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Condoms Get a Much-Needed, Sleek Redesign
LELO, like Apple and Tesla, is on the forefront of technology. But the company doesn’t make phones, computers, or cars—it makes condoms. And after staying virtually the same for 50 years, the common contraceptive is in dire need of an update. The LELO Hex comes with a raised hexagonal pattern designed to reduce slipping, avoid breakage, and increase pleasure.
Like any new technology, LELO Hex will cost you a pretty penny. The condoms run $9.90 for a 3-pack, $19.90 for a 12-pack, and $34.90 for a 36-pack, and they'll arrive in August. The upside? Making the condom cool again could increase usage rates, which have dropped in recent years.
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The Tragic Story of a Teen Dying After Whitewater Rafting Shouldn't Keep You Out of the Water
An Ohio teen recently died after contracting a brain infection from an amoeba, likely while on a whitewater rafting trip in North Carolina. Before you freak out and swear off water sports for good, know that contracting the fatal infection is super rare. In the last decade, just 37 cases were reported in the U.S. What's more, the amoeba isn't found in salt water, so oceans are a-OK. The majority of cases in the U.S. have been linked to swimming in warm freshwater (think lakes and rivers) in the Southern states, the CDC says. But again—there's really no need to work yourself into a frenzy.
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Join Us for Greatist's #NoComplaintsWeek!
No matter how #blessed we are, many of us still have a habit of harping on what’s wrong—instead of appreciating what’s right. Too often we resort to mindless complaints about our long commute, our jobs, and our cramped apartments.
Deep down, we know these little things don’t matter in the long run. Still, it's become almost involuntary (maybe even cool?) to offer up a complaint when asked how we are, instead of a smug, self-congratulatory "Everything's really great right now!"
I admit I'm guilty of it too. That's why I recently committed to a month-long mission to stop complaining, or at least complain less. The crazy thing? It ended up changing my life—and attitude—for good.
Of course, I'm not saying you have to morph into Pollyanna and think happy thoughts about rainbows and unicorns all the time. That’s not possible—and every now and then you just need to drop an F-bomb.
But I will say that switching from a “realistic” (read: pessimistic) world view to one that’s more optimistic and open-minded isn't as hard as you'd think. And the research-backed payoffs of positive thinking (for your overall health, social life, relationships, and even career) are very, very real.
#NoComplaintsWeek
Starting June 27, we're extending the challenge to you, Greatist readers: Can you stop complaining for just one week? And if so, how might it change your life?
Below are seven easy steps to help you cut back on your griping—and retrain your brain to see the good in each day. Over the week, share your positive vibes, daily gratitudes, and gorgeous photos (see day 5!) on social media, making sure to tag @greatist and #NoComplaintsWeek.
And don't worry, we're taking the challenge too! Follow @greatist on Instagram and @GreatistSnap on Snapchat for daily inspiration, advice, and a behind-the-scenes look at how editors are holding up throughout the week.
Thanks to these awesome resources for inspiration and advice. (And check them out for further reading!)
- Broadcasting Happiness by Michelle Gielan
- Operation Happiness by Krisi Ling
- Live Happy: Ten Practices for Choosing Joy by Deborah K. Heisz
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We Can’t Believe How Much Food Gets Wasted Making Cold-Pressed Juice
Few luxuries make us feel healthier than sipping on an over-priced cold-pressed juice. (You can practically taste all of those vitamins.) But it turns out a juicing habit is super bad for the environment: Making a 16-ounce bottle can produce more than four pounds of damp pulp, essentially food waste because it's so difficult to compost. The scraps usually end up in a landfill, where they rot and give off methane, affecting climate change.
Experts suggest you eat fruits and veggies whole, rather than pulverizing them. You'll get all the health benefits of cold-pressed juice (plus fiber!) without being so wasteful.
(h/t Modern Farmer)
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Why Get Derma Fillers?
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Hair Extensions Techniques & Methods to Get the Damage-Free Attachment
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The Cheapest Way to Always Have Great Wine on Hand
Tasting Room
When it comes to wine, we’ve got champagne taste on a beer budget. We could consult a list of cheap wines that taste expensive, but after spending years drinking Two-Buck Chuck, we don’t really know what kind of wine we like—aside from the pricey bottles other people have paid for at fancy restaurants.
So when we heard about Tasting Room, a reasonably priced wine club that sends you a tasting kit to figure out which bottles you actually like, we knew we had to try it out. Sampling the six mini-bottles was the best quiz we’ve ever taken. Tasting Room’s website gives you step-by-step instructions, all you have to do is sip and compare. Then, the company’s algorithm does some wizardry and determines your unique wine profile. We like “juicy, party-pour reds” (think: Malbec or pinot noir). The profile includes food pairings, countries where the wines come from, and what you should tell your server at a restaurant to always end up with a glass you like.
