Innholdsfortegnelse for Jul/Aug 2020 i Women's Health

WOMAN ON A MISSION Meet Latham Thomas, a doula, author, business owner, and meditation expert in Brooklyn, New York, who helps mothers dig deep and find their inner strength every day. “I want moms to know they don’t have to be alone,” says Latham, who took over our Breakthrough page this month (page 124). “This is the perfect time to lean into community.” Pivoting to digital doula training and advocacy work for mothers during this time of social distancing, Latham shares some action items for pre- and postpartum women: SEEK out a licensed mental health provider who can be a supportive presence to you during times of great anxiety. START a sister circle of five friends on a group text and check in daily to share the highs and lows…

EDITOR-IN-CHIEF (WH’S SISTER MAG!) “Own your morning” is a Women’s Health mantra, but I can’t say I’ve been an owner of the a.m. myself. Until recently, I would sleep with my phone charging next to my head on a side table and rush out of bed when I heard my toddler in the next room around 7:00. But since I started working from home in mid-March, a lot about my schedule has changed. With stay-at-home orders in place, I have a new appreciation for the moments I had to myself while I commuted to the office. I’ve realized I’m tense without that alone time, and the only way I can get it is by being a morning person. Still, learning to rise with the sun has taken some effort. I…

What’s bite-size, dunkable, and reminds you of childhood? Chicken nuggets, obvs, and now it’s easier for plant-based eaters to chew their way down memory lane. Vegan nugget brand Nuggs uses wheat and pea protein to taste and look like the real thing. FYI: The nutritional benefits (and drawbacks) are about the same as for regular chicken nuggets, says Karen Ansel, RDN. They’re loaded with protein—to the tune of 15 grams per serving—but with added sodium and 20-plus ingredients, they’re still pretty processed. Swap dips like ketchup for a wholesome tzatziki to balance it out. $25 for 25, eatnuggs.com Join the Pitaya Party There’s a name for that bright pink acai alternative you’ve been seeing in grocery stores and on Instagram: dragon fruit, also known as pitaya. The once obscure plant…

Q I’ve been high-strung lately *and* my period came late. Could there be a connection between my mood and my menstrual cycle? Your hormones perform a delicate balancing act every day. Like a symphony, when they all work together, it’s music to your ears (and body). But if the woodwind section is out of tune, everything is off. The same happens with stress. It activates certain hormones, most notably cortisol, which can suppress estrogen and progesterone, throwing your period for a loop. The average cycle lasts between 21 and 35 days, so any variation within that window may be normal… or stress-induced. Sadly, there’s no way to tell for sure. The only time to worry is if you’ve gone three months without a period. Long-term amenorrhea (science-speak for an MIA…

SCORE SOLID SHUT-EYE Secure a remote spot all to yourself with the Hipcamp app. “It’s like Airbnb for private land.” Don’t skimp on shelter. “Waking up in a wet tent is the worst, so you need one that’s waterproof,” Frisch says. She sizes up to avoid dampness. “The more space, the more airflow to counter your body heat and breath, which create condensation.” So choose a four-person tent for you and your S.O., a six-person if you’ve got two kiddos.… If you’re not worried about packing light, buy a synthetic sleeping bag instead of down—more water-resistant. EAT LIKE A CHAMP Do as much as you can ahead of time: Chop your veggies, crack your eggs. “Put time into food prep and you’ll have a better experience outside,” says Frisch, who…

I learn the importance of self-love more and more as each day goes by. The power that comes with it can change your life, but it takes time—at least, it did for me. Society’s standards constantly change and are confusing. We see this feed of altered images and think, Oh, this is what people like. If this is what people are attracted to, is that what you have to be? When I was younger and doing photo shoots, my beauty marks (like moles) would get taken out of the image. Then I would see the photo of myself without them and think, Oh my god, they’re not beautiful. They’re ugly. Now, I’ve learned to love these marks even if someone classifies them as imperfections. You have to keep reminding yourself…

