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Some people are embracing the refreshing power of both a nap and caffeine by consuming caffeine before they snag a spot on the couch for a much-deserved midday slumber. According to Catherine Darley, N.D., founder of The Institute of Naturopathic Sleep Medicine, “The caffeine nap strategy is to find somewhere safe to nap, quickly drink your favorite caffeine source, then take a nap for 20 minutes.” Seems easy enough. But how does it work, exactly?...

“It’s better to refrain from intercourse when you have a UTI because the penis can rub against the urethra, irritating it more,” says functional medicine gynecologist Wendie Trubow, M.D. The same is true for tongues, toys, and fingers coming into contact with the vulva or vagina. “It shouldn’t make the infection worse, especially if the woman urinates after intercourse, but it may worsen the symptoms.” You only really need to hold off if you’re experiencing bloody urine or suprapubic (lower abdominal) pain, in which case you should see a doc ASAP, adds Richardson....

Each chakra vibrates or spins at a particular frequency that is thought to affect specific biological processes in the body. Each of the chakras is associated with a different color of the rainbow, and the circulation of energy in each of our chakras influences our physical as well as our mental well-being by way of stimulation or inhibition. Open, balanced chakras align with corresponding healthy organ systems and a well-functioning physiological body, as well as stability and health within the emotional and energetic body....

Scheller is referring to the broad and powerful class of phytochemicals known as flavonoids. In addition to quercetin, the following compounds fall under the citrus bioflavonoid umbrella: They also show up in some specialized vitamin C supplements as bioactives that complement vitamin C and help protect it from oxidation.* “The reason why citrus bioflavonoids pair nicely with vitamin C is because of the synergy that occurs between the two when found in nature—as in when consumed in citrus fruits,” Scheller says....

Here’s why you might want to snag a clear mascara the next time you’re browsing for beauty, plus the very best options to try. If you’re still not convinced a clear mascara belongs in your makeup bag, here are tons of other creative uses for it—not all of them confined to the eyes: Aloe Gel Lash & Brow Mascara, Ere Perez ($24) Brow & Lash Gel, Dr. Hauschka ($22) Clear Brow & Lash Mascara, e....

The problem is many people get confused about what an actual “whitehead” is—whiteheads are not the large, tender zits with a big pus-filled center (those are pustules). Instead, whiteheads are not visibly inflamed and therefore are much more subtle. Also, not every whitehead needs to have a white dot at its center; whiteheads can just appear as small, fleshy bumps on the skin. You may not even be able to notice the bumps in your reflection: Sometimes they are so subtle that you can only feel them when touching your face....

And while a lucky few can identify their skin type right off the bat—be it dry, oily, or acne-prone—most of the time it’s not so obvious. Case in point: combination skin. As its title suggests, combination skin is more of a skin type hybrid, and it’s not so easy to point out. So while you may notice patches of shine on your face, that doesn’t necessarily mean you have run-of-the-mill oily skin....

In traditional Chinese medicine, the belief is that after a woman has a baby, there is an empty space in her body where the baby once was. Her body is open, her ligaments loose, and it’s believed that if “yin” or wind/cold comes into this open space, it will cause future ailments and prevent the body from properly recovering. Thus, the practice of confinement emphasizes staying warm by remaining indoors and abstaining from cold foods/drinks, from touching cold objects, and from washing one’s hair lest one catch a chill....

Sure, it’s great for all your DIY craft projects, but it’s not so fun when your skin resembles the same fragile texture. But crepeyness isn’t as inevitable as you may think; here’s everything you need to know about what causes crepey skin, plus how to prevent it and enjoy firm-looking skin for as long as possible. The skin looks wrinkled, fragile, and fine; “It may also sag or feel loose,” says board-certified dermatologist Hadley King, M....

While the two are different, both are vital to your digestive health.* And the best one for you depends on what’s going on in your body. Here, we break down the difference between probiotics and digestive enzymes, plus how to figure out which is right for you. Digestive enzymes are nonliving proteins that speed up chemical reactions in your GI tract. They play a key role in properly breaking down food that your body can adequately absorb its nutrients....

Based on these formative connections, you can fall into four main attachment styles: secure, anxious, fearful avoidant, and dismissive avoidant. The dismissive-avoidant attachment style is easy to spot, marked by someone who tends to avoid intimacy and prefers independence. Where you fall on the spectrum depends on your environment and how your needs were met: “People with this attachment style have no problem being single,” explains licensed professional counselor Rachel Sims, LPC....

The goal of dry needling is to induce a spasm in the muscle, which releases the trigger point and allows the knot in the muscle to relax. Sound a little painful? It definitely can be. Poking needles in your muscles is no walk in the park, but dry needling can be very effective at targeting deeper areas that can’t reached by other manual therapies like massage. People swear by dry needling’s ability to relax muscles and reduce pain in a way that can’t seem to be achieved any other way....

She worked in her own private practice on clients, family, and friends and decided five years ago to develop 21 Drops®, a line of therapeutic-grade essential oil blends for both the professional and consumer markets.

There are so many things that contribute to breakouts, from genetics to hormones to lifestyle and yes, your diet. But rest assured coffee lovers, “There isn’t evidence to support that coffee itself can directly cause acne,” board-certified dermatologist Ramya Garlapati, M.D., tells mbg. “However, there is some supportive evidence that the way coffee is consumed can potentially lead to acne,” she notes. Depending on how your body reacts to caffeine, the way you drink it, how much you consume, etc....

Take on this workout with gear that’s made for challenging the comfort zone. For leggings that will stay put, check out the Women’s HeatGear® Armour No-Slip Waistband Printed Ankle Leggings, made with four-way stretch material and superior coverage. Pair them with the Women’s Armour® Mid Crossback Printed Sports Bra for the support and structure required for kettlebell training. And because this workout will have you moving those feet, lace up the Women’s UA HOVR™ Omnia Training Shoes, built for the female foot and engineered to breathe....

As both a craft beer lover and a personal trainer, this dilemma has plagued me for years (even sparking some heated in-office debates along the way). In the past, my solution has often been non-alcoholic beer. But until recently, the only options I had tasted like drinking a glass of water while someone whispered the word “hops” into my ear. If there’s anything I take more seriously than my (borderline snobby) taste in beer, it’s my fitness....

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

However, many of us are dealing with conditions and complex symptoms that require additional support to speed healing. Supplements are an excellent way to help your body. The key to supplementing for your own body is to understand which vitamins and minerals you really need and what kinds of effects they’ll have on your endocrine health. It’s a good idea to visit your doctor or health care provider to figure out if you have any deficiencies before you start a new supplement regimen....

Recent research in the International Journal of Molecular Sciences has also highlighted magnesium’s role in the management of blood sugar—meaning supplementation of this key mineral could help individuals with prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, or who are just looking to keep their blood sugar on a more even keel.* Here’s a deeper dive into the magnesium-blood sugar connection: First, a quick blood sugar2 review: Our bodies convert the foods we nosh into blood glucose....

I keep a very tidy workspace, as I really, really don’t work well in clutter…which makes things a bit hard when I get about 10 shipments a week of products for work, but I never keep that stuff physically ON my desk. Emma received her B.A. in Environmental Science & Policy with a specialty in environmental communications from Duke University. In addition to penning over 1,000 mbg articles on topics from the water crisis in California to the rise of urban beekeeping, her work has appeared on Grist, Bloomberg News, Bustle, and Forbes....