Source: http://www.sonima.com/meditation/sleep-affects-weight/

Sleep deprivation feels as bad as it looks. Too little—as well as too much—shuteye can wreak havoc on your body. A morning glance in the mirror isn’t your only confirmation that this is true. New science is emerging that connects the amount you snooze with the amount of weight you gain.

“At one point, scientists started to realize that the obesity epidemic and the trend of people sleeping less were not occurring independently,” says Namni Goel, Ph.D., associate professor of psychiatry, Pearlman School of Medicine Division of Sleep and Chronobiology at University of Pennsylvania. It appears that when the hours we log at night are too little, hormones, metabolism, insulin sensitivity, decision-making skills, and waistlines pay the price.

How exactly does sleep debt affect the scale? When people don’t catch enough high quality zzz’s, the hormones regulating hunger, leptin and ghrelin, go haywire. Leptin is a hormone produced in fat cells that inhibits hunger and jumpstarts fatty tissue into burning energy. Levels plummet when you get less than seven hours of sleep a night, making your stomach feel empty even when it’s not. The hormone ghrelin is produced primarily in stomach cells, and levels rise with sleeplessness, stimulating hunger, slowing metabolism, and decreasing the body’s ability to burn fat. At the same time, there’s a rise in insulin resistance, a precursor for diabetes, and the stress-hormo…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/marpac-dohm-sound-machine?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Marpac Dohm DS Sound Machine

After a long day, there’s nothing better than climbing into a nice, warm bed. But there’s nothing worse than lying awake in said bed because of a noisy neighbor or traffic zooming by. Sure, we all have the occasional sleepless night, but what if we told you all you need to do to fall asleep fast is flip a switch?

Sleep experts say white noise can help people fall asleep faster by covering up ambient sounds, like footsteps, TV, or laughter outside your window on a Saturday night. That’s why Marpac’s Dohm Sound Machine is a godsend. Just press a button, adjust the volume to your liking, and you’re instantly surrounding by a soothing hum.

Turning on this little machine is now a non-negotiable staple in our bedtime routine. It’s a little pricey, but if it means no more lying awake and staring at the ceiling, we’re willing to shell out the extra cash.

I Want This
$49.95

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Source: http://greatist.com/live/motivation-video?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Anytime we set a goal—and January is a prime time to do so—we start off with the best of intentions. But two weeks (or sometimes even two days) in, we tend to lose motivation. Going to the gym no longer seems so fun when running on the treadmill feels like we’re a hamster on a wheel. And as this video from asapSCIENCE explains, having fun and enjoying yourself (what researchers call “play”) is one of the key motivating factors to sticking with any goal. So if you want to exercise more, pick something you actually like to do!

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Source: http://greatist.com/eat/juice-cleanse-video?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

After stuffing ourselves silly over the holidays, it’s time to hit the reset button. For some that means dry January, while others opt for a juice cleanse. Those who preach the juice cleanse gospel will tell you their three-day (or more) liquid diet flushes out all the toxins that have built up in their body. But this video from SciShow calls their bluff. There’s no science to back up these claims—and our liver and kidney do a fine job of getting rid of toxins. While a juice cleanse probably won’t hurt you, it’s not the healthiest choice either.

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Source: http://greatist.com/live/body-positive-campaign-reclaims-flattering?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Has a fashion blog, magazine, annoying relative, or random stranger ever told you that something isn’t “flattering” on you? That’s what makes #ImFlattered, a social campaign from clothing company SmartGlamour, so cool. Women pose for photos, holding signs with the negative comments they’ve received (“Put those girls away!” or “Big girls shouldn’t wear prints.”) to call out how ridiculous, insulting, and hurtful those remarks can be.

Best part? The women are rocking the exact type of outfit they’ve been shamed for—reminding everyone that they can wear whatever the hell they want. “After all, the actual definition of flattering is ‘pleasing, gratifying,’ and if someone is pleased with themselves, why would you want to screw that up?” writes Mallorie Dunn, the company’s founder, in a blog post about the campaign. Amen to that!

Check out photos from this badass campaign below.

Photo: SmartGlamour

Photo: SmartGlamour

<img src="http://greatist.com/sites/default/files/styles/article_main/public/body4.jpg?itok…

Source: http://greatist.com/live/skin-care-for-men?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

While we dislike gender assumptions as much as the next girl (who’s not into pink), it’s fair to assume that most guys don’t give two sh*ts about skin care. Are we right, or are we right?

