Of the many self-inquiries you make throughout your day, choosing the best time to meditate is likely not the most scintillating鈥攂ut it may be more important than you think. Far from arbitrary, selecting a meditation time is a key to cultivating a practice 迟丑补迟鈥檚 easier to stick with.

The 鈥渨hys鈥� of daily meditation are plenty. From increased to improved , the benefits of quieting the mind make for better humans. 鈥淵ou respond instead of react, you listen instead of judge, you lead with kindness instead of stress,鈥� says Suze Yalof Schwartz, CEO and founder of , a meditation studio based in Los Angeles, California.

While this all sounds like a universal win, finding time to meditate remains a tricky task.

鈥淭he modern world doesn鈥檛 always allow for long, uninterrupted meditation sessions,鈥� says Erin Casperson, director of 鈥檚 School of Ayurveda, a non-profit organization and yoga school. She says that small pockets of mindfulness鈥攁 few deep breaths at your desk, a silent commute鈥攃an come with a similar positive impact.

But for those who wish to commit to a daily meditation practice, experts and research agree that there is an optimal time to meditate. Here鈥檚 what they suggest for scheduling thought-stilling sessions that work with your life and routine鈥攕o they won鈥檛 fall off your calendar.

Is There a Best Time of Day to Meditate?

Meditation is beneficial at any time of day, but there鈥檚 a strong case to be made for starting your day with a session.

A 2023 study from the found that those who opted for morning meditation were more engaged in the practice and had an increased likelihood of maintaining the habit over time.

鈥淢any contemplative traditions emphasize morning practices,鈥� says Casperson, who considers the stillness of the early hours to be a unique opportunity to cultivate inner quiet. 鈥淓ven a few minutes of a morning practice can foster greater stability in the nervous system, mind, and body throughout the day.鈥�

Schwartz doubles down on that sentiment. 鈥淚f you miss the morning, there鈥檚 a solid chance that you鈥檒l miss the day and become a dabbler,鈥� she says. While dabbling in a meditation practice is great, Schwartz notes that consistency is much, much better.

What Are the Benefits of Morning Meditation?

Morning meditation offers a solid foundation for both a lasting practice and a generally good day.

Trading your usual morning mindlessness for several minutes spent intentionally quieting your mind allows you to show up as a better version of yourself. 鈥淵ou end up ruling the day instead of it ruling you,鈥� says Schwartz. 鈥淲hen you wake up and scroll, watch the news, or answer emails, it makes you feel anxious, and you end up doing what other people need鈥攏ot what you want.鈥�

Casperson explains that a morning meditation routine requires you to turn inward before giving your energy to the outside world. It鈥檚 also less likely to be interrupted or thwarted by distractions.

What About Meditation Before Bed?

Just like a digital detox or a bedtime routine can improve your sleep, evening meditation helps to prepare the mind for rest.

鈥淲hen you meditate before bed, it helps you let go of the day and prevents the rumination and stress that can come with it, helping you sleep better and longer,鈥� says Schwartz. Casperson agrees, but adds that, for those looking to build a habitual practice, nighttime contemplation comes with the possibility of fatigue. 鈥淵ou might find yourself drifting off to sleep rather than maintaining focused awareness,鈥� she says.

Is There a Best Kind of Meditation For Each Time of Day?

Meditation is not a one-size-fits-all undertaking. From transcendental to guided visualizations to Vedic, the correct meditation for you is an entirely personal affair. That said, certain types or modes of meditation may work better with certain times of day.

Meditations for the Morning

Casperson suggests opting for a seated or standing mindfulness meditation in the morning. Spoiler alert: it doesn鈥檛 need to be 20 minutes long or even all that serious.

The a.m. goal is to harness and feed your own energy, so anything that feeds rather than drains is welcome. 鈥淵our morning meditation could involve looking out the window at the rising sun, listening to birds, or simply closing your eyes and observing the natural rhythm of your breath,鈥� she says.

Meditations for the Evening

In the evening, Casperson suggests reflecting on your day, meditating on gratitude, or doing a guided meditation, all of which will help the mind settle and the body prepare for restful sleep.

What About Meditating in the Afternoon?

Though scheduling your meditation practice in the morning or evening is a common approach, there鈥檚 something to be said for a midday pause.

The demands of the external world usually reach a zenith in the afternoon, so finding some time within the bustle is a powerful choice.

鈥淎 5- to 15-minute meditation can rejuvenate you, potentially even replacing that afternoon coffee,鈥� says Casperson, who recommends a guided meditation to help you transcend the stimulating energy of the waking world. Schwartz adds that an afternoon meditation can clear your mind ahead of your evening, allowing you to enter into that arena of your day with a relaxed and present mindset.

An afternoon meditation can also be the most difficult to maintain, as consistently finding the time in the middle of your busy day can be a real feat.

Ultimately, the best time to meditate is the time that inspires you to stick with the practice.

鈥淚t鈥檚 important for individuals to recognize the rhythms and realities of their own lives,鈥� says Casperson. 鈥淚ndividuals should seek out times to meditate based on what works for their schedules. The best time to meditate is the time when one can be consistent.鈥�

Want more听国产吃瓜黑料听health stories?听. Ready to push yourself? Enter MapMyRun鈥檚听听running challenge.

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Regardless of the time of year, sunscreen is a must. Options fall into two categories: chemical or mineral (also referred to as , ). Chemical sunscreens protect your skin by absorbing UVA/UVB rays, while mineral sunscreens reflect rays away from the skin. The main active ingredients that you’ll find in mineral sunscreens are zinc oxide or titanium dioxide.

Products with mineral ingredients may be less likely to irritate the skin or cause breakouts when compared to chemical options. Unlike chemical sunscreens, which require waiting for them to absorb into the skin before they take effect, natural sunscreens begin working immediately because they sit on top of the skin.听Some evidence suggests that the primary ingredients in chemical sunscreens, such as avobenzone, oxybenzone, and octinoxate, can听 because when you swim or shower, these chemicals can ooze off the skin and make their way into the ocean.

If you’re leaning toward buying a mineral sunscreen, here are six options鈥攍isted in order from least to most expensive鈥攎ade with skin-friendly and reef-friendly ingredients. With these, you can feel good knowing you’re protecting yourself and the environment.

1. Badger Active Sunscreen Cream ($17.99)

• Active ingredient: zinc oxide
• Protection: SPF 30

Badger is a family-owned company that utilizes plant extracts, exotic oils, beeswax, and minerals to craft safe and effective skincare products. The brand鈥檚 is the perfect all-over sunscreen enhanced with vitamin E to hydrate and soothe your skin.

