Not only will skipping the essential steps cut down your chances of seeing positive results, but it can actually cause you more skin problems—so here’s one quick tip to keep in mind. And tools with ancient wisdom should be treated with the utmost care—aka, you should take time to figure out what you’re doing. Rule No. 1: Do not drag the gua sha too harshly across your skin. “These are great tools; however, when draining the lymphatic systems, the key is a very light and gentle touch....

In fact, in her book Option B, Sheryl Sandberg frequently writes about how much journaling helped her sort through and cope with her grief after the sudden loss of her husband. “Journaling can be a useful tool for all of us including for those times when we are depressed,” explains Linda Carroll, M.S. “It can be a place to express ourselves as long as we are not judging ourselves.” We know journaling works, but how can you make it work for you?...

Your answers to 15 simple questions can help me to predict what types of things are likely to turn you on—and what types of things are likely to turn you off. All I need is a little information about your demographic background, your personality, and your sexual history. Below, we’ll explore three of these 15 questions and explain why they’re important for understanding Americans’ sexual desires. People who have an insecure attachment type, are less likely to fantasize about group sex and nonmonogamy, and more likely to fantasize about bondage/discipline, dominance/submission, sadism/masochism (BDSM), sexual novelty, and romance....

It could be their four to seven weeks of vacation per year, but most European women don’t seem to be weighed down by their delicious, gluten and dairy-filled foods, and they’re certainly not spending hours at the gym “working it off.” Instead, they’re full of energy and vibrancy. Hungry yet? Maybe it had to do with the hours spent walking in the sun and clearing my mind or the easy-breezy vacation mindset, but I never once felt bloated or low energy, except for a little jet lag here and there....

I pushed away the airbag and jumped out of the car. I was scared, upset, and physically shaking. And yet, the very first thing I did was pull out my phone and call the karate teacher to let him know I was going to be late picking up my kids. It wasn’t until later that night, after I had called the insurance company and dealt with the totaled car, that I realized I was experiencing something much more than just the normal stress of being a working mom....

After all, could your morning cup of coffee be killing the good probiotics in your gut? There are a few things to consider. Here’s what you need to know. In the context of this conversation, when we refer to probiotics, we’re talking about beneficial bacteria that support your gut health and function.* Probiotics can be found in a range of things, including fermented foods and dietary supplements (find our top picks for probiotic supplements here)....

And when you compile these nourishing ingredients into one comforting cream, the result really does function like cashmere. Take Kiehl’s Ultra Facial Advanced Repair Barrier Cream, which launched just last month: Already it has captured the hearts of skin care devotees—regardless of their individual skin type!—beloved by derms, editors, and industry experts alike. Colloidal oatmeal also has a high concentration of starches and beta-glucans, which gives it both humectant and emollient properties that help moisturize the skin....

To make it, you wash a few leaves of romaine, put them in a mug, pour boiling water over them, and let them sit. Ten minutes later, that mug of warm greens in your hands can supposedly make you super sleepy. It’s an intriguing, if not a little odd, bedtime ritual—but does it have any science backing it up? Here, experts spill the tea on whether or not this is a trend worth trying....

Most of us are sitting a lot these days. That’s why I created this three-move workout that will not only get you moving but also activate the back of your body and bring some blood flow back to that thing you’ve been sitting on all day (yep, I’m talking about your butt). This sequence is also great for bringing mobility back to your hip joints and providing some efficient cardio....

So how can we manifest these moments more often? Turns out, one of the most powerful factors that contributes to the serenity of these experiences is the aroma that surrounds them. This is precisely the intention behind the soothing Matcha Meditation fragrance by Maison Margiela, which has a way of setting the mind at ease (regardless of the variables being thrown your way). With each note, Matcha Meditation brings us back to the times where we felt completely at peace....

But even when we do carve out time to exercise, meditate, or eat more healthfully, we so often still end up judging ourselves or are so distracted by other items on our to-do lists that we’re not getting the most out of our self-care routine. If you’re ready to take your wellness practice to the next level, try these 10 easy ways to incorporate mindfulness into your self-care routine. While you still got a great workout, consider how much better you’d feel if you let go of all that judgment and just appreciated the fact that you made time to move that day....

But here’s the caveat: Baking in the sun for longer doesn’t yield higher amounts of vitamin D—our skin molecules can only produce a certain level of the vitamin at a time. Once it reaches your body’s quota (which looks different for everyone), any extra rays will cause sun damage. Sun damage, in turn, can trigger oxidative stress, premature aging, and a slew of other issues. This is why dermatologists are so adamant we stay smart about sun care....

As founder and educational director of the Love and Light School of Crystal Therapy Ashley Leavy previously explained to mbg, birthstones have roots in both Western astrology and Ayurveda, and the National Association of Jewelers actually standardized the official birthstones in 1912 because there were so many birthstone options across various traditions. Birthstones even appear in the book of Exodus (28:17-20), where it’s written that 12 gemstones were fixed on the prophet Aaron’s breastplate....

However, there are a few things to keep in mind during this transition, including your iron intake. Red meat is notably rich in iron (especially the highly bioavailable heme form of iron), but so are plenty of other foods. To follow, find a few ways to up your consumption, plus one must-know tip to make sure you’re actually reaping the benefits of the iron you consume. If you’re dealing with low iron status (and stores), then your needs will be even higher for several months until iron stores can be reestablished....

It’s not an easy process either: It’s a time- and energy-intensive process that takes upward of 2,000 tiny silkworms to create 1 pound of silk. This is why silk has a reputation for being so luxe—and comes with a pretty price tag. Now, silk does come in a wide variety, which is why you can find more budget-friendly options out there. Silk’s weight and density are measured in momme (a Japanese unit of weight equal to 3....

Whether you’re looking to achieve a smooth canvas for lip color application or simply want some quality day-to-day hydration, shea butter may be the answer. We’re going to give you the ultimate guide to shea butter for lip care including why it’s beneficial, how to use it, and a few other ingredients to keep your eye out for. Let’s dive in. Now, you may be thinking: OK, so look for shea butter in my face moisturizer—got it....

There are several types of silicones, and each with a different profile and characteristics. “Silicones have many names, but a good rule of thumb is to look for something ending in -cone on your product’s ingredient list. Most silicones (but not all) end in -cone,” says Ron McLaughlin, vice president of research and development at Living Proof, a clean-leaning hair care brand that helped pioneer and usher in the wave of silicone-free products....

No matter what evening routine you have going now, there’s one quick step that can create a relaxing ambience regardless. Enter, sleep sprays. These mists come in a plethora of different scents, and we’ve picked out the best of the best below. But first, let’s understand what exactly a sleep spray is and what it’s not. There are some ingredients to look for that contribute to a relaxing environment (many of which you tend to find in spas for this reason)....

You guessed it: Venus retrograde. As the twins explain, from July 22 to September 3, Venus backtracks through Leo, encouraging us all to backtrack as well, and do some reassessing. It doesn’t all have to be doom and gloom, but if something isn’t working in your romantic life, this period is going to put a spotlight it. “Venus retrogrades are not always easy. They can exhume ghosts of relationships past…or provoke sudden ghostings just when connections are heating up,” the twins explain....

Here’s what you need to know about finding the right tarot deck, pulling cards, and deciphering their useful messages. Today, both tarot and oracle cards, which have fewer rules and a wider range of content, are still in heavy rotation among modern mystics (or anyone looking for a sneak peek into the future). The enlightened soul searcher has his or her pick of playing cards these days, with traditional decks like the Rider-Waite deck, first published in 1909, and any number of cool and creative decks that appeal to the individual....