Good news, guys: It’s nowhere near as annoying as you think—but it is important. And to help you get started on your mission to a clearer complexion and smoother skin, we’ve rounded up everything a regular guy needs to know for the best skin of his life.

The Need-to-Know

1. Take the tissue test.

The key to picking the best products for your skin type is—wait for it—knowing your skin type. Fortunately, there’s a ridiculously easy way to ID it, known as the tissue test, says David E. Bank, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist and assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Columbia Presbyterian Medical Center.

Wash your face with a mild cleanser like Cetaphil, pat dry, and wait five minutes. Then hold a facial tissue to your face for a few minutes, and observe: If it’s bone dry, you’re probably on the dry-to-sensitive side, Banks says. If there’s oil on it, you’re oily (surprise!), and if it’s just a little moist, you’re somewhere in between—combination. Choose a cleanser accordingly.

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Source: http://greatist.com/move/100-years-of-working-out?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

We know, we know, not another 100-year roundup video. But this one is actually worth watching. Cassey Ho of Blogilates fame kills it, highlighting fitness trends from each decade—and the outfits worn while working out. Our favorites tend to be the wackier ones, like leather barbells (yep, those were a thing), strength trainers that resemble torture devices, and, of course, the Shake Weight.

(h/t Marie Claire)

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Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tinybuddha/~3/7bLPXwMAk4Y/

“At some point you have to realize that some people can stay in your heart, but not in your life.” ~Unknown

I was filled with excitement and nerves as I stood waiting to meet him for the first time in Paddington station.

It was one of the wettest days I’d seen in London, and the rain dripped steadily from the peaked hood of my blue rain jacket. Zipped up to my chin and the hood pulled tight over my head, only my eyes peered out, searching for him amongst the crowds and falling rain.

Months later, he told me that he’d fallen in love with me the moment he saw me, those big eyes staring out at him from beneath my hood.

We’d been introduced on Facebook via a mutual friend after I’d commented on how cute he was. He lived in California. I lived in London. He’d quit his job to travel for a year and was passing through the city. He asked if I wanted to meet.

I said yes.

But in the same moment that he fell in love with me at the station, my excitement faded away. What I’d hoped to feel when we finally met just wasn’t there.

Over the next few months, from wherever he traveled, he pursued me with a persistence I’d never known.

At first, I was annoyed. I wished he’d leave me be.

But as the weeks and months went by, things started to chan…

Source: http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/tinybuddha/~3/QFQmAulFulo/

“Carry out a random act of kindness, with no expectation of rewards, safe in the knowledge that one day someone might do the same for you.” ~Princess Diana

Recently I was reminded of the importance of kindness, particularly kindness to strangers.

I was given the opportunity to film the wedding of a family friend. As a videographer, I’m always looking for ways to build my client base and enhance my professional experience, so naturally, I agreed.

Most of the guests at this wedding were friends of my parents, many of whom I hadn’t seen in years. Although I recognized a lot of the people, most did not recognize me, particularly with a camera in my hand and “on the other side of the fence,” so to speak.

A few kind souls were extremely friendly, looked me in the eyes, sparked conversation, and spoke to me with dignity. But to my surprise, the vast majority of guests at this wedding pushed past me, bumped into me, or spoke down to me. Again, these were people that I knew!

If we had been in any other situation—if perhaps, for example, my parents had been there with me—I’m certain these very same people would be giving me hugs and asking about my life with convincing interest.

But instead, I was treated as I was seen, like just ano…

Source: http://greatist.com/eat/chia-seed-pudding-recipes?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=feed_http–greatistcom-

Chia seeds—the same magical things that turn sculpture pets into overgrown, sprouted topiaries (ch-ch-ch-chia!)—have found themselves in the health limelight in recent years. Packed with fiber, omegas, potassium, and magnesium, the superfood seeds are great for boosting energy, improving endurance, and even helping regulate digestion.

And while it’s simple to toss them in smoothies or on top of salads, we prefer adding them to recipes that taste like dessert (but are secretly super healthy). And don’t worry, they won’t make you sprout plants from unexpected places.

Fruity

Photo: Simple Roots Wellness

1. Orange Creamsicle Chia Seed Pudding

Creamsicle? More like dreamsicle. Sticking to five simple ingredients (and optional toppings), this is a recipe you can pull together in a snap—plus, you likely have all the materials on hand. Simply mix ’em tog…