Tag: lifestyle

How to Make a Vision Board



It’s a new year and you know what that means: a ton of messaging about a “new” you. Well, for the record, we think you’re fabulous. (And that color looks great on you, BTW.)

But if you’re looking to fire up your fabulousness or craving a change this year, a vision board may help you achieve your goals. According to therapist Lori Gordon-Michaeli, LCSW, a simple collage of images and inspiring words can be a powerful reminder and motivator for success.

“It’s like a big sticky note saying, “This is my goal. This is what I’m working toward” — because life does have a way of getting in the way of our goals and distracting us. And those distractions can really take us off our path,” she said.

Read: Bye-Bye Excuses: How to Move Forward with Your Health and Fitness Goals >>

What is a vision board?

As the name implies, a vision board is a collage of images and words on a board that provide a visual reminder of a goal you want to achieve during a set amount of time. Your goal can be something you want to accomplish in 10 weeks or 10 months or 10 years. The key is to be realistic about the goal and the timing.

From personal relationships to career, travel and health goals, your vision board can represent any realistic objective (spoiler alert: adding photos of Channing Tatum probably won’t make him magically appear on your next blind date — but if he does, you’re welcome!) So, grab a stack of last year’s magazines, your scissors and glue stick and get ready to manifest the Tatum out of 2025.

Here are Gordon-Michaeli’s tips for how to make a vision board and make it work for you.

How to make a vision board

Step 1: Define your goal. You want your goal to be concrete and achievable, which will help set you up for success. If you’re not exactly sure what your goal is, start broad and narrow down your focus. For example, if your goal is to improve your health, how are you going to do that? Maybe that means running a 5K this year.

Step 2: Gather your supplies. Start with a large piece of cardboard or paper that has ample space for you to be creative (think: bigger than a standard piece of paper — but if that’s all you have, go for it. Or use the side of a cardboard box you have lying around.) Gather magazines and glue sticks or tape — whatever you have to secure the images to the board.

Read: What Is Art Therapy and How Can It Help Women? >>

Step 3: Build your board. Your vision board should be something that attracts your eye and your mind, keeps you on point and reminds you of your goal every time you look at it. As you’re gathering images and adding words, ask yourself questions about your goal such as:

  • What’s my timeline?
  • What is my plan?
  • How am I going to execute my plan?
  • What does achieving my goal look like?

It’s important to bring in representation of what success looks like to you. For example, using the 5K again, you can add in an image of a gold medal or the word “victory” to the board.

Step 4: Add sentimental touches. Personal photos of yourself or your family or friends adds another layer of inspiration. These images can represent a happy time or serve as a reminder that you have people cheering you on. Other personal touches like your favorite flower or animal or a favorite saying can also help you connect to your goal.

Step 5: Put the board where you see it often. You want to put your vision board in a place where you can spend a little time in front of it — not just walk past it — like in a home office or the bedroom. Every time you see the vision board, close your eyes and imagine yourself in the place or doing the activity or having the item your board represents.

Vision board goals

In addition to manifesting, vision boards also remind you that you have something to look forward to. So, what happens when you reach the goal? Time for a new board! Channing Tatum won’t be single forever.

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Healthy Skin in the Winter



Winter is here and it’s time to enjoy all of the cold-weather activities you can only do this time of year. But before you venture outdoors, remember that winter is an environmental vampire that’s constantly sucking the life out of your skin. It sounds dramatic, but it’s also science: Cold air holds less moisture, which causes skin to lose hydration and turn into a frightful flaky, dry and itchy mess.

Now I know you’re thinking the joke’s on winter because you don’t enjoy anything outdoors this time of year. Well, indoor heating is also a moisture-sucking vamp that you can’t escape. So, you have two options: Slather yourself from head to toe in petroleum jelly and retreat into your coffin era for the next three months. Or, try the following tips from Lauren Fine, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, to help keep your skin healthy all winter long.

Read: 10 Foods for Healthy, Beautiful Skin >>

Try a tub of moisturizer …

The most hydrating formulas tend to be thicker creams and ointments stored in tubs. Lotions and gels in pump bottles tend to be thinner products and are not as hydrating.