2. Bee-Och Organics Mineral Sunscreen Stick ($20)

• Active ingredient: zinc oxide
• Protection:听SPF 30

Colorado-based company is a woman-owned, small-batch-crafted, and vegan natural skincare company. They created the perfect skin-soothing and easy-to-apply sunscreen stick for both face and body鈥攎ade with just seven ingredients. The stick features organic pumpkin seed oil and vitamin E to soften the skin. Additionally, the beeswax used in the sunscreen repels water, making it ideal for your most sweaty days.

3. Sun Bum Mineral Sunscreen Spray ($20.49)

• Active ingredient: zinc oxide
• Protection:听SPF 30

offers a range of sunscreens to protect your skin on any adventure. But our favorite product is arguably the most convenient: the mineral sunscreen spray. This all-natural sunscreen allows for a quick and easy application from head to toe and doesn鈥檛 leave a residue. It’s cruelty-free, vegan, gluten-free, and formulated for sensitive skin as it is free of fragrances. (Sun Bum also offers an excellent SPF lip balm.)

4. Raw Elements Face & Body Lotion Tube ($21.49)

• Active ingredient: zinc oxide
• Protection: SPF 30

was founded on the realization that traditional chemical sunscreens are harmful to both our health and the oceans. This high-performance, reef-safe sunscreen was crafted with our health and the Earth in mind. It is great for both your face and body, is water resistant for up to 80 minutes, and is suitable for all ages and activities. Rather than plastic, the bio-resin tube the product comes in is formulated from sugarcane waste. Vitamin E, cocoa butter, and sunflower oil keep the skin soft, supple, and moisturized.

5. La Roche-Posay Anthelios Mineral Zinc Oxide Sunscreen ($42.99)

• Active ingredient:听zinc oxide and titanium dioxide
• Protection: SPF 50

keeps science at the forefront and ensures that its products are dermatologist-approved. Not only does this contain two minerals, it’s also formulated with vitamin E, which nourishes the skin, silica, an oil-absorbing powder, and spring water (sourced from the city of La Roche-Posay in France) to soothe the skin barrier. This formula is an excellent option for people with sensitive or oily skin (it provides a matte finish). As a bonus: it’s water-resistant for up to 40 minutes.

Want more听国产吃瓜黑料听health stories?听. Ready to push yourself? Enter MapMyRun’s running challenge.

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When I invited my friend Sarah to join me in trying sensory deprivation tanks, as invented in 1954 by a so-called 鈥渃onsciousness researcher鈥� named John C. Lilly, I saw a flash of understanding on her big-eyed face. She pulled up, on her phone, a vintage movie poster with the words: UNWITTINGLY, HE TRAINED A DOLPHIN TO KILL THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.

鈥淚鈥檓 sorry,鈥� I said. 鈥淲hat?鈥�

鈥淭his film,鈥� she said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 based on John C. Lilly.鈥�

鈥淲e鈥檙e going to float in tanks that were invented by a guy who trained dolphin assassins?鈥�

The film took some creative license,* Sarah assured me. But the short answer was yes.

The so-called Float Spa鈥檚 website didn鈥檛 acknowledge this connection at all, just promised stress relief and mental clarity, although it did credit John C. Lilly鈥攏ot for his dolphin training, which came later, but for his research on consciousness, which sensory deprivation tanks are designed to explore. The concept, which trended big in the 1980s and has lingered in the cultural ether ever since, involves floating naked in a pitch-black room, suspended in saltwater 迟丑补迟鈥檚 the same temperature as the air, which is the same temperature as your skin, so it feels like you鈥檙e levitating. No sound, no touch, no vision for an hour straight. What鈥檚 it like to exist as just a body, just thoughts?

Basically, a float tank is forced meditation鈥攁nd there鈥檚 plenty of evidence that 迟丑补迟鈥檚 helpful with about a million things, from and to . But is it worth $90 an hour to be forced to meditate? And is meditation even something that can be imposed from the outside in? I was skeptical, mainly because last month I tried cryotherapy, which involved standing for three minutes in a -200 degrees Fahrenheit freezer, and the owner of that spa鈥攚hich literally specializes in discomfort!鈥攖old me she doesn鈥檛 offer float tanks because everyone hates them. 鈥淵ou鈥檙e in water, in the dark,鈥� she told me. 鈥淛ust think about it.鈥�

Put it that way, and sensory deprivation sounded like a panic attack waiting to happen.

Anyway, Sarah and I got to the Float Spa in an Illinois strip mall almost late, because we鈥檇 stopped for McDonald鈥檚 on the way, figuring that the only thing worse than floating in darkness was floating in darkness hungry. The walls of the lobby were covered, weirdly, in plastic grass, apart from a bulletin board with post-its from clients that said things like 鈥淟et it BE to let it GO鈥� and 鈥淒o ayahuasca. You won鈥檛 regret it.鈥� By the ceiling, a television screen played footage of a river in Yosemite. At least I think it was Yosemite, based on the granite boulders around. I wished I were floating there, I thought, watching the screen. Somewhere important, and much more spectacular than this.

The owner gave us a brief tour鈥攈ere鈥檚 where you shower, here鈥檚 earplugs, here鈥檚 vaseline, and a Q-tip to cover open wounds鈥攁nd then directed me and Sarah to separate changing rooms. The air was thick, humid鈥攍ike a pool locker room, but without the chlorine and BO. I showered, inserted the earplugs, and stepped into a private enamel-lined tank, which was about eight feet square with a foot of warm water at the bottom. The floor was intensely slippery; I dropped to my hands and knees. One hard push would have sent me sliding air-hockey style across the room.

Somewhere nearby, through the wall, Sarah was entering her tank, too. I wondered how she was feeling. It occurred to me, in the blue glow of a hidden light, that this was exactly the kind of bizarre situation in which one might have the idea to make dolphins into political assassins. Then I hit a button on the wall, plunging into blackness, and tried to float away.

It鈥檚 hard to relax every single bit of your body. Without the pressure of a surface below me, I kept finding micro-muscles that were tense, parts of my ankles or shoulders or butt. When I moved, the water lapped, little tongues all over my skin. When I melted still and took deep breaths, my whole body rose with each inhale.

Noticing this took some medium amount of time. If time existed. Which it didn鈥檛, really. Not here.