And then, just like many other wine clubs, Tasting Room sends you a selection of high-quality wine. And since it's based on your unique wine profile, you'll actually like all of the bottles they send. Even though we’re super partial to reds, Tasting Room found a sauvignon blanc we are now obsessed with.
The default subscription sends you 12 bottles at a cost of about $14 per bottle every two months. But if you won’t drink a case that quickly, you can opt to get six ($15 per bottle) or two ($20 per bottle) in each shipment. Making it even more customizable, you can opt to get your shipment every month or quarterly. To start you off, Tasting Room is offering Greatist readers a discount on tasting kits. Enter promo code GREATIST on Tasting Room's homepage and get your six mini-bottle sampler for just $6.95!
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Burger King Has Gone Too Far With Its Mac N’ Cheetos
We'll probably be tempted to drunkenly devour Burger King's newest clusterf*ck of a food combo Mac n' Cheetos—but like most food that sounds delicious after a few drinks (ahem, Taco Bell), they look pretty nasty when we're sober. The fast food chain will sell the deep-fried, Cheetos-flavored macaroni sticks for $2.49 starting Monday for a limited time. (They're available in select stores now.) They even come with a ranch dipping sauce—cue more nausea. Burger King, you may have gone too far with this one.
(h/t Bloomberg)
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3 Keys to Develop Slim Habits
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Cassey Ho Gets Super Real About Struggling With an Eating Disorder
YouTube fitness star Cassey Ho is known for her bubbly personality and body-positive message, but she's also not afraid to talk about her past struggle with anorexia. "I thought I had to be super skinny and super toned and all of that kind of stuff, and compared myself with other fitness people and Instagrammers," Ho said while speaking on the #GirlLove panel at VidCon, the biggest online video convention.
Ho has talked about her eating disorder in the past, but this time, she added a message we could all stand to hear again and again: "Once you realize there's so much more than your abs and your booty, then you can really thrive in life. There is so much more to life than your body."
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The 7-Minute HIIT Workout Challenge
In the past, we’ve challenged you to do a lot of good-for-you things, like eating clean dinners and shaking up your fitness routine. This time, the challenge comes in the form of a 7-minute HIIT workout.
The purpose is to push yourself as hard as possible during each move. You'll perform 13 exercises for 30 seconds each with a 10-second break in-between. During the transition, mark down your score (more details on how to score below).
A little friendly competition never hurt anyone, and as you can see in the video, this workout is super fun to do with a friend. Plus, keeping score allows you to track your progress from week to week. Not in the mood to compete? That’s cool. Simply give it your all and forget about the points. Getting in a good workout is still a huge win.
You’ll need a chair and a wall for this one. An exercise mat and pen and paper to record your score are optional. Since this workout is only 7 minutes, it’s important to do a dynamic warm-up before you get started and to cool down afterward.
To recap: Make sure to warm up before and cool down after performing the workout. Perform each exercise for 30 seconds, with a 10 second rest in-between.
- Jumping Jack - 1 point for each rep
- Wall Sit - 1 point for each second completed
- Push-Up - 1 point for each rep
- Crunch (Wrists to Knees) - 1 point for each rep
- Chair Step-Up (Alternate) - 1 point for each rep
- Bodyweight Squat - 1 point for each rep
- Chair Triceps Dip - 1 point for each rep
- Plank - 1 point for each second completed
- High Knee Running - 1 point for each rep
- Forward Lunge (Alternate) - 1 point for each rep
- Push-Up to T pose - 1 point for each rep
- Side Plank Left - 1 point for each second completed
- Side Plank Right - 1 point for each second completed
-
Looking for more short and effective at-home workouts
Grokker has thousands of routines, so you’ll never get bored. Bonus: For a limited time, Greatist readers get 40 percent off Grokker Premium (just $9 per month) and their first 14 days free. Sign up now!
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This 60-Year-Old Model Is Crushing It in H&M's Swimwear Ad Campaign
Sixty-year-old model and stylist Gillean McLeod has stolen the show in H&M's latest swimwear campaign, proving age really is just a number. She hasn't been a model her whole life—she entered the industry when she was 53, after growing up with bad acne. "I have always been tall and slim, but due to shyness and poor body image as a young woman, I slouched," she told Who What Wear. "It's taken nine years of Pilates, swimming, and hiking to tone up and unravel those shoulders." And no, she doesn't do Botox, she says. She's happy with the way she is. Now that's beautiful.
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Fighting All the Time as a Couple Is Linked to Some Super-Serious Health Problems
You're going to disagree with your significant other—it's just a fact of life. But if that arguing happens on the reg, it could lead to some major long-term health problems. An ongoing relationship study with nearly 80 married couples found the way you argue matters: Couples who frequently got into angry spats were more likely to have heart problems, such as high blood pressure and chest pain, while people who gave the cold shoulder all the time had a higher chance of developing neck and back pain.
