You are facing the prospect of withdrawal, a tumultuous physical and emotional storm. This can be terrifying, especially now that you know that it can involve fatigue, nausea, anxiety, headache, lightheadedness, leg cramps, and depression, as well as powerful cravings for the foods you are avoiding. Is there an emotional electroshock therapy that might zap you out of this experience, an antidote to this opiate, a laxative that purges the poison, anything you can do to smooth the grain withdrawal syndrome?...

Viruses “do their damage by invading human cells, taking over the machinery, and replicating themselves like mad,” says Heather Moday, M.D., an allergist and immunologist who is board-certified in integrative and holistic medicine. There are no targeted medical treatments for viruses—antiviral medications may lessen the severity of symptoms, but they don’t stop the virus directly. Many antiviral herbs have been studied, primarily in vitro, but it’s important to know that human research is very limited, and more is needed before making definitive statements about the effects of natural antivirals....

Although I recommend learning headstand from a qualified teacher, its multifaceted benefits should not be ignored. However, headstands can be contraindicated if you have any previous head or neck injuries, extremely high blood pressure, ear and eye problems (like glaucoma), if you are menstruating, or have acid reflux—that said, it’s always best to consult your primary care doctor before trying.

One of our favorite exercises for connecting with your body is what we call a gentle improvisation routine. This is a type of mindful workout that allows you to drop into your body and explore what type of movement feels great for you. Having an improv practice, whether it’s regular or something you tap into occasionally, allows you to discover new ways of thinking, moving, and interacting with the world....

So just as someone who lightens their hair might reach for a violet shampoo to color-correct brassy, yellow undertones, you can use the same trick to enhance your bright, gorgeous grays. “It really gives it that luminescent vibe—it feels so uplifting,” Brown adds, noting she’s been using the Olaplex No.4P Blonde Enhancer Toning Shampoo. (But you can browse all of our favorite options here, if you’re curious.) If you’re new to the purple shampoo game, know that you can’t expect to use it like your traditional cleanser; for example, you need to let the product marinate on your strands a bit longer than normal....

One of the more accessible techniques in a traditional Prānāyama sequence, Nadī Shodhana is now popular in Western culture too. (You may hear it referred to as alternate nostril breathing or channel-cleaning breath.) Here’s a primer on the benefits of the practice and how to work it into your life. Alternating breath between the two nostrils is thought to promote balance through the body’s midline and these two Nadis, which can be compared to the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous system in Western medicine....

“I think as parents, we might be a little scared of the risks that come along with outdoor play and free play, but you should remember that these small, often low-stakes risks are actually positive and can help your kid grow,” says Aliza Pressman, Ph.D., the cofounding director and director of clinical programming for the Mount Sinai Parenting Center. “Especially if you are someone who maybe didn’t grow up in this environment....

Over time, the stones became associated with the 12 astrological signs, and eventually the 12 months of the year. Then, in the early 1900s, the National Association of Jewelers made the 12 birthstones official. Today, they’re most often gifted on birthdays, holidays, anniversaries, and more. And, fun fact—they’re actually the official 60th-anniversary gift, which is as high as the official list goes—indicating their lasting strength. “Aries and Taurus (the zodiac signs of April) often already have a beautifully developed sense of self and willpower, but they can also be famously stubborn,” Van Doren notes....

One of the most generally accepted ideas about ghosts, though, is that they’re spirits that used to be in a body, and for whatever reason, feel tied to being Earthbound, explains intuitive Natasha Levinger. “This could be due to anything from feeling unresolved about a relationship or even a location to dying before they felt ready to leave,” she says. And it’s important to note that ghosts are not always believed to be inherently bad—despite common misconceptions....

Statements like these break my heart because they imply that the tears are somehow inappropriate, embarrassing, or unwarranted. Nothing could be further from the truth. Having a big ol’ mascara-running, gulping-like-a-fish ugly cry is actually really good for you. When we experience stress, a substance called adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is released into our bodies. If enough of ACTH builds up, it will eventually stimulate the release of cortisol1, also known as “the stress hormone....

Instead, there are four sleep chronotypes—bears, lions, wolves, and dolphins—that can give us a better sense of our unique sleep needs and what time we should be waking up, going to bed, etc. (You can find out your type with a quick quiz!) And the rarest chronotype, the dolphin, has some special factors to take into consideration. Here’s the lowdown on the rarest sleep chronotype, plus how to work with it....

There’s no shortage of factors that can make or break a good night of sleep—and the design of our bedroom is one of them. For the sweetest dreams, our bedroom should ultimately feel like a sleepy sanctuary. In the final episode of our Sleep & The Stars series with Avocado Green Mattress, we set out to help a vibrant fire sign optimize her bedroom for better slumber. Fire signs are infamously passionate, intense, and eclectic people....

And while recovery is important 365 days a year—it actually requires a little extra attention when the clouds roll in and the thermometer drops. Just like your workout gear may need a little winterizing with the help of UA RUSH ColdGear, perhaps it’s time to outfit your winter recovery routine with these five tips: Get cozy in this Fleece Full-Zip Hoodie and Fleece Pants, and you’ll find yourself dressed head-to-toe in gear that helps you warm up, recharge, and get ready for round two....

Astaxanthin (asta-ZAN-thin), the pigment that makes salmon and flamingos that nice shade of pink, is actually a potent carotenoid that may help protect your skin from wrinkles and other signs of aging.* Here, find out why astaxanthin deserves a starring role in your skin care routine and what other amazing health benefits it has. The body does produce some of these free radical scavengers itself, but we rely on diet and supplements for many antioxidants1....

Sex injuries aren’t uncommon, and whether because of fear or shame, we can often feel hesitant to bring them up. But in the case of cervical pain—aka a bruised cervix—it may be too intense to ignore. Luckily, it’s usually not a cause for concern. Here’s what to know about cervical pain, plus how to prevent it going forward. “The cervix is like any other body part and can become bruised if it’s hurt,” functional medicine gynecologist Wendie Trubow, M....

The Healthy Home report contained a lot of advice that you’ve heard before in mbg headlines: Kick your shoes off at the door, add plants to your space, be mindful of your humidity levels, etc. But its warning on candles gave us pause: “If you use candles or incense, you are creating small combustion sources inside your home,” the report reads. “The evidence is clear—in homes with candles or incense burning, there is a sharp increase in airborne particles, sometimes reaching levels that are higher than what is typically measured outside in US cities....

“Organic matter needs to be decomposed first (through composting) to make individual nutrients they hold available to plants,” Halleck says. Ironically enough, attempting to take a shortcut and place used grounds directly on soil can actually starve your plant of nitrogen in the long run. “As fresh organic matter begins to decompose through the decomposition cycle,” Halleck explains, “nitrogen can be immobilized by microbes in the soil, which can lead to a nitrogen deficiency in your plants....

There’s a lot we can do with interior design and architecture to create a home that facilitates deeper connections — open floor plans, a dining table with comfortable seating, and even feng shui — but we often neglect to think about the role our lighting and appliances are playing. C by GE’s family of products has opened the door to a home that is automated, streamlined, and gives you what you need when you need it, whether that’s mood lighting for date nights or smart bulbs to help you wake up on the right side of the bed....