Health April 2021

We’ve all spent more time (make that way more time) at home than usual lately. It hasn’t always been easy, but it has led to some welcome discoveries and healthy habits. For my part, I’ve been decluttering one closet at a time, gradually setting up a home gym that I love, and becoming a doting plant mom. You’ll find many more ways to enhance your own living space in our annual Home Awards (page 65)—and here are some routines and products that my colleagues have come to count on. @amy.b.conway “I use my extra time in the mornings before work to make a healthy breakfast; it helps me feel productive and get energized for the day. My current go-to is a toasted slice of Dave’s Killer Bread with cashew butter and a…

SPRING-CLEANING Raise your hand if you’ve been spending more time scrubbing at the sink than you ever have before. While the 20-second suds-up is essential (bye, germs!), there are easy ways to turn the task into more of a treat. Enter our luxe lineup of formulas that are tough on grime yet gentle on your skin, so you can lather, rinse, and repeat without cracking, chafing, or chapping. Plus, the pretty packaging looks chic sink-side. Whether you like to pair your palms with a bar, gel, or foam (one even dispenses in the shape of a flower!), there’s something for everyone to clap about. WHO KNEW? Take Sleep to Heart A full night’s rest isn’t just good for your morning mood; it’s helpful to your heart, too. A recent study by the American Heart…

Sustainable Swaps Tweaking your routine can make a difference. SHEET MASKS Unlike one-and-done masks, the (1) Honest Beauty Reusable Magic Silicone Sheet Mask ($15; honest.com) can be used over and over. Put on your serum or moisturizer; then, using the ear loops, secure the mask over your faceto lock in ingredients. After 10 to 30 minutes, remove, rinse, dry, and put it back in its bag. When cared for properly, the mask should last three months or more. DRY SHAMPOO We love nixing excess oil and grease around our hairline, but we don’t love contributing to global warming with each spritz. (2) Love Beauty and Planet Murumuru Butter & Rose Dry Shampoo ($7; target.com) uses eco-friendly nitrogen as its propellant. TOOTHBRUSH Because of their size and difficult-to-separate mixed materials (metal staples, bristles, and plastic handle), plastic toothbrushes…

As you can imagine, I have a lot of products in my personal stash. As much as I strive to be neat, when they’re hidden in drawers, it’s an “out of sight, out of mind” situation. When my skin care is lined up on my counter, I’m more inclined to use it. But when I started working from home (where there’s less storage than in the office), I was overwhelmed with the influx, so I enlisted the help of organizing duo Mary Cornetta and Margaret Henfling of Sort and Sweet (sortandsweetny.com). They had smart ideas for purging and arranging my stuff that will help you, too. Not only will your physical space look less cluttered, but mentally, you’ll feel lighter as well—ahh. BEAUTY DIRECTOR Step 1: Collect and Curate Gather products from…

BEFORE DO 1. Research Your Provider It’s crucial to go to an experienced doctor who is board-certified in dermatology or plastic surgery. Avoid locations that offer cheap treatments and might not have qualified injectors (like nail or hair salons). Skill and experience should always win out over cost and convenience when it comes to your face. It’s also important to make sure your doc’s aesthetic approach aligns with yours; some do subtle work, others more dramatic. Visit their website and social media platforms—Instagram is a great place to check out before and after photos. “Ahead of any injectable procedure, I recommend having a consultation where we have a broader conversation about all of their skin concerns and craft a plan to address them,” says Caroline Robinson, MD, a board-certified dermatologist and founder of…

GOOD NEWS FOR AT-HOME EXERCISERS: You don’t need a set of weights to get a solid upper-body workout. All you need are a few household items and this workout from NASM-certified trainer Jennifer Romanelli (shown here), co-owner of Trooper Fitness in New York City. A powerlifter at heart, Romanelli abandoned the barbell when gyms closed during the COVID-19 shutdown and found joy in pushing her body in new ways—like in her living room, using chairs and towels to target the chest, back, shoulders, and arms. “The benefit of doing [bodyweight-only] work is that you learn about you,” she says. “You’re able to move your body efficiently, get stronger, and then when you do apply weight, your body’s more receptive to it.” Bodyweight exercises not only build muscle but they can also power…