The oil is extracted by a steam distillation process, in which the flowers are steamed, the steam is captured, and the oil is separated and collected from the water. You can usually find lavender oil at health food stores, or even drugstores, located near the other essential oils. It can even be used as a natural alternative for healing pesky bug bites—when mixed with a little baking soda and applied to the bites, you’ll hardly even notice they’re there....

“Enmeshment” means that both of you have lost your individual identities to the friendship; you share opinions, emotions, major decisions, and needs. It’s impossible to engage in self-care if you’re not in touch with your own needs and feelings! And while it’s healthy to be able to depend on your friends, it’s not healthy or sustainable to rely on one friend to meet all of your needs all the time. Burnout is inevitable....

According to certified sex therapist and psychotherapist Lee Phillips, LCSW, CST, CSCT, sex toys can be a tantalizing addition to your sex life because they can add diversity, excitement, and creativity to the bedroom. “Routine sex and masturbation can get boring, so why not spice it up and try something new? Sex toys can help you achieve the orgasm you desire,” he tells mbg. “Many of my female clients report this because sex toys provide extra clitoral stimulation....

Similar to the penis, the clitoris is made up of erectile tissue that contains capillaries with a unique feature. When this tissue is filled with blood, it becomes “engorged” and makes the clit feel and look “fuller and firmer,” Mintz explains. It also makes the clitoris more sensitive to touch and other sensations, which can ultimately lead to more powerful orgasms. “Blood flow to the clitoris is essential to arousal and orgasm, and clit pumping can facilitate that for anyone with a clitoris, regardless of gender identity, making clit pumps a very useful and inclusive sex device,” Mintz says....

A few ways it helps the skin, specifically? It purifies pores, brightens, hydrates, and even protects against the sun. Here, we outline all the glow-inducing benefits you can expect. There is a variety of types of algae, including the most commonly known kelp, spirulina, and seaweed, but experts believe there are more than 800,000 species of algae1, and not all species carry the same benefits. However, all types of algae do fall into two main categories: macro and micro....

And while it’s important to name it in the moment, on a micro level, Tessler says you should also try to understand the bigger picture. “We all hit different markers and different points in our life. Maybe some people hit those financial markers earlier in life, and others come to them later,” she says. “We are all going to hit these markers in our lives—whether its money, job success, family milestones, or personal growth—at different points along the way....

Research is still ongoing about the ways bergamot can be used to support health and well-being, but we’ve compiled what’s out there so far. Although not yet researched for fighting the bacteria that cause acne, Propionibacterium acnes (P. acnes), bergamot has been tested for its antimicrobial power against Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus). Not to gross you out, but in one study, scientists found that bergamot inhibited the growth of staph introduced to fish samples3....