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A TENS unit consists of an electrical signal generator, a battery and a set of electrodes (adhesive pads). In order to understand how TENS units affect pain, we spoke with experts to dive deeper into the neurophysiologic mechanisms of pain control. Below, learn more about who these devices are good for, and find our picks for the best TENS units for back pain. These machines are battery-powered, with small electrodes that are placed on your skin, either where you have pain or on corresponding trigger points....

According to the Environmental Working Group’s comprehensive tap water database, last updated in 2019, there are around 300-400 contaminants including lead, microorganisms, radioactive isotopes, pesticides, and metals currently in municipal water systems nationwide. Your Consumer Confidence Report (CCR), also known as a water-quality report, compares your water’s contaminant levels to the EPA’s standards. This report tells you about the water in your municipality, about what’s coming out of your particular tap....

These physical effects are one thing, but did you know that even very subtle changes in our gut can affect our emotional well-being? Because stress and the gut are so closely linked, you’ll benefit from learning more about this bidirectional relationship—and the best ways to manage it. Changes in your gut can cause intestinal leakage (more commonly known as “leaky gut”), as well as cause diarrhea, constipation, inflammation, and a drop in the neurotransmitters that support a positive mood....

No matter what it is, the message is clear: You’re on their mind. They’re thinking of you. They miss you in some capacity. You feel a cold wave of anxiety wash over you as your mind spins over what you should do next. You don’t want to respond, but you still feel responsible for their emotions—plus, maybe they’ve changed, and the conversation might be different now. According to psychotherapist Nicholas Moran, LMHC: “[Hoovering] is a key characteristic of toxic relationships and manifests in a variety of ways with the focus on attempting to draw a person back in and control them, kind of like a fisher who is fishing or a puppeteer with a puppet....

The problem is, these quick fixes don’t actually work long-term. The crash is never far behind—so it’s back to the coffee to start the cycle again, turning your day into a rollercoaster ride of highs and lows. Here’s what we know so far about how adaptogens can help with the stress response and a rundown of my favorite types to take: They enhance the body’s ability to cope with stress slowly and gently, without jolts or crashes....

Recent research reveals a significant connection between anxiety and stress, your brain chemistry, and your gut or gastrointestinal tract. You can boost your mood and decrease frazzle-brain1 by maintaining healthy habits that balance your gut. Research with adult subjects showed that those with a rich diversity of gut bacteria had better immune system health. Those with a less diverse microbiome were prone to pro-inflammatory bacteria. Inflammation in the gut can put you at risk for irritable bowel disease3 and other disorders4....

Though people of all genders can have narcissistic personality disorder, studies have shown men tend to display more narcissistic behaviors. So how can someone spot narcissism in a woman? But men and women are socialized differently and thus are more likely to develop specific personality traits, and these differences can be seen between male and female narcissists as well. “Although there are shared narcissistic traits between male and female narcissists, there are some differences in which their narcissism is exhibited,” psychoanalyst Babita Spinelli, L....

So instead of letting the process of getting pregnant become an all-consuming obsession, I realized the best thing for my mental health was learning to let go. Here’s how I learned to cope with the hard realities of getting pregnant: I had been looking forward to being a mother ever since I was a little girl, so I hadn’t ever considered the option before. But now, I shifted my mindset from despair and dejection to a new inquiry I had never pondered: I’m not going to have children, so now what?...

Although every individual’s pacing will inevitably be unique to them and the particular relationship they’re in, here’s what research and experts say about how long it takes to fall in love on average. They also found 39% of men say “I love you” within a month of dating someone, compared to 23% of women. A 2011 study in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology surveying small groups of undergraduate students found similar results....

Researchers at Michigan State University have found that narcissistic traits fluctuate over time and, in general, decrease as people age. In general, they found that “maladaptive” traits associated with narcissism, like being “full of yourself” and being sensitive to criticism, declined over time. Some traits associated with narcissism actually increased, especially having high aspirations for oneself. “As you age, you form new relationships, have new experiences, start a family and so on,” said William Chopik, Ph....