Why did I think this was sensory deprivation? There was so much to observe in my head, my breath. I slipped into waking dreams, scenes drifting before and around me that dissolved like mist when I tried to think enough to describe them with words. I felt loved ones, gratitude, beauty, grace. I was simultaneously asleep and alert.

I developed, in the dark, a kind of entitlement to sensationlessness. At one point, I felt genuinely affronted when the edge of my pinky brushed gently on the wall. And when the hour was up, some expanse of existence later, and an instrumental version of It鈥檚 a Wonderful Life drifted from an unseen speaker, it seemed a great intrusion on my mind, which was now my home. Or maybe it had been my home the whole time, and this sound鈥攖his sensation鈥攚as an unwanted stranger at my door.

The dressing room had flattering lighting. I found Sarah on the other side, sipping a paper cup of mint tea. Her eyelids hung at half mast.

鈥淭hat was great,鈥� she said dreamily. 鈥淚 was like, 鈥業鈥檓 a baby! I haven鈥檛 even been born yet!鈥� I secretly believe 迟丑补迟鈥檚 the best part of human existence. But apparently even when you haven鈥檛 been born yet, you鈥檙e still confused about some stuff.鈥�

鈥淲hat do you mean?鈥� I asked.

鈥淲hat I mean,鈥� she said, 鈥渋s that there鈥檚 no fall from grace into consciousness as a person. I think you鈥檙e just dealing with consciousness the whole time.鈥�

鈥淭hat鈥檚 smart,鈥� I said.

鈥淵es,鈥� she said. 鈥淚鈥檝e gotten a lot smarter in the past hour.鈥�

She made me a cup of tea, too, from a hot water dispenser by the grass wall. The grass didn鈥檛 strike me as weird anymore. It was earnest, and earnestness was beautiful. Just us little humans trying our best.

Some women emerged from the other tanks. They were friends, too. We all were. We felt great about each other. They said they came every month. 鈥淚t organizes my mind like nothing else,鈥� one reported; after learning to rest in a float tank, she didn鈥檛 need sleep aids at night anymore. But it wasn鈥檛 for everyone. 鈥淲e brought another friend,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd she was crawling up the walls. Literally. We came out and she was like, 鈥榃hoa, did you feel around the whole wall?! I was like, no, I was in a 迟谤补苍肠别.鈥�

I watched the river on the TV screen. This was a different river now, the water a rippling snowmelt gray that flowed wide and shallow through pine. And while I looked forward to the many more times in my life when I would stand next to such rivers and cross them and swim and sit on rocks in the sun, I didn鈥檛 feel the same longing to enter the screen. I thought only: How nice that such places exist in the world. How nice to exist in the world myself.

*In real life, Lilly wasn鈥檛 training dolphins to kill people. He did, however, take LSD with them, attempt to teach them to speak English, and build a co-living house where dolphins and humans could room together as equals.

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Sometimes it can feel like you need a medical degree when shopping for shoes. Though many footwear companies now provide an arsenal of information on their running and hiking shoes, detailing features designed to match nearly every foot variation known to humans, most people don鈥檛 actually know what their foot type is.

I get it: I had to get rid of the running shoes I’ve been wearing for quite some time, which means I have to hunt for a new pair. But I鈥檓 fuzzy on the details about my foot type, arch style, and toe shapes, which makes it difficult to figure out if the听pairs I鈥檓 interested in will be a good fit or not. I think my foot is 鈥渘ormal,”鈥攚hatever that means. But I鈥檓 not sure. And听I know I鈥檓 not alone in this either.听Podiatrists and physical therapists say they field questions about how to figure out foot type very, very often.

Whether you鈥檙e like me, on the hunt for a new pair of athletic shoes, or just want to stop feeling stressed while searching for sneakers, experts say having baseline knowledge about your feet can help. I interviewed three podiatrists and a physical therapist who specialize in foot health for details on how to figure it all听out.

Why It鈥檚 So Hard to Find Shoes That Are Actually Good for Your Feet

鈥淪hoe companies often market their products based on 鈥榝eatures鈥� they can promote and not necessarily what鈥檚 best for the feet of the shoe shopper,鈥� says , a podiatrist based in Long Beach, California. People are left wondering about which type of shoe will improve and maintain their foot health.

A good podiatrist will measure your feet, look at your foot structure, check your muscle strength, see the range of motion of your foot joints, and watch you stand and walk.

The variety in footwear is overwhelming, too, says , a podiatrist and foot surgeon in New York City. 鈥淭here are so many shoes out there,鈥� he says. 鈥淚t鈥檚 daunting to go through the search.鈥�

4 Foot Traits to Know Before Buying Shoes

There are a lot of terms you鈥檒l come across while shopping for a performance shoe, but they can generally be broken into four major categories: gait style, toe shape, foot width, and arch type. To help you wade through the confusion, here鈥檚 a brief breakdown of some of the more common terms you may come across as you shop, which will help you determine where you land in each category.

1. Identify Your Gait Style

Your gait is your style of walking, Schaeffer explains. It鈥檚 typically broken into these three categories:

• Overpronated: Overpronation is what happens when the foot rolls excessively inward during movement, says Graves. A person with overpronation will look like their ankles are turning in slightly while walking, says , a podiatrist based in Bloomington, Illinois.
• Neutral: Also known as a 鈥渘ormal鈥� gait, this is a style of walking or running where the foot doesn鈥檛 excessively roll inward or outward when you move, explains Graves. 鈥淚n general, the stride will appear to be the typical heel-to-toe gait with no obvious shifting of a patient’s hips up or down,鈥� says Lockwood.
• Supinated: Supination is essentially the opposite of overpronation鈥攊t happens when feet excessively roll outward during movement, Graves says. 鈥淭his will look like patients are walking on the outside of their feet or even tip-toeing instead of that normal heel-to-toe gait,鈥� Lockwood adds.

How to Determine Your Gait Style

Now that you鈥檙e familiar with each gait, you have a few ways to nail down your walking style. Some performance shoe stores will have a treadmill where a salesperson can look at your gait to provide insights into your foot’s movement when you walk or run.

But Schaeffer says you can also try to do this at home by recording yourself walking and looking at the results.

Which Shoes to Look For

For neutral gaits, opt for shoes that are cross-trainers; for overpronation, look for stability shoes; and for supination, look for a cushioned shoe, Lockwood says.

