Innholdsfortegnelse for June 2021 i Women's Health

After a cold winter and spring in NYC, my family encountered chilly and windy conditions while visiting my (vaccinated!) in-laws in Florida. Disappointed but determined, I had no choice but to put on my game face and find non-beach-related activities to entertain us. Without a pool chair to lounge in, I booked my first tennis lesson in more than two decades. The pro took me through an hour of forehands, backhands, and volleys as I ran around the court panting, sweat streaming down my face, smiling like a cartoon character. It was awesome. I was a competitive tennis player growing up, but since #Adulting, I’ve mostly neglected this former passion. Now? I’ve invested in a new racket (turns out they’ve changed since I was 15, lol!) and signed up for…

1. NIKE PRO 3" SHORTS They’re a classic for a reason! This super-short pair from Nike Pro is made with Nike’s famous lightweight, sweat-wicking fabric. $30, nike.com 2. SPANX BOOTY BOOST ACTIVE 4" SHORT The sculpting material in this cult-status pair pretty much guarantees you’ll be checking out your backside after every squat. $58, spanx.com 3. TRACKSMITH LANE FIVE TIGHTS Surprise: The five-inch shorts feature an unheard-of five pockets for stashing fuel, your phone, and whatever else you need on long runs. $68, tracksmith.com…

CHAMP CHOMP Not just for lattes: Sprinkle matcha powder onto almost any food. Start with this popcorn recipe from Good Housekeeping’s Easy Meal Prep, a book from WH’s sister pub. Easy is an understatement! In a large bowl, whisk together 1 Tbsp confectioners’ sugar and 2 tsp matcha powder. Add 5 cups air-popped popcorn and toss until evenly coated. NO JITTERS HERE Matcha offers a small kick of caffeine, which means it’s like the little-sibling version of your go-to java jolt. HEALTH HERO It’s a nutritional rock star: Matcha is ultra high in antioxidants and boasts anti-inflammatory properties, too, no matter how you consume it. SO MAJOR Matcha holds huge importance in Japanese tea ceremonies, which represent harmony, respect, purity, and tranquility. TEA IS TOPS In its most traditional form,…

In pursuit of a higher purpose, Jay turned down multiple job offers after business school to become a monk at age 22. For three years he helped people in India and Europe. As a life coach, he uses what he’s learned to help others find their mission. “I want to leave space to serve in whatever ways are helpful,” he says. “Flexibility is one of the greatest skills we can develop.” He shares all of his best advice for you, here. What’s On My Vision Board A picture of one of my spiritual teachers, an image of a brain, and a blank canvas. To me, those three things represent the heart of my work, which combines spiritual and ancient teachings with modern science and presents them in ways that are…

If you can count on one hand the times you wore full-coverage foundation in the past 15 months, you’re not alone. Reality is, our attitudes toward makeup have shifted to “skinimalism.” See: a 180 percent increase in Pinterest searches year over year for “natural everyday makeup” and a quadrupling of searches for “glowing skin,” according to the service’s 2021 trend report. And as we’ve pared down our routines, one MVP category has emerged—skin-care/makeup hybrids. “We wear makeup 8 to 12 hours a day, so we should maximize these hours with skin care too,” says Lynnette Cole, a makeup expert, aesthetician, and PÜR global education director. What makes this new wave of cosmetics unique is that in addition to offering coverage or color, they also “act as a skin moisturizer or…

1. Magic Eraser “Makeup remover, cleanser, and moisturizer all in one? Oh, yes. Plus, it’s clutch for your road-trip beauty bag as it takes up so little space.” —Mara Santilli, contributing beauty editor Alleyoop Clean Slate All-In-One Cleansing Stick, $28, meetalleyoop.com 2. Eco-Friendly Suds “The recyclable aluminum tube houses a concentrate you mix with water. My hair comes out silky and fresh every time.” —Kristina Rodulfo, beauty director Everist Waterless Shampoo Concentrate, $24, helloeverist.com 3. Melon Moisture “I actually look forward to slathering on lotion now thanks to this pink formula. It leaves not only long-lasting hydration but a delicious watermelon Jolly Rancher–like scent too.” —KR Glow Recipe Watermelon Glow Pink Dream Body Cream, $28, glowrecipe.com 4. Dream Cream “It’s no secret that our collagen production slows over time, so I use this…

