Moringa is the newest wellness buzzword — and for good reason: It's packed with vitamins and nutrients, antioxidants and anti-inflammatories. Derived from the moringa oleifera tree, this superfood has been grown and used in Asia and the tropics for thousands of years. There, it's known as the miracle tree because of all of the positive effects it has on the body; though it's on the new side for those of us in the west.
CBD is everywhere these days — it's touted as everything from a topical pain reliever to a sleep aid... and now, it's the beauty ingredient du jour. Its newfound popularity makes sense: Because in addition to being "buzzy," CBD oil is non-comedogenic, rich in antioxidants, and it works as a natural inflammatory. Oh, and don't worry: It doesn't include THC (the psychoactive component of marijuana), so you don't have to worry about getting high.
Now that the wellness and beauty industries are completely obsessed with CBD, it was only a matter of time before the trendy cannabis compound, said to have a myriad of benefits, got the Tom Ford treatment — which is to say, you can now find everything from CBD chocolates, capsules, gummies and balms, to tinctures, salves, lotions and oils in Net-a-Porter-worthy packaging. CBD lattes sold at beauty meccas like Chillhouse and post-yoga flow balms (just launched at Y7 Studio) are now a thing too. Many of these brands don't focus so much on the nitty-gritty medicinal talk, but rather let their glossy packaging do the CBD advocating for them. Here's a look at the standout brands with luxury CBD offerings.
Most of us take our immune system for granted, even though it's what keeps us from getting sick. Your immune system serves as your body's defense center, fighting infections and illnesses — and, in order for it to function properly, it's our job to fuel it (and the rest of our body) with nutritious food... preferably of the healthy, anti-inflammatory variety.
If new year, new you sums up your attitude about health and fitness ambitions, you're not alone. Now is the time to set some nutritious, realistic goals when it comes to healthy eating and exercising. Snacking, when done in moderation, can be a useful tool to keep your eating on track. The body needs protein (especially when you're working out) to build and repair itself. If you lead a busy lifestyle, protein bars are a convenient way to get the extra protein you need and a filling, nutritious snack. Think all protein bars have a chalky consistency or leave an overly sweet taste in your mouth? Heck, they don't even have to be sweet at all. Here, we've rounded up our eight favorite protein bars to keep you from skipping a meal or reaching for junk food.
While many of us might notice a little dip in our mood during the winter months, some of us experience a mood shift that's a bit more drastic. It's called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), commonly referred to as the winter blues, and is classified as a type of major depressive disorder where episodes of depression occur around the same time each year — usually in the winter months. "SAD is more common in women than men and the prevalence rates range from 9.7 percent in New Hampshire to 1.4 percent in Florida," says A.J. Marsden, Psy.D., an assistant professor of human services and psychology at Beacon College in Leesburg, Florida. "These rates support one theory as to what causes SAD, and that is the lack of sunshine and, more specifically, the lack of vitamin D that might bring about mild to moderate episodes of depression."
New beauty and fashion trends always seem to take center stage each year, and health and wellness trends are no exception. We're already seeing new workout and food trends starting to pop up rapidly as the year begins. We spoke to a handful of wellness experts about all the health fads you're likely to see everywhere this year. From new workout crazes to buzzworthy foods, here are 10 of the biggest wellness trends experts say will make a major splash this year.
Up until a few months ago, mushrooms meant one of two things to most people: a psychedelic or a veggie you chop up in a salad. Fast-forward to now and we're seeing everything from mushroom lattes to mushroom hot chocolates and teas, most of which are blended using powders made from varieties like reishi, cordyceps, chaga and lion's mane. These functional mushrooms are said to help with a long list of wellness-related issues, including focus, immunity and relaxation, but are they all they're made out to be? This is an especially important question because medicinal mushroom powders are considered supplements, meaning there are no regulations for them.
We don't need to tell you that stretching is important for preventing muscle soreness and injury when engaging in an exercise program, but depending on your age and health, you might not realize how critical it is for everyday comfort. Back and joint pain is no joke as you age. It's not always easy to carve out time to work on flexibility, which is why it's imperative to have an arsenal of personal tools for staying limber.
In case you haven't heard, probiotics, aka "friendly" bacteria found in food and supplements, are not only key for gut health but for overall health, too. They've become a non-negotiable part of many people's diets — and we're not just talking about the wellness obsessed. If you're loading your plate with sauerkraut and popping a daily probiotic and still feeling bloated and sluggish, however, it might be because you're low in a key piece of the gut puzzle: prebiotics. In the same way that calcium isn't effective without vitamin D, probiotics need prebiotics.
