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Here are 17 of the most common dreams, plus what they mean, from dream interpreters. As therapist and dream expert Leslie Ellis, Ph.D., tells mbg, “In North America, the most common dream theme is of teeth falling out—which of course may mean different things for different people—but ideas include concern about appearance, aging, and loss of agency/aggression. These can all be linked to concerns about sociality and survival.” “Falling is a very common dream motif, and one of the earliest dreams reported by very young children,” Ellis explains, noting, “Could it have to do with the fact that falling could be lethal for an infant or toddler?...

This affects the collective atmosphere of the world for a 12-month period! You can think of the Universal Year as the state or country you’re driving through on your yearly “road trip,” and each number comes with its own unique resonance. Add the individual numbers of the current year together, like this: 2021 = 2 + 0 + 2 + 1 = 5. That’s why 2021 is a 5 Universal Year....

We spoke with certified sex therapist Holly Richmond, Ph.D., and certified sex coach Gigi Engle to get their insight, and as it turns out, there’s no shortage of oral sex techniques to try. With over two dozen techniques, we’re sure one of these will help you do the trick. If they reach orgasm, keep going—gently! The clitoris may be too sensitive for direct contact right away, so start by kissing the thighs, perhaps teasing the labia, and after a few minutes, then go back to the clitoris, Engle explains....

I’ll share some of my favorite trend predictions here as a sneak peek. Well, allantoin is our prediction to be the next big thing. “It’s getting a rebrand,” Schneider notes. “It’s not new, but it’s now in the spotlight in such a major way. It makes total sense why that is the case because it’s really moisturizing and soothing. It’s flown under the radar until now.” “Your skin cells are more receptive to certain ingredients at different times of the day,” says Schneider....

Here’s what doctors want you to know about the link between stress and cortisol, when it’s time to bring your cortisol levels down, and the best supplements, foods, and practices to help keep the hormone in check.* “Cortisol is essential for living. It peaks at the beginning of the day to support getting out of bed and decreases throughout the day to allow ‘sleep pressure’ to build. Without cortisol, we would lack the motivation to get up and do things,” says Shera Raisen, M....

Here’s my story as well as why I encourage women to wear less-is-more. Through makeup, I was trying to be someone I thought others wanted me to be: I wanted to be glamorous and sophisticated, not scared of anything, always up for an adventure. But inside, I was lonely, guarded and never let anyone see the real me (personality or face). I was afraid to be vulnerable, terrified of being seen without the protective “mask” makeup provided....

You can amplify the good vibes in your space by first clearing out the bad ones. There are hundreds of ways to bust through stagnant, negative energy, with salt being one of my all-time faves. Here are some ways to use this ordinary ingredient for some extraordinary results. Of course, you can always swim in the sea to completely reinvigorate your energy if you are fortunate enough to have one nearby…but everyone can harness the power of salt to create freshness and super positive vibes....

That’s because, starting at 30, you begin to lose about 0.5 percent of your muscle mass, your body’s main calorie-burning tissue, every year. Here’s how: Don’t forget protein at breakfast. Muscle breaks down while you sleep so it’s important to refuel in the morning. Go for Greek yogurt, eggs, or try adding both hemp seeds and nut butter to a smoothie. Vegetables also have protein. Asparagus (4 grams of protein per cup); spinach (5 grams of protein per cup cooked); and seed grains like quinoa, amaranth, and buckwheat pack 5 to 9 grams of protein per cup cooked....

This isn’t a commentary on physicians—we love our MDs and DOs! But it is a reflection of the physician shortage affecting our country. In fact, we’re estimated to hit a deficit of more than 121,000 physicians by 2030. The shortage of docs is already creating huge barriers to healthcare access, especially in rural areas, where only 11% of physicians choose to practice. Take Kentucky, for instance, where 102 of the 120 counties have been designated as “medically underserved areas....

While body acne may be easier to hide at times, it can still cause deeply rooted insecurity and frustration. Plus, knowing how to treat acne on parts of the body, like the chest isn’t always as openly discussed. To help you out, we asked derms for the 101 on chest acne from causes to treatments and more. Let’s dive in. “However, as compared to facial acne, there are a few things that set it apart, primarily the fact that chest and back acne can more easily be aggravated by excessive sweating and heat because clothing can further occlude the skin and contribute to irritation and friction,” Fenton adds....

