Author: Richard C. Trotter
Despite the best efforts of the death positivity movement, most people do not have a good time going to wakes or memorial services, and that’s completely normal. But for others, the thought of death—whether it’s a loved one dying or themselves—sparks intense fear and panic. “Fear is a natural and important human emotion,” says Mitchell L. Schare, PhD, ABPP, director of the Hofstra University Phobia and Trauma Clinic. But sometimes that fear of dying can be taken to extremes. “When it becomes inhibitory to living life, it becomes a phobia,” says Dr. Schare. Specifically, that phobia is known as thanatophobia,…
If you recently got blood work and found out your cholesterol levels are high (or you suspect they are), and you’ve been feeling especially tired lately, you may wonder if the two are related. Sometimes, it can be hard to tell. It’s true your body needs some cholesterol to function. There’s even a “good” cholesterol called HDL that helps your body get rid of excess LDL, or “bad” cholesterol. Generally, though, you’ll want your total cholesterol level to be less than 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). Anything above that can build up in your arteries, increasing your risk of heart…
You know those days when your hips feel tighter than your jam-packed schedule? Fit in some relief as easily as you fit in your coffee run with some hip-opening yoga that takes all of 5 minutes. Flexible hips aren’t just about getting bendier; regularly practicing hip-opening yoga poses can significantly reduce lower back pain and hip improve range of motion, making everyday activities much easier and more pain-free, according to a September-December 2019 study in the International Journal of Yoga. “Think of all the movements you do in a day; they all involve your hips, don’t they?” says Paige Willis,…
Welcome to eclipse season, that time of year when fate and destiny are on full display. A full moon in Libra, also the first lunar eclipse of the year, takes place on March 25, 2024, at 3:00 a.m. EDT, and it’s bound to dredge up whatever you’ve been ignoring. A lunar eclipse typically marks a turning point, ending, culmination, or transition. And in the sign of Libra, this lunar eclipse puts extra attention on your close one-on-one relationships, elevating themes of balance and harmony. Libra is the Venus-ruled sign that values connections with others and doesn’t like to rock the…
With the Well+Good SHOP, our editors put their years of know-how to work in order to pick products (from skin care to self care and beyond) they’re betting you’ll love. While our editors independently select these products, making a purchase through our links may earn Well+Good a commission. Happy shopping! Explore the SHOP I’ve been a group fitness and personal trainer for almost seven years, and the most common issue clients come to me with is injuries. Conversely, the most common issue I have with clients is also their injuries. Why, you may ask? Well, because they’re coming to me…
The chances you know someone who’s had or currently has breast cancer is decently, and unfortunately, high. In fact, the average risk of a person developing breast cancer in the U.S. is about 13 percent, or a 1 in 8 chance, according to the American Cancer Society. Last week, actress Olivia Munn, 43, revealed she is a part of that growing statistic—and that she found out by using a breast cancer risk calculator. Despite having a “normal” mammogram just two months prior and testing negative for any BRCA gene mutations (which greatly increase your risk of breast cancer), she was recently…
For as long as I can remember, the days before my period have felt like an emotional rollercoaster. I had what I called “PMS on steroids,” but turns out, I actually have PMDD, or premenstrual dysphoric disorder. PMDD is a mental health condition that affects about 10 percent of all menstruating people, per the Cleveland Clinic. It’s a severe form of PMS characterized by shifts in mood, anxiety, energy, and pain levels in the 10 to 14 days leading up to your period. Doctors aren’t exactly sure why it happens, but it likely has to do with the steep drop…
Squats and lunges will never not be part of leg day, but if you need a fresh way to work your lower-body, it’s time for us to introduce you to something that challenges your muscles and your mindset in equal measure—yoga for legs. Yoga might not be the first thing that comes to mind for challenging leg workouts, but trust us, it’s a game-changer. “The practice doesn’t just build physical strength, but mental strength as well,” says Paige Willis, RYT-200, certified yoga instructor and founder of Undone, a pop-up yoga experience. “While it’s different from your typical leg day, building…
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on pinterest Share on email We all know that humans need daily nourishment to survive. But to thrive? That’s a bit more complicated than vitamin and mineral counts. We’re social creatures, too, meaning we crave—require, actually—connection on a regular basis. So much so that social isolation has been found to be as detrimental to our health as smoking 15 cigarettes per day1. Yet one oft-forgotten opportunity remains key to satisfying both of these innate human needs: mealtime. “Eating is a…
Share on facebook Share on twitter Share on pinterest Share on email Photography by Tim Gibson It took a near-fatal incident in 2014 for Larissa May, then a sophomore student at Vanderbilt University, to even realize she was hooked on a dangerous substance. To be clear, the “drug” in question wasn’t the typical type you might expect to find on a college campus—it was her phone. Or, more specifically, her Instagram account, where she was growing a rapid following as a fashion blogger. May had become…