Posts

The reality is that it is very easy to spot emotional manipulation when it happens to people you love, but professionals say it is hard to spot the puppetmaster pulling your own strings. We spoke with licensed psychologist Kate Balestrieri, Ph.D., CST, and mental health counselor Destiny McCoy, LMSW, about the different types of manipulation that exist, telltale signs to confirm it’s happening to you, and solutions to curb manipulation in relationships....

But it’s called a movement practice for a reason since we’re always learning more and more about our bodies and how to best use them. As for specific exercises, if you’re a fitness beginner, it’s important to listen to your body—and refrain from trying an advanced pose before you’re ready. Doing so won’t help you get stronger, and it may even lead to injury. To get you moving on your fitness journey, I’ve put together some of my favorite core exercises for beginners, along with a modification and progression for each—which means you have nine great moves to choose from....

Here’s how to tell if you need a detox and exactly how to do it the healthy way, no cayenne-laced lemon water required! But the truth is our bodies might not be fully equipped to deal with the toxic burden they’re now facing. Explains Hyman, “When you become toxic, the mechanism for detoxification in the liver gets sluggish, and certain toxins can remain active longer than we want or than our systems can handle....

When something begins to feel like a chore, it’s probably because we’ve mentally made it into one. I know—probably not what you wanted to hear, but alas, it’s generally the truth. Sex, because of how our society portrays it, is made to seem like this extremely sexy event (which it absolutely can be) that happens naturally (which it can) every single time, and each person involved is pleasured to their desired need (which can happen)....

“A lot of contemporary neuroscientists believe during REM sleep, the brain is involved in maintenance tasks, and it accidentally ‘kicks up dust,’ visually. At that end, dreaming is considered totally meaningless,” he explains. “The other end is that dreaming is more substantial than waking. And we see this in ‘dream cultures,’ such as the indigenous people of Australia, who believe dreaming is intrinsic to our spiritual existence.” Most psychological theories surrounding dreaming fall somewhere in the middle....

“You don’t have to rack your brain to consider what you’ll write about. You don’t have to research. It’s all in you,” Aimee Chase, author of the guided journal Purpose, Not Perfection, says of what differentiates journaling from other forms of writing. The purpose of journaling is different too. While most writing is about opening up and sharing, journaling is more about looking inward and exploring what makes you tick....

In an effort to help you navigate the clean diet, we tracked down answers to all the big questions surrounding Whole30, including the following: what you can and can’t eat, how you’ll feel, whether you’ll lose weight, and some sample meal plans. From the founders’ lips to your ears (or rather eyes), everything you need to know about the Whole30 diet is spelled out right here. Whole30 is known for being as effective as it is no-nonsense (and fans of Whole30 think it’s very, very effective)....

From my perspective as the author of The Essential Oils Hormone Solution: Reclaim Your Energy and Focus and Lose Weight Naturally, nothing welcomes spring like the healing power of high-quality essential oils. These potent plant medicines can quickly boost mood, reduce stress, and support the body as is starts to deal with those pollen-induced seasonal sniffles. Here are my top three oils for the season. Springtime, when inflammation may abound due to seasonal environmental threats, is also a great time to test out lavender’s anti-inflammatory effects3....

In the case of air, you’ve got Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius. Here, we look at what it really means to be an air sign, plus how to find balance if you have a lot of air in your chart. As such, the AstroTwins explain that Gemini, Libra, and Aquarius can come off a bit cerebral, and even air-headed, but the truth is they just love exploring new things (from ideas to people to places)....

Yogi Cameron became certified in Yoga at the Integral Yoga Institute in New York City as well as the Sri Satchidananda Ashram. He studied Ayurvedic Medicine at Arsha Vidya Peetam in South India and trained at the International Academy of Ayurveda in Pune, india. He’s been featured in ELLE magazine, The New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and The London Times, and has appeared on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, The Today Show, E!...

According to celebrity nail manicurist and brand founder Deborah Lippmann, almond-shaped nails are very French-esque. And when has French-inspired beauty ever led us astray? Our point exactly. Below, find everything you need to know about the almond nail shape, including how to get it and expert-approved tips for a salon-level manicure. And finally, we have more daring, modern choices, like stiletto- and coffin-shaped nails. Stiletto nails are similar to almond, just way more bold and edgy: Imagine an almond-shaped nail filed down to a sharp needlepoint....

“The partner on top can use their legs to add more of a bounce than a grinding sensation and control the speed and depth of penetration or movement,” she explains. “The partner in the bottom position does receive more intense stimulation as the partner on top can use pelvic muscles and leg strength to increase intensity.” “If you like to be in control, dominate, and be on top, this is the position for you,” Sparks says....

However, there’s one nutrition strategy that I’ve found challenging in the past: juicing. Don’t get me wrong, I thoroughly enjoy veggies-packed green juices, and I think they can be a hydrating, nutrient-dense part of a healthy diet. That’s why I was excited to try out Nama’s newest juicer offering: the Nama J2 Cold Press Juicer. I was also impressed to learn that the technology in the Nama J2 Cold Press Juicer yields up to 60% more juice from the same amount of ingredients, compared to traditional juicers (both a time- and money-saving component)....

Angel numbers are a synchronicity, or a meaningful coincidence—divine guidance from angels and the universe. Keep in mind angel numbers are just one type of sign, and you can receive a sign or synchronicity in countless ways. If you think something you overhear in line at a store, a book or movie recommendation from a friend, an animal who crosses your path, a helpful person showing up in your life, or a song that comes on the radio might be synchronistic divine guidance, pay attention to how you feel when it happens....

Whenever you have a sad thought, an unkind thought, or a hopeless thought—such as “I’m never going to land my dream job”—your brain pumps out a dose of chemicals that make you feel bad. On the flip side, conjure a happy, loving, or encouraging thought, and your brain gives you a blissful jolt of feel-good chemicals. Think of these ANTs as you would the ants that might bother you if you were on a romantic picnic....

We consulted the experts to learn what sets hydrotherapy hot tubs apart from other therapeutic treatments and how to pick out the right one for you. Plus, we analyzed a ton of options and compiled a list of the best hydrotherapy hot tubs out there so you can bring the spa to your own backyard. While hydrotherapy can technically take place in water of any temperature (or by taking a hot bath in your tub), hot tub hydrotherapy is one of the most popular options—and it has quite a few added benefits....

There are little-to-no rules when it comes to establishing your own breathwork routine: You can practice in person with a teacher (in a group or solo setting), tune into a digital session, or guide yourself through a breath sequence from home or in the middle of your workday. Your experience will vary depending on the type of breathwork your practitioner is teaching, but no matter what, you can expect to actively breathe throughout the session....

The cacao used in these ceremonies is chocolate in its purest form. Cacao beans or seeds come from the fruit of the cacao tree and have a distinctly bitter flavor. They’re also chock-full of nutrients, making cacao a superfood that has been used in ceremonies dating back to the Mayans and Aztecs. Today, the bitter bean has made its way from Latin America to many corners of the world for casual sipping and ceremonies alike....