December 06, 2018 at 08:40AM Whether you’re running errands or running on the treadmill, life is simply better in leggings. I’d go so far as to call them the most comfortable pants on the planet, and the last few years, the selection has become chicer than ever. But on the days when you’re wearing leggings to the actual gym (instead of, ya know, to sit on the couch and watch The Christmas Prince), it’s worth keeping in mind that they’re more than just a cute and comfy pair of pants—they’re also a part of your workout. Enter: Compression tights—which do a whole lot more than just make your butt look perky in the gym mirror. These extra-tight leggings hold muscles in place and tout all kinds of purported body-boosting benefits, like extra support and increased circulation (though they do not, as we recently learned, make you run faster). But with so many options on the market, how can you figure out how to select the right set? “When choosing any pair of tights, it’s important to keep in mind the product’s feel, function, and fit,” says Tom Waller, SVP Whitespace, Lululemon. “Ensure that any performance claims are directly related to how you want to use the leggings and any specific needs you might have in terms of your workout, recovery, or injury management.” While that all makes sense, the most important factor, IMO, is comfort, comfort, comfort. “For feel, you want to consider a fabric’s performance properties like sensation profile, breathability, stretch, abrasion resistance,
Tag: Well+Good
How to make your place look presentable for guests in 30 minutes or less
December 06, 2018 at 06:54AM If you’re as into Hallmark Channel holiday movies as I am, you probably have an idealized mental picture of what a festive gathering should look like: an apartment dripping in pine tree boughs and fairy lights, a Pinterest-worthy cheese plate and kombucha punch bowl on the kitchen counter, and you clad in some cozy-glam combination of statement earrings, cashmere, and impressively contoured eyeshadow. The reality? If you’re not a fictional character played by Lacey Chabert, having friends over usually goes a bit differently. In my case, it involves frantically stuffing my living-room clutter into a closet, lint-rolling cat hair off the sofa while ordering pizza on Postmates—and barely having time to swipe on some red lipstick before the doorbell rings. As someone with a more-than-full-time job and lots of extracurriculars on my iCal, I simply don’t have hours to spend getting my home party-ready. (Or, like, even one hour.) If this plight sounds familiar, however, there’s no need to stress. As I recently learned from a few pro organizers, all you really need is 30 minutes and some tricks of the home styling trade to clean up before guests arrive. Take their advice, and you’ll free up precious pregaming time for what really matters—like perfecting your chocolate hummus recipe and crafting the perfect “Thank U, Next”-centric playlist. Here’s how to clean house fast when you’re short on time. Photo: Getty Images/Cavan Images 1. Be strategic about which rooms you clean While you might feel like you
Your adaptogen habit is getting the gummy treatment
December 06, 2018 at 06:12AM The go-to way to get a daily dose of stress-reducing adaptogens is usually to put a tablespoon in your smoothie or coffee. But let’s be honest: The earthiness can totally change the taste of your morning beverage—and not in a good way. Well, get ready for a much sweeter means of reaping their benefits: Herbalist and Supernatural founder Rachelle Robinett just launched adaptogenic gummies. The formula is called Nerve Less because the blend was specifically crafted by Robinett to help reduce anxiety, depression, and stress holistically—consult your doc before starting any new treatment regimen, FYI. Here’s what’s inside: lavender, skullcap, oat straw (AKA avena sativa), and ashwagandha. “Skullcap very specifically targets the nervous system,” Robinett says in a press release. “Some of its active compounds bind to the same receptor sites in our brain as benzodiazepines. In other words, this strong calmer is nature’s Xanax.” Oatstraw, she explains, is also a nervine, or medicine on a mission to help the body mellow out. Ashwagandha has been shown to lower levels of the stress hormone cortisol and soothe the parasympathetic nervous system. And lavender, of course, is best known for its calming qualities. The gummies are also organic, vegetarian, gluten-free, non-GMO, and have no artificial ingredients or food coloring. They go on sale today, for $25 a bottle. Is it possible to take too many adaptogens? Find out before you eat your whole gummy supply in one setting. And another delicious way to reap their benefits: These yummy
