August 30, 2019 at 02:01AM by CWC Almost every single night, I wind up with the same exact problem: a super tight, cramped-up neck. Between sitting hunched over my laptop all day and having way too many Netflix binge-watching sessions, it’s really no surprise that it’s a regularly occurrence. While getting rid of that pain isn’t exactly easy—or cheap!—there is one super-affordable option that helps almost immediately. I’d love to a masseuse on call to help banish those knots in the neck, but that’s just not realistic. Instead, I’m left with the next best thing: a tennis ball. The solution seems so ridiculously simple—especially considering aspirin has been my BFF lately. And even though it can’t fix crappy posture, it can definitely provide some relief until we all finally decide to sit up straight (it’s hard, okay?). Here’s exactly how to give yourself an epic neck massage right at home. ad_intervals[‘419325_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘419325_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); How to give yourself a massage when you’ve got knots in the neck To give yourself a neck massage with a tennis ball, first find a comfortable spot on the floor to lie down. Then, follow these simple instructions. [youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5VkX9SygWQ] Side-to-side: Bend your knees, keeping the pressure off your low back, and place the tennis ball in the groove on the back of your neck. Take a few seconds to breathe, letting the tennis ball sink into the muscle tissue. Slowly turn your head to the
Tag: WFH
Everything you need to know about treating—and preventing—under-eye wrinkles
August 25, 2019 at 12:00AM by CWC There are a lot of things that are really fun about getting older: no bedtime, being able to eat ice cream whenever you want, spicy margaritas. But on the other side of this naughty and nice list—right below “paying bills” and “going to work”—you’ll find under-eye wrinkles. I noticed my own “crow’s feet” for the first time earlier this year, at the ripe old age of 28, when a dermatologist pointed them out to me… before offering to inject them with Botox. And while I’ve always known that these fine lines were a natural part of getting older, I couldn’t help but wonder where the heck they came from, and why they suddenly decided to show up. What causes under-eye wrinkles? “The skin around the eye is one of the thinnest areas of skin in the body and is very fragile,” says board-certified dermatologist Nava Greenfield, MD, of Schweiger Dermatology Group in Brooklyn. And over time, “the collagen in the dermis of the skin under the eyes breaks down and loses its volume and elasticity. This occurs because of age, sun exposure, genetic factors, and environmental damage.” She adds that people with lighter skin tones are more susceptible to under-eye wrinkles because people with darker skin tones have a greater amount of pigment, which acts as a natural sun protectant and “will prevent an acceleration of collagen breakdown.” ad_intervals[‘417660_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘417660_div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7520022-3’);}); } }, 100); The fact
4 things a sleep expert wants you to know about white noise before you tune in
August 24, 2019 at 02:00PM by CWC White noise is essentially the little black dress of sleep. Just when it seems like we’ve tried every quirky hack available to facilitate the sweet salvation of slumber—from the ancient practice of yoga nidra to the thoroughly modern method of jumping into bed with a sleep robot and co-opting tips from the military—there’s one method that transcends time and style. Using white noise for sleep (or to drown out office noises of typing and chatter, like my editor does) is classic. Timeless, even. (Just to be clear, white noise is such a stalwart thanks in large part to its simplicity. It most closely sounds like a fan, and is not to be confused with other common noises to sleep to, like jungle sounds, rain sounds, bird sounds, or ocean sounds. And that makes sense to me, because I have never understood what’s so soothing about a toucan shrieking “CA-CAW, CA-CAW.” But I digress.) ad_intervals[‘413418_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘413418_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); If you’re thinking of buying a white noise sleep machine or dozing off to some happy static on YouTube, rest assured the practice is sleep-expert vetted. To drive that point home, check out four tips a sleep pro wants you to know about white noise before you actually tune in. 1. The reason white noise works is because it creates a sonic wall “White noise is a consistent noise that is completely even across all frequencies that
