October 24, 2018 at 12:11PM Back in the day, dabbling in cannabis meant one thing—getting high. But as more information emerges about pot’s health benefits and it becomes legalized in a growing number of states, more nuanced uses for the plant are stepping into the spotlight. Some people are using CBD-infused products to reduce stress with zero buzz, while others are turning to tiny amounts of psychoactive cannabis—aka microdosing—for a mildly lit lift during their day-to-day activities. (Office tasks included.) For insight into this burgeoning trend, we turned to Anna Duckworth, co-founder and editor-in-chief of Miss Grass, an elevated lifestyle shop and publication for women and cannabis. Read on for the 411 on 420’s latest evolution. Be honest: You’re reading this because you’re skeptical that microdosing cannabis could make for a better-than-usual workday. But you’re also hoping, in your heart of skeptical hearts, that there’s some truth to that claim. I know there is, because I microdose cannabis myself. Not all the time, but some of the time. I exercise and meditate (occasionally) and take deep breaths to relieve stress, but a very low dose of cannabis is normally what I need to manage the exceptionally anxious moments. By the middle of a workday, it’s not unusual for me to feel tightly wound, and that’s when a tiny hit off of a vaporizer or a few drops of a tincture can level me out and make my to-do list feel much more manageable. It makes me feel relaxed right away, it restores my
Tag: WFH
Newsflash: Transitions lenses now have serious style cred—and wellness benefits
October 19, 2018 at 04:50AM We’re living in the heyday of trendy eyeglasses, can’t you see? (Had to.) Reaching for your glasses is no longer a last resort on mornings when your peepers are tired. Rather, you don your choice of black cat-eyes, wire aviators, or tortoiseshell frames on a daily basis because you look and feel rad. Need proof rocking specs has become a major fashion statement? Mega-accomplished babes like Lupita Nyong’o, Oprah, and Kate Winslet walk the red carpet in outfit-making frames, and high-profile designers are working with enduring eyewear makers to help disrupt the industry. Case in point: Fashion designer Christian Siriano (of Project Runway fame) recently teamed up with Transitions lenses to launch a next-level style initiative with new style colors and style mirrors lens designs. The photochromic lenses go from clear to dark to protect your eyes when you’re outdoors (and from dark to clear when indoors, to help protect your eyes while you’re staring at your laptop for eight-plus hours a day). How’s that for a wellness perk? Here’s the gist: Now, instead of doing the awkward fumble between your glasses and sunglasses (err, all day), you can make a hands-free swap from chic intellectual to your fave mirrored aviators look, while being mindful of your eye health, to boot. Insert praise hands emoji here. Scroll down for 3 legit wellness benefits that come with upgrading your glasses with Transitions lenses. 1. Upping your style game Okay, so maybe appearing fashionable isn’t a wellness benefit, but look good,
Minimize post-workout soreness with these trainer-approved tips
October 05, 2018 at 08:47AM If I took a quick poll about everyone’s least favorite part about working out, I’m pretty confident that stretching would end up somewhere on the list. Seriously, when the instructor tells the class it’s time to cool down it feels like a mass exodus. #Wheresthelife “I think for many, it comes down to boredom,” explains Ife Obi, certified pilates instructor and owner of The Fit In Bedstuy. “The stretch is never as fun as the workout. It’s slow, it’s sometimes painful, and the importance of flexibility is not understood by the masses, which all this leaves little motivation to fit it in.” However, the importance of post-workout recovery shouldn’t be overlooked. According to Jeff Brannigan, program director of Stretch*d, stretching “is the behind-the-scenes powerhouse that will help you perform better, recover faster and age gracefully.” He says that the a bulk of his clients often complain about tightness in the hips, low back, neck, and shoulders. So, to combat that, here’s how to minimize soreness post workout. Photo: Stocksy/Jayme Burrows Here’s how to beat post-workout soreness 1. Stretching because…duh: “Stretching is usually an afterthought for most people. And, if you look at our lifestyles, this is understandable—lots of sitting at desks, hunching over laptops and staring down at phones will contribute to these areas of pain,” he explains. “We see lots of clients who are sore from their regular workouts but almost as many who are simply tight or stiff from a sedentary lifestyle. Text neck is real!”
How to practice breast self-awareness all year long
October 02, 2018 at 10:00AM It’s October. You just saw six Facebook posts about Breast Cancer Awareness Month fundraisers, walked by a Duane Reade window splattered in pink, and it seems like everyone is yelling at you to check your breasts. This year, Keep A Breast celebrating a decade of its “i love boobies!” campaign, Boarding for Breast Cancer is hosting “Bend It for Boobies” donation-based yoga classes, and the American Cancer Association is hosting countless runs across the country for the cause. All these factors may prompt you to go home, head into the bathroom, lift up your top, and panic. Was it clockwise or counter-clockwise? Two fingers or three? And what the heck are you supposed to be feeling? But take a deep breath: The research on breast self-exam has progressed and top medical institutions and physicians have a new, easier prescription for you: breast self-awareness. “The seven-step self breast exam has gone by the wayside,” says Deborah Lindner, MD, the chief medical officer at Bright Pink, and a clinical instructor at Northwestern University Medical Center. “The problem is that nobody went on to define what breast self-awareness meant. We aren’t telling people ‘don’t do a breast exam’ or ‘never touch your breasts.’ But it doesn’t have to be done every month—it’s more about having awareness of your body.” Why the change? Studies like this one have shown self-exam does not reduce mortality from breast cancer. In response to this and other research, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force issued