Here鈥檚 the thing: while you may see footwear companies talk up the importance of proper footwear for overpronation and supination, actually having problems with either is rare, says Milica McDowell, a physical therapist.

Footwear companies will often steer people with overpronation or supination toward a stability shoe. Still, unless you have severe overpronation or supination, you may not need a specific shoe designed for this, McDowell says.

2. Determine Your Toe Shape

Schaeffer breaks down common toe shapes this way:

• Egyptian: This is the shape most people think of with a foot, where the big toe is the longest, with a descending order of toe length.
• Roman: With this toe type, the first three toes have a similar length.
• Greek: Also known as 鈥淢orton鈥檚 toe.鈥� This is when the second toe is longer than the big toe. (Some research suggests nearly 30 percent of the population has this toe shape.)
• Celtic: This toe type features a large big toe, a long second toe, and the third toe is slightly shorter.
• Germanic: People with this toe type have toes that are all about the same length.
• Peasant: This toe type features broad and square-shaped toes.

Figuring Out Your Toe Shape

Toe shapes are most helpful in determining the length of your shoe. 鈥淭he rule of thumb is to use the longest toe to judge the appropriate length of the shoe,鈥� Graves says. 鈥淪ometimes people only look at the big toe, which is not good if the second toe is longer.鈥�

Your toe shape may also impact the width of your shoe鈥檚 toebox. 鈥淲idth is usually a bigger concern when all of the toes are about the same length,鈥� Graves says. 鈥淢ost shoes taper to a narrower shape toward the toes, which can make things tight for this toe type.鈥�

Which Shoes to Look For

Ultimately, if any toe is longer than your big toe, Schaeffer suggests considering a bigger shoe size or a wider toe box.

To find a longer shoe, go up a size. When you鈥檙e searching for shoes with a wider toe box, look for a label that specifically states it has a wide toe box or a D width, Lockwood says. (An E width is extra wide, she points out.) Looking for a more rounded toe box versus a V shape can also help, says Lockwood.听

Brooks is known for providing wider toe boxes, along with New Balance, Lockwood says. Consider the or , both of which come in wide and extra-wide sizes.

3. Foot Widths

Shoes used to offer foot width options that synchronized with letters, but Graves says this is now rare. Instead, you鈥檒l likely come across these descriptions:

• Narrow: These feet are considered smaller than what is typical across the widest area of the foot.
• Medium or standard: This foot width is considered typical. Most shoes will meet this width unless otherwise specified.
• Wide: Feet that fall into this category are wider across than standard feet.
• Extra Wide: Not all footwear companies offer this size option, but some provide a width that works for听people whose feet exceed a typical wide width.

How to Measure the Width of Your Foot

McDowell recommends measuring the widest part of your foot at home (or while you’re at the store) and continuing to measure it annually. 鈥淔oot length and volume changes in adulthood,鈥� she says. 鈥淲e have a misconception that once you stop growing, your feet stop growing. But there are lots of different reasons your foot length could change.鈥�

Measuring your feet across is still not a perfect science, though. Graves points out that while foot measurements are two-dimensional, feet are actually three-dimensional. 鈥淪ome people have feet that might measure wide, but they鈥檙e flat and bony on top and don鈥檛 take up much room in the shoe. They can probably get by with normal width,鈥� he says. 鈥淥ther people have feet that measure normal, but they鈥檙e very high and thick on top and might require a wide shoe.鈥�

Which Shoes to Look For听

There are width sizing charts, but footwear companies may vary the widths of their shoes, even within the standard categories,听 Schaeffer says. Most big-name companies, like Hoka, New Balance, and Brooks, offer shoes in multiple foot widths. You can check the dimensions of a shoe in the product description for guidance.

But Lockwood also suggests relying on your history with different shoes. 鈥淵ou should go by feel,鈥� she says. 鈥淚f you squeeze your big toe and baby toe in the shoe, you should not feel pain or pressure with a wide-enough shoe.鈥� If this has been an issue for you in the past, consider getting a wider width.

4. Arch Types

Your foot鈥檚 arch is the curved part of the bottom of your foot, which stretches between your heel and the ball of your foot, Schaeffer explains. There are different arch types to consider:

• Normal: Also known as a 鈥渕edium鈥� arch, this is regarded as a standard arch type.
• Flat: Also called a 鈥渓ow鈥� arch, flat arches appear flat or nearly flat on the ground. Sometimes the term “flexible” is used to describe this type of arch. With a flexible arch, the foot arch seems to disappear when someone is standing, but returns when they are sitting, Schaeffer explains.
• High: Also known as a 鈥渃avus foot.鈥� This is the opposite of flat arches. This arch type happens when the bottom of the foot is higher than normal.

Look at Your Footprint to Determine Your Arch

The easiest way to check your arch type is to look at your footprint when you get out of a pool or shower, Graves says. People who have a normal arch will have a footprint that looks like a foot, with a small indentation where the arch is located.

鈥淚f your footprint when you get out of the water looks like only two or three areas are hitting the ground, then you probably have a high arch,鈥� Graves says. 鈥淚f your footprint is a more solid wet spot, then you probably have a low arch or 鈥榝lat鈥� foot.鈥�

Which Shoes to Look For

Some shoes have more arch support than others. If you have flat feet, you鈥檒l likely need a lower arch; those with higher arches may need more arch support, Schaeffer says.

While some shoe companies will specifically talk about their models having higher or lower levels of arch support, more support around the shoe鈥檚 midsole and insole may also provide this. However, Schaeffer says a good insole or orthotic can also help deliver the arch support your foot requires. 鈥淎 shoe is only going to help so much,鈥� he says.

When to See a Podiatrist

Given how complicated looking for the right footwear can be, Schaeffer recommends seeing a podiatrist if you don鈥檛 have a pair of performance shoes you like. 鈥淎 podiatrist can do a gait analysis quickly,鈥� he says. 鈥淔or most people, they would just do that for a co-pay.鈥� A podiatrist can also listen to your foot health concerns and suggest shoe features from there, Schaeffer says.

But Graves says you should definitely consider seeing a podiatrist if you have foot pain 迟丑补迟鈥檚 increasing, pain 迟丑补迟鈥檚 causing a change to how you walk, foot pain that doesn鈥檛 get better in a day or two, or foot pain that comes with other symptoms like swelling, bruising, and redness.

鈥淵ou should also see a podiatrist if your foot structure seems to be dramatically different from that of other people, you鈥檙e having difficulty figuring out your foot type or the best shoes, you鈥檙e chronically having foot pain or injuries, or shoes just never feel comfortable,鈥� Graves says.

