February 11, 2020 at 03:00AM by CWC Recovery is top of mind these days, and as a result, technology that was once reserved for top athletes is now becoming widely accessible to all. For example, gym-goers everywhere can easily reach for percussive therapy devices (like the Theragun or Hypervolt) or infrared wraps to soothe muscle soreness. And, the same is about to be true for cold compression, thanks to a new device called the Squid Go. Both cold therapy and compression therapy have been tapped for decades to help soothe sore muscles. Science has shown that low temperatures can help relieve post-workout aches, while compression therapy can help stimulate blood flow to the area to speed up recovery. The Squid Go combines the two for a single 15-minute sesh that’s like cryotherapy meets NormaTec. Developed by a Harvard-MIT trained bioengineer, the Squid Go compression tool is meant to bring users targeted, quick relief for muscles soreness. There are different “systems” depending on which body part you’re targeting that are fit for that anatomy. The one-two punch of cold compression purportedly promotes “circulatory changes that direct fluid from swelling away from the area, and nutrient-rich, fresh blood back into the treatment area,” says co-creator Shai Schubert, PhD, a bioengineer. The inflammation and swelling that happens after working out is your body’s response to help itself heal. According to Dr. Schubert, everything in your body is “hot” after activity, which is why using cold tech can help. “Reducing the temperature of the
Tag: Well+Good
Why winter is the time to deal with all the troubles summer created for skin
February 11, 2020 at 02:00AM by CWC During the winter months, dry skin tends to get all of the attention. You swap foaming cleansers for nourishing milky ones, you double down on hydrating ingredients, and you slather on extra coats of moisturizer all day long. But there’s something else that’s also worth considering: Winter is the time to treat summer skin damage. Because if you’ve ever wondered how to get rid of texture on your face, the answer is not to deal with it in the sunny months. No matter how diligent you are with your SPF, sun exposure is higher between Memorial Day and Labor Day, and any tan that appears (I repeat, any tan!) is creating damage within your complexion. “There are treatments for sun damage, but we’re worried about people getting sun exposure after them, so we encourage patients to do these treatments in the winter,” says New York City-based board-certified dermatologist Anne Chapas, MD. There are two main issues that occur as a result of sun damage: textural inconsistency and discoloration. We ask pros how to treat both, so keep scrolling for their top tips—and your winter gameplan. For treating skin texture As your mom and your dermatologist have likely told you thousands of times over the course of your life, spending time in the sun inevitably leads to fine lines and wrinkles. Enter resurfacing lasers, which Dr. Chapas says “create new texture and remove sun damage.” There are two different types of resurfacing lasers that can
These nutty homemade granola bars will make you wonder why you even bother with the store-bought kind
February 11, 2020 at 01:00AM by CWC Granola bars seem like the MVP of snacks. Not only are they downright delicious, but most importantly, you can toss one in your bag to have on hand when you’re out and about. But don’t be fooled by the marketing and packaging into thinking that all granola bars are inherently healthy. Many store-bought options include some questionable ingredients as well as tons of added sugar. As Sarah Adler, a nutrition coach, healthy lifestyle expert, cookbook author, and founder of Simply Real Health points out, a poorly-chosen granola bar can end up making you feel hungrier rather than providing you with fuel to get you to your next meal. Not cool. The alternative: homemade granola bars. They’re easier to make than you’d think, and going the DIY route comes with a few perks that you don’t get with the store-bought kind. For one, you know what ingredients are in your granola bars, and thus can tailor them to your tastes and needs (and skip the boat-loads of sugar.) Plus, you can meal prep them over the weekend, wrap them up in parchment paper and tie a piece of ribbon around your bars if you want to make them Pinterest-worthy, and then pop them in the freezer, making your snack of choice easy to grab when you’re running out the door. These reasons are what inspired Adler to create an upgraded version of a homemade granola bar. Her version stars nuts and apricots, both of
This is the most ‘breathable’ type of foundation, according to a cosmetic chemist
