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Books I Loved in 2020

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Need a new book? Here’s a round-up of what I read and loved in 2020. If ever there was a year to lose yourself in a good book, it was 2020. I’ve never looked forward to escaping into a story as much as I did every night before bed this year. So if you’re looking for something new to read this holiday season or in the year ahead, here’s my annual round-up of the books I read and loved this year. Some of these are new, some are not. Hope this gives you some new ideas! YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Books I Loved in 2019 Books I Loved in 2018 Books I Loved in 2017 Books I Loved in 2016 Books I Loved in 2015 Books I Loved in 2020 The Vanishing Half: A Novel What happens when a light-skinned Black woman decides to secretly pass for being White in the 1950s South? I loved this story, which spans many decades. From Amazon: From The New York Times-bestselling author of The Mothers, a stunning new novel about twin sisters, inseparable as children, who ultimately choose to live
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Get Cozy with November 2020 Wellness Horoscopes

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In the spirit of daylight savings time ending, I invite you to fall back, get cozy, and join me on this month’s astrohacking journey with your November 2020 wellness horoscopes. With Mercury and Mars stationing direct (on November 3 and 13, respectively), we should be able to breathe a bit easier as Scorpio season progresses. Consider this something to be grateful for by the time Thanksgiving rolls around! And if you still happen to feel stuck or discouraged, remember to always look up—to the planets, that is. As usual, read your sun and rising signs to better understand how to make this month a good one. You got this! November 2020 Wellness Horoscopes ARIES (MARCH 21-APRIL 19) Not only does Mercury go direct on November 3, but your Mars (action + your ruler) ends its own 9-week-long retrograde on November 13. The meaning: All of your stealth operations can begin to see the light of day. If you’re working on a long-term goal, know that it’s likely to see its pinnacle by mid-Janua
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4 Health Benefits of Pumpkin to Support Your Fall Fix

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Is pumpkin good for you? Absolutely! Learn about the health benefits of pumpkin so you can feel good indulging as temperatures cool down. Pumpkins are easily one of the most popular fall foods. From pumpkin spice lattes and pumpkin pies to pumpkin-flavored everything, what’s not to love? If you’ve been pumped about pumpkin this year, keep reading to explore a few of the nutritional benefits of this fall favorite. 4 Health Benefits of Pumpkin As festive as they are, pumpkins are also highly nutritious. They contain powerful antioxidants such as vitamins A, C, and E. They also contain fiber, which is great for aiding digestion and promoting feelings of fullness. And although pumpkins are often prepared in sweet dishes, they’re an incredibly versatile item that can be utilized in savory dishes as well. Here are four exciting benefits of eating pumpkin. 1. Pumpkins Are High in Carotenoids Pumpkins are one of the best sources of compounds called carotenoids. Carotenoids are found i
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What Does Your Sleeping Position Say About You?

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Does the way you sleep say something about your personality? According to sleep position psychology, it sure does. Learn about five different types of sleep positions and what each may say about you. There’s something so restorative about catching enough zzZzs each night. But did you know that the way you sleep can play into how well you sleep? What’s more, the position in which you sleep can say more about not only your quality of sleep, but also your personality as a whole. To discover what different sleeping positions mean, we chatted with Tara Youngblood—chief scientist and co-founder of ChiliSleep—who’s logged 10,000+ hours studying the science of sleep. Keep reading to learn about what your sleeping position says about you. What Your Sleeping Position Says About You Curious about what various sleeping positions mean? Here’s what sleep position psychology has to say about five types of sleeping styles. 1. The Fetal Position What it looks like: Sleeping on your side with y
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Why You Should Try to Sleep With Your Mouth Closed

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Sleeping with your mouth open isn’t doing any favors for your oral health. Here, leading dentists detail six reasons why you should sleep with your mouth closed. In a world in which stressful situations seem perpetually on the rise, it’s important to rest up to be as prepared as possible for whatever the day has in store. While committing to a full night’s sleep is a great place to start, it’s important to think about how you sleep too. Sure, your bodily sleep position may come into play, but it gets even more focused than that. Ready for it? The position of your mouth makes a difference. Don’t believe us? Keep reading to learn six reasons why keeping your mouth closed is essential for smarter sleep. Why It’s Better to Sleep With Your Mouth Closed Below, dental experts share six benefits of sleeping with your mouth closed. 1. It improves oral hydration + prevents dental hygiene issues Did you know that  your saliva production slows down when you sleep? For this reason, NYC-based
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This Is What Happens to Your Brain When You Sleep

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While you’re fast asleep, your brain is busier than ever. But what’s actually going on? Are we detoxing, learning, or protecting our health? Here’s what happens to your brain when you sleep. As a neuroscience researcher, the role of sleep is fascinating to me. We spend about a third of our lives sleeping, but why have we evolved to need rest each night? Keep reading to discover the intricate activity of the brain during sleep. First, How Does Your Brain Prepare for Sleep? The onset of sleep is driven by your circadian rhythms and a group of photosensitive cells in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN). The visual system is connected to cells in the SCN, letting them know if it’s day or night. The SNC is linked to the pineal gland, which promotes the release of melatonin, a hormone associated with the onset of sleep. The SNC is located deep within the hypothalamus, a peanut-sized structure responsible for regulating your arousal levels. The hypothalamus also governs your nervous and e
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Does Blue Light from Your Phone Damage Your Skin?

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Does blue light damage skin with constant exposure from phones and computers? Here’s what experts say. Plus: the basics behind blue light skincare. Sure, many of us could use an intervention when it comes to our digital habits. This fact rings especially in terms of protecting our eyes, sleep, and relationships. But when it comes to blue light from screens beaming onto our skin, are our complexions really in danger? To learn if blue light is bad for your skin, we spoke with Loretta Ciraldo, MD, FAAD, a Miami-based board-certified dermatologist and founder of Dr. Loretta skincare. What is blue light? Blue light, aka high energy visible (HEV) light, has the shortest wavelength of visible light at 380 to 500 nanometers. Dr. Loretta says the most common sources of blue light include: the sun digital screens skin treatment devices It’s also a component in both LED and fluorescent light sources. Blue Light Therapy for Acne Regarding the third source above, blue light therapy fo
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