Spend your star-studded astrotourism getaway at one of these 4 US destinations
December 06, 2018 at 05:30AM Astrotourism is basically the JOMO of wanderlusting vacations—there’s very little to do beyond simply looking up and watching. Furthermore, it’s on the up and up. Airbnb even named astrotourism a bona fide trend earlier this year after seeing booking surges in accordance with celestial events, like the total solar eclipse in 2017. (The platform reports that more than 50,000 Airbnb guests from 26 countries traveled to the United States to see the full eclipse). But what even is it? Well, as its name suggests, astrotourism is rooted in all things astronomy and the stars; it’s about gazing up and nerding out about the galaxies beyond us. You’d be right to point out that this just sounds like good old “stargazing,” but the uptick in people dedicating their precious vacation days to chasing the best celestial sights rightfully calls for a new name. While there are plenty of gold-star (had to) destinations for stargazing (hello, aurora borealis views from Iceland), our own United States of America offers plenty of perfectly shiny locales for pausing and taking in the literally out-of-this-world views. Might sound like good old “stargazing,” but the uptick in people dedicating their precious vacation days to chasing the best celestial sights rightfully calls for a new name. Ready to plan your own stargazing trip without having to dust off your passport? We’ve got you covered. 4 cities in the US perfect for an out-of-this-world astrotourism getaway. Getty Images/Jingle Photography: Fairbanks, Alaska 1. Fairbanks, Alaska Known as
The best ways to exfoliate cranky, sensitive skin, according to dermatologists
December 06, 2018 at 02:05AM It can be frustrating when you have sensitive skin. Just like being a sensitive person, the smallest thing can set you (or your skin) off. Before trying a face mask, chances are you inspect ingredient lists for anything that could be irritating; you may or may not slather on beauty products that are meant for kids (or even babies); and the rest of the time you’re just living on a prayer that nothing causes a fiery reaction on your complexion. Exfoliation gets trickier, though. The practice of sloughing off dead skin cells is something you should do at least weekly—but there are so many different methods to go about it, with options ranging from a chemical peel to a facial scrub. The thing is, they’re not as typically marked as sensitive skin friendly—and that’s because exfoliating is a more intense treatment and is more likely to cause irritation than other parts of your beauty regimen. “Exfoliating can help remove dead cells from the surface of the skin, but you have to be careful not to cause irritation if you have sensitive skin,” says Joshua Zeichner, MD, a New York-based dermatologist. He notes that you can go down two basic roads: chemical or manual exfoliating. There are perks to both, you just have to know what to look for. Photo: Stocksy/VeaVea Chemical exfoliating When using a physical exfoliant, you are the exfoliant, manually working in the scrub to lift away skin cells. With a chemical option, however,
I bet you didn’t know that olives are actually fruit (because I didn’t)
December 05, 2018 at 01:21PM If you’re anything like me, you’re probably only eating whole olives in a chopped Greek salad or on top of a cauli-crust pizza (or perhaps in the bottom of a martini). But there’s actually a pretty good argument for grabbing a jar on your next Trader Joe’s run—like the olive oil they generate, whole olives are a simple way to add a hit of nutrients and flavor to pretty much any savory meal. As The Domestic Dietitian Brynn McDowell, RD, points out, these tiny fruits (yup, they’re fruits!) are a staple in the Mediterranean diet for a good reason. Research indicates that this way of eating slows the aging process, promotes longevity, and boosts good gut bacteria, which is why it’s a favorite of doctors and nutritionists. Of course, olives alone aren’t responsible for all these perks. But it’s safe to say that they pull their weight alongside the rest of the diet’s key foods, given all their healthy attributes. Are olives healthy? Let’s investigate 1. Olives are packed with heart-healthy fats McDowell points out that, like olive oil, olives are rich in monounsaturated fats, which fall under the “healthy fat” category. “Monounsaturated fatty acids have been linked to decreased inflammation and a reduced risk of heart disease,” she explains. But there’s one caveat: You’ll be getting considerably less fat if you opt for whole olives as opposed to olive oil. “Olive oil is made up of 100 percent fat, while olives contain about 20 percent fat,” says
Asking for a friend: Is it gross to reuse makeup wipes?