… But do not try not a long soak in a bathtub

A hot bath sounds like a good idea on a cold day, but the hotter the water the more moisture and oil you lose. If you want to keep it steamy, limit yourself to 10 minutes max in the tub. Hot showers will also strip your skin of moisture, so the less time you’re in the water the better.

Moisturize after you shower

Your skin absorbs moisture best when you’re fresh out of the water, so apply any heavy creams or moisturizers as soon as you’ve toweled off. This is especially important if your skin is already dry and having trouble absorbing moisture.

Protect your pout

The outermost layer of skin (epidermis) on your lips is thin and your lips don’t contain oil glands, so adding moisture is key during the winter. Instead of a chapstick, try an ointment that may have ingredients that can ultimately make things drier. Apply the ointment a few times a day and stay on top of it: If you’re outside for an extended period of time, reapply every few hours.

Read: Why Your Lips Are Chapped (and How to Help Them) >>

Don’t forget sunscreen

Sunscreen should be on your mind and your skin 365 days a year. Try switching to a face and body moisturizer that has SPF in it, so you’ll never forget.

Reassess retinol

Retinol is a popular ingredient in many skincare products, but it can be extra drying in the winter. If you use a retinol product every day and your skin is feeling overly dry or sensitive, cut back to three or four times a week. Or switch to a different formula that isn’t as strong or pair it with a moisturizing face lotion. Put the retinol on first and follow by putting the moisturizer on top of it.

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate …

You’re probably not as hot and sweaty now as you were in the summer, but you still need to drink lots of water to keep your skin (and body) hydrated. Water is key to preventing dry and flaky skin and helps with elasticity. Aim for nine cups of water a day to keep everything hydrated and healthy.

… Then hydrate some more

Give the skin on your face some extra TLC with a hydrating face mask. Look for options that are labeled “nourishing” or “hydrating” and contain water-retaining hyaluronic acid.

Buy a humidifier

A humidifier adds moisture back into the air so your skin can absorb hydration naturally. Try putting one in your room or the living room — wherever you hang out — to keep dry skin at bay.

Cover up in the cold

If you’re planning to spend a decent amount of time outdoors, cover your skin and your face as much as possible. A light breathable fabric like cotton is a good option for a face covering.

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The Facts About Homemade Skincare Products


Apple pie. Chocolate chip cookies. Spaghetti sauce. All of these things become instantly more attractive when you add the word “homemade.”

But what about face lotion, masks and toners? Homemade skincare products have been gaining popularity online as less expensive and more natural alternatives to store-bought creams. A quick search for DIY skincare turns up hundreds of different recipes and videos on how to mix your own moisturizers, serums and even sunscreen.

But when it comes to your skin — your body’s biggest organ — should you make your own mixtures?

Read: Holiday Skincare & Beauty Tips >>

Sanitary and safety concerns

By definition, homemade means made at home. And we know your house is clean, but it’s not as product-worthy as you may think. “Skincare products are made in facilities that have certain standards, and products have to be prepared in a certain way to limit exposure to pathogens like bacteria,” said Lauren Fine, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist.

Pretty much everything in a home setup — mixing tools, bottles, containers, etc. — can be breeding grounds for fungi and other microorganisms. The environment can be a problem, too, as mold and bacteria thrive around water in places like the bathroom where most skincare products are stored.

Some homemade recipes recommend adding things like essential oils as a way to stop mold and bacteria. But there can be different pathogens (organisms that cause disease) growing that you can’t see or smell. And that can lead to irritation, infection and even damage your skin.

Fine noted that the ingredients themselves can spoil and become ineffective since you can’t gauge the shelf life of something that hasn’t been researched or tested in clinical trials. “There’s just a lot of room for error, and it could be very harmful,” Fine said.

Natural isn’t necessarily better

Homemade natural ingredients for a nourishing face mask

iStock.com/OksanaKiian

Going DIY with ingredients that aren’t made in a lab and sourced from plants sounds like a good idea. But natural ingredients can have adverse effects too. For example, some plants have substances that can be toxic or allergenic. “One thing that’s hugely important that people don’t realize is that natural doesn’t mean it’s safe,” Fine said. “A lot of people have allergies or contact dermatitis from ingredients like essential oils.”

