The excerpt below provides a sneak peek into the novel, where we learn more about the quiet forces that hold us together—even after we’ve grown apart. To add Oh William! to your winter reading queue, purchase your copy here. Because I am a novelist, I have to write this almost like a novel, but it is true—as true as I can make it. And I want to say—oh, it is difficult to know what to say!...
Once I get past that first mile and settle into my pace, my body, my music, and my breath, I am in my happy place. I run for quiet. I run to think. I run to come up with things to write about. Sometimes, though, my runs aren’t so great. Something hurts, I feel heavy or, like today, I can’t catch my breath. So they often ask, “What’s wrong with me?...
Turmeric is one of my absolute favorite healing foods because it has a rich history as a medicinal food and is incredibly versatile in the kitchen. Here, I’m going to talk about turmeric tea, an ancient remedy that absolutely has a place in a modern-day self-care routine. Some of the conditions turmeric has been most commonly used for include: While it’s available in whole root form as well, turmeric is most commonly sold in powdered form....
So let’s start with the first category, shall we? Below, find everything you need to know about humectants, including how they work, how to use them, and the best options to slather on. “Think of the skin as an actual sponge,” adds Shamban. “When it is dry, it is thin, brittle, not pliable, rough in texture, dull, and sallow in color. Run it under water, and it is instantly plump, dense, and smooth....
“We all may relate to most of these languages, but each of us has one that speaks to us the most,” marriage and family therapist Sunny Motamedi, Psy.D., tells mbg. “Discovering you and your partner’s primary love language and speaking that language regularly may [create] a better understanding of each other’s needs and support each other’s growth.” Here’s an overview of each of the five love languages Chapman describes: “Written and spoken shows of affection matter the most to these people,” couples’ psychotherapist Fariha Mahmud-Syed, MFT, CFLE, tells mbg....
As it turns out, hormonal imbalances are pretty common: 47% of women have dealt with them at some point (though many likely go unreported). Imbalances can present themselves through a variety of symptoms—from acne to fatigue to digestive problems and irregular periods. But for many women, hormonal birth control may not be the best option. Several groups of women may not be good candidates for hormonal birth control—including those with high blood pressure, breast cancer, heart disease, severe diabetes, liver disease, a history of blood clots, or a history of stroke....
However, even to the untrained eye, one type of hyperpigmentation may stand out among the rest: the “melasma mustache,” as many call it. Here, we’ll explain what causes this concentrated hyperpigmentation and what to do about it. “Although melasma can occur in men, it’s much more common in women and more common in those taking oral contraceptive pills and during pregnancy,” board-certified dermatologist Rebecca Marcus, M.D., tells mbg. Clinical studies1 show that UV radiation is the most common initial trigger of melasma, as well as the main factor exacerbating preexisting patches....
What’s more, everyone’s body is different, so people respond to substances in their own unique way. Plus, sometimes it’s easier to ramp up something slowly rather than go straight for the higher dose, which is why I often recommend microdosing to my patients in various contexts. Recently, one practice I’ve been fascinated with is microdosing caffeine. One way to optimize your intake is through microdosing, or consuming small amounts of caffeine throughout the day....
Here’s an overview of why deforestation is so harmful, what can be done about it, and why it happens in the first place. Annika Terrana, a forest director at the World Wildlife Fund (WWF), tells mindbodygreen that at the current rate of deforestation, “we’re losing about 30 soccer fields’ worth of forest a minute.” Most of this is occurring in 24 key regions, which the WWF calls “deforestation fronts.” “Those are areas of forests across the tropics and subtropics of Latin America, sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and Oceania,” Terrana explains....
Should you steer clear of this ingredient altogether or hoard every product that has it listed on the label? (Spoiler: While not harmful, we believe you should treat it with caution.) Board-certified dermatologist Dendy Engelman, M.D., agrees: “It’s popularly used in hair and skin care products as a smoothing and occlusive ingredient,” she says. “You may be able to recognize the presence of dimethicone in your products by the silky-smooth texture that it adds....