February 11, 2020 at 12:00AM by CWC For days when you don’t feel like wearing a ton of makeup, but want that your-skin-but-better glow, your best bet is a lightweight foundation. Something with just enough coverage that feels light and airy on your skin. Ginger King, a cosmetic chemist, says you should use a water-based foundation. “Water-based foundations are very light and natural,” says King. “Just to enhance skin tone, more like a tinted moisturizer.” She says foundations that aren’t water based are either oil-based, which she says can clog your pores, or silicon-based, which she says are semi-occlusive for longwear. Most water-based foundations don’t last very long, so don’t expect to get all-day coverage. To spot a water-based foundation, check the ingredient list. The first ingredient will be water, says King. But to get you started, here are some of our favorite water-based foundations. 5 of the best breathable foundations with water-based formulas 1. MAC STUDIO WATERWEIGHT SPF 30 FOUNDATION ($31) When I was in high school and couldn’t find drugstore foundations in my shade, I followed the YouTube beauty vloggers straight to MAC. This foundation has an elastic gel-serum formula that hydrates the skin. Bonus points for including SPF 30. 2. GLOSSIER PERFECTING SKIN TINT ($26) This product is exactly what it says it is—a skin tint. It won’t mask dark spots or blemishes, but it will give you skin a more youthful, dewy glow with a more even finish. 3. Cover FX Natural Finish Foundation ($42)
Top your next pasta dish with this delicious high-fiber broccoli pesto
February 10, 2020 at 11:00PM by CWC One of the best ways to get yourself to eat more veggies is sneaking them into your meals, and there are endless ways to do it. You can mix cauliflower into your smoothies, use shredded zucchini in casseroles, and—my new personal favorite—make a broccoli pesto recipe for all your pasta dishes. While typical basil and pine nut pesto is always a win, using broccoli to create the creamy sauce can take your dinner to an entirely new level. Lately, the cruciferous veggie has been everywhere, pushing cauliflower to the wayside as its becoming the star ingredient in pizza crusts, hummus, frothy broccolattes (I’m not joking… it’s a thing!), meatless popcorn chicken, and more. And that’s great news, because it’s super good for you. A helping of broccoli contains 3.9 grams of fiber per stalk, not to mention folate, vitamins A, B6, C, and K, and antioxidants. If you’re not a fan of eating broccoli floret by floret, that’s where this pesto comes in. You can reap the benefits of the old-school veggie by simply blending it up with wholesome ingredients like garlic, basil, and olive oil. That’s exactly what Jeanine Donofrio, the food blogger behind Love & Lemons, did for a topping that pairs perfectly with al dente spaghetti. If you want to try her broccoli pesto for yourself, you’re in luck: She shared the whole recipe with us below. One bite in and you’ll see the green veggie in an entirely new
Instagram just made your feed (and your scrolling habit) way better for your mental health
February 10, 2020 at 09:05PM by CWC Do you think you’re a social media hoarder? Are you planning to unfollow Instagram followers or accounts that make you feel like garbage? Of course you are. The entire point of social media is that we rarely follow people who make us feel better. Luckily Instagram has rolled out a new feature that helps you do a proper cleansing. Here’s how it works: 1. Open up the Instagram app. 2. Select “Following” and 3. Click on “Least Interacted With” I tried it out, and it definitely made me do some soul searching. Sure, it told me that I don’t give the Lisa Frank Instagram as many likes as I should. (I need that neon burst of energy in my life.) But it also offered a starting point for making cuts. And wait, there’s more! When you make moves to unfollow Instagram followers, it might prompt you to unfollow similar accounts. For once, that’s some algorithmic genius on Instagram’s part. Getting fresh eyes on the accounts you interact with least and subsequently unfollow allows us to be more mindful about and intentional with our social media use. It can help curb unhealthy “lurking” habits of those people we hate-follow (because come on, we’re all adults) and allow for room for good friends and good dogs. Most importantly, doing that kind of cleansing can do your mental health a big favor. It’s worth reiterating that unfollowing others is true self-care. Social media impacts our self-esteem
250 million roses are sold every Valentine’s Day—here’s how to make sure you’re buying ethically-sourced blooms
February 10, 2020 at 08:21PM by CWC As someone with at least a casual interest in wellness, there are likely a few questions you ask yourself when perusing the grocery store aisles. Checking the label to see if something is organic, where it’s sourced from, and if the packaging is sustainable have (thankfully) become more common when it comes to buying food, skin-care, and cleaning products. But there’s one section of the grocery store that’s so far escaped the question game: flowers. I admit, even as someone whose job it is to write about wellness, I’ve rarely given much thought to flower sourcing. Typically, my eyes go straight to the prettiest bouquet, I debate if the price fits my budget, and if it does, I add them to my cart. I honestly never really gave much thought into where the flowers come from or who is picking them. So when Whole Foods invited me to find out first-hand and visit the rose farms in Ecuador where they source some of their flowers, I said yes. As it turns out, just like with farm workers who source our food, not all flower workers are treated ethically or fairly. But the good news is there are certifications that clue conscious shoppers in on companies that do. Keep reading to learn about the different certifications to be aware of (no matter where you shop) and what these programs mean to flower workers. Photo: Erin Lubin Photography What different flower sourcing certifications mean Just
