Author: Richard C. Trotter
When you think about how to improve your heart health, do visions of treadmills and salad bowls enter your mind? It’s true that eating more plant-based meals and moving your body on the reg are key heart-healthy habits. But that’s not all you can do to show your heart some love. “In addition to a healthy diet, regular exercise, and abstaining from smoking, there are other everyday changes you can make to protect your heart health,” says Mary Greene, MD, a cardiologist with Manhattan Cardiology. Here, we’ve rounded up the self-care measures that seem smaller on the heart-health scale but…
There are officially no retrograde planets in the sky, and you’re ready to move forward and take a risk under the new moon in Aquarius on February 9, 2024, at 5:57 a.m. EST. Chances are, you’re thinking big-picture, and the actions you’re planning or plotting will involve your broader network, friendships, community, and goals for the future—all Aquarian themes that tend to feel omnipresent under a new moon in Aquarius. While the modern-day planetary ruler of Aquarius is the rebellious Uranus, its traditional ruler is taskmaster Saturn, and the sign’s energy blends both influences: It gives form and shape (Saturn)…
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 Face mists have come a long way. In recent years, they’ve expanded beyond pretty, watery sprays to do, well, basically anything you can imagine. Sure, they still hydrate. But on top of that they brighten, tone, nourish, and strengthen the skin barrier, all with a few quick…
Florals: They’re not just for spring anymore. According to a report from Innova Market Insights, floral and botanical flavors (like chamomile, honeysuckle, and rose) will be the fastest-growing trend in packaged foods in 2024. The surge in interest, according to the report, is likely due to continued consumer interest in sustainability, plant-based ingredients, and functional health. But unless you have the skills and knowledge of an herbalist or forager (hi, Alexis Nikole!) you might feel overwhelmed by the possibilities of using botanical ingredients at home to reap their benefits. Are they added to recipes for presentation, flavor, or health benefits? We’ve asked…
For decades, when we thought about the pelvic floor, we thought about Kegels. But the medical community has come to understand that when it comes to pelvic floor exercises—and pregnancy pelvic floor exercises in particular—relaxation is just as essential as contraction. “The pelvic floor has to get the heck out of the way to get the baby out,” says physical therapist Carrie Pagliano, DPT, who specializes in pelvic health. Unless we’ve previously dealt with incontinence or pelvic pain, most of us ignore our pelvic floor muscles until we get pregnant. So we might not be quite sure of the difference…
Reducing inflammation through lifestyle habits is always a worthwhile objective—and giving your mind and body the chance to rest regularly is one of the easiest ways to start, says Maggie Berghoff, a functional medicine nurse practitioner and author of Eat to Treat. According to Berghoff, both mental and psychological stress and anxiety can trigger inflammation. What’s more, heightened physiological inflammation (linked to a range of lifestyle factors, including foods) is linked to higher rates of mental and psychological stress. Because the relationship between stress and inflammation is a two-way street—or what Berghoff refers to as a “chicken or the egg…
With Valentine’s Day fast approaching, it’s the perfect opportunity to plan a special evening… using the love language of food! There’s something so nurturing and intimate about cooking at home, especially when the dishes are crafted with loving hands and shared intentions. Whether it’s a night for you and your special someone, gathering your girlfriends for a Galentine’s feast, or even a soul-nourishing meal for one, it’s the time to celebrate all the little things that make life heartwarming. I’m sharing three of my favourite recipes that are equal parts delicious and easy to whip up, using simple, budget-friendly ingredients…
A common reality of parenting a young child is that what’s best for them might not be what satisfies them. Case in point? Screen time—which kids can all but demand, but which plenty of health agencies have a hardline stance against. (The World Health Organization specifies a less-is-more recommendation on screen time, as does the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, for just two examples.) The push-pull can result in a whole lot of parent guilt when making decisions either to hand over or restrict the phone or tablet. But when it comes to offering tips for parents on…
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 Pop-its, fidget spinners, stress balls—using anxiety-reducing toys to occupy your hands for things like stress relief isn’t a new concept. But if you’ve been noticing more and more “adult” fidget spinners (and other fidget toys) for grown-ups, it’s because more and more brands are recognizing the need…
As the country continues to grapple with a mental health crisis, it may not be a surprise to learn that according to the National Institute of Mental Health, more than 21 million American adults have major depressive disorder, commonly referred to as clinical depression. Major depressive disorder is one of the leading causes of disability in the US, which is why board-certified psychiatric mental health nurse practitioner (PMHNP) and graduate educator Bethanie Simmons-Becil, DNP, MSN, is so passionate about raising awareness about major depressive disorder. Despite how common major depressive disorder is, there are still many misperceptions about depression symptoms…