Before the U.S. Women’s National Soccer Team (USWNT) revealed that they planned their 2019 World Cup training (they won, btw!) around players’ periods, the topic of how fluctuating hormones could potentially impact workouts wasn’t talked about much, er, at all. But when you think about it, the idea makes so much sense that it’s shocking it’s not commonplace. “The way you move and breathe, how your heart beats, and your body’s reaction to exercise varies throughout your menstrual cycle,” says Georgie Bruinvels, PhD, cocreator of FitrWoman, the app the USWNT used. Turns out, tailoring your routine to your cycle, a technique known as phase-based training, empowers you to take advantage of your physiology to look and feel your best and to perform at your fullest potential, according to Women’s Health…

Sweat changes everything. #Truth. But that doesn’t mean fitspo is always easy to find. There will be days when working out feels more like flossing or taking your vitamins—you know, a habit that’s good for you, and that you should do, but… well, we’ve all been there. So we crowdsourced intel from some of the top trainers in the biz—plus Team WH—to teach you tons of ways to psych yourself up when you’re in that meh mindset. That Feeling When… You Just Don’t Want to Start Moving We’re all about owning our mornings (and afternoons and evenings!) at WH. But everyone wakes up on the wrong (read: unmotivated) side of the bed sometimes. What to do? “Set a performance goal,” says trainer BB Arrington. “Make it something you think would…

The Pill has been part of our reality for 55 glorious years now, and as hard (and, uh, terrifying) as it is to imagine a world without it, it’s equally challenging to picture contraception that feels like a flawless, perfect-fit experience for everyone. But—drumroll!—we’re getting really freaking close. That’s partly because there’s slightly increased demand: Roughly 2 percent more women in the U.S. reported using some kind of contraception between 2011 and 2017, according to the National Survey of Family Growth. Also, science is advancing super quickly in this space, which leads to better products. “Birth control research is moving forward at lightning speed, with many new options on the horizon,” says Jill Maura Rabin, MD, vice chair of education and development for obstetrics and gynecology at Northwell Health. These…

RUB IT IN Stir these mixes—which can be stored in a container at room temp for up to three months—and pat about 2 Tbsp into each pound of meat, fish, or veggies. For even more flavor, refrigerate it all a couple of hours before cooking. Fire & Smoke ¼ cup SMOKED PAPRIKA, 2 Tbsp ANCHO CHILE POWDER, 2 Tbsp GROUND CUMIN, 2 tsp KOSHER SALT, 1 tsp coarsely cracked BLACK PEPPER, 1 tsp DRY MUSTARD Salty Seaside 16 BAY LEAVES, finely crushed (2 tsp), 1 Tbsp SWEET PAPRIKA, 1 Tbsp KOSHER SALT, 2 tsp CELERY SEEDS, 1 tsp GROUND GINGER, ½ tsp DRY MUSTARD, ⅛ tsp GROUND NUTMEG, pinch of CAYENNE LET IT SOAK Assemble marinades in a resealable bag or bowl. Add 1½ lbs vegetables, seafood, or meat and…

I toyed for years with the idea of seeing a therapist. I knew the benefits: learning to form healthier relationships, having an outlet when sorting through big life questions…the list goes on. But somehow I always found an excuse for not booking that first session: The money! The time! The overwhelming search for the right pro! (That was the biggie.) Everything changed when I spoke about it with my friend Katie, who offered to help me look for my best match. At first, I thought I’d be burdening her and didn’t want to accept the assistance. But eventually I recognized that this was no different from me lending a hand to a friend who wanted to start working out. Katie did in fact help me find a therapist to talk…

You know how Hollywood sex dreams always come with some kind of “duh!” epiphany for the characters having them? (Lookin’ at you, Kat from The Bold Type.) Hate to be a buzzkill, but those kind of lightbulb moments don’t just present themselves at the foot of your bed. You need to do a li’l work to get to the bottom of them, because every dream comes with a “personal, unconscious meaning” that reflects your specific experiences, says Rubin Naiman, PhD, a clinical assistant professor of medicine and dream specialist at the University of Arizona. A steamy dream with a past flame, for example, could mean a different thing to you than to your friend—it all depends on the associations you have with that lost love or that particular period in…

