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“I use storytelling to disrupt what is with the possibility of what can be,” Rivas says on his website, describing a mission that has seen him collaborate with everyone from the WWE to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees. We caught up with Rivas to talk storytelling, the dangers of productivity, his path to meditation and Buddhism (it started with a college crush), and his vision for making wellness more accessible....

Case in point: According to a recent study1 published in Calcified Tissue International, low vitamin D levels can contribute to a loss in muscle strength for older adults. The study began in 2012 when they measured the vitamin D levels and grip strength of 3,205 participants. Vitamin D levels were measured by serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, or 25(OH)D, with 12 ng/ml representing deficiency and 20 ng/ml, representing insufficiency. It’s worth noting that this categorization is a bit different from other clinical suggestions of vitamin D deficiency, which define 20 ng/ml as the cutoff for deficiency2....

But neroli offers more than just a floral, citrusy, almost spicy aroma: The oil has antimicrobial, antifungal, and anti-inflammatory properties that can be beneficial when applied topically. Plus, inhaling the scent may be helpful for easing stress, anxiety, and even symptoms of premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and menopause. Intrigued yet? Here’s what to know. The study found that—thanks to neroli’s limonene and other compounds—the oil went to work against bacteria, yeast, and fungi, making it a potentially potent pimple-fighter and bump-battler....

As an obstetrician-gynecologist who has struggled with her weight in the past, I am surprised by none of Michelle’s success. She had arrived at my office about six weeks before, wanting to lose around 40 pounds. Michelle frequently felt tired yet struggled to fall asleep, had a familial history of type 2 diabetes, and her bedroom life had, as she described it, “hit zero.” Please don’t confuse nutritional ketosis with diabetic ketoacidosis, a life-threatening complication of type 1 diabetes....

Here’s what the research tells us about taking melatonin for sleep, a few reasons it may not work for you, and some other sleep solutions to look into. David Kennaway, Ph.D., the research program leader of the Circadian Physiology Group at The University of Adelaide in Australia, adds that while regulating circadian rhythm is one of melatonin’s jobs, it isn’t the only one. The hormone also plays a role in cardiovascular function1, blood sugar2, immunity3, reproductive health, hormonal health, and a number of other processes in the body....

Here’s exactly how to run your own oatmeal bath for dry, cracked skin, plus some modern spins on the age-old brew. “Extracts of oatmeal have been shown to lessen inflammatory mediators in the skin, giving significant clinical improvements in skin dryness, scaling, roughness, and itch intensity,” board-certified dermatologist Loretta Ciraldo M.D., FAAD, once told us about using oatmeal in skin care. And while there’s a plethora of products that contain oatmeal—cleansers, moisturizers, and body lotions, to name a select few—there’s something to be said about dunking yourself into an entire bath of the stuff....

Below, you’ll find two Pilates-inspired sequences from B The Method, a fitness method I founded—one routine requires only your bodyweight, while the other uses a Pilates ball. I recommend these sequences to clients (including mbg co-founder and co-CEO Colleen Wachob) to target the lower body in an effective and strategic way. Plus, they’re perfect to try at home and take only a short amount of time. Try one or both for a fantastic leg workout....

But sometimes, a person may instead feel the opposite. Immediately following sex, they’re hit with a wave of negative emotions: They feel suddenly sad, irritable, or isolated, and they may even start inexplicably crying. The phenomenon is known as postcoital dysphoria, and it’s actually way more common than you’d think. Importantly, PCD refers to when there is no discernible reason for the person to feel negatively about the sexual experience that just happened—it was consensual, pleasurable, and perhaps even induced some orgasms, and yet the person still feels upset afterward without a clear understanding as to why they’re feeling that way....

Not only are probiotics beneficial for overall gut health, but they may also improve your stress response1, contribute to healthier skin2, and even support healthy cholesterol levels3.* Probiotics also play a role in your metabolism. Robert Rountree, M.D., a renowned integrative physician, explains that certain bacteria are better at extracting nutrients and energy from foods than others. That means if you have more of these bacteria in your gut, you may find it easier to maintain a healthy weight4....