I’ve been relying on the Peloton Digital app to keep my workout routine consistent, fresh, and fun ever since the start of #LockdownLife more than a year ago—but I just couldn’t convince myself to pull the trigger on an actual treadmill or bike. Big purchases (even worthwhile ones) make me quake in my running shoes, and the thought of squeezing a large piece of equipment into the already cramped space my husband, our very hyper dog, and I share triggered claustrophobia. Then, news that Peloton was releasing the Tread—a more budget-friendly version of its OG treadmill (which would be redubbed Tread+)—hit my inbox. Coming in at a lower price than the original ($2,495, compared with $4,295) and promising to be about as small space–friendly as a treadmill can be, it…

Grilled Salmon and Creamy Cucumber Salad TOTAL: 25 MIN SERVES: 4 1 small English cucumber, sliced Kosher salt and pepper3 Tbsp sour cream1 ½ Tbsp mayonnaise1 Tbsp cider vinegar1 small bulb fennel, cored and thinly sliced, plus 1 Tbsp chopped fronds4 6-oz salmon steaks¼ small red onion, thinly sliced2 Tbsp chopped fresh dill, plus more for sprinkling 1. In a bowl, toss cucumber with ¾ tsp salt. Let sit, tossing occasionally, for 15 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, heat grill to medium-high. In a bowl, whisk together sour cream, mayonnaise, vinegar, and ¼ tsp pepper. Add sliced fennel and toss to combine. 3. Season salmon with ¼ tsp each salt and pepper and grill, covered, until lightly charred and just barely opaque throughout, 4 to 6 minutes per side. 4. Drain cucumbers…

1 Identify Your Whys Being a beginner is beneficial for all the aforementioned reasons, but it’s your personal driving forces that will keep you committed. So take note of your motivation by reflecting on your past, present, and future, says Ravitch. Write down why you’ve always wanted to learn ballet and what held you back from enrolling in a class before now. If it’s your age, note it. Next, list what value it will bring to your life. Alone time? Better posture? Write it down. Lastly, note how you imagine it will shape your future self. Now that you have what Ravitch calls your blockers, triggers, and driving forces in plain sight, you can come up with a game plan. 2 Schedule, Schedule, Schedule “Knowing the best time to optimize…

It’s not easy to love yourself when you’re told your existence isn’t valid, that you shouldn’t be here. Being a trans woman of color can be especially lonely if you don’t have a network of support. If you don’t fit in with society, you create your own community, which is what I did. Sharing my transition publicly, especially on my YouTube channel, has been one of the most empowering things for me. When I first started hormone replacement therapy (HRT) seven years ago, I was in the middle of high school, in the later stages of puberty (right when I was experiencing typical teen issues like hormones, emotional fluctuations, and acne). And because I was presenting as a woman, my concerns around my skin, hair, and anything looks-related were heightened.…

As I pedaled over the Ben Franklin Bridge in Philadelphia in November 2020, the wind blasting my face, I thought about my book. Specifically, I thought about my husband’s feedback on the first draft. My husband is a professional editor and always one of my earliest readers, and when he read the draft, he told me that the main character of my latest book, That Summer, wasn’t quite working. I’d originally imagined Daisy as an isolated woman who didn’t have any friends and was thus susceptible to the charms of Diana, a woman she meets online. My husband said that didn’t seem realistic. So as I rode toward Camden on my Marin hybrid bike, I started asking myself, What is Daisy’s story? What’s made her so lonely, so desperate for…

Gaming involves stepping into different avatars and roles. Why is that so clutch? ML: You experience a heightened sense of freedom in games because you have total control of how you present yourself. I have a lot of patients who take their first steps into trans identity development, for example, by playing either a gender-neutral avatar or one whose gender is different from what they present in everyday life. How do you guide people through exploring an identity safely online? ML: I pay attention to the avatars my patients are using in terms of their physical and game presentations, and I will mention the qualities and attributes I see and ask about them. I might also steer them toward a game where you can customize the character, so they get…

With brighter days (finally) in view, refresh your look with those good vibes in mind. Now’s your chance to stun in easy, breezy swimwear staples that scream sporty, stylish, and ready to soak up the sun. Look out, world! TOP iT OFF Permission to layer in the summer? Granted. Create an extra pop of color or pattern by wearing one fun piece over another. Lather Up Yes, even with a hood and sunnies, you still need SPF. Try EltaMD UV Clear Broad-Spectrum SPF 46, $37, dermstore.com, for streak-free protection. STATEMENT SUiT Meld a little fringe with an on-trend cutout print (peekaboo abs!) that’ll bring some edge to the shore. FREE FLOWiNG A bold and graphic head-to-toe outfit with a swishy skirt can show off just how optimistic you’re feeling right…

