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So, what can you do to ease sore, weary muscles and prevent excess soreness in the future? Let’s investigate. “Acute muscle soreness accompanies fatigue and occurs during and immediately post-workout,” he notes. “Overexertion and strenuous exercise often results in muscular pain, and the pain becomes most intense after 24 to 48 hours and then gradually decreases so that the muscle becomes symptom-free within three to four days. This pain at 24 to 72 hours post-workout is called DOMS....

Today, just over a decade since smartphones entered our lives, we’re beginning to suspect that their impact on our lives might not be entirely good. We feel busy but ineffective. Connected but lonely. The same technology that gives us freedom can also act like a leash—and the more tethered we become, the more it raises the question of who’s actually in control. The result is a paralyzing tension: We love our phones, but we often hate the way they make us feel....

The first thing you can do is accept the current circumstances along with your thoughts and emotions that come along with it. “Nonacceptance leads to suffering, as you will only perpetuate a struggle if you are in denial or battling reality,” says Issa. “Once you choose to practice radical acceptance, you open yourself up to the possibility of less suffering and making appropriate changes.” “Bring your attention to the present moment and focus on observing and describing different sensations,” says Issa....

“If we’re talking about actual change, then hiring black and brown people who can be spearheading the initiative. It’s not going to happen if you continue to hire white women who do white women wellness things—period,” Lauren Ash, yoga instructor and founder of Black Girl In Om previously told mbg. And, she adds, “Give your money and give your resources to marginalized people in the space.” Follow these fitness pros, listen to their words, and support their work—it’s high time to shine the spotlight on more Black voices, today and always....

Now, is pillow spray an absolute need-to-have item? No, not really. But how lovely does it sound to sink into bed with a cloud of lavender (or chamomile, neroli, patchouli, et al.) lulling you into dreamland? At the end of the day, pillow sprays help you create a calming evening experience—and we’ve got quite a few recommendations for a bedtime blend. dream mist, mindbodygreen ($30); mindbodygreen.com Pro: Chamomile is great for pre-bed relaxation....

Simply make the dough, let it rise overnight, and bake in the morning. It requires very little effort with big reward. The crust is golden and crunchy, and the velvety crumb is perfect for sandwiches and toast. Try a few thick-cut slices with creamy avocado and tomato or the most delicious grilled cheese sandwich you will ever sink your teeth into. This is my family’s favorite loaf. 

Well, I’m here to remind you about the countless studies pointing to the benefits of nature and the damaging effects of urban life and screen time. As I propose in my book Your Brain On Nature, we’d all be better off getting outdoors for the sake of our health. For starters, it seems to be a buffer that helps people cope better with life’s stressors2. By reducing chronic stress, it can contribute to better health overall....

Here’s a quick overview of lions, bears, wolves, and dolphins: Here’s our full guide to thriving as a bear for more inspiration. Check out our complete guide to thriving as a lion for more information. He also emphasizes the importance of light exposure and getting hydrated first thing to help your body and mind wake up, should you be experiencing grogginess. Like all chronotypes, wolves may also benefit from a high-quality sleep supplement....

Body language is universal. When you slouch and make yourself small, you project a less than confident vibe. With all the time we spend on screens, our bodies assume this position all too often, which can also feel pretty awful on the back over time. Your 4-week challenge: This is the fourth installment of my workout routines that targets various parts of your body, all with some core work. Now, I encourage you to make core work a regular part of your weekly routine—whether that’s one day a week, three, or even daily....

Eating legumes may help with many health issues, including reducing cholesterol levels1 and hypertension and complications with diabetes2, fibrocystic breast disease, and prostate cancer3. Because they are so proteinaceous and hearty, they can help moderate blood sugar levels4, not just at the meal but for hours afterward. And when you consume your legumes sprouted, the benefits can increase5 by leaps and bounds! Here are a few favorite sprouts to highlight: You can add chickpea sprouts to a salad, toss them with chutneys to make the Indian street food chaat, or snack on them out of hand....

It’s common for people to experience worse-than-normal odor when transitioning to naturals. There’s no scientific research that confirms exactly why, but there are many hypotheses. One is that the armpit’s natural microbiome is disrupted by conventional underarm products, so it needs time to readjust. Another is that the first weeks after wearing deodorant are a major detox period, especially for regular antiperspirant users. With all the buzz around naturals, there’s been some warranted backlash....