A good podiatrist will measure your feet, look at your foot structure, check your muscle strength, see the range of motion of your foot joints, and watch you stand and walk, he says. With all of that information in hand, you should be able to find the perfect pair of performance shoes for your foot type.

Want more听国产吃瓜黑料听health stories?听.

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Everyone sweats, but why do some people perspire more than others? Why does some sweat stink? Should we all be wearing deodorant while exercising? Is not applying it a crime against humanity? I chatted with dermatologists to find out.

Why Does Sweat Stink?

Sweat itself is 鈥済enerally odorless,鈥� explains , a dermatologist and assistant clinical professor at New York-Presbyterian/Weill Cornell Medical Center. It鈥檚 only partially responsible for the malodorous musk scientifically known as bromhidrosis. 鈥淏ody odor results from the combination of sweat and the normal bacteria that live on our skin,鈥� she says.

More specifically, 鈥淥dor is caused by the bacteria breaking down the components of sweat and producing that characteristic B.O. smell,鈥� explains , a dermatologist based in Long Island, New York.

But 迟丑补迟鈥檚 not the only reason sweat can be stinky.

3 Types of Sweat

As it turns out, not all perspiration is created equal鈥攐r even secreted by the same glands. There are three basic types of sweat.

1. Thermoregulatory Sweating

The most common type of perspiration, thermal or thermoregulatory sweating, occurs when the hypothalamus (aka the body鈥檚 thermostat) senses an increase in body temperature, such as during exercise or when standing outside in the heat. In response, the brain signals the sweat glands to get to work because sweating is the human body鈥檚 most effective cooling mechanism.

Known as eccrine sweat, it鈥檚 produced by glands of the same name found throughout the body, which open directly onto the skin鈥檚 surface.

2. Psychological Sweating

Emotional or psychological sweating is triggered, as the name implies, by surges of intense feelings such as fear, anxiety, stress, embarrassment, excitement, or pain.

Although this response to emotional stimuli begins when we鈥檙e babies, this kind of sweat typically doesn鈥檛 start stinking until the hormonal and physical changes associated with puberty occur. It tends to strike the groin, palms, armpits, soles of the feet, and face. This milkier sweat is produced by apocrine glands, which open into hair follicles, which in turn provide sweat鈥檚 path to the skin鈥檚 surface.

3. Gustatory Sweating

The third kind of sweat, gustatory, will be familiar to regular viewers of on YouTube. It鈥檚 usually precipitated by eating or drinking something so spicy or hot that body temperature is elevated. In an attempt to cool itself, the body cues the aforementioned thermoregulatory waterworks.

Non-Stinky Sweat Versus Stinky Sweat

Workout-induced wetness is 鈥減rimarily a watery, odorless sweat as a response to body temperature, primarily composed of water, salt, and electrolytes,鈥� Arora says. This is the kind of sweat that manifests as a wet puddle left behind on gym equipment or yoga mat; it’s mostly thermoregulatory or .

Conversely, psychological or apocrine sweat occurs in areas with a higher concentration of hair follicles, such as the armpits, explains Arora. 鈥淪weat produced by apocrine glands tends to be associated with stronger odor,鈥� Arora says. 鈥淗owever, any sweat can lead to body odor if it interacts with bacteria on the skin.鈥�

Men Typically Sweat (and Smell) More Than Women

There are also differences in sweat rates and patterns that align with biology, says Arora. 鈥淢en generally have more eccrine glands, which produce a larger volume of sweat.鈥� They also have higher testosterone levels, which lead to increased activity of apocrine glands, explains Arora. 鈥淎dditionally, men often have more body hair, providing a larger surface area for bacteria to thrive.鈥�

So yes, men may experience more issues with smelliness stemming from hormonal differences between the sexes, although it varies wildly based on the individual, says Garshick. She notes that bacteria breaking down the top layers of the skin can result in 鈥渁n odor associated with the ingestion of onions or garlic.鈥�

Do Certain Deodorants Work for Certain Kinds of Stink?

鈥淒eodorants often contain antimicrobial agents that can reduce bacteria on the skin, addressing the smell associated with sweat,鈥� Arora says. 鈥淎dditionally, they can provide a psychological boost by making individuals feel more confident and comfortable during physical activities.鈥�

His two cents about exercise-friendly ingredients is to 鈥渓ook for deodorants with antibacterial agents like triclosan or triclocarban that help control the growth of odor-causing bacteria. A pleasant fragrance can help mask odor while an alcohol base can keep the underarms dry.鈥�

An added bonus of applying microbe-fighting deodorant, Garshick says, is 鈥渟ome of the same treatments we use to reduce bacteria in [regard to] body odor can also help to reduce [acne] breakouts and conditions like folliculitis.鈥�

Deodorant Ingredients to Avoid

It鈥檚 wise to familiarize yourself with the ingredient list before you buy or use. Arora warns consumers to avoid parabens (鈥減reservatives that can disrupt hormone function鈥�), phthalates (鈥渕ight interfere with the endocrine system鈥�), propylene glycol (鈥渃an cause skin irritation鈥�), and artificial colors and synthetic fragrances (if you experience sensitivity to either).

鈥淩eactions can vary, so it鈥檚 important to find [a brand] that works well with your body chemistry and skin type,鈥� Arora explains. Of course, even natural deodorants can contain ingredients and fragrances that lead to contact dermatitis, especially for those with sensitive skin.

Wait, What About Antiperspirants?

Arora supports relying on deodorants over antiperspirants. 鈥淲hile [antiperspirants] can be effective in preventing body odor, it鈥檚 essential to allow some sweating during exercise to regulate body temperature,鈥� he says. 鈥淯sing deodorant, which masks odor but allows sweating, may be a better choice during workouts.鈥� He also notes that 鈥渇inding a balance between managing bacteria and ensuring proper skin ventilation鈥� is crucial for maintaining healthy skin.

鈥淭he aluminum salt in an antiperspirant plugs up the sweat glands,鈥� Garshick says. This can clog pores and lead to acne or other skin irritations.

Does Using Antiperspirants Cause Cancer?

For years, women, especially those who spent any time watching the news in the 1980s, have worried about suspected links between using antiperspirants or deodorant-antiperspirant combos containing aluminum and breast cancer.

