and smooth, with no redness or inflammation,” says Dr. Patel. Yes, please. Keep reading for the four expert-approved ways to keep your skin barrier thriving. 1. Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate Keeping your skin moisturized is essential for happy skin, and it’s also a key part of maintaining your barrier. “Ceramides, glycerin, and other lipophilic agents act like cement and help heal the cracks to restore moisture,” says Dr. Patel, who stresses that you should moisturize your skin daily with these ingredients. Gentle moisturizer options include this Skinfix Barrier+ Lipid-Peptide Lotion
New to HIIT? Follow these 6 insider tips to slay your workouts
September 10, 2019 at 04:00PM by CWC Different workout classes are scary for different reasons. Yoga’s intimidating because it can easily make you fart in public (sorry, but it’s true). I’m always afraid to clip into a spin bike because I don’t know how to clip back out. And if I rewind it back to before I started doing HIIT, I’ve gotta admit that the fast-paced intensity of boot camps and other high intensity interval training workouts was very, very intimidating. HIIT workouts are enticing for a lot of reasons—they’re short, they’re effective, and you can do them anywhere without equipment. So it pays off to eat that frog and at least give HIIT a whirl for the sake of sweat. HIIT workouts push you hard. “They bring your body to the point of exhaustion since they alternate between intense anaerobic periods followed by less intense, but working recovery periods, and on and on,” says Branko Teodorovic, FlexIt master trainer. But, not everyone’s at the same fitness level—so how do you ensure that you nail your first high intensity sweat sesh? “Intensity is different for everyone, so my HIIT workout as an advanced athlete will be completely different from someone who’s just starting out,” says Evan James Betts, founding trainer of GRIT BXNG. He also points out that HIIT doesn’t necessarily equate to complex movements, so you could still be doing basic exercises like squat jumps or tuck jumps to get a great workout. So that you feel the absolute most confident strolling
This trio of Trader Joe’s seasonings is the easiest way to cook fancy without the fuss
September 10, 2019 at 03:02PM by CWC Whenever Trader Joe’s launches a new spice, it’s the culinary equivalent of a Supreme drop. Suddenly, jar after jar is flying off the shelf faster than you can say “everything but the bagel,” homemade dishes become just a touch more flavorful. While some spices definitely receives heaps of hype on Instagram, Reddit, and beyond, the country’s favorite frugal food destination is also home to a few underrated gems. Namely, the 21 Seasoning Salute, Umami, and Chili Lime. In case you’ve overlooked these three zesty blends on your trips to TJ’s, let me assure you: each will propel your home cooking to Michelin-level heights (without any extra legwork). The unique flavor profiles, as the gastronomic experts might say, adds a je ne sais quoi that propels a “meh” dinner into one that you’ll want to eat on the regular. 21 Seasoning Salute If you’re trying to cut down on your salt intake, then Trader Joe’s 21 seasoning salute will be your new favorite. Concerning the multi-hyphenate spice blend, Trader Joe’s says: “Count ’em: onion, black pepper, celery seed, cayenne pepper, parsley, basil, marjoram, bay leaf, oregano, thyme, savory, rosemary, cumin, mustard, coriander, garlic, carrot, orange peel, tomato, lemon juice & lemon oil—phew!” 1. 21 SEASONING SALUTE VINAGRETTE Skip the pre-made salad dressing and go (semi-)gourmet with the help of your 21 seasoning salute. 2. The greatest grilled chicken “ever” According to food blog Strength and Sunshine, the 20+ spice mixture yields the most flavorful grilled
How to tell if you’re using *too* many skin-care ingredients at once
September 10, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC As I once learned after eating an entire bag of Sour Patch Watermelons that left me with an actual sugar hangover the next morning, there is definitely such thing as “too much of a good thing.” And this morning, as I layered my moisturizer on top of my hyaluronic acid, vitamin C, and AHA serums, I had a thought that stopped me in my tracks: Could this principle apply to skin care, too? In other words, is it possible to use too many active ingredients at the same time? “There’s no limit on number, but I think most dermatologists would agree that less is more,” says New York City-based dermatologist Dhaval Bhanusali, MD, FAAD. “Especially if ingredients are drying, like exfoliators, you can strip away the good oils and actually cause compensatory hyper-secretion of oil into the pores and more breakouts.” As in—your skin will produce more oil, which, he says, is one of the major culprits behind adult acne. “There is not one magic ‘one size fits all’ number of actives that a person can use,” confirms board-certified dermatopathologist Gretchen Frieling, MD, noting that people have different skin care types, conditions that they wish to address, and tolerance levels for products, all of which can influence how your skin responds to different ingredient cocktails. While there may not necessarily be a thing as “too many” actives, if you do plan on combining a whole bunch of them at once, you’ll want to
Why crying during sex is a thing—even when it’s consensual, enjoyable, and loving
September 10, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC When sex with your partner is fun, happy, and—most importantly—consensual, your mind and body are liable to react in a number of different ways. Your feel-good emotions run high, and your adrenaline pumps, and the result may include you shaking, moaning, writhing, or even laughing with joy. In fact, crying during sex is even a thing, and it doesn’t necessarily mean anything negative. It’s true: Even when you’re in bed with someone you trust and you’re having awesome sex, you may just find yourself shedding some tears, whether during intercourse, upon achieving orgasm, and/or in that post-romp haze. And according to sex therapists, there are a number of reasons this emotional response is a completely and totally normal experience. Why you might cry during sex “Just like sex is not just physical, our responses to sex can be physical, emotional, or both,” says sex and relationship therapist Kristine Seitz, LSW. So while you might feel happy and safe and totally into what’s going on (either with a partner or by yourself), your body’s reaction may tap into your emotions and thoughts, or vice versa. “When people cry during sex it could mean myriad emotions are being released at the same time,” says certified sex therapist and coach Sari Cooper, LCSW. The emotions could come from love, anxiety, vulnerability, excitement, or whatever else you happen to be feeling at the given moment in question—and sometimes those feelings can manifest in a way that’s overwhelming,