“I consider myself a healthconscious person: I don’t smoke, I don’t drink, and I exercise five days a week, alternating between hour-long vinyasa yoga and Cross-Fit. I’ve even hiked the Himalayas. But in early March, I attended a dinner party with over 100 people, and two days later, I was experiencing severe symptoms of the novel coronavirus: scratchy throat, coughing attacks, and a 100-degree fever. It felt like a horse had kicked me in the ribs. I went to the hospital and tested positive for COVID-19. I spent 22 days battling the virus; I lost my appetite, couldn’t taste or smell, and had bad headaches and nausea. At my worst, I couldn’t even walk or make it upstairs to shower. When you have this illness, the simplest things feel impossible;…

“Our organization started an online reporting center on March 19 to record acts of hate and discrimination against Asian Americans during the pandemic, and people submitted 1,700 incidents in six weeks. We knew others would downplay the problem, so we needed numbers to support our interventions: 10 percent of cases involved physical assault, 10 percent were civil rights violations, and women were targeted twice as often as men. It’s surreal, seeing this trauma on top of everything else. I’ve gotten calls from people wondering what to do about an incident; this is what I tell them.” BE AN ALLY “Bullies feel emboldened because they think they’re speaking for everyone around them. If you witness an act of aggression, support the victim (‘Hey, I think I know you from somewhere!’ ‘Are…

A pro-immunity eating plan goes beyond citrus and blueberries (yawn). The better play is to consume a whole foods–based diet that’s high in micronutrients (read: vitamins and minerals from plenty of veggies and fruit) and low in sugar and processed foods, says Avena, who is also the coauthor of Why Diets Fail. “We know excess body fat causes inflammation, which essentially means your immune system is compromised,” she says. “So rather than trying to avoid getting sick by eating one-off ‘immuneboosting’ foods, focus on cleaning up your diet as a whole for a longer-term tactic.” Taste the rainbow, as they say.…

Sad as we were for the athletes, and for the loss of an uplifting, inspiring tradition, the WH team was fiercely onboard with the decision to prioritize lives and safety. In this new reality, “strength” was already taking on a new meaning when the world turned upside down again as we all confronted the devastating tragedy of George Floyd’s murder. His life mattered, and so did the lives of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery…and the many victims before them. In all honesty, it has been a humbling time at Women’s Health. As a team, we sprang into action, committing to uncomfortable conversations with each other and creating goals and action items to hold ourselves accountable as journalists and WH staffers. It was just the beginning, yet it took, well, a lot…

How’s this for a literal hot take? We need to rid soup of its reputation as a winter-only food. Don’t get me wrong; I love sitting down with a bowl of chicken noodle on a cold February day as much as the next warm-blooded human. But there’s no reason to turn your back on this comforting dish as temps rise. That’s because soup is the *chef’s kiss* perfect year-round meal, and it’s about time you get on board with a summery bowl too. For starters, dontcha think it’s a bit weird to shun soup in the name of heat when we consume other hot dishes all year long? Yeah, I’m lookin’ at you, pasta, grain bowls, coffee. I mean, it’s not as if we suddenly start sipping smoothies—and only smoothies—as…

Sorry, but summer blues are a real thing: People report more mental distress in hotter temperatures, a major problem as the threat of climate change increases, according to a University of Georgia study. Yes, sunshine feels nice during the day, but it’s harder to sleep in warm weather, so you might be cranky and low, says Mengyao Li, PhD, head study researcher. Some (eco!) ways to keep your cool: Swap your heat-trapping polyester blanket for a breathable eucalyptus one like the Buffy Breeze Comforter (from $179, buffy.co) or take a warm bath before bed (this lowers your body temp!). INFORMATION OVERLOAD That overwhelming anxiety you get when you’re bombarded with—usually negative—news? “Our brains aren’t meant to keep up with texts and headlines popping up on our phones constantly,” says Mary…