December 05, 2018 at 11:53AM In an increasingly sustainable world where everyone is constantly promoting the “reduce, reuse, and recycle” lifestyle, people might be taking the slogan a little too far. Early this year, the CDC had to plead with the public to stop washing and reusing condoms (yep…)—and now there’s a skin-care PSA regarding your makeup wipes you should know about for the sake of your complexion. First thing’s first: Makeup remover wipes can definitely be pricey. Biodegradable and natural options can run you up to $26 for a pack of 30, so it’s no wonder why those who want to get their money’s worth try to get a couple uses out of each of those precious towelettes. The only issue? According to Dendy Engelman, MD, a New York City-based dermatologist, doing so could totally disrupt the very fragile ecosystem of skin. “The purpose of cleansing is two-fold: The first is to cleanse the skin of oils, impurities, makeup, and pollution particles, and the second is to aid the penetration of the products you’ll be applying afterwards. Clean skin will allow active ingredients to penetrate better and work more effectively,” she tells me. But when you’re reusing makeup wipes, watch out: You’re basically doing the exact opposite of what you’re trying to achieve. “Using a makeup wipe over again will smear old makeup and bacteria back onto your skin instead of removing it. Leaving bacteria and toxins on the skin increases your risk of inflammation, clogged pores, and breakouts, and it can even accelerate aging over
What do Probiotic CFUs and Strains Actually Mean? Here’s Your Explainer
December 05, 2018 at 11:20AM If you’ve taken a stroll down the probiotics aisle at your local pharmacy, you’ve probably been bombarded with an overload of numbers and various acronyms for which the only appropriate response is, “Huh??” But understanding the specific benefits of probiotics is vital to your friendship with your gut—so where do you start? “Not all probiotics are made equal,” Maggie Johnle, manager of innovation at Renew Life says. “Look for a diverse group of scientifically studied strains that you can easily take each day.” Still, it’s important to understand terms like “strains” and “CFUs” when they keep popping up on every bottle. So to help decode the wonderful world of probiotics for you, we asked Johnle to break things down. Keep scrolling to find out more about the benefits of probiotics and what CFUs and strains actually mean—and why they’re important when you’re probiotic shopping. 1. So, what’s a CFU anyway? *CFU* not UFO (they look similar though, so we get it). CFU stands for colony forming unit—but is often used interchangeably with cultures or culture count. “CFU or culture count is quite literally the number of microorganisms, encompassing all types, or strains,” Johnle says. And by “microorganisms,” we’re talking about the good-for-you bacteria that probiotics provide. Johnle suggests that adults look for at least 10 billion culture of CFU per serving in a probiotic, and recommends children start at around 1 billion and work their way up. That’s because the more CFUs you get, the more iron-clad your gut
An extremely rude study just attacked my love of sleeping
December 05, 2018 at 10:50AM Raise your hand if you’ve ever felt personally victimized by science. No, just me? Cool. Perhaps this extremely rude study published Wednesday in the European Heart Journal will change your mind. It looked at the sleep habits of over 100,000 people, aged 35-70, living in 21 different countries over the course of nearly eight years. At the end of the study there were 4,381 deaths and 4,365 cardiovascular events (like heart attacks and strokes). Looking at those incidences and comparing them to the reported amount of sleep, researchers found that sleeping more than eight hours per night was associated with an increased risk of death and major cardiovascular event, compared to people who slept for six to eight hours a night. So basically, my favorite weekend activity is under attack. Is personalizing the findings of exhaustive research dramatic? Yes, but I stand by my analysis, especially after reading their results in detail. Before adjusting for factors like existing illnesses, researchers found that for every 1,000 people who slept for six to eight hours a day, 7.8 people died or experienced major cardiovascular events. For people who slept eight to nine hours a night, that number was 8.4 per 1,000. For those who slept from nine to 10 hours a night, it was 10.4 per 1,000 people. And for people who slept over 10 hours a night, it was 14.8 per 1,000 people. (See that number going up with more sleep?) Translating that into risk, people
Just when we thought we’d tried every plank out there, we found the hardest one yet
December 05, 2018 at 10:11AM When a trainer cues plank position mid-workout, one thing’s for sure: Your abs will be screaming for at least the next two days. And while the stationary version of this killer move is brutal on its own, it seems that every single day yields a creative new way to level up the classic pre-push-up position. Most recently? The ultra-intense seal-walk plank—which, despite its name, is not cute at all. Recently, Zoë Weiner, associate beauty and fitness editor at Well+Good, faced this move in a morning HIIT class. “I consider myself a seasoned plank-er, but this move was so, so much harder than anything I’ve ever tried before—including plank jacks and high-to-low planks,” she tells me with lingering fear in her eyes. “My arms, legs, and core were quaking, and at one point I had to drop to my knees, which is how I knew it was working.” If you’re up for the challenge, you’ll first need to grab a pair of sliders and place them directly under your feet. Then, assume the push-up position and get ready to get down to business. “My arms, legs, and core were quaking, and at one point I had to drop to my knees, which is how I knew it was working.” —Zoe Weiner, associate beauty and fitness editor “In many ways, it’s like a walking plank, in which your hands move one at a time in front of you while your legs slide behind you on the sliders,” says Ivana