Since we’re big believers in understanding the “why” behind our self-care routine—from what we eat to how we move to the products we’re putting on our skin—we’re here to demystify hydrators once and for all and look at how Weleda’s plant-rich products are our go-to for gleaming, dewy skin. Many of the most effective skin hydrators are actually found in nature. For example, pomegranate is not only a delicious salad topper but also a beautiful skin hydrator that Weleda infuses into the Awakening Skincare collection....

Although the chakras are not physical structures, they can still be wounded and dysfunctional. When a chakra is “wounded,” it simply means the energy of that chakra is discordant or chaotic. Sometimes this results from a negative or traumatic event during the developmental phase of life associated with that particular chakra. Other times, the wounding results from a prolonged imbalance (excess or deficiency) in the energy related to that particular chakra....

However, body oil might be your new go-to. Even if you don’t love the sound of oil on your skin, you might be able to skip the residue with this hack. This method only makes sense, given that showers can actually dry out your skin. See, your body creates natural oils to keep your skin lubricated and soft. When you shower, especially when using harsh body soaps, your body is stripped of those oils....

While some of us opt for thongs that promise an invisible panty line, others go commando, and some don’t mind a panty line at all. The bottom line is whether or not we should be wearing underwear when we exercise is something we all need to talk about more because who wants to deal with yeast infections on a regular basis? Here’s what she had to say: “Bacteria and yeast do love a moist environment, which is created when working out....

Devon’s first book, Earth Women, is coming soon. To learn more, join the mailing list, and receive updates, head to www.devonbarrowwriting.com.

I tried a few other types of meditation before I found tantra. Zen meditation, for example, made me feel calm. I could see the value in it. But something wasn’t clicking for me. It felt more masculine. I went to a center with Zen monks and saw that even females had their heads shaved and, of course, the image of Buddha is a man. I didn’t feel like my female energy was powerful in this practice....

Although they were a platform style, the strappy sandals looked comfortable. More importantly, they had racked up endless positive ratings from more than 4,500 shoppers who wore them on trips to Europe, walks to the dog park, and even a day at Disneyland. As someone on the shorter side, I loved the idea of getting a boost of height without compromising on comfort. So I decided to put them to the test—and I was not disappointed....

But ultimately, I understand the hesitation to make the switch: It used to be that free-from polishes didn’t have the staying power (these do), or you couldn’t find a wide spectrum of shades to choose from (now you can find nudes, glitter, neons, and everything else), or they just didn’t have that signature professional, slick finish (the below options are about as silky smooth as they come). But the big ingredients you really need to look out for are formaldehyde (a strengthening agent), camphor (which is used to provide high shine), and toluene (for vibrant color)....

And for so long, these little bars got a bad reputation for leaving behind residue at the scalp, stripping the strand, or leaving a filmy residue. (If you suspect yours might be doing this, here’s what to know.) However, the new batch of bars delivers: They’re often made with high-quality, hydrating actives, too. Maintain Solid Shampoo, HiBar ($12.95) Murumuru Butter & Rose Shampoo Bar, Love Beauty And Planet ($4.99) Hydrating Shampoo, Bar None ($12) Coconut & Hibiscus Rhassoul Clay Shampoo Bar, Shea Moisture ($9....

The Games are a culmination of a long period of training, and most athletes have their eye on the prize: $275,000 each, for the fittest man and woman. Check out these ten male athletes who made it to the games and are counting down the days until they can compete: Photo courtesy of @richfroning Photo courtesy of @mathewfras Photo courtesy of Anna Brown Photo courtesy of @shawn_theram Photo courtesy of @nohlsen Photo courtesy of @aaron_hanna Photo courtesy of @billgrundler Photo courtesy of @grahamholmberg Photo courtesy of @danbailey9 Photo courtesy of @toqueluc Photo courtesy of @iamkhanporter

Maybe you’ve heard the phrase “Beginner’s Mind,” which has its origins in Zen. Beginner’s Mind involves letting go of preconceptions, at any stage of your meditation practice. I’m happy that meditation has reached a tipping point in our culture. Not long ago it was considered a fringe activity. Now, not only does it come up at cocktail parties, meditation is a topic frequently covered by major news outlets, and doctors regularly recommend it to relieve stress....