If there’s anyone who knows about no-fuss, no-budge hairstyles, it’s professional athletes. They may not be competing right now, but they’re still training and sweating and…sharing all their institutional strand knowledge here. “Summer hair needs to be functional,” says Colleen Quigley, Olympic track star and genius DIY hair guru via her Instagram tutorials #FastBraidFriday. “No one likes hair sticking to them or making them steamier than they already are.” Truth. (And you don’t have to own the 3,000-meter steeplechase to appreciate that.) Quigley often puts her long, straight hair in different braids, like a crown braid that leads into a ponytail or two Dutch braids tied together. After years of competition, she’s learned which products work, like the “absolute best” ties from TIY (Tie It Yourself): a roll of elastic…

If there’s anything I’ve learned from years of interviewing skin experts, it’s that prevention is more powerful than any single serum. Just as we exercise to stay healthy, we take care of our skin to prevent damage and signs of aging. And if putting on sunscreen is like cardio (your foundation of physical activity), then doing microcurrent treatments is like weight lifting: your ticket to sculpting. Microcurrent uses a low electrical current to lift and tighten facial muscles so skin appears firmer. If you’re wondering if this is even legit, the answer is yes. Very. It was first approved by the FDA as a treatment for Bell’s palsy. Now it’s every facialist’s secret weapon. And you can do it at home. THE PROCESS First of all, it doesn’t hurt! I…

PHASE 2 Days 6–14 Between the end of your period and about three days before ovulation, estrogen levels spike, which means you’ll have more energy to work out and recover faster. Woo! “Estrogen is associated with feeling happy, engaged, and strong,” says Bruinvels. Get After It If you feel nextlevel amazing, make the most of it by continuing to lean in to strength training, plus sprints and intense workouts. Now’s the time to bust out that jump rope or join a boot camp class and really push! CLUE Complete with a cycle analysis tool and the ability to predict oncoming symptoms (like cramps), it offers an easy-to-digest but science-based view into your period. Free FLO One of the most popular period trackers in the game, this app helps you understand…

WHY WE LOVE IT The elevated split squat (a.k.a. Bulgarian squat) is the ultimate multitasker when it comes to strengthening your bod from the waist down, because it’ll make your legs and bum pop in the best way possible. But things really start getting toasty when you add a couple of kettlebells or dumbbells (water bottles work too, y’all) into the mix. It’s a recipe for serious gains: “Adding free weights forces you to contract the core to maintain your balance,” says trainer Judine Saint Gerard, who shows you here how it’s done. In a word, this move is fire. Ready for the heat? HOW TO DO IT 1 Stand with right leg under hips, left extended back, with front of left sole on step and weights resting on shoulders.…

You know what I’m craving? A long embrace with my best friends. And with my dad and bro, who are health-care workers. Or my Nonny and Papou. But while I do my part and continue social distancing, I’m thinking about the next-best thing to a real hug: a heavy, hug-like…blankie. Weighted blankets are quickly becoming best sellers for online retailers. Not a shocker, considering people are itching for an extra dose of comfort right now and down to try any new anxiety-relief tools they can get their hands on. Just so you know, these blankets are safe for healthy adults, but those with respiratory or circulatory issues should avoid them. And before I shell out anywhere from $50 to $300 for one, I got up to speed on which of…

Drive-In-Style Burgers TOTAL: 20 MIN SERVES: 4 3 tsp olive oil, divided 1 onion, finely chopped Kosher salt 8 oz plant-based vegan “meat” (we used Impossible) 2 Tbsp yellow mustard 4 slices vegan cheese (our favorite for melting is Violife Just Like Mature Cheddar Slices) 4 buns, toasted Special sauce (recipe below), lettuce, sliced tomato, and pickles 1. Heat 2 tsp oil in a large skillet on medium. Add onion, season with a pinch of salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes. Add 2 Tbsp water and continue cooking until water has evaporated and onion is just tender; transfer to a plate. 2. Shape meat into 4 patties. Heat remaining tsp oil in a large nonstick skillet on mediumhigh. Add patties and use a large spoon to press to…

