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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-b...

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...

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...

As a kid, I was a very picky eater. Here’s how I overcame it–and what I want you to know about picky eating. When parents tell me they’re practically breaking with frustration over their picky eaters, I can relate. When my kids were younger, I spent some miserable family dinners feeling like a failure.  But I can also relate to your picky eaters. Because I used to be one of them. My Picky Eater Past I was the kid with the plate of buttered noodles while the rest of the family had steak and mashed potatoes. I was the one with plain pasta while everyone else had sauce and meatballs. I was the one nervous about eating at a friend’s house because who knew what kind of terrifying food they’d serve? I know what it’s like to be afraid of new foods and squishy textures. And I know what it’s like to drive your parents crazy over it. So here’s what I can tell you about being a picky eater: The fear is real. It’s not drama. It’s not an excuse. It can be embarrassing. I didn’t want...

A therapist teaches us how to deal with ghosting in a productive, healthy way. Being ghosted is the worst. And while it often feels as though you caused it, we’re here to tell you that more often than not, it’s not really about you. Below, learn more about how this modern scenario gained traction, the psychological effects of ghosting, and what to do when you get ghosted. What is ghosting? If you’ve never experienced ghosting firsthand, you might think it’s a trendy way to celebrate Halloween. But in reality, the term speaks to the spooky act of fully up and leaving a relationship without a word. According to NYC-based therapist Risha Nathan, LCSW, HHC, the term ghosting first appeared once online dating started to flourish. And it makes sense. After all, when you’re only chatting on an app, it’s easy to stop communicating without another trace. Nevertheless, while ghosting is often associated with dating, Risha says it can also apply to friendships, working relationships, and mo...

As much as I don’t reeeeaaaallllly want to, we need to talk about the ‘candida’ diagnosis that so many alternative health practitioners seem to think we all have.  I recently posted a graphic that used candida as an example of something that apple cider vinegar won’t cure. The graphic got a ton of blowback, especially… Read more The post Is Gut Candida Overgrowth Actually Real, and Do Candida Diets Work? appeared first on Abby Langer Nutrition. Original source: https://abbylangernutrition.com/is-gut-candida-overgrowth-actually-real-and-do-candida-diets-work/

To learn what’s going on with vivid dreams in quarantine, we looked at the latest research. From there, two dream experts helped us put it all in context. The phenomenon of dreaming is as fascinating as it is mysterious. And as far as the long social distancing season of 2020 goes, it seems as though our sleeping minds are perhaps more active than ever. But is this really the case? To Begin, How does stress affect dreams? “We often have fragmented sleep due to stress,” explains Antonio Zadra, PhD, a psychology professor at the Université de Montréal who specializes in sleep and dreams. “Dreams might be more intense because of the different stressors we experience, which can cause us to wake up.” And while he says that stressors may negatively impact sleep quality, waking up more frequently may actually permit us to better remember our dreams. But what about the actual content of stress dreams? “We rarely incorporate the stressors directly; we’re more likely to dream of emotions [...

By: Julie Mancuso, Registered Nutritionist, Owner of JM Nutrition   In this post: ways to increase energy levels during the day how to beat the afternoon slump   In today’s fast-paced world many of us are run ragged, invariably looking to increase energy levels and beat the afternoon slump. Sadly, there is little we can do to change the ways of the world. What we can do, however, is increase energy levels by following a number of relatively simple steps. Before we launch outline steps to increase energy levels, it’s important to recognize that it’s natural for energy levels to rise and fall throughout the day. The problem arises when these dips and slumps are frequent, severe and long-lasting. When they are, they can have an enormously negative impact on our well-being. There is, however, good news in the fight to beat the afternoon slump. That is, there are many ways to prevent your energy from dipping dramatically during the day.   17 ways to increase...

Think the only reason to work out is to stay fit? Neuroscience researcher Rita Hitching, MSc, explains how e xercise is the gift that keeps on giving, especially when it comes to reducing stress. It’s not a stretch to say that we’re living in stressful times. When things start to feel overwhelming, I know it’s time to reassess how I go about managing the stress and demands in my life. As a neuroscience researcher, I’m all about the facts. And a search of the scientific literature on how to relieve stress provides an emphatic response: exercise . How does the body respond to stress? Before learning how exercise reduces stress, let’s first look at how your body responds to stress. Fight or Flight Response When you’re stressed, your body is in a state known as fight or flight. It prepares itself to literally fight for its life or run to safety. The process involves the body’s stress response system, a beautifully tuned and finely evolved system that includes every organ in...

Is there a definitive answer to how often you should exercise? Two trainers discuss the ins and outs of creating a consistent workout routine to meet your personal goals. We’re inundated every day, if not hourly via social media, about fitness and overall wellness. Someone’s always telling us the best way to become fit and healthy, as though the only true answer to total health is from a certain regimen. However, our lives and bodies are all shaped by unique, cumulative circumstances and experiences. So how can any one method be trusted to offer success for all? When it comes to exercise, the overall consensus is that the typical American needs more of it. But how about those who already incorporate movement into their daily lives? Also, how much is enough, and how much is too much? Here, a couple of fitness experts weigh in on the topic—no pun intended. How often should you exercise? “A few factors come into play when deciding how often someone should work out and which forms of...

Jessica Nelson, RDN, CPT , breaks down gluteal anatomy before sharing her personal-trainer-approved exercises to lift your butt. Looking for the best butt-lifting workout for a stronger, more toned derrière? Here’s a complete guide to achieving your best butt ever. We’ll cover gluteal anatomy, booty-sculpting insights, and the top exercises to lift your butt. What are the gluteal muscles? There are three main muscles that make up the gluteal (butt!) anatomy. Those include the gluteus medius, maximus, and minimus. 1. Gluteal Medius The gluteal medius is located on the upper part of the buttocks. This muscle helps to rotate the hips out and stabilize movement while walking and standing. 2. Gluteal Maximus The gluteal maximus is the largest and thickest of the three gluteal muscles and primarily makes up the shape of the buttocks. This large muscle is also important for keeping the upper body erect and supporting hip movements, including climbing. 3. Gluteal Minimus The glut...

Perhaps you came across his method while researching the benefits of cold therapy, marveled at his 21 Guinness World Records, or watched him in action on The Goop Lab. Known as The Iceman, Wim Hof is an extreme athlete who’s earned his nickname for his cold-weather feats. However, he’s more than just a showman: He’s literally defied science through his trademark technique of cold therapy and breathwork. He’s also helped thousands of people around the globe conquer physical, mental, and emotional duress—all through the power of nature, your own body, and sheer will. We had the pleasure of speaking with him to understand everything you need to know about the Wim Hof Method. About Wim Hof So how does one begin to make the impossible possible? Wim explains that his journey started 44 years ago. Always a thinker, philosopher, and student of the esoteric, he was drawn to the cold in search of a deeper meaning of life. At 17, Wim explains, “I was attracted to go into freezing cold water...