Gastroparesis can lead to symptoms, including: upper abdominal pain, bloating, nausea, vomiting, fullness, early satiety, belching, and in some cases, regurgitation. It occurs when the stomach isn’t working as well as it should be, and as a result, food doesn’t leave the stomach at the right pace. It’s important to make sure there aren’t any physical or mechanical obstructions leading to slow motility. For example, if your stomach doesn’t empty well because you have cancer in your stomach, that could block the exit of food from the stomach and might explain your gastroparesis-like symptoms....
In addition to providing an array of nutritional benefits, kamut is also versatile. It’s similar to wheat berries and can pretty much be used interchangeably. It’s also a great baking substitution if you want more bang for your buck and a boost of heartiness. Curious yet? Keep reading to learn more about this ancient grain, including what it is and how to cook it. Although kamut is very similar to wheat, you can expect a chewier texture and nuttier flavor with this ancient grain....
The humbling part was, when the number of genes in human cells were counted and compared to other organisms, our genome was considerably smaller than that of many other species. For example, humans have about 25,000 genes in each cell, while the tiny water flea has over 30,000. Scientists had assumed that due to our advanced abilities and organ structure, we’d have over 100,000 genes. One way that we can influence gene activity is through the foods we eat....
Many of my clients ask me the following kinds of questions: No matter how much your partner tries to make you feel safe, such as spending more time with you or restricting their contact with whoever threatens you, you will still feel insecure if you are abandoning yourself by judging yourself, ignoring your feelings, or making your partner responsible for your self-worth. You will always feel insecure, inadequate, and not good enough, and you will always feel threatened by others when you are rejecting and abandoning yourself....
From managing your mindset to getting your daily dose of protein, my “badass” tips will help make a vegan diet the best aid to achieving your fitness goals.
As with any supplement, though, reaping the maximum benefits means taking it properly. And while you probably already know that it’s important to take certain vitamins (like vitamin D!) with food that contains fat to promote optimal absorption, you might not know that there’s actually an ideal time and way to take your fish oil, too. Surprise; there is! About those omega-3 fatty acids found in fish oil: These polyunsaturated fats help protect your brain, promote a healthy inflammatory response3, have well-established cardiovascular health benefits, and promote eye health4....
Licensed psychologist and behavioral sleep doctor Shelby Harris, PsyD, DBSM, previously broke it down on the mindbodygreen podcast, and we grabbed the details for you below. So where is the hydration sweet spot? Ultimately, the exact hour differs for everyone (mbg’s founder and co-CEO Jason Wachob front-loads his water intake and sets a limit at 7 p.m. to avoid late-night trips to the bathroom), but Harris suggests monitoring your fluids during the day and assessing from there....
Well, we’re here to help. Here are the most common causes of peeling nails and the four ways to fix ’em. Of course, these things can come up when we least expect them. But if you know you’ll be working with your hands—say, in the garden or tending to home repairs—take extra precautions. For the more serious nail fanatics among us, aim for a manicure a week, so as not to keep your polish on too long between sessions....
With Saturn in Pisces starting on March 7, landing in your eighth house of sexuality and permanent bonding, you might be wanting real commitment. But as the twins note, Pluto moving into Aquarius just a couple of weeks later will come as a major curveball. “Your relationship needs could spin in a totally new direction, thanks to Pluto’s preview pass into Aquarius (March 23 to June 11), an evolution that will continue for 21 years,” they explain, adding that you’ll definitely want to pencil in some important and necessary relationship conversations during this transit....
We’re talking about running. Need proof? Here are seven reasons why running makes you more confident: That’s where running comes in. According to research, exercise creates new brain cells and an overall pattern of calm in areas of the brain. Ready to lace up your sneakers yet? So if you’re not a long-distance runner, make it a goal to run your fastest 5K ever in 2017. Your self-esteem will thank you....