Older research suggested that aluminum could penetrate the skin and induce estrogen-like effects, which have been known to stimulate the growth of cancer cells. People also sounded the alarm about aluminum鈥檚 suspected link to Alzheimer鈥檚.

More recent research has prompted both the and the to say there鈥檚 no data to support those fears. 鈥淣o conclusive evidence has been found surrounding aluminum鈥檚 potential association with Alzheimer鈥檚 or cancer,鈥� Garshick says.

For those who are still leery, there are an astounding number of deodorant options on the market that are free of aluminum, including and .

How Much Deodorant Should You Put On?

If you decide to roll on the deodorant, Arora also cautions you to pay attention to the amount you apply before you head to the gym or yoga studio. 鈥淎 few swipes or a thin layer applied evenly should suffice. Applying too much can lead to product buildup, which might be uncomfortable and less effective,鈥� says Arora.

So, yes, sweat happens, but serious stink doesn鈥檛 have to. With no downside, according to the derms, grab a stick and swipe those pits before heading to the gym studio so you can avoid being that person committing an olfactory offense during your bench press.

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Dealing with any tension in the body is a real pain. But a tight, sore jaw can be mind-numbingly painful at worst and annoying at best. Learning how to relax your jaw can protect you from a host of unnecessary issues.

According to , a facial and oral pain specialist, headaches, teeth damage, sleep disruption (and negative repercussions on mental health), and, of course, general pain can all be attributed, at least in part, to a clenched jaw.

What Causes Jaw Tension?

Most jaw tension is created by daily, relatable habits鈥攅ven would-be relaxing ones, including sleep or yoga. Bakhtiari cites 鈥渄aytime clenching,鈥� the sort that happens during exercise or stressful work events, and nighttime teeth grinding as predominant culprits.

Other contributing factors? 鈥淓xcessive caffeine, medications (such as stimulants), and oral habits including nail biting, cheek biting, lip biting, and gum chewing,鈥� he says. This cocktail of conscious and unconscious quirks can create undue pain that can ultimately impact your overall health.

TMJ Disorders

Jaw pain and headaches are often related to TMJ, or the , which frame your jaw. You have two of these joints. To find them, place a finger from each hand on the sides of your face just slightly in front of your ears. Open your mouth. You should feel your jaw unlock. Issues with your jaw joints are caused by TMD (temporomandibular disorders). TMD may include disc disorders or even problems with the muscles used for chewing. While the causes of TMJ pain are common, addressing it requires some finesse.

鈥淭MJ exercises need to be tailored to the individual,鈥� says Bakhtiari. 鈥淯nfortunately, some classic exercises found online can hurt people who are hypermobile (too flexible).鈥� If you’re interested, Bakhtiari suggests getting evaluated by an orofacial pain specialist first.

5 Ways to Stop Clenching Your Jaw

Fortunately, there is a selection of universal steps you can take to relax your jaw now. According to Bakhtiari, simply noticing the above patterns can help you overcome them.

1. Make Humming Sounds

The sacred mantra of is more than mentally and spiritually meditative鈥攊t can ease physical stress, too. Bakhtiari notes that an om, or any humming sound with an 鈥渕,鈥� encourages your jaw to move to a relaxed position.听

2. Try to Limit Nail Biting and Gum Chewing

This one is simple. 鈥淏reak any oral habits such as nail biting and gum chewing,鈥� says Bakhtiari. While these small instances tend to be tied to anxiety, finding other coping mechanisms (think meditation or breathwork) will protect you from greater strife.

3. Cut Down on Caffeine

As noted above, an excess of caffeine and other stimulants can amp you up, causing you to clench your jaw. There鈥檚 no need to ditch your coffee and tea entirely鈥攁 bit of mindfulness around consumption goes a long way.

4. Develop a Myofascial Release Routine

The myofascial system runs through your entire body, connecting myriad body parts, including your . Honing a myofascial release routine that addresses your tightest areas may effectively release others; in this case, rolling out your hamstrings may be precisely what you need to help unlock your jaw. You can also purchase myofascial release balls, like . You can also use a .

5. Keep Your Teeth Apart

This simple suggestion can make a big change. According to Bakhtiari, your teeth are never meant to touch鈥攅xcept when you鈥檙e eating, of course. Reminding yourself of this fact can instantly alleviate jaw tension.

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Years ago, when I was 20-something, I heard comedian Jon Stewart on stage in San Francisco quip, 鈥淒o you ever shave one of your legs to make it feel like you鈥檙e in bed with someone else?鈥� All these years later, Stewart’s line came back to me to inspire a unique way to test the , which claims to be the first razor made and marketed for men’s legs.

Many male cyclists, triathletes, and swimmers shave their legs for reasons related to performance that include aerodynamics, ease of taping, and better healing of road rash. I understand that men typically use their face razor or buy (or borrow) a woman鈥檚 razor, which are all intended for shaving legs.

Most women who shave their legs do it out of habit and societal norms for appearance. I鈥檝e been shaving mine since I stole my mom鈥檚 razor when I was about 12 or 13. I鈥檝e solely used inexpensive, disposable razors designed for women. I鈥檇 never considered using one intended for men’s legs鈥robably because they didn鈥檛 exist until now.

Inspired by Jon Stewart and looking for a clear comparison, for roughly three months, I shaved one of my legs with the , and the other leg with a simple $15 Gillette Venus targeted towards women. (There are many versions of the Venus; mine is the .) The Venus may be inexpensive, but it has replaceable cartridges with four blades, and skin lubricating panels built in, making it a step up from a single-blade Daisy Razor.

Did my experiment make me feel like I was in bed with a third party, aside from my husband? Not exactly. But it did give me some interesting results.

What Makes the Bolt Performance Razor Male Leg-Hair Specific?

First, I needed to find out what makes the Bolt Razor tailored for men. A company rep told me that it鈥檚 ergonomically designed to be held by larger hands for specific use on the legs (versus the face), and for non-slip use in the shower thanks to its heavy, zinc-alloy handle. The razor, designed in Finland, also has Swedish specialty steel blades tuned sharper for the coarse leg and body hair of a man. The Bolt鈥檚 5-blade cartridge is bordered by strips made of aloe vera and vitamin E to help moisturize as you shave, which is not unique; my Gillette razor has similar strips.

The Bolt Performance Razor vs. Gillette Venus Experiment

During my 12-week experiment, my right leg became my Bolt Razor leg; my left, my Gillette Venus razor leg.