These findings don't prove fighting leads to high blood pressure or a stiff neck—it's merely a correlation. But it's the perfect reminder that talking honestly to your person about any issues you have is much better for your relationship (and your health) than sparring.
(h/t New York Times)
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NYC Just Took a Major Step to Provide Free Tampons and Pads
New York City made history this week in the name of periods. On Tuesday, the city council unanimously approved a "menstrual equity" bill that will make pads and tampons free in public schools, homeless shelters, and prisons. Now it's in the hands of Mayor Bill DeBlasio, who needs to sign the bill. We absolutely agree that pads and tampons are as necessary as toilet paper and hope this encourages the rest of the country to follow suit.
(h/t SELF)
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The One Thing (Almost) Everyone Does Wrong When Breaking Up
If you've been through a particularly rough breakup, this video from The School of Life hits a little too close to home—that is, once you get past the bizarre animated veggies on your screen. We know firsthand how much better it feels letting your Sig O down easy, instead of ending things bluntly. So we tell them how amazing they are and claim, "It's not you, it's me!" But as this video explains, sending those mixed signals is actually selfish and narcissistic.
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We're Gonna Start Using Ariel Winter's Response to Body-Shaming Trolls
As soon as actress Ariel Winter posted this photo from her high-school graduation party on Instagram, the body-shaming comments rolled in fast and furious. One user wrote: “Oh wow, you look like you're attending a porn convention, not a graduation. Have a little decency and morality—something which is seriously lacking with this generation. #YouLookLikeTrash #SluttyIsStillSlutty.”
Celebrities have unfortunately come to expect nasty comments on photos, but the Modern Family star put these online trolls in their place with just one tweet.
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Couples Who Take Turns Doing This Have More Sex
Here's a reason to take turns doing the dishes with your significant other: New research shows the more equally you split housework, the more sex you have. In the past, researchers found the opposite to be true, but the reversal makes sense considering couples today say they're most satisfied when sharing responsibilities, whether that be earning money, parenting, or cooking dinner. And satisfied couples tend to get hot and heavy more often. "Today, love is based on shared interests, activities, and emotions," historian Stephanie Coontz said in the study's press release. "Where difference was once the basis of desire, equality is increasingly becoming erotic."
(h/t Quartz)
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Laser Hair Removal - Welcoming Gesture in the Cosmetic World
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3 Simple Steps For An Efficient Weight Loss Diet Plan - Scientifically Proven
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What the Biggest Loser Study Doesn't Say About Weight Loss
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This Fitness Blogger's Photo Shows Even Super-Fit People Get Bloated
Fitness blogger Tiffany Brien recently posted a photo to Facebook to remind us that bloating happens (for a variety of reasons) and is perfectly normal. The photo on the left shows her "food baby" before she went to bed. Twelve hours later she woke up and snapped the photo on the right. While we don't think having a bit of a pooch qualifies as a "bad day" (as she writes), it's a great reminder that even fit people experience regular body changes. Check out part of her caption below and click here to read the full post.
Reality check….
No I'm not 6 months pregnant. It's just my food baby...These two photos are 12 hours apart, left before bed and right when I woke up.... I know right!!
We are not all what we seem on social media. I thought I would share a bad day with you to show you nobody is "perfect" and it is ok to have an off day where your body just decides to not play ball.
[...]
I have learnt a lot over the last few years through my own research into my own problems once I noticed my body playing up when I did certain things and ate certain foods.
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3 Obstacles to Losing Weight
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Yes, Even Dwayne Wade Is Insecure About His Body
On the cover of this year's ESPN the Magazine's body issue, NBA star Dwayne Wade bares his biggest insecurity—his outie belly button. You may roll your eyes at what seems like a small or silly worry, especially for a top athlete who looks like Adonis. But hearing how Wade's belly button made him self-conscious as a child is pretty heartbreaking:
The only people who went into the pool with their shirts on were the kids who were overweight—and me. I knew that I was different. I knew from all the kids I had seen that nobody else had what I had. No one else had an outie. Even when I got to high school, I didn't want to do swimming class because I didn't want people to see my feet—as an athlete, my feet were a little rougher—and my belly button. I had my doctor write me a note to say that I couldn't do swimming.
Those uncomfortable feelings didn't go away. Wade has been asked to be in the body issue for years and refused. It's worth noting that he also released an underwear line, Naked, this year, which might have something to do with his choice to strip down to his birthday suit.
Regardless, we're happy he's sharing his story. The full issue hits newsstands July 8, but in the meantime, we'll just stare at these dope photos.
Photo: ESPN
Photo: ESPN
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Food Companies Pay Researchers to Conduct Phony Studies All the Time
Ocean Spray—the company you probably only think about when buying mixers for summer drinks—is taking a lot of heat after journalists pointed out the company funded a bogus study that found drinking cranberry juice could significantly reduce UTI symptoms. The brand isn't the first (and definitely won't be the last) to fund research intended to show its product is healthy to boost sales.