The 2 foods you should *always* buy organic, according to a top dietitian
September 10, 2019 at 12:00PM by CWC [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ncHSaA0-Chg] There’s a reason why Whole Foods is often dubbed Whole Paycheck—buying all-organic everything can add up. But given the risks of pesticides from most conventionally-grown produce…what’s a healthy, budget-conscious eater to do? Registered dietitian and You Versus Food host Tracy Lockwood Beckerman, RD, says the easiest way to prioritize your organic spending is to know which foods most often are contaminated with pesticides. In the latest episode, Beckerman explains that every year, the Environmental Working Group (EWG) releases two lists: the Dirty Dozen and the Clean 15. “[These two lists] identify the produce that are the most and least likely to be contaminated by pesticides,” she says. She says that out of anything, you should do you best to go organic when buying strawberries and kale. “Strawberries have held their spot at the top of the Dirty Dozen list for four out of the last five years, so if there’s one fruit to buy organic, it’s definitely strawberries,” Beckerman says. As for kale, it’s a newbie on the list. While it used to not be on the Dirty Dozen at all, it’s now one of the most contaminated veggies. Good. To. Know. Check out the full episode above to see what else tops the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists. “Buy organic when you can, but don’t put too much pressure on buying all organic all the time,” Beckerman says. After all, feeling stressed about your food isn’t good for you
Learn the ‘5-3-3 breathing technique’ for the most up and at ’em morning attitude
September 10, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC From the moment I wake up, my to-do list is already running through my mind in neon lights. It’s a lot for only having been conscious for five seconds, which is why finding out crafty ways to re-center myself before jumping out of bed can be a pretty invaluable tool. Enter the 5-3-3 breathing technique, an invention of basketball coach Dominique Williams that’s designed to focus your energy before your day truly begins. “5-3-3 is a meditation designed in the spirit of Buddhist meditation and martial arts training,” says Coach D. “The method uses breath work as the concentration for mindfulness and insight, along with martial arts breathing techniques for rhythm and increased endurance.” Williams designed the 5-3-3 to motivate athletes, but it works for anyone whose mind feels unfocused and frenzied. Quick, clipped inhales and long, drawn out exhales are both part of the practice. Meaning, on a physical level, the diaphragm (which Coach D calls the body’s “space maker”) is expanding, the brain is receiving in influx of oxygen, and the lungs are expanding while the core is contracting. Studies have shown that deep breathing techniques can calm the respiratory and cardiovascular system, while faster breathing (known as Kapalabhati in yoga), is said to create energy. “Much like a team huddle and chant that keeps the motivation, focus, and morale up throughout the course, 5-3-3 relieves discomfort, anxiety, and creates a collective focus,” says Coach D. Here’s how to get more
The 9 best inclusive sex education Instagram accounts to follow right now
September 10, 2019 at 02:00AM by CWC In the event that the sexual education you received in your high school classroom more closely resembled a Mean Girls punch line than the comprehensive, inclusive, and factual rundown we all deserve and deserve and need, two things: 1. You’re hardly alone in your experience of being underserved by the system. And 2. You’re in luck. That’s because in the digital age, learning more about deep and wide world of pleasure can be as easy as scrolling Instagram thanks to all the sex educators who drop knowledge regularly on the platform. The influx of free, readily available information that is sex-positive, pleasure-inclusive, body-inclusive, and consent- and trauma-informed is one of the great benefits of living in the digital age. Here are nine of the best accounts for you to follow now. Scroll down for 9 sex ed accounts you should be following on Instagram. 1. @gabalexa Think of this account as the Bisexuality 101 course you never had the opportunity to take. Bicon (ahem, bisexual icon) Gabrielle Alexa Noel, founder of Bi Girl Club, a lifestyle and apparel brand, creates content specifically for people who identify as bisexual and their supporting allies. She provides tools to fight against internalized biphobia, shares little-known bisexual history, and offers tips for experimenting. 2. @sexelducation Get ready to learn way more here about STIs than you did in any classroom. Run by sexologist Emily Depasse, @sexelducation aims to transform the narrative around sexually transmitted infections from one
Yes, healthy fats are good for you—but it’s still possible to overdo it
September 10, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC If the nutrition world had Avengers (bear with me here), fat would be the Bucky Barnes of the group—once a villain, then rehabilitated to be a true hero. It’s not that long ago when fat-free butter replacements and fat-free snacks and desserts were all the rage; now things couldn’t be more different. Fat is back, baby. However, as we all embrace healthy fats and slather our toast with nut butter, pile avocados onto our salads, and add MCT oils into our coffees, it begs the question: how much fat per day, even the healthy kind, is okay to eat? After all, protein is healthy but there’s definitely still a limit on what we’re supposed to be consuming every day. Answering this question gets confusing, fast. So we talked to experts to figure out what we should be doing in the fats department to maximize those benefits without going overboard. How much fat per day is safe to eat? Unfortunately there’s no one “magic” number of grams of fat that works for everyone. But in general, nutritionist Jessica Ash, CNC, and founder of Jessica Ash Wellness recommends getting about 20 to 30 percent of your daily calories from fat. Whitney English MS, RDN agrees. “For someone on a 2,000 calorie diet, that would be about 55 to 66 grams of fat a day,” English says. However, that number is flexible depending on a person’s activity level and overall health. For example, women with hormonal issues