Our bodies just aren’t designed for constant tech use—here’s how to keep yours safe and strong
August 23, 2019 at 01:00AM by CWC I like to joke that if future humans are anything like me, legs won’t be evolutionarily necessary. That’s because I sit at my desk and use my laptop most hours of the day, and then I move on over to my couch to watch something (anything!) on Netflix while I scroll on my phone with whatever time is left before I go to sleep. So that’s how I imagine the future of humanity will evolve—before the robots inevitably turn on us and extinguish the species, that is. Until then, we’d be wise to protect our bodies agains the negative effects of technology, because we’re not physically evolved to accommodate the activities we continually do in excess. (As in, all the forms of technology with which we interact on an ongoing basis). Fortunately, a few, simple counteractive measures can go a long way in mitigating injuries we may sustain to the neck, shoulders, back, wrists, hands, eyes, ears, and more. ad_intervals[‘405555_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405555_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Here’s how to keep the negative effects of technology from causing physical damage. 1. The habit: sitting too much The damage: By now, you’ve likely heard that “sitting is the new smoking” (read: sitting isn’t great for your health for a number of reasons), a sentiment with which Lauren Roxburgh, a body alignment specialist who’s worked with celebrities including Gwyneth Paltrow, agrees. The human body, she says, is designed to expand,
Proof that you’re never too old for the best part of back-to-school season
August 18, 2019 at 10:02AM by CWC Whenever I walk into a store and spot the back-to-school section, I can’t help but do a quick walk-through. All those notebooks, backpacks, and pencil cases instantly give me a flashbacks to carefree days of being a kid. But why can’t working adults get in on the fun every fall, too? Sure, my days of rocking a Rugrats backpack and refusing to use anything but gel pens may be over, but that doesn’t mean I can’t harness that nostalgia and give my office supplies a refresh. You’re never too old to enjoy the best part of back-to-school season, and these fun back-to-school supplies are proof. The best back-to-school supplies for grown-ups Photo: Matt & Nat 1. Matt & Nat Fabi backpack, $180 Adults need backpacks, too, and this eco-friendly pick made from recycled water bottles perfectly fits your laptop. Photo: Fringe 2. Fringe hardcover 17-month planner, $29 You won’t find a prettier planner to track your day-to-day with than this one. Photo: Eonmir 3. Eonmir pencil case pouches, $10 for 2 There’s something so nostalgic about storing your office supplies in a pencil case. Plus, you’ll never forget a pen at your desk ever again. Photo: Carmel Concept 4. Carmel Concept professional padfolio with notebook, $22 Remember carrying around a big loaded binder to every class? This is basically the same thing, but for grown-ups. Photo: Ban.do 5. Ban.do mechanical pencil set, $10 Your 7-year-old self would be in awe of the seriously
“Heavy carries” are the surefire way to get stronger without lifting weights
August 16, 2019 at 01:00PM by CWC You’ll be hard-pressed to see me schlepping around with less than two bags at any given time. (Gym bag, purse, laptop bag… the list of bags really goes on and on.) But I tend to view this as an annoyance—I’ve grown to hate carrying things. Sometimes I’ll knock out some bicep curls with my heavy bags, sure—but I don’t really think of carrying stuff as a workout. Fitness trainers beg to differ. “There’s nothing better than wrapping your hands around some heavy bells and just holding, marching, or walking,” says Samantha Ciaccia, a New York City-based trainer. Exercises involving these “holds” include the popular farmer’s walk exercise, which involves simply walking in a straight line while holding heavy weights in your hands. (Sometimes people do single-arm farmer’s walks for more of a focus on the obliques.) This is functional fitness at its best, because while you can use kettlebells at your gym or weights at home, things like groceries and giant bags work just as well. “Farmer’s walks are beneficial because they’re simple and efficient, but help with core strength and total body coordination,” says celebrity trainer Paolo Mascitti. To do them properly, he says to make sure your core is tight, and shoulders are back and down away from your ears. “Keep awareness of your posture, and make sure you’re comfortable with the weight so it doesn’t compromise your form.” As for what weights to carry, Ciaccia says to “go as heavy as
Is it possible to socialize with just a few work friends without seeming cliquey?