The food editor at Mic shows just how pervasive this practice is by highlighting seven more phony studies funded by the very companies whose products are being tested.
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A Zika Vaccine May Be Coming—Just Not As Fast As You'd Like
Earlier this week, a pharmaceutical company announced that its experimental Zika vaccine would be the first to go through human testing. The first trial will involve 40 healthy people, after which it will be tested on those with Zika and a larger number of people, reports CNN. However, it could be several years before a vaccine is ready for use, WHO told the outlet. So while this news is encouraging, there's no reason to skip the bug spray any time soon. (Also, you probably don't need to freak out anyway.)
(h/t CNN)
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How to Stop Thinking About Your Ex—and Move On for Good
A: To put it bluntly: One year is way too long to be harboring such intense feelings for an ex. You’re not ready to get into a relationship with someone new until you rid your ex from your life, Exorcist-style.
If you truly want a satisfying relationship with someone new, you've got to get a point when you feel totally neutral. That’s a finding from my landmark study, which has followed hundreds of couples for more than 30 years. My research shows that people who were able to say, "I don't feel much of anything for my ex" were more likely to find a good relationship than those who were grieving, held grudges, or worse—were still in love.
Still holding on to strong feelings about your ex? Here are some signs that point to yes: You still have photos, mementos, or you frequently “peek” at your ex's social media. You have strong negative reactions when their name comes up in a conversation. Or maybe your thoughts are consumed by him and whom he is dating.
5 Steps to Exorcise Your Ex
1. Discard haunted objects.
You can’t rewrite history or completely wipe out all memories of your ex. But you can minimize the things in your immediate environment that remind you of them, as well as settings or people who upset your equilibrium. Avoid going to places where you and your ex used to go, like a go-to restaurant or the park where you used to run (at least until you've truly moved on).
Minimize the things in your immediate environment that remind you of them.
Rid your house, car, and office of anything you associate with them; photos, old furniture, even a certain perfume can actually restimulate old wounds and continue to remind you of your ex. Hold a yard sale, sell items on Craigslist, or donate the goods to charity.
2. Snap out of it.
Wear a rubber band around your wrist and snap it every time you think about your ex and feel your emotions taking over. This exercise helps you extinguish your thoughts of him. It’s also a small reminder—but an effective one—that you are in control.
3. Find positive ways to release emotions or thoughts.
An excess of emotions about your ex will weigh you down as you travel down the path of seeking a new partner. Some constructive, positive ways to release these emotions include: putting yourself through tough workouts; spending time with friends and family; volunteering (an excellent way to take you out of your self-absorption); or being creative and expressing yourself through art, writing, or music.
Feeling really pissed? Let your anger out by screaming in your car, hitting and kicking a mattress, or writing down your feelings in a letter "addressed" to your ex—then throwing it away.
Blame the relationship or situation—not yourself or your ex.
4. Don’t take the blame.
Regardless of why you broke up, don’t blame yourself. Instead, blame the relationship or situation—not yourself or your ex. It’s helpful to use language such as, “We weren’t right for one another…” or “We had very different goals and dreams for the future.” By changing your perspective on why the relationship ended, your emotions about the relationship will change too.
5. Share your story with a trusted friend.
When you carry old wounds, you behave in the present as if that relationship or situation is still going on. You also date new partners who are similar to your ex (and have the qualities that didn’t work for you).
Ask an empathetic friend if they would be willing to hear your entire story, starting from when things went wrong through your present-day feelings and situation. Telling your story not only helps you feel better, but also gives you a way to get perspective, which speeds up the healing process. You may not remember all the problems in your previous relationship (or your ex’s faults), but your friend surely does. You might be surprised at how you feel after you’ve talked things through with them.
If you want a new love partner in your life, you can’t let past hurts linger. Try the above strategies, but if you still feel distressed, angry, very sad, or as if the past is preventing you from moving on, I strongly encourage you to find a counselor or therapist. Another person’s perspective can help you see clearly which behaviors and attitudes are remnants of your past.
Dr. Terri Orbuch (a.k.a. The Love Doctor) is a professor, therapist, research scientist, and author of five best-selling books, including Finding Love Again: 6 Simple Steps to a New and Happy Relationship. Learn more about her at DrTerriTheLoveDoctor.com.
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Ashley Graham Is Actually Chill as Hell (Which Makes Us Love Her Even More)
We're shocked by how much supermodel and body-positive advocate Ashley Graham can fit into a 36-hour period—and how chill she is while running through it like a boss. As she mentions in this behind-the-scenes video fromVogue, her life hasn't slowed down since she was on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue earlier this year. From her candid comment about Spanx to hearing how she's excited for the day when "nothing has to be about size anymore," it's refreshing to get to know the goofy, down-to-earth woman who's changing how we talk about beautiful bodies.