FRAME This site provides actionable wellbeing workshops and therapistmatching (kinda like online dating), with your goals, budget, and insurance in mind. Free, tryframe.com THE NUDGE Get a text three days a week with activity ideas to keep you busy and productive in healthful ways, like making your own dim sum. Free, iOS and Google Play STREAKS You can track up to 12 customizable habits with assigned days, completions per day, and timers. Plus, it offers advice if you haven’t checked off a task in a while. $5, iOS…

If strength makes you think of the weight room, marathon finish lines, and sports stadiums, it’s time to switch up your visuals. Even though strength is technically defined as “the power to resist force” or “to overcome resistance,” this display of power isn’t always physical. These women faced different challenges when COVID-19 slammed the world like a tsunami, but they have one crucial thing in common: They rose up like a force. When the novel coronavirus closed gyms and postponed every major athletic event, strength appeared in different places: in hospitals fighting on the front lines, in everyday people. As you’ll see here, sometimes strength means managing the heavy load of mental illness, of giving birth alone, of battling to stay alive.…

“I’m a nurse at a hospital in Indiana, and I caught the coronavirus while pregnant with twins. My fever was close to 102, I couldn’t eat anything, and I had an excruciating headache. I felt like I was dying. It was a life-changing time for me, carrying two little ones, and I couldn’t celebrate it because their health and my birth plan were up in the air. I went into surprise labor on May 14 during a checkup. Thankfully, I tested negative by then and was able to deliver with my husband by my side. I’m less stressed now that I’ve had my (healthy!) babies, but part of me still worries about what will happen when my maternity leave is up. In just a few short weeks, I’ll return to…

“When my ob-gyn’s office in New York City told me that my husband wouldn’t be allowed to be there while I was giving birth to our second child—that he wasn’t permitted in the building at all—I hung up the phone and hugged him. We both cried. During labor, I focused on how my son was happier at home with his dad and my daughter would be safer in an emptier hospital. ‘My son is happy and my daughter is safe’ became my mantra. When it got hard, I told myself that my body would know what to do, that I had a mama’s instinct, that there was no option but to figure it out. It was kind of empowering to learn that I could do this on my own. But…

“The call came at 11:45 a.m. on a gray day in March—just an hour and 15 minutes before my husband and I were scheduled to leave our apartment and drive to the hospital for our last embryo transfer. ‘I have bad news,’ my reproductive endocrinologist said in his kind but candid manner. I put him on hold and ran to the kitchen to get my husband. This is it, I thought. After two and a half years and $45,000 in out-of-pocket expenses, including a year and a half of grueling fertility treatments, we were in the middle of our fourth and final IVF cycle in March when our fresh embryo transfer was canceled due to COVID-19. The thing with a fresh transfer is once you miss your window, you can’t…

What’s the right pick: chemical or mineral? Honestly, this answer is up to you. Either type works; the key is just using it. “Both forms are safe; the most effective sunscreen is the one you’ll actually wear,” says Marina Peredo, MD, a New York dermatologist. As for any difference between the two? “Mineral sunscreens, like zinc oxide and titanium dioxide, are considered physical blockers because they sit on the surface of the skin and reflect away ultraviolet rays,” says Jacqueline Berliner, MD, a dermatologist in Greenwich, Connecticut. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, are made of molecules that sink into skin to absorb rays and turn the energy into heat that is then dissipated. Dr. Peredo says to think of them like a sponge: “Chemical sunscreens absorb the sun’s rays…