Fertility can be a journey, and learning about your hormone levels will better inform the next step in that process. To help get a handle on your hormones and feel more in control of your fertility journey, here are seven of the best fertility tests you can take without leaving your home. Fertility tests measure your hormone levels to provide metrics like your ovarian reserve (how many eggs you have), your ovulation window (to find your most fertile days), and more....

According to clinical psychologist Perpetua Neo, DClinPsy, we see this behavior in children between the ages of 2 and 6, who are going through something called the pre-operational stage, which is very egocentric. It’s to be expected in children, she notes, but for adults who are self-absorbed, “it’s almost like they never outgrew that stage—even if they have great scripts and can mask their self-absorption.” And even if a self-absorbed person may not qualify for the diagnosis of narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), Birkel says, they can still have narcissistic tendencies like manipulation, controlling, and a general lack of empathy or concern for others....

Whatever the reason, you’re considering giving vegetarianism a try, which is great—but you should definitely do your research first. We’ve broken down the different types of vegetarian lifestyles below and how to decide which one is right for you. Outside of diet, most vegans also eliminate animal-based products in their daily life. For example, they won’t wear leather or fur goods or use products that include any animal-derived ingredients such as gelatin....

The tropical plant, whose formal name is Zingiber officinale, is a part of the rhizome family. And while it boasts gorgeous magenta flowers on top, it’s the root down below that delivers that warm, spicy flavor—not to mention loads of health benefits. “Ginger’s stomach-calming, anti-inflammatory effects have made it a go-to remedy for thousands of years to ease GI discomfort,” Jessica Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, registered dietitian and health coach, told mbg....

For starters, acid reflux—also known as gastroesophageal reflux—is the expulsion of stomach contents back into the esophagus. And that’s about as fun as it sounds: The acidity of this fluid burns the esophageal lining causing a painful burning sensation in the chest. Repeated exposure to stomach acid can cause serious damage to the esophagus and increase the risk of developing esophageal cancer2. Conversely, some researchers argue that eating acidic foods may actually be beneficial for those suffering from acid reflux and even recommend taking HCL, which is stomach acid....

Sometimes, new opportunities are right there to greet you. But more often than not, there is something that writer Charles Epstein calls the space between stories. He describes it this way: The old world falls apart but the new has not yet emerged […] Without the mirage of order that once seemed to protect you and filter reality, you feel naked and vulnerable, but also a kind of freedom. Awareness is like a road map of understanding that can help you feel less alone while facing transition....

Whether you’re looking for a CBD gummy to help you relax, ease your stress, or get better sleep, today it’s easier than ever to find a high-quality formula to support your goals.* But one major setback of hemp CBD gummies is that these formulas often provide much lower potencies (i.e. doses of the active ingredients). Unlike the robust selection of strong CBD oils, the options for the strongest CBD gummies are fairly limited....

“Enmeshment” means that both of you have lost your individual identities to the friendship; you share opinions, emotions, major decisions, and needs. It’s impossible to engage in self-care if you’re not in touch with your own needs and feelings! And while it’s healthy to be able to depend on your friends, it’s not healthy or sustainable to rely on one friend to meet all of your needs all the time....

Hydration becomes even more important when you’re losing fluids, due to diarrhea or vomiting, registered dietitian Jess Cording, M.S., R.D., CDN, says. We realize the thought of eating or drinking nearly anything can be off-putting when you’re nauseated—but that’s where simple, soothing drinks come into play. While choosing the right drink can help you feel better, avoiding the wrong drink is equally important. One randomized controlled trial, published in the journal Rhinology, says compared to room-temperature drinks, hot drinks are more effective at relieving runny nose2, cough, sneezing, sore throat, chilliness, and tiredness—aka common cold and flu symptoms....

Here’s what it really means to be an HSP, the pros and cons, and how to deal with it, according to experts. As psychologist and relationship counselor Margaret Paul, Ph.D., tells mbg, much of what we now understand about HSPs comes from the work of clinical research psychologist Elaine Aron, Ph.D., who authored both The Highly Sensitive Person and The Highly Sensitive Child. Aron’s research found that about 15 to 20% of the population are born with a nervous system that’s different from the rest of the population, says Paul....