August 14, 2019 at 10:23AM by CWC After having survived what felt like the longest Mercury retrograde ever (not to mention the aftershocks of its lingering Mercury retroshade, we’re all due for some good vibes. And tomorrow, August 15, with the full sturgeon moon in Aquarius, that’s exactly what we can all expect to get. Despite this full moon’s decidedly unsexy name, the celestial period is all about following your heart and your passion. “This full moon features the Leo-Aquarius axis, with themes of expressing yourself in the context of the larger community,” says intuitive astrologer and healer Rachel Lang. “It emphasizes following your heart (Leo) and letting your passion run through your veins, circulating momentum for innovative ideas or making a contribution to the world (Aquarius).” Aquarius is inventive, and the full moon in this sign “encourages us to think way outside the box to solve any issues that come up in our lives,” Lang says. “Aquarius is also the sign of community and friendships; you could discover ways to become more involved.” And since the Sun, Venus, Mercury, and Mars are all in Leo, Lang also prescribes having fun as a creative influence for inspiration. “You might decide to take a break and enjoy the day or gather a group of friends for a night out,” Lang says. And since Aquarius and Leo are fixed signs, it’s best to remain as flexible as possible to reap the benefits of the full sturgeon moon. “One of the best ways
Tag: Well+Good
The glycemic index pinpoints foods that can mess with blood sugar, but there’s a catch
August 14, 2019 at 09:57AM by CWC When it comes to healthy eating, it’s official: Sugar, not fat, is the “big bad” of the nutrition world. Excessive sugar intake is linked to Type 2 diabetes, chronic inflammation, and other long-term health consequences, and most of us are eating way too much of it. When recommending ways to cut back on added sugar intake, one buzzword is frequently thrown around by nutrition experts: the glycemic index. The glycemic index (GI) essentially assigns scores to various foods with carbohydrates, rating them on how big or how small of an impact those foods can have on your blood sugar levels. This ranking system shows that not all carbs are created equal when it comes to your blood sugar—some have a minimal impact, while some can cause huge spikes that can lead to a rollercoaster crash later on in the day. But while some experts swear by the glycemic index to help people be more mindful of their sugar intake, the ranking system is a bit more nuanced than just determining which foods are “good” for blood sugar and which ones are “bad.” Here’s what you need to know about the nutrition buzzword. How does the glycemic index work? The glycemic index was originally developed for the diabetic community. “It created a numerical index or ranking of carbohydrates based on how they impact blood sugar levels when eaten without any other foods,” says Robert Glatter, MD, an assistant professor of emergency medicine at Northwell
Scientists take steps toward a vaccine for chlamydia, one of the most common STIs
August 14, 2019 at 09:32AM by CWC A new study published Tuesday in The Lancet shows promise for a chlamydia vaccine in the near future. As STI rates reach a record high, it can’t come soon enough. In 2016, the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported more than 2 million cases of chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis. The mounting statistics have created a renewed urgency in making scientific steps to prevent these life-altering—and sometime life-threatening—diseases. Chlamydia, which is the most common sexually transmitted bacterial infection in the world, proves especially tricky because of its under-the-radar symptoms, reports Time. While the STI can be remedied early on with antibiotics, it can increase an individual’s risk of infertility and pelvic pain if left untreated. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also warned that chlamydia is often resistant to antibiotics; in rare cases, even early treatment proves ineffective. The trial—which included a small sample size of 30 healthy women between the ages of 19 and 45—seeks to prevent people from receiving the STI in the first place. Participants in the study received one of two vaccines formulations or a placebo. Because the trial is still in its early stages, researchers haven’t yet assessed women who tested positive for chlamydia. Instead, they evaluated the ability of a vaccine to kickstart the production of the antibodies necessary to fight off the bacteria responsible for the disease. One vaccine proved slightly better than the other, and scientists will likely move forward by testing it on people
This super common skin-care ingredient could be messing with your brow game
August 14, 2019 at 09:01AM by CWC Oh, benzoyl peroxide. Over the years it’s helped me battle acne like a champ. One thing I didn’t really appreciate, though? How it completely ruined every towel I ever owned, leaving unsightly stains that are impossible to get rid. And be careful: Cotton isn’t the only thing it bleaches. A Reddit user recently shared how using benzoyl peroxide ruined more than her towels. After using the cream daily every morning, it wasn’t long before she started seeing a change in her eyebrows, too. “I started to notice blonde tips on my eyebrows, but chalked it down to summer, even though I don’t go in the sun often. I started to look at past pictures and that’s when I noticed just how stark the difference is,” she wrote. “I’ll still be using the cream, but will definitely make a point to avoid my eyebrows. RIP brows.” Many users didn’t want to believe that’s what causes the stark difference in her brow shade. “Yes, benzoyl peroxide can absolutely bleach your brows,” says New York City-based dermatologist Dendy Engelman, MD. “Benzoyl peroxide is a bleaching agent. That’s one of the effects of most peroxides.” ad_intervals[‘415098_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘415098_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); Luckily, using benzoyl peroxide on the regular doesn’t mean you have to get used to rocking a lighter shade of brows. “The best way to avoid having your eyebrows lighten is to avoid contact of the product with your