Although there are a number of ingredients touted as “retinol alternatives,” bakuchiol is the one most experts favor. It’s an extract derived from the babchi plant, which has a long history in Ayurvedic tradition. “Bakuchiol is the only botanical option that’s been shown to be effective,” Dr. Frank says. “It’s great for those who can’t tolerate retinoids, retinols, and their many versions.” That’s why derms will recommend it to patients who are pregnant or have extremely sensitive skin. Interested? Try Biossance Squalane + Phyto-Retinol Serum ($72, biossance.com), a creamy serum packed with bakuchiol and niacinamide to balance oil production and address hyperpigmentation.…

Tayshia didn’t want to run. In fact, she “dreaded” the idea. But her dad—a physical activity proponent—insisted she join the high school cross-country team her freshman year. Eventually, the mix of endorphins, competition, and camaraderie won her over. “It became my favorite thing,” she says. She planned to continue cross-country in college, but a week into her first semester in 2008, she was thrown from a friend’s truck and run over. Her pelvis was fractured, along with several leg bones. “I had to relearn how to walk,” she says. The cross-country team was out of the question. It would take more than two years of physical therapy for Tayshia to be able to sit without pain. Then another stroke of bad luck: Her car was rear-ended at 60 mph. “It…

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 Lauren Kanski, CPT NASM-certified personal trainer; functional strength and conditioning specialist; kettlebell skills specialist Sohee Lee, MS, CSCS Evidence-based fitness coach…

If you haven’t checked out banana blossoms yet, it’s time. Used in Southeast Asian recipes as a staple veg, they’re also a great vegan sub for fish (believe it!). The tight heart is harvested from the end of a banana bunch and has a flaky texture, like a legit fillet. Buy canned or vacuum-packed segments at a grocery store or an Asian market. (One to try: Upton’s Naturals Banana Blossom in Brine, $4, uptonsnaturals.com.) Any way you eat it (seared, stir-fried, or sautéed!), you’ll get calcium, fiber, and potassium, according to a study in the International Journal of Scientific Development and Research.…

WH: WHAT’S MISUNDERSTOOD *MOST* ABOUT MENO? JG: Symptom onset. Hot flashes in your 40s could be a sign that it’s begun, yet there’s a myth that you won’t feel anything until actual menopause, which is around a year after your last period. If you don’t realize what’s happening until you’re in it, you’re forced to make decisions, like HRT vs. non-hormonal options, on the fly. (It’s like coming up with a birth plan after your water breaks—not ideal!) WH: HOW CAN WE PREPARE, FROM A PHYSICAL STANDPOINT? JG: My number one recommendation: Quit smoking, if you haven’t already. The habit is associated with an earlier age of menopause, by as much as 10 (!) years. You’ll also benefit from doubling down on positive activities like exercise. You lose muscle faster…

1 Listen to Your Head and Your Heart Achieving big dreams requires two factors, both of which are important: insight and intuition. Too often, we focus on one or the other. We are either entirely data-driven and formulaic, or we rely on magical thinking without taking directed action. We need to plan, breaking down the larger goal into smaller steps. And we also need to be open to synchronicities and opportunities that arise. 2 Respect the Steps One of the big mistakes we tend to make when setting goals is focusing on the end result or the accomplishment and forgetting to take into account the growth or the learning we’ll need to undertake to reach that goal. When I think about what I’d like to accomplish, I also reflect on…

Tinted Moisturizer Your full-coverage foundations aren’t a total waste: Combine one pump with one hit of moisturizer. “You get a thinned-out version of your fave foundation and a lighter glow,” Pascua says. Skin Luminizer Instead of foundation, take loose shimmer powder and combine it with moisturizer. “It’s a great way to create a radiant complexion, especially in the summer,” says Turner. Cream Blush Mix your go-to face oil with a few sprinkles or scrapes of powder blush. Pascua likes this hack because jarred pigments or eye shadows can double as cheek color. Tinted Lip Balm Mash together lip balm with half as much pigment from a lipstick on the back of your hand or an empty palette. It “creates more of a ‘balmy’ lip color,” Pascua says.…