Given the multifaceted nature, it can be confusing to know how to use these makeup-meets-skin-care hybrids: Should you use them in tandem with your skin care routine? Or simply treat them like skin-loving foundations? What if it has SPF? To dial up the dew even further, makeup artist Alexandra Compton, product development manager at clean beauty retailer Credo, suggests mixing your BB cream with your moisturizer or face oil. “It will change the finish from dewy to dewiest,” she once told mbg....

But if you’re not quite sure how to nail a cat-eye line or how to achieve the perfect winged eye if you have hooded eyes, then you’re going to appreciate this simple crash course, which proves that applying eyeliner doesn’t require a degree in physics or taking a YouTube influencer’s master class. Oh, and if you’re curious—feel free to check out our favorite clean eyeliners of all time. If you’re still mastering the classic line, using a pencil, liquid liner, or gel, start by making small dashes along your lid line as close to the base of your lashes as possible....

Of course, we all know this intuitively, but it can be a powerful reminder when our partner goes out of town that life goes on. By purposely filling up your time with a strong support system, you’ll be reminded that you are more than just the other half of your significant partner. Ask yourself: What are the things that I enjoy but wouldn’t normally do with my partner? Is it the new exhibition you’ve been wanting to go to, but art isn’t their thing?...

In astrology, warrior Mars is the ruler of aggro Aries—the first sign of the zodiac. (Cosmic fact: Mars is actually the Roman version of the Greek god Ares.) Passionate Mars spawns a primal energy and an innate desire to dominate. For example: What’s your fighting style? Are you combative, passive, manipulative? The zodiac sign of your Mars in your chart will show how you do battle. Mars’ influence in your chart can even help you enjoy a more fulfilling sex life....

The truth is, you’re not always in the mood for a salad—especially not first thing in the morning—and a green smoothie makes a delicious, easy-to-swallow alternative that ensures you’re consuming loads of naturally occurring vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Here, we cover the basics of how to make a green smoothie, plus five simple green smoothie recipes for beginners. This is a basic green formula, which you should feel free to tweak and adapt!...

Moon Milks are based on the Ayurvedic tradition of sipping warm milk to ground your body before slipping off to sleep—think of them as lattes designed for the evening. While simply drinking warm milk might have been enough in the old days, influencers these days are using a bevy of add-ins to (literally) spice things up. These elements add functional benefits, flavor, and often turn the drink those pastel, Insta-perfect tones you may have spotted on your feed....

Even better? It’s not so difficult to whip up yourself. If you have a rose bush or two in your yard, or if you’ve recently come across a bouquet, you can easily transform those decadent petals into a hydrating rosewater spray. A bonus of the DIY route is that it doesn’t contain the skin-drying alcohols that so many face mists out there have. It should keep fresh for up to one week, says Blankenship, as long as you store it in the fridge....

While there are undoubtedly problems with both aesthetics in some way or another, there’s one thing we know for sure—this new era of low-lift beauty is a breath of fresh air. And according to pro stylists, even the beloved slicked-back ponytail has met its match. “For the last few years, we have seen lots of down, loose waves or tucked-behind-the-ears styles all over the red carpet,” Maine says. The updos, however, followed a different trend—especially the super-sleek bun....

A mini-retreat is a period of intensive meditation practice. It can be as short as a Sunday morning or last a whole weekend. Get clear on the intention of your retreat so you know what to focus on. Write down what you hope to experience or get clarity on by undertaking the retreat. The more specific you are, the better. If you plan ahead, you save yourself from having to make decisions during the retreat....

Then one day she casually mentioned that she craved fruit. For the last seven months, Margaret had been following Weight Watchers, a popular weight-loss program that assigns zero points for fruit. In other words, she could eat all the fruit she wanted and often did. That excess sugar—yes, even in Weight Watchers–approved fresh fruit—fed Margaret’s yeast overgrowth, which caused her to crave more sugar. Your best protection against yeast overgrowth is a normal acidic stomach pH....