CARDIOLOGY Jennifer H. Mieres, MD Professor of cardiology, Zucker School of Medicine at Hofstra/Northwell; senior vice president, Center for Equity of Care, Northwell Health DERMATOLOGY Mona Gohara, MD Associate clinical professor, department of dermatology, Yale School of Medicine Ellen Marmur, MD Founder, Marmur Medical Joshua Zeichner, MD Director of cosmetic and clinical research in dermatology at Mount Sinai Hospital in New York City FERTILITY Sheeva Talebian, MD Fertility specialist and reproductive endocrinologist, CCRM New York FITNESS Ben Bruno, CFSC Certified functional strength coach and private trainer Betina Gozo, CFSC Certified functional strength coach; NASM corrective exercise specialist; Nike master trainer; creator of Women’s Health Woman’s Guide to Strength Training Sohee Lee, MS, CSCS Evidence-based fitness coach and certified sports nutritionist; author of Eat. Lift. Thrive. Stacy T. Sims, PhD Exercise…

Source: Dan Roberts, CSCS, celebrity trainer and founder of The Dan Roberts Group TO FIRE UP YOUR HAMSTRINGS AND GLUTES Pendulum Lunge Stand with towel under left foot. Slide left foot backward, lowering knee toward floor. Slide back to start and straight into front lunge. Do four sets of 15 reps, swapping sides after each set. TO STRENGTHEN YOUR SHOULDERS, TRICEPS, CORE, AND LOWER BACK Assisted Sliding Pushup Start in a modified pushup position, on knees, with left hand on a folded towel. Slide hand straight forward, away from body, as you lower chest to floor. Slide back and repeat. Do two sets of 7 reps on each side, alternating sides. TO STRETCH TIGHT BACK AND ARM MUSCLES Towel Stretch Sitting upright, with arms above head, hold ends of a…

The latest plant-based deodorants pack good-for-you ingredients into super-sleek packaging that elevates your bathroom cabinet. Recyclable scent pods from Myro skirt questionable add-ins in favor of aloe vera and sage leaf extract, bottled up in vibrant, reusable casing ($20, mymyro.com). Clean fragrance company Skylar launched two new deos—Capri and Isle—featuring green tea and sage leaf extracts, sandalwood oil, and coconut oil ($14, skylar.com). And Drunk Elephant’s Sweet Pitti Deodorant Cream has plant oils that keep underarms soft—hey, it’s skin too! ($16, drunkelephant.com). THE WIND-DOWN “Sleep is so important for your overall health, but it is possible to have too much of a good thing…”CLAUDIA AGUIRRE, PHD, NEUROSCIENTIST Stress can create two ZZZ extremes: Some people have trouble sleeping, while others sleep a lot more. The latter sounds ideal, but there…

I wake up naturally around 8 or 8:15 a.m., and the first thing I do is check to see if my husband, Kumail Nanjiani, FUNNIEST GUY ALIVE is awake. Instead of taking out our phones, we talk about any dreams we had. These days, we’re having intense ADJECTIVE pandemic dreamsthat are very bizarre. We also started a new rule: Whoever gets out of bed last has to make it. Then I wash my face and brush my teeth. Yes, I brush my teeth before breakfast. MOST IMPORTANT MEAL It’s gross, but if I don’t do it then, I’m not going to do it. I’m not wearing a ton of makeup right now, but microblading LIFE-CHANGING BEAUTY TREATMENT my eyebrows pre-isolation has been kind of a godsend—no upkeep! If I know I’m doing a Zoom call, I’ll put…

Water is the elixir of life…and beauty products. On average, a cream is 60 to 85 percent H2O. Lotion? Ninety percent. And shower gel? A whopping 95 percent, according to product formulator Univar Solutions. This makes them heavier to ship (hi, carbon footprint) and harder to keep shelfstable (they need a lot more filler to prevent mold). The innovative formulas ahead are amazing because they take water out of the equation, deleting it from the ingredient list or enabling you to use waaay less of it. The result: more eco-friendly, longer-lasting staples. 1. Hair Helper There’s absolutely no water in this powder shampoo, which translates to more-potent ingredients. A little goes a long way (about 20 more washes than usual, in fact). OWA Haircare Moondust Collection: Hair Wash, $29, owahaircare.com 2.…