Organic Lubricant, Sustain Natural ($12.99) Natural Lubricant With CBD, Foria Intimacy ($50) Hypoallergenic Lubricant, LOLA ($14) Shine Organic Lubricant, Maude ($25) Coconut Love Oil Lubricant, WOO More Play ($24.99) Almost Naked® Organic Lube, Good Clean Love ($11.99) Organic Water-Based Lubricant, Ah! Yes ($21.99) H2O Lubricant, Sliquid Naturals ($8) Hemp Infused Body Oil, Coconu ($34.99) Vaginal Cosmetic Cream, Julva® ($69.95) Note: While essential oils can be added to DIY lubricants in very small amounts, Cabeca says they should never be applied directly to the vaginal or vulvar skin....

Understandably, you might be tempted to mix a collagen supplement into everything you eat and drink. (Honestly, we don’t blame you.) But like all good things in life, more collagen isn’t always better. So, how much collagen should you take each day—and is it possible to overdo it? This is worth noting because collagen provides elasticity and structure in many tissues, including our skin, bones, muscles, cartilage, and gut.* For example, in the skin, collagen is responsible for keeping skin supple and firm....

While it sounds complicated, the product itself is super easy to use and far more effective than a lint roller. Revamping my entire couch takes less than 60 seconds, including the back cushions and side panels. Although my bed takes slightly longer—because I have to create resistance to prevent the ChomChom from getting caught on loose fabric—I can still have my sheets looking freshly washed in a matter of minutes....

As Ashley Leavy, founder and educational director of the Love and Light School of Crystal Therapy, tells mbg, “Sometimes people call clear quartz the master crystal,” as it’s sort of like a blank slate that can be used in a lot of different ways. She also notes that while clear quartz is often clear, if your piece looks a bit more cloudy, that doesn’t mean it’s not a quality stone....

A word on the virus: HSV is incredibly contagious, and it’s caused by skin-to-skin contact—things like kissing or drinking after a person who has active lesions, touching the person’s skin, or sharing objects like silverware, lip balms, or razors. And while there’s a certain stigma around them (“They can affect a person’s confidence and self-esteem, especially for those who get them several times a year,” says board-certified dermatologist Zenovia Gabriel, M....

To make sure you’re getting enough antioxidants, aim to eat a rainbow of whole fruits, vegetables, legumes, herbs, nuts, and seeds. (The more colorful your plate—the better.) Produce high in vitamin C1—like red bell peppers, broccoli, and oranges—are especially important. In addition to being a powerful antioxidant, “Vitamin C is a necessary cofactor2 in collagen synthesis,”* says Brittany Modell, M.S., R.D., CDN. This essential nutrient is actually required by specific enzymes involved in collagen formation on the daily....

Have no fear if you’ve been craving a little space; that doesn’t mean there’s anything wrong with your relationship. In fact, it could be just what the two of you need. We spoke with relationship experts to understand why alone time is so important for couples, plus how to bring it up to your partner and ways to incorporate more of it. “It’s important that couples spend time cultivating their own interests, doing things they enjoy on their own, which helps facilitate a healthy sense of self beyond the relationship,” licensed psychotherapist and sex therapist Michael Moran, LCSW, CST, explains....

Instead, your brain has the ability to regenerate and repair itself, and BDNF is “critical” in the process, Lin says. “Studies show curcumin can increase BDNF levels4, and thus support brain healing and regeneration from injury and trauma,” she says.* Cognitive decline is a form of inflammation of the brain tissues, and, given that curcumin manages inflammation, it may help protect people from developing cognitive decline, Lin says.* Research has also found that curcumin can support the lining of your blood vessels5, which is known as endothelium....

To add to your growing vocab list, there’s another slight nuance you should be mindful of: “dry” versus “dehydrated” skin. The two might sound similar, but they actually have different symptoms and require totally different treatments. Here, we break down the binary (with the help of our favorite experts, of course). “Dehydrated skin may look dull, lack radiance, and may appear ashy if you have darker skin tones,” board-certified dermatologist Joshua Zeichner, M....