It’s a Vibe Bring that boot camp energy into your home by dimming the lights, blasting music, and putting on that cute outfit you’ve been saving for when you get back into the studio, says Mercedes Owens, CPT, senior instructor at Barry’s Bootcamp. We know, we know—it’s not quite the same, but it’s worth it. Promise. From the lights to the music to the healthy competition with the person next to you, the energy of a good boot camp class is downright intoxicating. And if you’re missing the sense of accomplishment after nailing a tread sprint or making it through an extra round of strength moves on the floor these days, we get it (because, same!). Though you can’t high-five your favorite instructor or pace yourself against your neighbor when…

WHY WE LOVE IT Feeling unsteady lately? Stability can be hard to come by—literally and figuratively. We’ve got you covered with the kettlebell windmill, which hits your entire core while engaging major lower-and-upper-body muscles. “It’s one of the best moves,” says WH advisory board member Lauren Kanski, CPT. “This rotational exercise works many parts of your body as a unit.” Nail it and you’ll be ready to take on anything. Don’t be surprised if your obliques start popping too! HOW TO DO IT 1 Stand with feet just wider than hips and kettlebell in right hand, pressed straight up overhead. 2 Soften left knee and engage core as you shift butt to the right while bending to the left at waist to lower torso toward floor. 3 Continue bending until…

1 Ease on In The brain can handle novelty, but it doesn’t like a ton of it all at once. Finally ready to learn Hindi from that app you downloaded ages ago? Start by making links between the language lessons and your daily life. If you’re big on cooking, learn culinary words you’ll be more inclined to use. “It’ll stick more because you’re reinforcing those terms,” says Martin. Chess in the plan? Dedicate 45 minutes to it per week, then add 5 minutes to each sesh. 2 Be Comfortable With the Unknown Telling yourself to stop stressing about not knowing as much as you’d like is easier said than done. That’s why Martin suggests reframing your thoughts. Think instead about how much more there is for you to discover about reading music…

$300–$400 Typical out-of-pocket cost for a PGx test. Insurance or Medicare? May be covered! Managing my mental health has been a balancing act for decades, ever since I was diagnosed with obsessive-compulsive disorder at the age of 9. As an adult, I’ve patched together, through trial and error, a regimen to deal with it that ideally—ideally—includes talk therapy, exercise, acupuncture, journaling, and meditation. Over the years, I’ve also tried countless medications in various combinations. But the pandemic made it brutally clear that my meds and I had been staggering along for way too long. I was swallowing an increasingly convoluted cocktail that was not only ineffective but eating away at my quality of life. I couldn’t concentrate, recall words, or spell without autocorrect. The virus also triggered my deepest OCD…

As a competitive soccer player in high school, I found my muscular 5′10″ frame to be an asset that helped me sprint faster and tackle harder. While it would be a stretch to say I loved the way I looked (being big and strong felt like a burden rather than a bonus), the praise I received as an athlete made me appreciate my body. But when my soccer days ended, my build served no purpose. So when an ex told me in my early 20s that I should lose weight, I went along with it. For the next five years, I worked out on cardio machines, painfully bored. Then, almost two years ago, my sister took up powerlifting and used the word accomplished to describe how it made her feel.…

I’d always been a partyer, which, for me, meant lots of late nights and booze, followed by debilitating hangovers. Somehow, through most of my 20s, it was never enough to make me quit. That is, until June 2019, when my binge drinking caught up with me. Knee surgery put me on my ass physically and emotionally, but I was determined to make it out for a Pride celebration. I showed up in a hip-to-toe brace, surgical scars still encrusted in blood. I was on pain meds and started drinking at 8 a.m. I blacked out early in the day. I don’t remember a lot of what happened, but later on, my then-partner said, “I’m not gonna ask you to choose me or the alcohol because I don’t want to know…

1 RETINOL The most common form of vitamin A used in over-the-counter products, it’s also the strongest form you can get without a prescription. 2 RETINOID The umbrella term for all vitamin A derivatives, including retinol, retinaldehyde, and retinoic acid—although it’s most commonly used to refer to prescription forms of the ingredient. 3 RETINIZATION The process in which the skin adjusts to using vitamin A treatments, and the quicker cell turnover it brings on. This period is when you tend to experience side effects like flaking and dryness. 4 TRETINOIN A prescription topical retinoid looked to for treating acne and, in milder forms, for its anti-aging properties. 5 ADAPALENE A retinoid that was previously available only by prescription, it is now also accessible OTC. It’s commonly used to treat acne (see: Differin) and can be…