August 12, 2019 at 05:00AM by CWC Having friends at work is good; cliques at work are bad. But when you’re only inviting a select few of your coworkers to grab a drink after you clock out, it can feel impossible to avoid a Mean Girls situation. In this week’s Good@Work column, career expert Amy Odell—whom you may know as the former editor of Cosmopolitan.com and founding blogger of New York magazine’s The Cut—explains how to keep your water cooler banter from making the office feel like the high school cafeteria. Question: Is it possible to go to lunch—or get drinks or do anything after work—with just one or two coworkers without coming across as cliquey? I often feel like kindergarten-birthday-party etiquette of “invite the whole class” applies, but in this case, doing so can make hanging out socially feel like a business meeting. ad_intervals[‘414612_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘414612_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Answer: Jobs are hard. Jobs are emotionally taxing. This is why we need to make friends with colleagues, the people who understand the precise ways in which our souls are sucked from our hardening heart centers every time we step foot into the office and spend excruciating precious hours in meetings that could have been an email. (I know this sounds grim, but show me a person who has loved their job for four full years and I’ll show you a Whole Foods with soft toilet paper.) Going to drinks with work friends after
The 3 absolute worst things you can do for your posture, according to a chiropractor
July 23, 2019 at 12:40PM by CWC All throughout the day, there are certain things I try to keep at the top of my mind for the sake of my health: Drink water, have good posture, and take breaks to look at photos of my puppy. All equally important. But the one I consistently have trouble doing is… not sitting or walking around as if I’m Eeyore from Winnie the Pooh. (He’s a big-time sloucher, in case you forgot.) Besides putting a Post-it note in front of my face reminding me to put my shoulders back and my chin up, I’m looking for some legit advice on making sure I am a properly upright being. So I went straight to the source: a chiropractor, aka the guy who deals with the fallout of having bad posture way too often. We could all use these tips, because our spine goes through the ringer thanks to sitting at a desk all day. Keep scrolling for the three worst things you can do for your posture, according to a chiropractor. ad_intervals[‘410193_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘410193_div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-9261280-3’);}); } }, 100); 1. Stare at screens Chances are you’ve heard of “tech neck,” because it’s essentially an epidemic these days—just count how many people you almost run into on the street because they’re staring down at their phones. “Most people who spend 10 hours a day on their computer at work do it again as soon as they get home—very few people shut it off,” says
Walking meetings are supposed to improve the workday—here’s what happened when I tried them
July 11, 2019 at 07:41AM by CWC When I was a 22-year-old intern, I was borderline married to my desk—Mrs. Mary Grace Garis-Desk—afraid to be unavailable to my co-workers. Six years into my career, and I’ve since divorced the desk and taken a second spouse. I’m now Mrs. Mary Grace Garis-Comfy-Lounge-Chair, but I have ongoing affairs with the nearby public park and Mexican lunch spot. Suffice it to say, I believe a location break can do wonders for facilitating a mental break, and was thus completely on board to try walking meetings. Walking meetings are…well, they’re literally exactly what they sound like. And beyond being promising for mental and physical health, research shows that giving your meetings legs can lead to amped-up creativity. So one day, I asked my manager, Alexis, if our weekly one-on-one could be a walking meeting. She was game, and we devised a plan: We’d do two walking-meeting trials. In Take One, we’d go in blind, look out our agenda notes before heading out and see how it goes. Then, in the interim between Take Two, I’d chat with a pro about how to really master walking meetings, and infuse our second walk with that intel to see if we saw any kind of a difference. Finally, we’d decide whether the method could be an effective tool for us to use regularly. ad_intervals[‘401663_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘401663_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Quick sidenote: Alexis and I have a very positive relationship and
What does female desire look like? The author of ‘Three Women’ spent 10 years finding out
July 08, 2019 at 05:00PM by CWC The story of female sexuality is often told in sweeping generalizations. Orgasms? They’re complicated. Desire? Hey, it’s fine—so long as you don’t wear it too overtly (slut). Not in the mood? Welp, consider pretending you are. These oversimplifications highlight why Lisa Taddeo’s Three Women (released July 9) is such a triumph: It is very specific. The featured three women’s stories add up to an unabridged tale of what it means to desire, love, and lust as someone who identifies as a woman. Photo: Amazon Our characters are Maggie, Lina, and Sloane—three real people leading very different lives in different United States locales, and over the course of 10 years, Taddeo interviewed, shadowed, and befriended each of them. We meet Maggie as a 17-year-old high school student who eventually goes public with her high school affair with her English teacher. Lina, a mother of two, begins cheating on her husband after he refuses to kiss her. And Sloane is a successful restauranteur whose husband chooses other men for her to sleep with while he watches. ad_intervals[‘405758_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’] = setInterval(function () { if (ads_ready) { clearTimeout(ad_intervals[‘405758_div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’]); googletag.cmd.push(function(){googletag.display(‘div-gpt-ad-7435403-3’);}); } }, 100); Not every scenario in Three Women is relatable, per se (in fact, Maggie, Lina, and Sloane are white and heterosexual, which leaves out a whole lot of experiences). But the emotional world of each is told in strokes that are precise—not broad. In a time when Big Bush Energy is reigniting our commitment to putting our own