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Easily Accomplish Your Highest Weight Loss Targets
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Prince William Just Schooled Everyone Who Says Mental Health Stigma Isn't Real
Prince William wants everyone to talk more about mental health issues, starting with kids today. In a message posted on the website of Heads Together, a campaign he leads along with his wife and brother, the Duke of Cambridge acknowledged that attitudes about mental health have changed for the better, but long-held stigmas still persist:
While the circumstances of any one situation are unique, it is clear that many families could have been helped if they had found it easier to talk openly about mental health challenges in the home. And I have been really disheartened to learn that even with all the progress made in recent years, many parents would still be ashamed if their children had a mental health problem.
Prince William's letter is an excellent reminder that one in five kids deals with such issues before they're a teenager. That's all the more reason to make conversations a priority, rather than waiting until something serious happens.
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This Is the Message Every Fat Girl Needs to Hear
These five successful women have one thing in common: They aren't about to let their size define their worth. Starring familar faces like Valerie Sagun of @biggalyoga and Ashley Nell Tipton, season 14 winner of Project Runway, this new plus-size clothing ad from J.C. Penney has a message you need to hear if you've ever felt held back by the shape of your body. The video's powerful one-liners will remind you that you shouldn't wait to start loving and appreciating it for all it can do.
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This Is What Highly Paid People Have in Common
You might think that white-collar workers clock in for the 9-to-5 grind, while service employees work longer hours at a smaller wage. But according to new research published by the Washington Center for Equitable Growth, this isn't always the case in the U.S.
Recent data shows highly paid Americans (think people who work in law, business management, engineering, and finance) often put in more than 40 hours per week, whereas people in low-income service jobs, like health care support and food preparation, actually work less. This article by The Week discusses the trend and how it might be the result of the competitive job market and the cutthroat nature of high-paying industries. Click below to read the full story.
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Simple Tips To Effectively Reach Your Targeted Weight
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7 Tips How to Lose Weight Naturally
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7 Easy Tips For A No-Hunger Fat Loss Diet Plan
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These Sarcastic Tweets Prove #NoWomanEver Likes Getting Catcalled
Gentlemen (and we use that term loosely), catcalling is never charming—and if you ever need a reminder, look at tweets using the hashtag #NoWomanEver. It's not smooth or sweet to yell at women from your car window, wolf whistle as you walk past them on the sidewalk, or follow them around the grocery store because you're looking for "melons." The following sample of sarcastic tweets might make you chuckle, but they also show how gross and pervasive sexual harassment is.
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Common Healthcare Services You Will Find at Top Medical Centers
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Exercises That Can Help You Get Ripped First
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How to Make Something You Don't Really Enjoy a Habit
Something amazing happened this morning. Instead of hopping out of bed, having breakfast, then plunging myself headlong into work, I casually sipped my coffee, ate my muesli, then wandered into my office for a 30-minute meditation session before even turning on my computer.
What’s amazing isn’t that I’ve done this once, but that I’ve been doing it for months. Even more amazing is that I love it.
Meditation is not an easy habit to develop, because the reward is not immediate or obvious.
Meditation is not an easy habit to develop, because the reward is not immediate or obvious. Sure I know what the reward is in theory—meditation is supposed to help me focus better, reduce stress, and increase contentment. It should help me be more creative and do better work. It should help me build deeper relationships with the people I love. It should be easier for me to appreciate the important things.
Only it’s incredibly frustrating to try to focus on my breath when new thoughts distract me every few seconds. It takes time out of my day I could really use for other important things. And during most of the session I feel like a total failure. I want all those benefits, but god, I’d rather watch paint dry.
Of course meditation isn’t the only habit that fits in the “I know I should, but this really doesn’t feel very rewarding” category. I felt the exact same way about flossing my teeth, which I now do daily (even on vacation!).
For you, maybe it’s getting enough exercise or eating vegetables that still feels more like a chore than a rewarding habit. So how can you get over the hump?
3 Steps to Start a Habit That's Not Rewarding
When you struggle to form a new habit, the easiest thing to do is blame yourself for being ill-equipped or blame the world for conspiring against you. But you and I both know that’s a cop out.
Instead of bemoaning the things you can’t control, focus on the things you can. Figure out what the real problem is, and then devise a strategy to get around it.
1. Identify your barriers.
The first step is self-awareness. Ask yourself what it really is that you don’t enjoy about the activity. For meditation, I realized that the amount of time I was expecting to devote to it (20 minutes) was just too much. Since I didn’t find it rewarding, it was always the first thing to fall off the bottom of my to-do list.
Another reason I found meditation frustrating is that every time my mind would wander it felt like a mini-failure, like I wasn’t doing it right. This made me feel discouraged that I wasn’t making progress.
For flossing, I realized that I hated putting my fingers in my mouth. After a few teeth were flossed the string would get slimy and sticky, and I would want to stop and clean off my cheeks and fingers multiple times during a session. Gross.
I took what I know about tiny habits and applied it to my time problem.