We found the very best sunscreens for people with sensitive skin
August 14, 2019 at 07:00AM by CWC SPF seems like a skin-care product that should be considered one-size fits all.” Because no matter what skin type you have, everyone needs to protect their faces, and that’s kind of that. But sensitive skin—the kind that’s more prone to allergic reactions, dryness, or eczema—has certain requirements from a sunscreen’s ingredient label for the sake of being properly protected. The most important things when picking out sunscreen for sensitive skin? Wear it…365. “Sunscreen doesn’t just protect you from sunburns, it also reduces the appearance of sun damage like hyperpigmentation, red spots, dry skin, and evens out the tone of your skin,” says Gretchen Frieling, MD, a Boston-based board certified dermatopathologist. “Not wearing sunscreen if you have sensitive skin is just not smart. You are only going to aggravate your skin, worsening the problem.” So not only is it important to wear sunscreen for sensitive skin, but it’s also crucial that you’re using the right stuff. “When looking for a sunscreen, people with sensitive skin should look for formulas containing physical blockers only with either zinc or titanium dioxide, as these active ingredients are less likely to cause a reaction,” says Rita Linkner, MD, a board-certified dermatologist. In fact, zinc oxide is a key ingredient in many diaper rash creams, meant to soothe babies’ irritated skin, making it a great ingredient for those sensitive types looking for a sunscreen. ad_intervals[‘414501_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414501_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); While chemical filters
You have the right to rewrite your resume as many times as you want, according to a career pro
August 14, 2019 at 05:57AM by CWC Go to college, get a degree, and start working your way up the ladder in your chosen field… forever. How many times have we heard this career-path advice? And how many of us now feel, well, stuck? According to Sinead Bovell, a lot. The founder of WAYE (that stands for “weekly advice for young entrepreneurs,” btw) counts model, MBA holder, and tech evangelist among her own varied hats, and just dropped three key steps to unlocking your career path at our Wellness Collective event with Athleta. “You are not confined to a job or industry simply because that is what you have done up until now,” says Bovell. “Your dream job should be an extension of yourself and who you are, and that usually means you will have to create it yourself—but don’t be afraid to do that!” ad_intervals[‘415326_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘415326_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); To do so, imagine it’s 10 years in the future and your friends and family are giving a toast in your honor—specifically about your achievements. In an ideal world, what would they be saying? The key to this exercise is removing the usual roadblocks (ahem, imposter syndrome) and thinking through what this vision of your own success would really look like. Nothing is off limits—just jot down your answer. Now that you’ve zero-ed in on this dream goal, write down the short- and medium-term steps you can take to make this 10-year
This 8-minute morning stretch routine will wake you up when you don’t have time for yoga
August 14, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC In theory, getting up early for a pre-work yoga class is never a bad idea—it can help to undo the tech neck, tight hips, and lower-back aches brought on by the daily grind and intensified by long stretches of time in bed. But let’s be real: In an era when being “tired all the time” has its own clever acronym, an extra hour in bed often wins out over warrior poses at dawn. Fortunately, you don’t have to fully sacrifice lithe, flexible muscles in favor of a full eight hours of sleep. According to Samira Mustafaeva, a former world-champion gymnast and founder of the SM Stretching studios in Los Angeles and Russia, all you need is an eight-minute morning stretch sesh to set you up for a more limber day. “Stretching can be done at any time of the day, but the morning is especially great because it awakens your muscles from slumber and gets you ready to go about your day,” she says, adding that a shorter routine is actually better because your joints will be stiffer after sleep. This is especially true if you’re starting as soon as you get out of bed, without a workout as a warmup. “Doing a few stretches in the a.m. with no prior workout is fine—just don’t do anything too sharp or pull too hard,” she says. “Push yourself as far as you are comfortable, without any serious discomfort, to wake up the body.” ad_intervals[‘413212_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]
Is your resolved argument really over if you still have bad lingering feelings about it?
