Bitter medicine
The bitter melon is a sharp-tasting, spikey gourd that is a staple in many Asian and South Asian cuisines. Its fruit and seeds are often consumed as a juice, stir fry, salad, or supplement. Long touted for its medicinal uses, the bitter melon has recently received attention for its hypoglycemic properties that may regulate blood sugar levels and treat diabetes, thanks to the insulin-like peptides it contains.
Milk and Cookies
Breastfeeding can be hard work. The baby’s latching skills, feeding schedule, and more can affect milk production. Some mothers are turning to galactagogue-containing snacks to enhance their milk supply. Galactagogues are foods, spices, or herbs (like fenugreek, oatmeal, and brewer’s yeast) that may increase milk production. While it’s important to seek medical help if your milk supply is low, watch for ready-to-eat cookies, bars, and low-alcohol beer for an extra boost.
Sun Screens
Already have a cabinet full of products to protect your skin from sun and environmental dangers? Recent studies point to yet another enemy: blue light. Prolonged exposure to blue light (from computer screens, smartphones, fluorescent lighting, televisions) may have a similar aging effect on the skin as UV exposure. New serums, mists, and creams boast antioxidant ingredients that may protect and repair skin against damage brought on by blue light.
Naptime
Trying to push through that afternoon slog? Experts say: take a nap. A short siesta may help you catch up on lost sleep, lower your blood pressure, and even improve memory, mood, and immunity. For best results, keep naps short (around 15-30 minutes), keep them early (before 3pm), and keep them comfortable (try some lavender essential oil to set the mood) so as not to disrupt your nighttime sleep schedule.
Work out while you work
If you’re looking for an easy way to add more movement to your day, look no further than the under-desk elliptical. Just as the name implies, these space-saving contraptions offer the same movement as their full-size counterparts but fit under your desk. Pedal your way through those Zoom calls and morning meetings while you improve your energy, your metabolism, and your cardiovascular health.
You are getting very sleepy
Forget what you’ve seen in the movies. Hypnosis (which involves the guidance of a practitioner), is a form of therapy that puts patients in a heightened state of focus to change thinking, improve relaxation, and reduce anxiety and pain. Self-hypnosis is gaining popularity as a form of virtual selfcare that brings those same benefits home through the help of smartphone apps, videos, and audiobooks.
