November 16, 2018 at 03:02AM I have resting gym face (RGF, if you will). Whether I’m pushing my limits in a spin class, going for a deadlift PR, or trying to nail a yoga pose where balance is a prerequisite (read: all yoga poses), I tense my jaw, chomp down on my canines, and grind away my pearly whites. Sure, my RGF has lead to some seriously “yikes” photo-ops during CrossFit competitions, but besides making my face look muscular AF in Polaroids, I always assumed it was NBD…until I went to the dentist. Spectacles resting on his nose, the dentist bent over me and told me something I hadn’t been expected: I had tons of tiny holes in my teeth. He looked down at my arms (Disclosure: I wasn’t flexing, exactly, but I was wearing a workout tank) and asked how often I strength train. When I told him five days a week, he said that was probably what was causing the unusual oral patterns. Curious to learn more, I consulted a few other dentists to figure out if that could actually be the case. Photo: Stocksy/Bonnin Studio When exercise creates oral issues Turns out teeth grinding and jaw clenching—otherwise known as bruxism—during exercise is actually pretty common. “I see this all the time in people who frequently exert themselves at the gym, or participate in high intensity exercise or sport,” says Jeffrey S. Haddad DDS of Michigan Center for TMJ and Sleep Wellness. While stabilizing your jaw can have a significant
Tag: Well+Good
How to power through your day after a sleepless night like a total boss
November 16, 2018 at 03:00AM Is there anything worse than rolling out of bed after not sleeping well the night before, only to realize you have to get it together and be a functioning member of society for what feels like an infinite number of hours ahead? There’s no rolling over and going back to sleep. You can’t just turn off your responsibilities for the day. Instead you have to put on your brave if not totally bleary-eyed face to take on your to-do list, regardless of how much you want to curl back under that weighted blanket. But when you’re coming off a night plagued by a particularly wicked case of insomnia, how can a productive day even be possible…like biologically? Because needing shut-eye is a straight up, scientific fact of life. Well luckily, there are a few ways to ensure you get through the rest of the day (even if you do feel a little drunk at work) without collapsing into a pile of goo. Check out 5 experts tips to keep your sleepless night from ruining today. Photo: Getty Images/People Images 1. Change your attitude Truthfully, a lot of the bad feelings you have about taking on your day can be completely mitigated by one simple thing: your mind-set. “The most important thing to remember is that everybody has a bad night’s sleep now and then,” says Nathaniel Watson, MD, an advisory board member for SleepScore Labs. “Perception is reality. If you go into the day positively,
Dry skin? Redness? Weirdly, adjusting skin’s temperature could help you deal
November 16, 2018 at 02:00AM When dealing with temperatures, you’re often playing a game of opposites. Hot AF outside? Wear less clothing and keep a cooling face mist on hand. When it’s freezing, on the other hand, you might want to layer up sweaters and also serums underneath thick moisturizers to keep the dry, cold air out. And really bizarrely, using this same temperature logic, you can help to address certain skin-care concerns as they arise. The A-ha moment occurred when I was getting a facial from superstar celebrity esthetician and founder of Spa Radiance Angelina Umansky, who applied the time-tested cold spoons to my complexion, which was afflicted with redness. In the same way that cold helps to battle inflammation-provoked puffy eyes, so too, does it work on inflammation-induced redness. “I love using cold,” says Umansky. “I’ve noticed the skin brightens up better when it’s cold compared to when it’s warm. You want to get inflammation out.” “The skin brightens up better when it’s cold compared to when it’s warm.” —Angelina Umansky It’s kind of like when you ice body parts after a hard workout to get rid of lingering inflammation…only you’re doing so for the sake of your skin. And this goes beyond the spa. “Wash with cooler water and take a not-so-hot shower—your skin will react better,” says Umansky. “Any time people breakout, it’s always a good rule to take the heat out because there’s a lot of heat in the skin. It’s about cooling it down.”