One recent study found that almost all the commercial lotions, soaps and fragrances marketed as “all natural” had ingredients that could trigger contact dermatitis, skin irritation that comes from being in contact with an irritant.

Ingredients bought online or in the grocery store may be natural, but you still don’t have any way of knowing if they’re effective or safe without the proper testing to back it up. And things like essential oils aren’t regulated by the FDA, so you could also get a concentration that is higher or lower than advertised and that may have a negative impact on your skin. Or your at-home mix may have no impact at all.

Don’t DIY sunscreen

One of the hottest DIY skincare trends making the rounds on social media involves making your own sunscreen. The mixtures typically include zinc oxide powder as the active ingredient. And while zinc-based sunscreens are an option and a good option if you want to avoid sunscreen with chemicals, Fine said DIY recipes for sunscreen are nothing to mess with.

“Homemade sunscreen is definitely a no,” she said.

Read: 10 Things You Must Know to Enjoy the Sun Safely >>

For one, the active ingredients in commercial sunscreen have been tested and verified and the product label tells you how much SPF protection you’re getting.

If you DIY your sunscreen, you’re not guaranteed any protection because it hasn’t been tested or verified.

Store-bought sunscreen also includes ingredients that keep the active ingredients working (most sunscreens last for three years). But you can’t be sure how long a homemade blend with zinc oxide will work — if it works at all — because there’s no way to know the shelf life.

Fine said to forget homemade sunscreen and stick to the store-bought options with the SPF clearly printed on the label so you know you’re protected. “You can DIY for home improvement but when we’re talking about your skin I wouldn’t recommend it.”

FYI on the DIY: Better to skip this one

Although it’s tempting to try to save some cash and make your own skincare products and sunscreen, it’s best to save the homemade recipes for recreating your grandma’s apple pie.

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Facts About Vaginal Steaming – HealthyWomen



Full disclosure: I love Groupon. It’s full of deals on stuff and services I never knew I needed. A detoxing foot bath for $5? Yes, please! Half-off a pumpkin spice facial? Sign me up for that seasonal treat. Buy one, get one, vaginal steaming? Heck yes … I need to see the fine print on that one.

You’ve probably heard of vaginal steaming before. It’s been around for centuries. More recently, celebrities like Chrissy Teigan have posted about it on social media. I remember hearing about it on an episode of “The Kardashians.” “It’s so good for your vagina — you put roses and stuff in there,” Kourtney said.

Roses? And stuff? In your vagina? “The appeal is that [people think] it ‘cleans it out’ and provides nutrients to the area,” said Heather Bartos, M.D., an OB-GYN and member of HealthyWomen’s Women’s Health Advisory Council.

Take our quiz: True or False: Vaginas! >>

But like many things on reality TV, vaginal steaming isn’t what it seems. Here’s what you need to know before you get that Groupon.

What is vaginal steaming?

Vaginal steaming, also called v-steaming and yoni steaming, involves sitting over a pot of hot water that’s infused with herbs. A blanket or towel is placed around your lower body to keep the steam from escaping.

Spa-like facilities may offer vaginal steaming using a special seat with a hole in the middle for the steam to come through. There are also DIY kits for at-home steamers.

What are the supposed vaginal steaming benefits?

As Bartos mentioned, part of the draw of vagina steaming is that it supposedly helps “clean” the vagina.

Vaginal steaming has also been said to help regulate periods, ease period cramps and increase fertility. Although there’s no scientific evidence to back up any of these claims.

What are the risks of vaginal steaming?

“Steaming — as the name suggests — can cause severe burns and irritation to the vulva and vagina,” Bartos said.

Beyond the possibility of burns (which seems like enough to say hard pass) the herbs can cause inflammation and infection. Bartos said vagina steaming is basically a super hot version of a douche, which you shouldn’t do. (It can upset the balance of bacteria in your vagina.)

Read: 15 Minutes With: Ashley Winter, M.D., Talks Urology, Sex and All Things Vaginas >>

Also, Bartos noted that vagina steaming perpetuates the myth that the vagina is dirty and needs cleaning — which isn’t true. “Your vagina is perfect the way she is!”

Does vaginal steaming work?