EASE IN In the week leading up to your period, focus on lighter lifts (think: mobility work with resistance bands). Your hormones peak here, leading to fatigue, reduced access to glycogen stores, and a higher core body temp, so less may be more. GO WITH THE FLOW As your period begins, estrogen and progesterone levels are low, so it’s an ideal time to lift heavy and go for a PR, says female athlete performance physiologist Stacy T. Sims, PhD, a WH advisor. PRIORITIZE REST The catch to smashing those goals: Delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMS) is also more likely during your period, per a recent review, so you’ll want to focus on active recovery between workouts, protein intake, and lots of stretching. PUSH FURTHER The weeks after your flow? You’ll…

Why you’ll want to RSVP with a yes: In a superset, you pair exercises that work opposing muscle groups, performing them back-to-back before taking a breather. For example, on arms day, you’d do a set of biceps curls, a set of triceps extensions, and then rest. This pro tactic helps you burn more calories, improves your endurance (because you’re pausing less), and makes any resistance sesh more efficient. Use supersets when you’re short on time—hello, everyone—or when you want to sweat and strengthen. —LDT Source: Brittany Watts, CPT…

KEESHA JEAN-BAPTISTE HR EXEC, MOM OF TWO, OPEN BOOK Keesha’s in deep with a yearlong mind and body reboot—and she’s sharing all of her highs and lows along the way. Confession time: A daily cocktail is one of the things that helped me cope with stress and offered an escape when the days blurred together. But I had a recent wake-up call when my therapist helped me understand how my body responds to alcohol: dehydration, inflammation, and changes in brain chemistry. Um, all I wanted to do was take the edge off! My journey to better health originally started because I no longer recognized myself—physically, spiritually, or emotionally. I’ve spent time getting underneath the surface; I’m not the person I was 10 years ago or even 18 months ago. But…

You might not think of investing as something you do for your health, but trust: Taking steps to reach your financial goals can inspire major confidence and empower you to make decisions you might not otherwise have been able to pursue, like choosing a job based on passion, saying yes to a big move, or starting a family. However, if the idea of investing kinda freaks you out, you’re not alone. “This industry has framed itself as being more complicated than it actually is,” says Sara Gelsheimer, CFP, a senior wealth manager at Plancorp and creator of InspireHer, an initiative that offers financial advice to women. “But you’re capable of getting into the market and growing your money.” Ready? How much do you really need to start? There are investment…

SWEAT METHOD WE LOVE If I don’t work out at 6 a.m., then it doesn’t happen, so I wake up at 5:50 and dress quickly—I set out my clothes and brew my coffee the night before. I drink a double espresso, with one scoop of and a little almond milk over ice. If I’m working out at home, I’ll jump into it pretty quickly, though sometimes I go for a 20-minute walk so I can have my coffee, get fresh air, and listen to a before I lift weights. In my rotation is Earn Your Happy by Lori Harder, Goal Digger by Jenna Kutcher, and Brené Brown. It’s a good mix of self-care and business. After my workout, I whip up protein pancakes or a smoothie. Eating protein within 30…

Words are powerful. They connect our heart and mind. This human experience can be so damning—when you’re struggling, life can get lonely. I’ve been there. I have polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), an endocrine disorder that throws the body’s hormones out of balance. For me, it causes bouts of acne, and unfortunately, there were times when I let my condition get the best of me. I’d stare at myself in the mirror, crying and hating my reflection and feeling that no one would ever actually see me because of my complexion. I was totally covered in acne. One day, I decided enough was enough. It was time to shift my self-talk, so I started telling myself “I love you,” with emphasis on the “I.” When you say you’ve got your own…

This method results in consistent masterpieces: Heat 1 tsp oil in a non-stick pan over medium heat. In a separate bowl, whisk 2 eggs and a pinch of salt until no visible strands of egg white remain. Add eggs to pan and cook, shaking pan and stirring constantly with a silicone spatula, pulling in the more-cooked eggs at the perimeter of the pan to mingle with the less-cooked interior. You should have what looks like wet scrambled eggs about 20 to 25 seconds in; remove from heat and spread to cover surface of pan, letting residual heat cook and set eggs. Run spatula around pan perimeter and give a shake to loosen omelet. Voilà! RECOVER FASTER Key for an après-sweat refuel: protein in the form of eggs, salmon, and Greek…

