If you’re one of the estimated 25 to 45 million people in the United States dealing with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—two in three of whom are female—you’re likely game to make a few tiny tweaks to alleviate your worst symptoms. Maybe you’re not at the stage for a full-blown elimination diet and instead are privy to potential dietary triggers that cause flare-ups. Some foods and drinks are commonly associated with IBS symptoms like gas and bloating (including quite tragically, my beloved caffeine-rich coffee and sulfurous foods like onions and cabbage). Others may be akin to a sheep in wolf ..read more

If you have a goal to tone and sculpt your legs, squats and lunges may come top of mind for your gym routine. However, it can be tricky to know which to opt for to get the best results—let alone how to do each with the right form. “Both squats and lunges are recommended for a well-rounded sculpted lower body,” says certified personal trainer Nico Gonzalez, CPT, global movement trainer and educator for Balanced Body. Here’s everything you need to know about a lunge vs. squat, how to do each, their pros and cons, and which one you should opt for based on your goals. Squats When you think about i ..read more

As you walk into work, you immediately feel your muscles seize up. Or maybe you just went through the breakup of all breakups and are constantly feeling physically and emotionally on edge. Or you haven’t caught a break in (checks watch) forever, and you realize you walk around like a big ball of stress. You may have back pain caused by stress. Learn about the connection between stress and backache, what you can do to treat it, and smart ways to safeguard your back from future pain. The connection between stress and back pain One of the physical symptoms of stress? Yep, it’s back pain. “When we ..read more

There’s no holiday more difficult (but important) to shop for than Mother’s Day. Looking for a gift that encapsulates all that moms do is, of course, impractical, but if there’s one person worth the try, it’s the mom in your life. That said, finding a great Mother’s Day gift is a non-negotiable; The best gifts are equal parts personal and practical. They consider what your mom’s day-to-day looks like and provide a little luxury that can take her day from good to great. Perhaps it’s the splurge-worthy satin pillowcase she won’t buy for herself or the lush body cream that prompts some much-neede ..read more

Meghan Markle just soft-launched her new lifestyle brand, American Riviera Orchard, with a super-exclusive homemade jam, and the social media responses have been oh-so-sweet. Only a select few of the Duchess of Sussex’s friends and former coworkers were lucky enough to receive a limited-edition jar of strawberry jam to commemorate the California-based brand’s soft launch. Made with ingredients sourced from Montecito—the Santa Barbara neighborhood where Markle lives with her husband Prince Harry and their children, 4-year-old son Prince Archie and 2-year-old daughter Princess Lilibet—each jar o ..read more

If you’re a plant-based eater, then you know that all of your protein needs can be met through a diet of delicious whole foods like legumes, nuts, seeds, veggies, and whole grains. But that doesn’t mean nostalgic thoughts of burgers off the grill, crispy chicken tenders, and snappy sausage links don’t pop up from time to time. Enter: Plant-based meat, the scrumptious substitute for all your favorite dishes. While the taste and texture of many of these products are eerily similar to the real thing, how do they measure up nutritionally? Which ones *actually * taste the best (not like rubber or m ..read more

Finding a workout regimen that resonates and compels you to stay committed can be as difficult as the workout itself. In today’s wide fitness landscape, the endless options from strength training to Pilates can be overwhelming. So, when you find a routine that excites you and aligns with your goals, it’s only natural to want to do it every day. The human body is home to over 650 muscles. Even when looking past that large number and just focusing on your major muscle groups—chest, back, shoulders, biceps, triceps, core, and legs—there’s still a lot of ground to cover. An easy solution: a full-b ..read more

When it comes to aging well, exercise is frequently touted for its breadth of advantages, including maintaining healthy heart function, keeping your metabolism on track, and boosting flexibility and strength for better mobility. But there’s another big benefit to add to that list: brain health. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), regular exercise can not only lower your risk of dementia, it may also regulate brain function such as emotional balance, problem solving, learning, organization, and memory. In fact, a 2020 study in Preventive Medicine found the risk of ..read more

Heart attacks, no matter how big or small, should be taken seriously. They are defined as acute events, meaning they can happen suddenly, and are often caused by a lack of blood flow and oxygen to your heart, per the American Heart Association (AHA). But exactly how long does a heart attack last? Heart attack duration and symptoms can vary greatly depending on the person, and no two heart attacks are the same. This is especially true depending on how quickly you get treatment. Here, two cardiologists explain the average length of heart attacks, the warning signs to look for, and how to protect ..read more

These early days of spring are just a taste of what’s to come in the months ahead. Sunsets are getting later, there’s more moisture in the air, and temperatures are just beginning to climb—pretty soon, all you’ll need is a light jacket. As the weather starts to change, so will the needs of your skin, and now’s the perfect time to upgrade your routine. You may have already noticed your complexion feeling the effects of the seasonal shift. The humidity in the air means that your skin doesn’t need quite as much hydration (it may even start to skew oily.) This means that ingredients that may have ..read more