3 tips for having a bloat-free holiday party season, according to celeb nutritionist Kimberly Snyder
November 15, 2018 at 06:30PM Bloating. We’ve all been there and felt that—especially when your social calendar is popping off with holiday parties, and not every one includes an ugly sweater big enough for you to safely unzip your jeans. Well+Good Council member and celeb nutritionist Kimberly Snyder feels you. “The holidays are a time when we all tend to stray away from our normal diets,” says the Solluna founder. “It also includes stress in the form of shopping, crowded parking lots, traffic, dealing with relatives we don’t usually see, family drama, and the like.” In other words, you’ve got a lot on your literal and figurative plate, which is when maintaining a cordial relationship with your gut is crucial. Think: Prioritizing gut-friendly (and festive!) bevs like Health-Ade Kombucha, adding smart ingredients to your seasonal faves, and actually pausing to appreciate all the tastiness—because it’s a season to savor, after all. Scroll down for Snyder’s 3 tips on how to get rid of bloating and make your festive feasting enjoyable—not uncomfortable. Photo: Health-Ade Kombucha 1. Incorporate gut-friendly ingredients strategically You can absolutely take part in all of the warming, nostalgia-boosting dishes you love, says Snyder—just add in some health boosters like ginger while you’re at it. “It enhances metabolism and digestion, helping foods move through the GI tract more speedily,” Snyder explains. “Try adding an inch or so of sliced ginger to steep in your hot water with lemon in the morning as well as into soups and stir-fries.” Ginger isn’t the only superhero ingredient
9 ketogenic-friendly recipes to bring you comfort and joy this holiday season
November 15, 2018 at 02:00PM Celebs, doctors, and yes, even Well+Good’s own editors extol the mind and body benefits of the high-fat, low-carb ketogenic diet. But what does eating keto look like during the holidays, when carb-y comfort foods (traditionally) reign supreme? Incredibly delicious, if ketogenic food bloggers have anything to say about it. You don’t have to miss out on any of the holiday cheer at the dinner (or dessert!) table—even if that means passing on the mashed potatoes this year. Keep reading for 11 keto-friendly recipes that will make your holiday meals merry and bright. Photo: ruled.me 1. Cinnamon Roll “Oatmeal” This take on “noatmeal” swaps keto-unfriendly oats for a concoction of chia seeds, flax seed meal, and riced cauliflower. Plus, warming spices like vanilla, nutmeg, allspice, and cinnamon make this breakfast taste like hygge in a bowl. Photo: Keto Diet Blog 2. Carrot and Thyme Mini Loaves Not only is the carrot and thyme combo delish, but eggs, olive oil, and flax seeds keep these loaves chock-full of healthy fats and proteins. Sounds like the perfect make-ahead breakfast for super-busy mornings. Photo: My Keto Kitchen 3. Cinnamon Keto “Granola” Almonds, coconut, pepitas, and chia seeds are just handful of the ingredients that make this take on granola absolutely delish. Plus, cinnamon and vanilla extract help to warm up those frosty mornings. Pass the almond milk, please! Photo: Gnom Gnom 4. Sweet and Crunchy Candied Pecans Candied pecans just scream holiday treat, IMO. This recipe swaps run of the mill brown sugar for
The Japanese de-cluttering method that will still keep your home cozy
November 15, 2018 at 01:59PM These days, the internet seems to be overflowing with organization and decluttering advice. But if you’re not into near-sterile minimalism, much of it can be difficult to relate to and near impossible to implement IRL. But experts say wabi sabi, a Japanese view that opens its arms to imperfection and uses an object’s age or deteriorated state to reimagine its purpose, can actually help you embrace your home as it is, while also seeing a greater plan for the space at large. “Wabi sabi is all about the beauty of perfectly imperfect.” —Julie Pointer Adams “Wabi sabi is all about the beauty of perfectly imperfect. I think that’s the concept to keep in mind because it’s simple but not austere; it’s comfortable,” says Julie Pointer Adams, an entertaining and decorating expert and author of Wabi Sabi Welcome. “A wabi sabi home is a place you want to be; it’s not super sterile or super organized to the point of not feeling homey anymore.” So if you’re particularly fond of the cozier things in life—wabi sabi may just be the guide to getting your home in order while still retaining a lived-in feel. Keep reading for Julie Pointer Adams’ advice on using wabi sabi to clear the clutter and curate the home of your dreams. Photo: Stocksy/Visual Spectrum Allow beauty and utility to converge As you begin to learn your aesthetic, don’t simply retain it for items that you’d label as “home decor,” but rather, allow
This Instagram account proves your S.O. who waits while you shop at Glossier is the *real* beauty MVP