August 14, 2019 at 03:00AM by CWC Stale, negative energy. That’s the best way I can describe the situation of having made up with your partner after a fight, and the bad feelings continue to linger. Relationship arguments are extra confusing to settle when your head and heart don’t forgive and actually let things go at the same time. Because though on face value, you’ve each said what you need to say and heard what you need to hear, settled the issue, and are cool again with each other, you’re not quite there yet 100 percent and earnestly. And when your partner tries to extend their olive branch even further, sending you a cute meme or a text, no part of you wants to respond. Is it rude to ignore? Are you still angry? Could this mean the issue isn’t even resolved properly? First, know that this continuum of feelings is oh-so normal, and there’s a difference between a cooling-off period and subjecting someone to the silent treatment. When what you’re experiencing is a simple, healthy cooling off period, the two of you maybe just need some emotional and physical space or some time apart. ad_intervals[‘409486_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘409486_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); The silent treatment, though, is kind of a no-no. When done with intention, it functions as a passive-aggressive mechanism to control and punish your partner, and can even be a sign of narcissism. Furthermore, one 2017 study points out that in the
Here’s how to know if that snack you’re eating is actually a legit meal
August 14, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC In this age of I’m-too-busy-for-an-actual-meal, we have become a society of snackers. (Shout out to everyone literally eating a snack right now as you read this.) Walk into any drugstore and there’s at least half an aisle devoted to protein bars. Even avocado toast has transformed into a gym bag-friendly morsel. There are so many snack options that it honestly wouldn’t be that hard to live off snack products alone, instead of taking the time to piece together an actual meal. The lines between snacks and meals is definitely blurred. To help bring some clarity, I called up Jaime Schehr, NP, RD, a nationally recognized expert in integrative medicine and nutrition. Simply put, she explains that a meal is meant to fill someone up longer than a snack. “A meal is meant to fill someone up for at least three hours and is going to have the macronutrients we need, which unless you are doing keto [or another very specific eating plan], that includes protein, carbohydrates, and fiber,” Dr. Schehr explains, adding that this primarily looks like something veggie-based paired with a protein. ad_intervals[‘415114_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘415114_div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-8891272-3’);}); } }, 100); “What I tell my clients is that if you have breakfast at 8 a.m., your meal should be comprehensive enough so that it fills you up until at least 11 a.m.,” Dr. Schehr says. If not, it likely isn’t hitting those macronutrient buckets she details. This doesn’t mean
Yes, your parents have a favorite child—here’s what happens when it’s not you
August 13, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC My little brother and I recently engaged in a heated conversation about who’s the favorite child between us and our two other siblings. We’re all grown adults, yet this debate has been ongoing for as long as I can remember. My mom, for one, denies any favoritism, but I suspect she’s trying to shield us from the rather obvious truth: she loves my eldest brother most. Science says I might be right, at least in terms of the fact that she has a favorite period. Clinical psychologist Alexander Bingham, PhD, says real research backs up the notion that parents prefer one kid. In one 2005 longitudinal study, for example, 74 percent of mothers admitted to having a favorite child while 70 percent of fathers confessed to such a preference. So, odds are good that my parents—and yours, too—prefer one of their kids over the others. Dr. Bingham says this favoritism happens for the same reasons all humans prefer certain people, and those reasons, he explains, tend to fall into one of two buckets: neurotic and healthy. In psychoanalytic theory, a neurotic need is something an individual develops to protect themselves (like, for example, a need for approval as a means to stave off anxiety). “For neurotic reasons, any person will like or favor people who pander to their neurotic needs and dislike people who do not do so,” Dr. Bingham says. “If/when these needs are not met, the favoritism ends, replaced by dislike