The Oscars proved that recycled fashion is *the* sustainable trend of red carpet style
February 10, 2020 at 07:31PM by CWC “Shopping your stash”—aka making use out of things you already own in an effort to buy less—has become a stronghold of sustainability. We’ve seen it happening in our beauty cabinets, in our closets, and in our refrigerators. But the most recent place the trend has popped up, and one that caught us by surprise, was the 2019 Oscars red carpet. On Sunday night, Jane Fonda showed up to the 92nd Academy awards wearing the same gorgeous Elie Saab gown she wore to the 2014 Cannes film festival. Fonda, who has been an outspoken activist on the subject of climate change, vowed to quit shopping last year, and made good on her promise at the most highly-publicized fashion events of the year. “So when I talk to people about, ‘We don’t really need to keep shopping. We shouldn’t look to shopping for our identity. We don’t need more stuff,’ then I have to walk the walk too. So I’m not buying any more clothes,” she said during a protest on November 1, 2019. And walk the walk she did: in a vintage dress and sustainably harvested jewelry, no-less. Photo: Getty Images/Well+Good Creative But Fonda wasn’t the only one who wore a pre-loved piece from her own wardrobe. Elizabeth Banks wore a red gown that the world already ooh-ed and ahh-ed over at the 2004 Vanity Fair Oscars party to this year’s event, Arianna Huffington repurposed a dress from 2003, and Joaquin Phoenix wore the
I’ve tried every type of lube available, but 1 bottle has earned its spot as my main squeeze
February 10, 2020 at 07:00PM by CWC For the unlubricated—er, uninitiated—there are three main types of lubricants available to level up your pleasure time: silicone-based, oil-based, and water-based. Each comes with its own list of pros and cons, or dos and don’ts. After doing the research and trying all the options safely, though, I can tell you with confidence that water-based reigns supreme as most versatile, and better yet, I can recommend the best water-based lube available for you to try. First, here’s why other options don’t stack up comparison: Silicone-based options are slippery, long-lasting, barrier-safe (meaning compliant with safe-sex tools like condoms and dental dams), and are known as the best type for anal play. But, silicone-based lubricants can’t be used with silicone-based sex toys (which is a material most body-safe vibrators use) because the silicone sticks to itself, which can compromise the shape, texture, or feel of the toy. Oil-based lubes are longer-lasting than silicone options, amazing for full-body massages, and compatible with all types of sex toys. But even just 60 seconds of exposure to oil can degrade latex barriers, a crucial quality to uphold to protect against STI transmission and unplanned pregnancy. Furthermore, because certain oil-based lubes can interact with the vaginal ecosystem and lead to yeast infections or bacterial vaginosis, they are not recommended for vaginally penetrative sex. “You can use [water-based lube] with any sex toy material or barrier protection.”—sex educator Lisa Finn Finally, there’s water-based lube, which Lisa Finn, sex educator with sex-toy
I’m a professor who encourages students to take dance breaks—this is what happens when you sit too much
February 10, 2020 at 06:15PM by CWC As much as it hurts to acknowledge it, we know sitting is bad for us. Sitting too long can cause inflammation that makes our muscles sore and throws our body way out of alignment. Researchers at UCLA are taking a stand (get it?), and taking a deeper look into why we sit for so long, the impact it has, and how to get us moving again. What happens to your body when you sit all day? “As we’ve evolved as a society with all these advancements, we really engineered the the need to move out of our daily lives,” says Burt Cowgill, PhD, an adjunct assistant public health professor at UCLA. “It’s ironic now that we find ourselves actively trying to reengineer movement back into sort of our lives.” Dr. Cowgill and his colleagues conducted a qualitative study with professors and students and found that a majority of students felt they didn’t get enough time to move around during class, and more than half thought it was socially unacceptable to get around and move, but they reported that they’d get up and move more if their instructor encouraged it. Dr. Cowgill explains that there are both short-term and long-term impacts of sitting too long. You may feel some aches and muscle fatigue from sitting at your desk all day long in positions that aren’t ergonomically optimized. He says people can feel the effects of prolonged sitting while they’re at work, but also at night