November 15, 2018 at 01:10PM If I could magically handpick the qualities of my future soul mate, he’d have Noah Centineo’s smile (or, you know, just be Noah Centineo), accompany me to acroyoga, and—of course—dutifully wait outside as I spend far too much money at Glossier’s flagship store here in New York City. While first two criteria are but pipe dreams (*sigh*), I now have photo proof that there are S.O.s out there who go that extra mile to camp out in front of every beauty lover’s favorite millennial-pink-filled beauty haunt. It’s all archived on Glossier Boyfriends: The IG account that pays tribute to the dedicated partners who selflessly wait around while their beloved stocks up on Boy Brow. Despite the Instagram handle, you won’t only find only boyfriends on @glossierboyfriends’ grid. “I’ve been getting a lot of questions about this and wanted to clear something up,” the account’s owner writes in a recent cation. “A glossier ‘boyfriend’ is simply a significant other who would rather be elsewhere. Girlfriends, partners, dads, husbands etc. can all be a #glossibae.” View this post on Instagram i’ve been getting a lot of questions about this and wanted to clear something up. a glossier “boyfriend” is simply a significant other who would rather be elsewhere. girlfriends, partners, dads, husbands etc can all be a #glossibae. a good pic is a good pic, feel free to submit whomever A post shared by Boyfriends at Glossier (@glossierboyfriends) on Oct 29, 2018 at 8:45pm PDT //www.instagram.com/embed.js Some of said partners-in-(makeup)-crime pictured twiddle their thumbs
Here’s how to make alkaline water (because wow, that stuff is expensive)
November 15, 2018 at 12:57PM If there’s one fact that’s universal, it’s that water is good. It keeps you hydrated! It makes your skin glow! It keeps your body functioning properly! What else could possibly be better about it? Nothing—unless you’re an alkaline water fan. Confused about what exactly it is? Let’s back up for a sec: Every single food and drink has a pH level—and so does the human body. pH levels range on a scale of 0 (very acidic) up to 14 (very alkaline or basic). Some experts believe that certain foods like caffeine, alcohol, and sugar can make the body more acidic, which potentially creates an environment ripe for cancer and other diseases. And thus the thinking goes that the more alkaline your body is, the less likely you are to experience illnesses and disease. With the “more alkaline = good” mindset, people have started to promote processing their water (which normally has a pH of about 7) to be more alkaline (between 7.5 and 9 pH) and believe that drinking it can help balance out their body’s pH levels. Pro-alkaline water drinkers credit it for giving the body a boost for protecting against inflammation—and all the brain fog, digestive issues, and disease that can come with it. But take these exciting claims with a hefty dose of side-eye. An RD recently told the New York Times that alkaline water is more marketing than merit. And there aren’t a lot of peer-reviewed studies out there definitively proving any benefits, so… Still
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban have a morning ritual, and it’s honestly so adorable
November 15, 2018 at 12:56PM When Nicole Kidman isn’t shooting suspense-filled scenes on the hit HBO show Big Little Lies, she’s known for keeping up a pretty enviable self-care routine. (Ginger shots, vitamins, and workouts are all part of the equation.) So it’s not surprising (like, at all) that the actress has also mastered her morning routine by squeezing companionship and exercise into one morning swim with her husband, Keith Urban. “We’re Australian, both of us, so water is very therapeutic,” Kidman tells Allure. It’s true: Taking a dip boasts a whole host of health benefits, including improving your mental health, boosting your running ability, and strengthening your lungs. “Reese [Witherspoon] is our next-door neighbor. Reese will be going, ‘What are you doing in the water, you lovebirds?’ She’ll tease us because she rarely goes in the ocean.” – Nicole Kidman “We have a beach house, and we will get up in the morning before we have breakfast, and we’ll go in the ocean. Reese [Witherspoon] is our next-door neighbor. Reese will be going, ‘What are you doing in the water, you lovebirds?’ She’ll tease us because she rarely goes in the ocean. ‘You crazy Australian kids’,” she adds. Just a day in the life of Nicole Kidman. If you’re game to emulate the habit, go ahead: Invest in a saltwater pool membership or book it to the closest body of water. Here’s why Kidman advocates for wellness “microdecisions,” and how she gets her glow on. Continue Reading… Author Kells McPhillips | Well and Good Selected by
Megan Roup finally shows us how to squat like a pro
November 15, 2018 at 12:43PM Air squats are as essential to leg day as the high pony is to Ariana Grande (read: very). The classic move will give you all the feels in your hamstrings and quads, but it’s especially good at building your booty, no weights required. But like all muscle-making, body-weight exercises (planks, push-ups, and lunges) there’s a right and wrong way to execute the butt-scultping move. And according to obé trainer Megan Roup, who’s also leading our next Well+Good Retreat in Miami this December, anyone from strength training newbies to expert exercisers can fall victim to bad form. So how exactly do you execute an air squat? Start with your feet hips-width apart, with your arms down by your side. To begin, brace your core, push your butt back and down (like you’re sitting in a chair), and make sure to stay in your heels. As you lower, keep your gaze forward. The goal should be to “break parallel” which is gym-speak for getting your booty lower than your knees, but you only want to go as far as you can without your chest or shoulders rounding forward, or toes peeling off the ground. When you get to the bottom, pause. Then, keeping your weight in your heels, push back up to the start, giving your glutes a good squeeze at the top (#bootyactivation). That’s one rep. Roup recommended doing 25 to 30 reps total. To take it up a notch, use a resistance band, or add a medicine ball slam between reps. Whatever variation