Science says there are no real benefits to vaginal steaming. “The vagina doesn’t sit around ‘open,’ so getting nutrients into the area is nearly impossible,” Bartos said. “No one does rectal steaming.”

The vaginal steaming verdict: Save your money — and your vagina. There are plenty of other Groupons in the sea.

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5 Women’s Health and Beauty Products Made by Women



May 12-18 is National Women’s Health Week.

As the saying goes, behind every great company is a great woman. Or we should say, a lot of great women.

Nearly 4 out of 10 businesses in the U.S. are owned by women. These women-owned businesses employ more than 12 million people and generate $2.7 trillion a year in revenue. And the number of women-owned businesses is going up.

In fact, that number increased by nearly double the rate of businesses owned by men between 2019 and 2023,.. And Black and Latinx women-owned businesses increased at an even higher rate compared to all women-owned businesses.

Read: Meet the Badass Women Supporting Other Women in Their Health Journeys >>

Women continue to be a driving force behind some of the most essential and innovative products to date (cheers to birth control pills and antifungal drugs!). And the same goes for products designed for women’s health and wellness. From non-toxic tampons to organic tinted moisturizer, here are a few badass brands founded by women you should know about.

LOLA for healthier period products

Period products with no dyes or toxins? Yes, please. Alex Friedman and Jordana Kier founded LOLA to bring a healthier version of tampons to the masses. The company didn’t stop at tampons, though. They sell pads, washable period underwear and sexual wellness products, including an adorable mini vibrator. All LOLA products are made without chemicals, dyes, fragrance, chlorine bleach or synthetic fibers and are approved by gynecologists. Also cool: you can purchase period products and condoms on the website to donate to people who need them through ISupport the Girls.

Asutra for muscle pain relief approved by Venus Williams

You know you’re doing something right when tennis legend Venus Williams likes your products so much she becomes part owner and global brand manager of your company. Asutra owner and CEO Stephanie Morimoto also started out as a customer before purchasing the self-care product company in 2018. From aromatherapy to skincare and sleep, all products are made from organic plants, essential oils and minerals like magnesium and are vetted by an advisory board. Asutra’s popular line (and “Venus fave”) includes body lotions and sprays with magnesium and capsaicin, an FDA-approved pain reliever that comes from chili peppers, for minor aches.

Read: Much Ado About Magnesium >>

Schmidt’s deodorant for better body odor

If you’re a fan of natural deodorant, you’ve heard of Schmidt’s … or at least popped the top off of a stick in the grocery store to see if you liked the smell. If that’s the case, you probably bought it because even though the label says “bergamot and lime” — and you don’t even know what bergamot is — you want it on your armpits. This was probably what founder Jaime Schmidt had in mind when she started making natural products in her kitchen in 2010. She was pregnant at the time and wanted to create a deodorant without chemicals that smelled really good and actually worked. The rest is underarm history. You can pick up the certified natural, vegan and cruelty-free deodorant in big box stores across the U.S. The sweet smell of success includes blends like cactus flower and pear, and grapefruit and apricot.

Moxie Fitness Apparel for bladder leakage

Finding time and energy to workout is tough enough. But wondering if you’re going to pee a little — or a lot — every time you jog or jump is a good reason to skip the gym. It was squats that led Holly Mosack, a Crossfit trainer and veteran, to start a line of leggings, capris and shorts that help keep urinary incontinence leaks from ruining your routine. Moxie Fitness Apparel’s design wicks fluid into the middle absorbent barrier, trapping urine and keeping skin dry. The bottoms are available in different colors and patterns (camo, of course) and maternity sizes. Each pair can hold 8 teaspoons of pee. Bring on the squats.

Read: What You Need to Know About Urinary Incontinence >>

The Honest Company for organic makeup by Jessica Alba

Truth: Actor Jessica Alba has incredible skin. Sure, it could be genetics, but she attributes her Instagram-filter face to products from The Honest Company she founded in 2012. Either way, at the core, the company makes organic, non-toxic products, including skincare and makeup for all skin types. The cosmetics are made from naturally derived ingredients, which means no sulfates and other irritating additives that can trigger allergies or breakouts. Some products read more like a list for the farmers market: carrots, kale, apple extract and lemons. More power to the produce if it helps your skin.

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