The holidays are near, and you know what that means: grand family reunions, obligatory catch-up sessions with relatives, and of course, all the feasts of delicious foods. The only downside? Overindulging at the dinner table. Sure, it's fine to eat your fill (and then some), but more often than not, we end up overdoing it — which can lead to some seriously uncomfortable bloating.
If you have bad breath, you've probably tried every remedy in the book at this point, from gargling mouthwash to swearing off onions. But, as it turns out, many of the causes of bad breath are not what we'd think. While diet, lifestyle and hygiene do have quite a lot to do with it, they're not the only three reasons an estimated 50 million people in the U.S. have bad breath.
Are you the type of person who struggles to work out solo, mainly to wander around a gym with no direction? Do you like to work out in a group setting where someone tells you what to do, while surrounded by others going through the exact same experience. If this sounds like you, you may benefit from taking a group fitness class. Whether you like to stick to one type of class like yoga or indoor cycling or you like to mix it up with Class Pass, there are endless types of classes and gyms to choose from. I tried out eight of the current most popular fitness classes and break it down so you know exactly what to expect and maybe it will help you start on a new fitness journey that you truly enjoy and want to stick with. Here's how I fared — from the invigorating to the most sweat-inducing.
Given the fact that birth control methods have been around since the dawn of time (seriously, condoms made from animal-derived materials were first used around 3,000 B.C.) and many of the modern methods of pregnancy prevention, such as the birth control pill, have been used since the early 1960s, you'd think we'd have a solid understanding of how they work. But, like many other things involving the female body, birth control is still surrounded by an air of mystery, even by those who've been using it for decades.
Let me set the scene: I'd just bumped into designer Jason Wu backstage at his New York Fashion Week show and was on my way to the bathroom. Feeling rather encumbered by my oversized camera bag — not to mention tired after a day of marching around NYC to hit as many shows as possible — I was very much looking forward to finding a moment of quiet refuge behind the fancy toilet stall door at The St. Regis Hotel.
Have you noticed a lot of charcuterie boards in your Insta feed lately? Or maybe you've seen them at a party or on a menu (for a lot more money than you'd imagine). Charcuterie, pronounced (shar-KEW-tah-ree) is a fancy way of saying meat and cheese platter. Many catering companies, as well as at-home chefs, are setting the bar high in terms of beautiful board presentation.
We spend a lot of money (and time) protecting ourselves from the sun's damaging UV rays. From sunscreen to sun-protective clothing, we're well aware by now of how important daily protection is, even when it's cloudy out. But did you know there are harmful rays lurking in your home or office that can be just as damaging as UV rays? We're talking about blue light, and you're exposed to it every time you use your smartphone, laptop or television. Before delving into why you should be concerned about exposure to blue light, let's find out exactly what it is.
Coughs, sniffles and itches — ugh. As allergy season continues to wreak havoc on the estimated 50 million Americans who suffer each season, finding a solution to ease your symptoms might sometimes feel frustrating and hopeless. "As seasons change, pollens are released into the air. Trees, grass, weed pollen, mold spores, bee venom, pet dander, among others, emit tiny particles into the air, which your immune system recognizes as a foreign substance. This can cause symptoms including itchy and watery nose, red and itchy eyes, runny and congested nose, sneezing, coughing, hives, rash or even severe anaphylaxis allergic reactions," explains Epitomedical chief medical officer and founder of the Vedius app, Constantine George, MD.
"You are what you eat" is a saying worth listening to. Food doesn't just affect us physically, it also leaves an impression on our mental and emotional state. In fact, a growing body of research suggests a connection between eating patterns and depression. "Studies have shown that diets based on whole foods (fruits, vegetables, healthy proteins, whole grains) are linked with a lower risk of depression than diets filled with processed foods (desserts, high-fat processed meats, refined carb, sweets, fried foods)," says Sharon Palmer, RDN, The Plant-Powered Dietitian. "Also, diets filled with anti-inflammatory foods are linked with lower risk of depression."
Nothing against your stretched-out yoga pants or flimsy, hand-me-down mat but your yoga kit is probably ready for a revamp. Reset, refresh and reinvigorate your practice with these eight wardrobe and gear must-haves, all of which work for your life both in the studio and out. Whether you're in downward-facing dog or picking up a post-class green juice, these essentials will help you look — and feel — your best. So go ahead, treat yourself.