2. Research solutions.
Step two is actively seeking solutions to the barriers you’ve identified. For meditation, I took what I know about tiny habits and applied it to my time problem. Instead of making myself sit still for 20 minutes, I started by sitting with my eyes closed and taking a few deep breaths each morning. Even I have time for that—and was able to keep it up without a problem.
My tiny habit was a huge step in getting myself used to taking a timeout to focus on my breath, but it didn’t solve the frustration of longer sessions. To get through this barrier, I had to learn more about the process of meditation. For this I read books, tried different apps, and spoke with people who meditate regularly. I quickly learned that my problem of feeling like I was failing is incredibly common among new meditators (phew, it isn’t just me). I also discovered a handful of new strategies to reduce the feeling of failure.
This led to the most helpful insight I had about meditation: that the failures are the practice, and success is simply practicing regularly. This allowed me to let go of the judgment I felt during every session, and ironically made it easier for me to maintain concentration for longer. Meditation became far less tedious and more rewarding.
For flossing, I was less active about finding a solution, and as a consequence, it took way longer to solve. Fortunately, a friend had a similar problem and told me his dentist recommend a simple device that allowed you to floss easily without having to put your fingers in your mouth. It isn’t fancy—just a more sturdy version of the single-use flossers that normally don’t work very well.
For 10 bucks I solved a problem that I had ignored for 30 years. I now floss at least once a day, sometimes twice. I want to kick myself for taking so long to figure this out.
3. Follow through to experience indirect rewards.
Steps 1 and 2 are about removing barriers, but the reward doesn’t come until you follow through.
What I love is the feeling of doing something that improves my life and is good for me.
I won’t pretend that I love the process of meditating or flossing. I don’t. What I love is the feeling of doing something that improves my life and is good for me. Instead of direct pleasure, it’s more about getting away from a state that I know I don’t enjoy. These are indirect rewards.
The best analogy I can think of is a shower. Yes it can feel nice to stand naked in warm running water, but for me the greatest reward of showering is simply no longer feeling dirty. I love for my face to feel clean, my hair to feel shiny and soft, my skin to smell subtly of peppermint. Before a shower I feel sticky and lethargic. After a shower I feel refreshed and energized.
Similarly, when I go for too long without meditating, my brain starts to feel cloudy and congested. After I have meditated I feel clear and calm and better able to do the things I love to do. Now that I floss regularly, brushing alone doesn’t make my teeth feel clean enough.
Because these rewards are indirect—they do not come as a result of the habit itself but of counteracting the effect of inaction—you can only feel the benefit after significant repetition.
This is why removing barriers for difficult habits is so important. You have to repeat the action enough for it to actually become rewarding. And to do that it has to be easy.
In my experience, healthy habits in general have strong indirect rewards. For example, I love the taste of real food, but I often choose these healthier foods specifically because I don’t want to feel foggy and lethargic after eating, as I inevitably do after eating processed foods. And sometimes I’m not in the mood for exercise, but I know that I will feel better afterward even if it’s hard.
Indirect rewards are elusive, but if deep down you believe you can benefit from an action, then it’s worth going through the process of figuring out a solution. It’s not easy, but it works.
This post originally appeared on Summer Tomato. Darya Rose, Ph.D., is the author of Foodist and creator of Summer Tomato, one of TIME's 50 Best Websites. She eats amazing things daily and hasn't even considered going a diet since 2007. For a free starter kit to help you get healthy, sign up for the Summer Tomato weekly newsletter.
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How to Stop Freaking Out Every Single Sunday
Around 4 p.m. every Sunday, I used to get a familiar sinking feeling: “Am I getting sick?” I would ask myself. Every seven days, it rolled around like clockwork. When I was a kid, we called this weekly melancholy the “back-to-school blues.” As adults, we call it the Sunday scaries, or back-to work-blues. Maybe the pre-Monday jitters.
Even people who really love their jobs don’t always look forward to Mondays.
Whatever you call it, these feelings of anxiety can suck the life out of you. When you're in the thick of it, the sense of unease can feel unshakeable and can completely ruin your Sunday—which should be the most relaxing day of the week. Fortunately, it is possible to overcome your Sunday evening stress and set yourself up for a positive and productive week. Follow these five tips next time you feel yourself starting to freak out.
1. Know you are not alone.
Even people who really love their jobs don’t always look forward to Mondays. There is nothing original about feeling low on a Sunday evening. Knowing that there are plenty of other people out there feeling the same way can help foster some perspective and provide comfort.
2. Prep for the week.
While a Sunday slump makes us want to do nothing but watch Netflix and order in pad Thai, doing a few positive things for yourself will inevitably lift your mood. I like to prep my bag for the work week, stock up at the grocery store, and find a new podcast for my Monday morning commute (something upbeat!).
I also like to enjoy a glass of wine (two max!) and plan out my calendar for the week ahead. And don't make it all about work, work, work, work, work. The solution?