I soon found I looked forward to shaving my right leg with the Bolt Razor. I was also using the that contains aloe vera and menthol, said to exfoliate and prep the follicles for a shave. The process of shaving my right leg became more of a soothing ritual than a quick duty, and the extra time and care resulted in a smooth shave. I enjoyed the nice, weighty razor. It wasn鈥檛 too large for my female hands (Note: I wear women鈥檚 medium to large gloves). I began to like my right leg better.

My left leg suffered a bit, more because of my lack of attention. Shaving my left leg just wasn鈥檛 as fun. I regularly missed a panel of stubble somewhere. The closeness of the shave was similar between legs, maybe a little smoother on the right/Bolt Razor side, but not wildly different. I just enjoyed shaving the right leg much more, and so I didn鈥檛 tend to leave patches of unshaved hair, even around my knobby ankle bones. My left leg, it should be noted, also didn鈥檛 get the treatment of the Bolt Shave Butter, which contributed to its lack of attention.

Even when I switched to fresh blades on both razors, I didn鈥檛 perceive a significant difference in the closeness of the shave. I also didn鈥檛 note a difference in the two razors related to gender. Instead, I found that the Bolt razor delivered a significantly different shave experience due to its quality.

Simple razors work just fine. But, I discovered, a quality, weighted razor鈥攚ith a handle that feels good and solid in the hand and blades dedicated to leg hair, male or female鈥� makes for a better shave (especially when used with a nice shave butter). Cheap razors are also disposable, and I like the idea of using one razor for longer and keeping plastics out of landfills and the ocean.

A quick internet search tells me there are 鈥渇ancy鈥� razors made for women, which, no doubt, give luxurious shaves and are worth exploring. But, no surprise here: many are small and pink. I hate feeling pandered to. I鈥檓 an athlete, for God鈥檚 sake, not a fairy princess.

I’m going to keep using the Bolt Razor, male marketing be damned, for its superior shave experience. But I鈥檒l stop taking Jon Stewart’s advice and start shaving both legs the same.

The post I Shaved One Leg With a Razor Made for Male Athletes and the Other With a Women鈥檚 Model for Three Months. Here鈥檚 What I Discovered. appeared first on 国产吃瓜黑料 Online.

I went to CryoEffect, a self-described 鈥淐old Spa鈥� in the Chicago suburbs, in the middle of the weekday, when I was told it would be pretty empty. The only customer was a guy in the back who had just gotten out of a full-body cryotherapy treatment鈥攂asically, three minutes naked in a -200 degrees Fahrenheit freezer鈥攁nd was reclining in compression boots that went all the way up his legs. He was coming to daily as part of a fitness project, because, as an airplane salesman, he鈥檇 made a bet with a client that he could lose 30 pounds in 30 days. If he won, his client would pay him $50,000.

鈥淲hat if you lose the bet?鈥� I said.

鈥淗e鈥檚 not going to lose the bet,鈥� said Miriam, the Cold Spa鈥檚 owner. She had a great smile and curly hair, and her wrists were adorned with crystal bracelets, which she made herself and sold at a table by the door. Each crystal helped with different things, like creativity and self-love. But most customers just bought them based on which colors they liked best.

The guy beamed. He was confident about the bet. 鈥淚n two and a half weeks, I鈥檝e already lost 27 pounds.鈥�

鈥淵ou should donate the money to the owner of CryoEffect,鈥� said Miriam.

Did he feel, I asked, like time in the freezer was helping his goal?

鈥淔or sure,鈥� he said. 鈥淵ou come out, and it鈥檚 almost like you鈥檙e crafted. Like, you鈥檙e shaped.鈥� He sort of pawed the air, like he was patting a Greek statue. 鈥淓verything is tighter. It鈥檚 amazing! And my sinuses are better, too.鈥�

Well, who doesn鈥檛 want to be crafted like a statue? That sounded pretty good to me, especially since I鈥檇 come to try out full-body cryotherapy myself. My reasons were simpler: I鈥檓 a long-distance dogsledder, a lover of deep cold, and I鈥檝e spent a lot of time winter camping in 30 or 40 below zero鈥攕o I was curious about how the Cryo experience would compare. Temperatures in the walk-in freezer got down to鈥攁pparently鈥�-260 degrees Fahrenheit, but some users described the sensation as that of standing next to a fridge with an open door. These things are not the same. How cold would it really feel? And would it scratch that cold-weather itch, even in summer? I felt uniquely qualified to evaluate.

Plus, the freezer therapy came with a bunch of supposed benefits鈥攕ome of them even backed by science, like after workouts. And dozens of cryotherapy services have popped up in the Chicago area alone. Proponents argue that the cold decreases inflammation鈥攑icture an ice pack on an injury, but for your whole body鈥攁nd causes your blood to redirect to your core, so that when it comes back to your extremities, it鈥檚 carrying extra nutrients and oxygen.

Do whole-body cryo fans care about the FDA鈥檚 statements that 鈥� about its safety or effectiveness鈥�? Not particularly. Search #cryotherapy on any socials, and you鈥檒l find countless posts about pain relief, athletic performance, and improved energy. I gotta say, I believe it: regardless of direct physical effects, the intensity of three minutes in a deep freezer would make for a hell of a placebo.

Another man walked into the spa鈥攃learly a regular, because he wasted no time slipping behind a curtain and changing into the spa-issued bathrobe, socks, and slippers before stepping into the cryo chamber, which looked like a cross between an upright fridge and a coffin. Lights flashed; white steam poured over the top. He spent the entirety of his three-minute treatment chatting with Miriam about his daughter鈥檚 upcoming wedding, even when a deafening fire alarm went off, which Miriam shouted was a false alarm from the office next door. I covered my ears; he ignored it. He seemed to be a superhero of ignoring sensory input. When his time was up, he stepped out of the tank like it was nothing.

Now it was my turn.

The inside of the freezer-coffin was lined with some sort of black quilted poly that was coated in frost. I opened the door and stepped onto a carpeted platform, which rose up until my head poked out an opening at the top. I wore a bathrobe over my underwear, but now that I was fully enclosed, I took off the robe and handed it to Miriam; no one could see my body, but I felt very exposed. The air already felt frigid. How much colder would it get? I started to get nervous.

A screen at the top of the tank read -97 degrees Fahrenheit, with 2 minutes and 54 seconds left. Within two seconds, temps dropped another 20 degrees. It felt like someone was pressing solid ice cubes to every inch of my skin. I had the urge to crouch down and make a ball, wrapping my arms around my legs to preserve heat, but I was afraid to bend at all and brush the frosty lining of the tank.

