Here’s what research has revealed about the cause of sleep inertia and how to keep it at bay. Sleep researchers aren’t totally sure what causes or intensifies sleep inertia, but they suspect it has something to do with the body’s circadian rhythm, also known as our internal clock. In one small study on emergency workers2 who need to be “on” as soon as they wake up, the effect of sleep inertia was tested throughout the night....
It went like this: I began building the kind of life a woman is supposed to build. I became a good wife, mother, daughter, Christian, citizen, writer, woman. But while I made school lunches, wrote memoirs, rushed through airports, made small talk with neighbors, carried on with my outer life, I felt an electric restlessness buzzing inside me. It was like constant thunder rolling right there beneath my skin—a thunder made of joy and pain and rage and longing and love too deep, scalding, and tender for this world....
And surprise, surprise: Blackheads aren’t limited to your nose or forehead. Just like other types of acne, you can get blackheads on other parts of your body—which is why acne body wash is a thing. But before you start picking at your skin (and please don’t because that can make an annoying situation worse), let’s have a chat about what blackheads are and how you can make them go buh-bye. Similar to other types of acne, blackheads are caused by dirt, oils, and even dead skin that get clogged in your pores....
But if you never ask the question, you’ll never know the answer. Instead of living with the “what if,” use this expert advice to increase the chances of a successful date invite—and to be able to gracefully handle the occasional “no” when it comes. In deciding whether to take things to the next level, dating coach Kevin Carr says there are cues you can look for. “When you attempt to engage in conversation, does the person you’re interested in match your energy, or do they reply with one-word answers to keep the conversation short and simple?...
Aside from being an eyesore, dust can cause allergic responses1 like red, watery eyes; a runny nose; itchy throat; and sneezing as it piles up at home. If you’re not sure how much you should be dusting or are unclear about the best dusting protocol (feather dusters—yea or nay?), here’s what a toxicologist and a green cleaning expert had to say on the matter. There’s no universal guideline for how often you should be dusting to prevent dust mites; it depends on your home....
In astrology, warrior Mars is the ruler of aggro Aries—the first sign of the zodiac. (Cosmic fact: Mars is actually the Roman version of the Greek god Ares.) Passionate Mars spawns a primal energy and an innate desire to dominate. For example: What’s your fighting style? Are you combative, passive, manipulative? The zodiac sign of your Mars in your chart will show how you do battle. Mars’ influence in your chart can even help you enjoy a more fulfilling sex life....
Want to hang a plant from your ceiling but unsure how to get started? Here’s your step-by-step guide. If you’re looking for a houseplant to hang in a darker area, Rebecca Bullene, the founder of biophilic design shop Greenery Unlimited, loves ZZ plants, pothos, and Devil’s Ivy. For bright-light varieties, she’s partial to the Philodendron Birkin and Snake Plant. Whatever plant you choose, make sure it’s one you really enjoy looking at....