1. Skin Soother Gentle aloe and glycerin mean this makeup-melting cleanser feels as refreshing as cool water. —Kristina Rodulfo, beauty director Summer Fridays Super Amino Gel Cleanser, $38, sephora.com 2. Pout Protector My new lip love: a balm that glides on like butter, thanks to the avocado- and sunflower-oil base. It has candelilla wax rather than wax from bees, which makes it vegan too. —Chelsea Traber Burns, senior beauty editor Billie Super Salve, $9, mybillie.com 3. Knot Nixer This mist leaves my tangleprone hair so smooth I can comb it out with just my fingers. Can we say *praise hands*?! —CTB Playa Monoi Milk Leave-In Conditioner, $24, playabeauty.com 4. Overnight Plumper A serum stick that is solid (no dripping!) and boosts moisture while you snooze. The lavender oil calms skin and helps lull you to…

Source: Umeå University PHASE 3 Days 15–23 Things get a little wonky in this part of your cycle. Around ovulation, estrogen briefly drops while progesterone increases. FYI: Higher levels of progesterone can contribute to muscle breakdown, making proper recovery even more important than usual, says Bruinvels. Stick to Steady State Help your body bounce back by switching to moderate-intensity exercise, Sims says. Swap sprints for easy runs and stick to weights you can lift for 8 to 10 reps. If you feel super sore, give yourself an extra day between workouts, Bruinvels adds. PHASE 4 Days 24–28 Both estrogen and progesterone levels fall. As a result, PMS symptoms—like irritability and anxiety—start to creep up, while fluctuating blood-sugar levels and inflammation sap precious motivation. Wind Down Since your body isn’t in…

You hop behind the wheel to run essential errands. It’s your safest (maybe only) mode of transportation right now, save for your trusty two feet. The motions are all muscle memory at this point. The thing is, driving should be a moment in which all women (okay, and men!) go on high alert. Belted female drivers and frontseat riders in frontal collisions are 73 percent more likely to be injured and 17 percent more likely to be killed in a crash than belted male drivers or passengers. Gasp. Truth be told, we don’t know exactly why females are at greater risk, says Jason Forman, PhD, principal scientist with the Center for Applied Biomechanics at the University of Virginia. But the disparity may have to do with the fact that cars…

Recently I had the kind of video hang I usually share with good friends. But I wasn’t expecting such a pleasant one-on-one this time, considering the virtual catch-up was actually a checkup—with Kerri Masutto, MD, a physician with Parsley Health. Telemedicine has become the safest option for many, and I’m now a convert to digitized appointments; the chat felt more personal and natural than IRL visits. With these expert tips, you, too, can make every on-screen MD experience an awesome one. Make sure you’re in the clear. Typically, you need to live in the same state as the doc you see via telemed and have an in-person exam before getting an Rx. But since we’re in the midst of a pandemic, many of these laws have been relaxed, says Robert…

1. Spiced Trail Mix The nuts and seeds in this combo offer the tag-team duo of fiber and protein that will crush your betweenmeal cravings…and #WFH pantry raids. On a rimmed baking sheet lined with parchment, toss 1 cup each CASHEWS and PECANS, ½ cup PEPITAS, 2 Tbsp melted COCONUT OIL, 1 Tbsp GARAM MASALA, ½ tsp SALT, and ¼ tsp CAYENNE and bake at 325°F for 10 minutes. Toss with ½ cup UNSWEETENED COCONUT FLAKES and bake until golden brown, 8 minutes. Let cool, then toss with ½ cup each GOLDEN RAISINS and CHOPPED DRIED MANGO. 2. Almond Oat Bites Each ball is packed with nearly nine grams of protein (more than in one egg!), which makes them the perfect post-workout eat. Bonus: You’ll get a lift that really…