3. Plan a few fun things.
Punctuate your week with fun stuff to look forward to! Five days full of work and no play makes can make the most optimistic person a tad despondent. Text some friends to set up Tuesday night sushi. Plan a yoga date with your S.O. on Wednesday. Maybe hit up a comedy club or concert on Thursday.
I have a theory that “Monday is the new Thursday” and often make plans for Monday evenings—it's a lot easier to snag a reservation at a new hot spot, and restaurants often have specials on less busy days. With something fun looming within 24 hours, Sundays scaries lose their power.
4. Connect IRL.
Spending time with friends is a proven way to lower the stress hormone cortisol,1 and a quiet Sunday evening is a great chance to squeeze in some quality time. Plus starting the week refreshed makes a big difference when it comes to your energy on Monday and the ability to tackle whatever is thrown your way during the week.
Instead of binging on Sunday night TV solo, put on a chill playlist and cook a healthy dinner at home for you and a friend. (Bonus points if you have leftovers for the week ahead.) Finally, schedule that Skype call with a loved one who lives far away. Or watch an endorphin-boosting funny movie.
5. Ask yourself: Does something need to change?
If your bout of Sunday scaries worsens over time, the issue may be a little deeper. Do you need to look for a new job or start a side hustle that uses your talents and strengths? Your feelings are the best indicator of your needs and you should listen to them—they might be telling you something important.
Your feelings are the best indicator of your needs.
My Sunday scaries were almost eradicated altogether when I started my side hustle as a life coach and writer. I was too busy helping people feel more confident in their lives and writing advice articles to experience the same heaviness that Sundays used to deliver. It was replaced with enthusiasm, a lightness, and a totally different energy. Could something better be waiting for you?
The Takeaway
Remember: Sunday and Monday are simply days of the week just like Friday and Saturday. Be present and enjoy your life regardless of what day of the week it is. In the moment, there's nothing to fear—and Friday night is always just around the corner.
Join us on Facebook on Sunday, June 26 for a live chat with Susie about why we get so stressed on Sundays, how to prep for the week ahead, and more advice on having the best week ever!
Susie Moore is Greatist’s life coach columnist and a confidence coach in New York City. Sign up for free weekly wellness tips on her website and check back every Tuesday for her latest No Regrets column!
Works Cited
- Social support and oxytocin interact to suppress cortisol and subjective responses to psychosocial stress. Heinrichs M, Baumgartner T, Kirschbaum C. Biological psychiatry, 2004, Jan.;54(12):0006-3223.
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An Easy Way to Avoid Crying When You Chop an Onion
The same things that give onions their unique flavor—sulfur compounds—are responsible for why you cry when chopping them up. According to this video from Reactions, slicing an onion breaks open onion cells and releases chemicals that transform the sulfur compounds into a gas. This gas irritates the nerves in your eyes, making them water.
To avoid the waterworks, you can wear goggles while you cook. But if you're not a fan of the whole chemistry-lab look (you do you), simply refrigerate your onions before slicing and dicing. Cold reduces the tendency of the compounds to turn into a gas, which will minimize that burning sensation.
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This Woman's 365 Days of Selfies Prove That You Can Change Your Body and Your Outlook
After her husband's devastating suicide last year, 31-year-old Justine McCabe latched onto binge-eating as a coping mechanism. At the time she weighed 313 pounds. Realizing she needed to make some big changes, she began going to the gym, reports Caters News Agency. Now, a year later, she's lost 124 pounds.
On top of some drastic lifestyle changes (she started a clean-eating diet, worked out six days a week, and had the support of an online coach), McCabe did one small thing to help hold herself accountable: She documented her transformation with daily selfies.
"The selfies were a massive encouragement for me. Whenever I didn't want to go to the gym, I'd skim through them and realize why I was doing it all," McCabe told Caters News. As she lost weight, she also tackled other challenges, like going parasailing and cliff jumping. "I knew if I could survive living without my husband and mum then I should push my boundaries and limits to face all fears I had, to live a life they would be proud of," she said. Read her heartfelt personal story on her blog and follow her journey on Instagram.
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Ashley Graham Shows Off Cellulite Like It's No Big Deal (Because It Isn't)
Each time model Ashley Graham champions the body-positivity movement, it's a breath of fresh air. Recently, she posted a photo of herself biking in a short sundress, which plainly shows off her cellulite. Her caption is simple yet powerful:
A little cellulite never hurt nobody.. Stop judging yourself, embrace the things that society has called 'ugly'. #lovetheskinyourein #beautybeyondsize
We love that Graham is so candid about her body and applaud anyone in the spotlight for showing off their unretouched photos. She's made great strides for women of all sizes this year—from being on the cover of Sports Illustrated's Swimsuit Issue to debuting a swimsuit line any woman can feel good in, no matter her body type. While just another small example of this, the photo is riding a well-deserved wave of positive reactions on social media. And more realistic pictures are always a welcome sight in our feed.