POWER THROUGH The idea of a little risk got you sweaty? Feelings of fear and nervousness generally rise with age. But no worries—you can channel those vibes into something positive. During my first tennis lesson, at age 25, I shut my eyes and used my racket as a shield from the ball. By the second session, I’d improved my follow-through a bit, remembering to pivot my body with each swing, though I still sent the ball soaring, sometimes over the court’s enclosure and onto the nearby street. By the third, I realized tennis wasn’t my strong suit and probably never would be. The thing is, I don’t really care. While the 11-year-old one court over sends the ball volleying to her tennis pro with ease, I’m content simply being a…

There are more than 90,000 supplements currently on the market. So to argue that one is the *most* popular is a pretty bold statement. And if we were to take a poll in this day and age? You’d probably guess that CBD or collagen are leading the game. But the true alpha nutrient is actually a total classic: vitamin D. Over the years, the sunshine vitamin, as it is often dubbed, has been connected to a slew of potential health benefits ranging from immune function to gut health. The latest: It might improve muscle recovery and even help boost VO2 max, possibly due to its inflammation-quelling qualities, suggests newer research. (A recent scientific review classified D as a hot trend in sports nutrition—pretty sweet!) To be clear, there are still…

When I was a kid, food was my escape. After school I’d perch in the kitchen by the TV watching Great Chefs of the World. It took me to faraway places, and I loved seeing the way ingredients and methods changed from place to place. I imagined the day that I would taste all I was seeing. I was an adopted child from Korea growing up in Michigan, and my parents helped me explore my Korean heritage. We read The Korean Cinderella as a bedtime story and met other adopted Korean kids. Eating meals together was another way my family helped me celebrate my identity. We went to food festivals and Korean restaurants, and there, I found comfort in sharing food. I may not have known then, but my career…

I became interested in medicine when I was young, growing up in Virginia. My grandparents were both ill (cancer and diabetes), and I watched my father (who is not a physician) take care of them. Then, in college, my mom’s doctor treated her for bad posture after her complaints of back pain. He never took an X-ray and ultimately missed her actual issue: bone cancer. I took a semester off to care for her. These experiences made me determined to go into medicine, as I realized how important it was for patients to truly be listened to. I carried that concept with me going forward. After spending nearly 30 years as a pathologist and professor, I was at a meeting at the National Institutes of Health in 1991, and they…

It can help heal trauma. Achievement-based gaming can be a coping mechanism for those with post-traumatic stress disorder—possibly due to the way gaming intensely distracts from the past and present. That, in turn, may help reduce the likelihood of panic attacks and depressive spells, says WH advisor Chloe Carmichael, PhD, a clinical psychologist based in New York. “There’s a meditative aspect to it,” she says. “It can be extremely absorbing, which can be very helpful if you’re ruminating on a certain topic that you really need to get your mind off of.” It’s a unique way to foster bonds. When playing against others, chatting long-distance, or accomplishing a common feat, you’re connecting in the way you would with any team sport, says psychotherapist Mike Langlois, LICSW. And unlike on traditional social…

“Gaming used to be a way for people to isolate themselves. Now it’s used as a means of interaction and positivity.”@ANNIEPANTS02 After losing my job because of the pandemic and breaking off a relationship, I felt so alone, isolated, and depressed. The only thing I had the energy to do during this period was play video games like Dragon Age and Street Fighter. They were an attempt to save myself from the boredom of depression and didn’t require me to get up from my bed. I had been waiting for the much-delayed and anticipated new installment of Animal Crossing: New Horizons, a social simulation series I’d played during childhood that was becoming popular again; it involves building a home and simply enjoying it as you interact with other animals. The…

If you want a dermatologist-loved heavy hitter… A powerful cream that blends retinoid with chemically exfoliating alpha hydroxy acids, yet somehow doesn’t take its toll on your skin in the process? Brilliant. 1. Skinbetter Science AlphaRet Overnight Cream, $125, skinbetter.com If you have supersensitive skin… This set pairs a 0.5% retinol with a fatty acid–infused calming milk to help soothe retinization’s effects. 2. Mary Kay Clinical Solutions Retinol 0.5 Set, $120, marykay.com If you need to address acne and other issues… CeraVe’s gel serum combines retinol with ceramides, niacinamide, and brightening licorice root extract (yes, like the candy!) to diminish scarring and hyperpigmentation. 3. CeraVe Resurfacing Retinol Serum, $20, cerave.com If you’re new to the retinol game… Begin with this affordable pick, layering the light serum under your go-to moisturizer. 4. Olay Regenerist Retinol24,…