Author: Richard C. Trotter
Every place I’ve ever lived has had a junk drawer. In my childhood home in Texas, the kitchen’s junk drawer was filled with my mom’s stash of Hershey’s Kisses, loose uncapped markers, and grocery store mailers. My college dorm room’s junk drawer hid crumpled-up syllabi, rogue packets of soy sauce, and extra Scantron sheets. And now, as an adult living with my long-term boyfriend for the first time, our junk drawer houses random tools; shared sticks of Burt’s Bees chapstick; paint samples for our bedroom; and, like, five differently flavored, half-empty bottles of MiO. While I’ve gone through the motions…
It’s perfectly normal to experience a certain level of stress and/or anxiety throughout the day. In fact, it’s a natural human reaction to threatening or worrying situations that helps keep you safe and away from danger—otherwise known as your fight-or-flight response. But when unforeseen circumstances arise, causing the combination of stress and anxiety to bubble over and impact your day-to-day activities, Uma Naidoo, MD, a Harvard-trained nutritional psychiatrist and the author of Calm Your Mind With Food, says it’s important to take note when symptoms begin to impact your daily life. To that end, Dr. Naidoo says there are simple…
There’s a good reason why dermaplaning wands—those tiny, cute razors that remove dead skin cells and hair—have been all over your social media lately. With a few strategic swipes, they remove peach fuzz and unwanted hair, leaving behind a brightened complexion that’s easier for your skin-care actives to penetrate. As simple as this process may look on your TikTok feed, though, it’s pretty easy to get wrong—which can leave your skin angry and irritated instead of soft and smooth. For this reason, “oilplaning”—which involves adding a small amount of oil to the skin while dermaplaning—is a great workaround for anyone…
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 When I was in college I didn’t go anywhere without my magenta Kate Spade Continental Wristlet Wallet. It was such a large wallet that it worked perfectly to double as a clutch, fitting all my cash and cards, as well as lipstick and my phone. (Of course,…
Picture a brand-new building. It looks neat and pristine, thanks to the newly painted exterior and tidy landscaping. Now picture it 30 years later. The paint has been chipped from wear, and the front yard requires some TLC. What you’re picturing is an illustration of the way your body’s collagen production changes as you age. At birth, collagen is the most abundant protein in your body, accounting for 30 percent of the proteins in your connective tissues. But after you turn 30, your body’s ability to naturally produce collagen starts to decline and can drop over one percent each year,…
Coconut kefir: You may have seen it at your local Whole Foods (or “shoppy shop”), on TikTok, or in a lucky pal’s smoothie. Or maybe you haven’t seen it at all, but are in need of gut support? Regardless, coconut kefir is one delicious drink to check out. “Coconut kefir is a fermented beverage made from coconut water and kefir grains,” says Sara Mesilhy, MD, MRCP, a gastroenterologist at ProbioticReviewGirl. “Traditional kefir is made from fermented cow’s milk and is not considered vegan, but there are various plant-based milk options, like coconut, almond, and pea milk, which can be used…
When you’re in a work rut and can’t get a task done, or your energy is fading but you’re coming up against a deadline, you might be tempted to try powering through. After all, time isn’t on your side, and there’s work you must get done (no matter how much you might rather curl up under your desk for a nap). Even if you choose to take a short break, it can be tough to shift your focus without just getting distracted—but getting on the move can help. A growing body of research suggests that walking has productivity benefits, offering…
Living in Delhi, India—one of the most notorious cities in the world for air pollution—has made me all too aware of the importance of a skin-care routine that stands resilient against the onslaught of environmental aggressors. As I navigate the smog-filled streets, my commitment to maintaining healthy skin has become more than just a beauty ritual; it’s a survival strategy. In 2022, Delhi’s average Air Quality Index (AQI) hovered just above 200—putting it squarely in the “poor” air quality category and solidifying its spot as the fifth most polluted city in the world. While pollution levels have improved over the past…
If you were to ask a group of registered dietitians for one of the easiest plant-based ways to up the protein levels of just about any recipe, more than likely they’ll all point you in the same direction: straight to the bean aisle at the grocery store. So, why are these small but mighty legumes the center of so much attention? Well, the humble bean is brimming with nutrition from all angles… plus they’re versatile and affordable (one 15-ounce can retails for about about a buck fifty), especially given how much they have to offer. Ahead we’re delving into the…
Welcome to the wild world of 2024, a year when evolutionary—even revolutionary—seeds of change begin to take root in our lives. (You can read your full 2024 horoscope here.) If the cosmos has its way, it’s going to be a ride, but your January horoscope could make this month one of the least problematic and most productive of 2024. Seizing that momentum straight out of the gate is a smart strategy. Hitting our stride may feel possible because Mercury retrograde ends right on New Year’s Day, almost daring us to dive into new goals or resolutions. This happens just a…