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Brain Freeze Is the Worst—Here's Why It Happens
Brain freezes always strike at the worst possible time. You're innocently enjoying a cold treat and—wham! A crippling headache ruins the next bite. This video from Mental Floss sheds some light on why we get them. "Ice cream headaches" may exist to regulate our body temperature. Experts speculate they're caused by the constriction and dilation of blood vessels, which occurs when something cold touches the roof of the mouth. Our brains interpret this as pain, and we're defenseless against the ensuing headache. If you want to speed up the healing process, the video suggests drinking some warm water—otherwise you (and your ice cream) will just have to wait it out.
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What Are Antioxidants, Really?
You might already know about foods you should be eating for your heart or your gut—but what about the foods that protect your cells? Those would be the ones packed with antioxidants, a buzzy term you've probably heard before.
Antioxidants occur naturally in plant-based foods such as fruits, vegetables, coffee, tea, wine, and chocolate. While there are thousands of antioxidant compounds out there, you’ve probably heard of flavanols (found in chocolate), resveratrol (found in wine), and lycopene (found in tomatoes). Other popular antioxidants include vitamins A (beta-carotene), C, E, and catechins.
Antioxidants help prevent or stop cell damage caused by oxidants. (Get it? Antioxidants.) “Oxidants are free radicals that you find in the environment, but they're also produced naturally in your body,” says Diane McKay, Ph.D., an assistant professor and researcher at Tufts University’s Antioxidants Research Laboratory.
Your body creates them to help fend off viruses and microbes, but if you have too many, they can cause serious damage and contribute to certain cancers and heart disease. You also get hit with oxidants daily from things like air pollution, cigarette smoke, and alcohol, McKay says. (Gross.)
The Need-to-Know
The solution seems obvious: Just overload your body with antioxidants to counteract all the free radicals, right? Well, it’s not that simple.
“You want to have a balance of antioxidants to oxidants,” McKay says.
In the 90s, antioxidants got some serious hype as researchers began noticing the link between free radicals and myriad chronic conditions such as cancer, diabetes, and vision loss. Though the verdict was still out on most of the scientific trials, "cancer-fighting" and "antiaging" pill and powder supplements started flooding the market.
“I think the biggest misconception about antioxidants is that it’s a fancy buzzword,” says Cassie Bjork, R.D., the dietitian behind Healthy Simple Life. But “antioxidants load your cells and protect you from disease naturally, with no side effects.”
The catch? It’s possible to have too much of a good thing, especially if you frequently take supplements. “If you have too many antioxidants, you suppress your body's own ability to turn on its antioxidant defense system," McKay says. Luckily, it's difficult to get too much from your diet, which is why most experts recommend sticking to natural sources.
Antioxidant supplements also largely have a placebo effect, and some studies have even found they might have a negative impact on certain diseases like lung and skin cancer.1 Additionally, supplements aren’t subject to FDA approval, Bjork says. If you do decide to take one, Bjork suggests looking for a label that includes the words pharmaceutical grade.
Your Action Plan
Blueberries often steal the spotlight, but they’re not the only food rich in antioxidants. In fact, most plant-based foods or drinks—everything from raspberries and green tea to black pepper and cocoa—have some antioxidant properties.
“I love red peppers, kiwis, and pumpkin, but I think the unexpected one is coffee,” Bjork says. While she admits it’s not the richest source, it is one of the top sources of antioxidants in terms of popularity.
Whenever you have the option—say with foods such as apples, potatoes, or grapes—eat them with the skin on, McKay says, since it's packed with antioxidants.
Another unexpected source? Herbs and spices. “We consume them in small amounts, but they’re usually dried, so they’re more concentrated,” McKay says. “You’re not going to get a whole lot by sprinkling some oregano on once, but if you do that regularly, it does add up.”
When in doubt, eat a wide variety of colors in fruits and veggies. And if you’d like to start taking a supplement regularly, it’s always a good idea to run it by your health provider first.
We’ve teamed up with our friends at KIND to help break down some complicated nutrition facts. KIND has even more great content about the ingredients that make for a flavorful life happening over on Medium. Follow Ingredients by clicking below and be sure to recommend the articles you love.
Works Cited
- Effects of a combination of beta carotene and vitamin A on lung cancer and cardiovascular disease. Omenn GS, Goodman GE, Thornquist MD. The New England journal of medicine, 1996, May.;334(18):0028-4793. Antioxidant supplementation increases the risk of skin cancers in women but not in men. Hercberg S, Ezzedine K, Guinot C. The Journal of nutrition, 2007, Oct.;137(9):0022-3166. The SU.VI.MAX Study: a randomized, placebo-controlled trial of the health effects of antioxidant vitamins and minerals. Hercberg S, Galan P, Preziosi P. Archives of internal medicine, 2004, Dec.;164(21):0003-9926.
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