Category Wellness

Stocksy To say my female friendships have been important is the understatement of the century. Those relationships, whether consciously or not, have changed the course of my life and mental well-being. From heavy topics like heartache and issues with family to everyday matters of confidence and support-the women in your life are paramount in helping maintain your happiness (and sanity).

We love carbs as much as the next person, but if you've been loading up on pasta, grains, and bread a bit too much recently, it can leave you feeling sluggish, bloated, and generally a bit blah. But it's not all bad news. One of the easiest, quickest, and cheapest ways of feeling lighter and brighter is to make some simple dinner switches.

Megan Hodges/Unsplash “Eat your greens.” We've known this adage all too well, from the time we were rebellious vegetable-hating kids to our current state as more vegetable-tolerant adults (hopefully). We know that in general, veggies are rich in vitamins and nutrients that help our bodies run optimally, but we also know that some are better than others (corn being the worst due to its high sugar and starch content).

Sleep deprivation is a thing, people. But we probably don't need to tell you that. How many times in the day do you tell your colleagues/partners/parents/pet cat how tired you are? We bet it's more than you even realize. According to a report from Research firm Rand Europe, sleep deprivation costs the UK economy ВЈ40 billion ($50 billion) a year, which is proof alone that we're not getting enough shut-eye.

We've witnessed many nutritionists praise the antioxidant-filled likes of green tea, especially matcha. In fact, when I went rogue a couple of months ago and drank matcha lattes instead of coffee for six days, integrative nutritionistВ Courtney SwanВ couldn't stop raving about the superfood's magical powers.

Wildfox From moon rituals to crystal healing, we've undoubtedly gone a bit woo-woo when it comes to our health and well-being, and a massive part of that is understanding exactly how the planetary calendars are affecting our balance here on Earth. I mean, let's face it: "Damn you, mercury in retrograde" has fast become our go-to scapegoat when things take a turn for the worst.

Perhaps it's our unfulfilled childhood dreams of dancing Swan Lake in the New York City Ballet, or perhaps it's just the fact that every ballerina we can think of has an amazingly toned body, but we're pretty much obsessed with stealing fitness tips from dancers. For a lower body worthy of a leotard, we defer to the expert, Studio Allongé founder and former ballerina Alison Trumbull.

Free People Sound healing is one of those trends I predicted as being big wellness news for 2019 and really wanted to try, but, as with everything, life gets in the way-until you're made to slow down. I visited a retreat earlier this month and was pleasantly surprised when one of the afternoon meditation sessions was sound healing.

It's no secret that come January 1, many Americans name weight loss as their number one New Year's resolution. And, as it goes, just one week into the new year, people begin falling like flies when it comes to sticking to diet and exercise. In fact, according to aВ 2018 study, researchers found that the rate at which people stick to weight loss goals drastically drops 25% at the one-week mark, 33% by February, and 50% by June.

Stocksy Gone are the days when it was considered the pinnacle of health to do an aerobics class, drink two liters of water and factor in your five a day. In 2018, wellness is more "new age" than ever as we seek mindfulness escapes from the buzz of modern life. However, it can be a confusing path to take.

There's a lot of information floating around when it comes to caffeine levels in green tea compared to other drinks (like coffee). That's why we've tapped Monica Auslander Moreno-a registered dietitian and nutrition consultant for RSP Nutrition-to separate fact from fiction. To start, it's important to understand how caffeine affects the body.

Stocksy We're entering a world where ruling out toxic ingredients in our beauty regimens is becoming more mainstream. The education is right at our fingertips, and the sheer scope of natural and organic products is bursting at the seams. Admittedly, though, I myself pay close attention to the labels on my skincare products, but when it comes to makeup, I'm much less discerning-it's hard to give up a foundation and mascara you've been using for years when no natural alternative seems to quite match up.

Free People Do you find that you function throughout the week, but come Saturday you could happily sleep all day? Asking yourself Why am I so tired? If you're caught in this perpetual cycle, it can be pretty depressing; you shouldn't be knackering yourself out at work so much that you can't make the most of your downtime.

UrbanOutfitters.com I made it through 24 allergy seasons on the pollen-heavy East Coast without so much as a sniffle. Can you blame me for thinking IВ had officially dodged that genetic bullet? I watched year after year as my older brother sneezed and suffered, choking back Claritin to appease his symptoms,В sympathising with his apparent misery but nonetheless thankful that I could spend spring outdoors and breathe easy.

Pepe Leon In this day and age,В we're fully aware of the fact that beauty startsВ on the inside, both literally and figuratively. Literally speaking, what we putВ inВ our bodies has just as much of an effect on our hair, skin, and nails as what we slatherВ onВ our bodies. Case in point: the current craze over beauty supplements.

I used to think sleep issues were hereditary. Growing up, when I'd tell my mom I spent the entire night tossing and turning, she'd simply shrug and say no one in our family is a good sleeper. As I got older, and with the help of therapy, I realized that there were things I could do to combat my insomnia.

I've followed a plant-based diet for more than five years, which means that I can't even begin to calculate how many times I've assured people-family, friends, and complete strangers alike-that I eat well. Very well. Aside from the occasional hankering for dairy-filled ice cream, I rarely want for anything.

Courtesy of Geri Hirsch Geri Hirsch, founder of Because I'm Addicted , is a proud California girl-born and raised in Los Angeles. After finishing business school and feeling unfulfilled at her first serious job, she started blogging in 2005 as a creative outlet and has been doing it ever since. Nowadays, she loves sharing fashion inspiration, recipes, and lifestyle tips that feel good and are full of balance (think red wine with a side of dry brushing).

To help you reach your health and fitness goals, we tapped Karena and Katrina from Tone It Up for their advice. Here, they'll let you in on all their wellness secrets, with a few tips and tricks along the way. Meet the Expert Karena and Katrina are professional trainers and the co-founders of Tone It Up.

Kulthavach Kultanan / EyeEm / Getty Images Next time you find yourself tossing and turning on a Sunday night, struggling to get to sleep, know that you're not alone. In fact, Mintel reports that half of all Brits say they typically have trouble drifting off. But how do you actually go about achieving those elusive seven hours of undisturbed rest?