DIANA BRICKMAN, 32 A NURSE AT NEWYORKPRESBYTERIAN/WEILL CORNELL MEDICAL CENTER “When COVID-19 reached New York and patient numbers skyrocketed, we needed ICU nurses immediately, and we didn’t have enough. So I had 16 hours to put together a training program that would transform nurses in other departments—like the postanesthesia care unit and the OR—into ICU nurses; it’s a completely different skill set. Normally, the training program to become this type of nurse is over three months long, but we didn’t have that kind of time. I devised a course that took only three hours and hyper-focused on what each department needed to know. More than 400 nurses took it in just 10 days. This meant I was back by the bedside too (I’ve had more of an education role for…

BREAK A SWEAT Hmm, it’s almost as if working out is good for every organ in your entire body (*looks at camera*). Yep, inflammation breaks down layers of cells that protect your noggin from stress, and exercise helps keep it at bay so you stay ready for anything. LEARN NEW TRICKS Playing an instrument, learning a language, or doing something fun like juggling teaches your brain to be better at problemsolving and thinking fast… which comes in handy when you need those skills later. TAKE CONTROL To be more resilient, you need to engage directly with what’s stressing you out. If you’re tackling most of the household to-dos, for instance, have that tough convo with your partner about how they can chip in. Addressing problems head-on becomes easier the more…

MARIE-LAURE ROMNEY, 40 AN EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN AT NEWYORK-PRESBYTERIAN/COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IRVING MEDICAL CENTER DISCUSSES HOW ADRENALINE AND SOLO WALKS GOT HER THROUGH THE CRAZIEST TIME OF HER CAREER. WH: You have a super high-pressure job, and that was true before this pandemic. How does pre-COVID-19 life compare with current days? Marie-Laure Romney: Traditionally, I’d put in 40 to 50 hours a week, but now, nailing down a number would seem ridiculous. I’m always available, always on. I start at 6:45 in the morning and end at 10:00 p.m. This is a 24/7 operation, and the pace doesn’t allow for much downtime. Days blend into nights, and weekdays blend into weekends. The adrenaline helps, but this is more of a marathon than a sprint; you need to pace yourself if you’re…

TRUDI CLOYD, 35 EMERGENCY MEDICINE PHYSICIAN AT NEWYORKPRESBYTERIAN/COLUMBIA UNIVERSITY IRVING MEDICAL CENTER “I got the virus early on, in the beginning of March, and I was out for 14 days recovering. I had terrible symptoms: a fever and chest pain, and I couldn’t breathe. I was selfisolating in a separate bedroom from my wife and daughter, and I missed my 13-month-old’s first steps. It broke my heart. My return to work was horrific in its own way. My first day back, I walked around and every single person in every room was on a ventilator or needed help breathing. It was so eerie. It was like I was in some alternate universe, out of some movie. It was like: Where am I? What happened? The world had turned upside down…

DAY 0 An invader enters your body. Maybe a virus gets in through a cut in your skin, or a pesky bacteria passes from your S.O.’s mouth when you go in for a kiss. Your immune system recognizes it as an intruder—and within minutes, it gets to work to kick it out of you. DAYS 2–3 When symptoms hit, it’s a sign that the inflammatory response is in motion. This process may include raising your body temp (hello, fever), because most viruses and bacteria have evolved to replicate at 98.6°F. This will slow the ability of the bad guys to multiply. It also helps send signals to your white blood cells that they need to act. DAYS 4–7 If the enemy is mild and you can overpower it, those white…

DELIVERING HOPE Through her company, Mama Glow, Latham is helping women take control of their birth plans—even if that means a rewrite in the face of unprecedented circumstances. Through virtual workshops—and a global network of doulas—she’s teaching clients to advocate for themselves and their babies in tons of ways. “Self-care can’t be just about creating feelgood moments. It also involves preventing the moments where you’re not going to feel good—it should be anticipatory.” REACH OUT “Motherhood can be extremely isolating. My advice: Start a sister circle of support. Get five friends on a group text and have a daily check-in so you aren’t alone.” USE YOUR VOICE “I pray audibly to the universe or God, ‘Here is this thing that I’m petitioning.’ There is something to be said for speaking…