With a strong hissing sound, mist started to pour out around me, rising up to my neck. The temp dropped to -165.7 degrees Fahrenheit, which did not feel at all like standing in the open door to a refrigerator. It felt like I was standing in an oddly windless tundra鈥攏aked. I suppose, if I hadn鈥檛 seen the thermometer, I would have estimated the temperature to be around -40 degrees Fahrenheit, which is still very chilly to be naked. I guess 迟丑补迟鈥檚 what they call a dry cold.

鈥淵our skin receptors are talking to your brain,鈥� Miriam said calmly, outside the coffin, as if those words meant anything at all. 鈥淵our blood is rushing to your core to protect your vital organs. When you step out of your three minutes of torture, your blood will rush back where it belongs and fight inflammation along the way.鈥� She started listing the conditions this would help: brain fog, stress, depression, anxiety, acne, rosacea, scarring鈥� (Conversely, the FDA warns of asphyxiation, frostbite, eye injury, and burns.)

It was hard to focus on what she was saying, which was surely the point; she was well-practiced in distracting people from the pain of cold. Still, the sensation of cold won over. It felt like thick needles were stabbing slowly into my shins and arms.

鈥淵ou鈥檒l be amazed how well you sleep tonight,鈥� said Miriam cheerfully.

With 53 seconds to go, I started laughing from the pain. Miriam recommended that I put my arms up above the tank. 鈥淭hat leaves the girls exposed,鈥� she warned a few seconds too late. My forearms were covered with the biggest goosebumps I鈥檇 ever seen.

With ten seconds to go, she traded me the mittens for my room-temperature bathrobe, which felt unbelievably toasty, like it had been warming for hours in the hot sun.

Normally it takes me a long time to warm up after being in deep cold鈥攁 half-day inside, at least, for the bone-chill to go away. I can mush in the morning, sit by a fire all afternoon, and still want a hot bath to warm up fully for bed. But within seconds of stepping out of the freezer-coffin, I felt fine again, except that my legs were as numb to touch as if they鈥檇 been novocained. It was kind of fun to poke them. My clothes, when I put them on, felt balmy. I wanted to skip around. I stepped back onto the street and everything seemed brighter. Almost sparkling. I had survived!

Apart from a brief euphoria, I noticed no other effects of the treatment, though to be fair, most advocates of cryotherapy recommend a series of sessions in order to get the benefits. But it certainly gave me a feeling of accomplishment far beyond what I鈥檇 normally get from three relatively passive minutes of my day. Would I do it again? Sure鈥攂ut I鈥檓 more likely to DIY it by stepping outside in pajamas on a winter morning before I drink a cup of coffee, or running out of a sauna and into a snowbank for fun. If I鈥檓 a believer in cryotherapy, it鈥檚 because I am, above all, a believer in the power of cold鈥攖o invigorate, to calm, and to cast the world in beauty that wouldn鈥檛 be quite as visible at other times. Sometimes winter really can cure what ails you鈥攁nd if a freezer-coffin can help me glimpse that on a summer day, consider me sold.

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You hear the same advice every summer: slather on sunscreen and limit your time in the sun. Those rules still apply, but not everyone is getting the message.

Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the United States, according to the ; one out of every five people will develop skin cancer before the age of 70. Over the past three decades, skin cancer . Between 2011 and 2019 alone, rates increased by 31.5 percent. What’s behind the rise?

鈥淭he overall increase in skin cancers has to do with cumulative sun exposure combined with lack of adequate sun block or protection from UVA/UVB rays,鈥� says Dr. Ava Shamban, a board-certified dermatologist in Los Angeles, California.

It’s time to get smarter about your sun exposure. Here are five things you need to know about sun exposure, according to a dermatologist, plus tips for enjoying the sun more safely.

1. Wearing Sunscreen Every Day of the Year Is a Must

You may not think about wearing sunscreen when it鈥檚 cloudy or rainy or even during winter. Yet you should. Why?

鈥淭he most harmful ultraviolet rays are present every day,鈥� Shamban says. 鈥淭hey don鈥檛 retreat in winter and can filter through dark cloud coverage, which is why any uncovered areas of the body at any time of the year are exposed and vulnerable to the damage of the sun鈥檚 UV rays.鈥�

Dermatologist-approved tips:

• Lather on sunscreen after you shower: make sunscreen application as much a part of your daily routine as brushing your teeth. Choose a broad-spectrum sunscreen that protects against UVA and UVB with an SPF of at least 30 and slather it on when you get out of the shower in the morning, as you would lotion.
• Put it on areas likely to be exposed to sunlight: this includes your legs, arms, shoulders, d茅colletage, neck, face, ears, and hands. The also suggests a lip balm with sunscreen. You might even add a hand cream, moisturizer, or makeup with sun protection to your daily routine. These won鈥檛 replace sunscreen but will offer added support for vulnerable areas that are never covered in your reapplication plan, Shamban says.

2. One Bottle of Sunscreen Should Only Last You a Couple of Months

How quickly you go through that sunscreen depends not only on how big the bottle is but also on how well you鈥檙e applying it. In general, though, aim to go through at least one bottle during the summer, more if you鈥檙e sharing that bottle with others. If your bottle lingers, it鈥檚 a sign you鈥檙e probably not using enough.

Dermatologist-approved tips:

• Measure one ounce of sunscreen: The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends applying an ounce of sunscreen to your face and body. That鈥檚 about the size of a shot glass; for easy reference, keep a shot glass in your bathroom to help you measure it, Shamban says.
• Don’t skip your face: Your face alone should get a nickel-sized amount, says Dr. Adele Haimovic, a dermatologist based in New York. You should then reapply every two hours, she says.
• Don’t use expired sunscreen: Just watch those expiration dates, as sunscreen breaks down over time. 鈥淚鈥檝e seen people who have gotten burns because they used expired sunscreen,鈥� she adds. Once a year, go through all your sunscreens and toss any that have expired.

3. Skin Cancer Around the Eyes Is More Common Than You Think

Although any exposed skin may be prone to developing skin cancer, the skin around your eyes is particularly vulnerable because it鈥檚 thin and delicate, Shamban says. Roughly five to 10 percent of all basal cell carcinomas occur on the eyelids.

Dermatologist-approved tips:

• Wear polarized sunglasses: While you should always wear sun-protective eyewear when outdoors, choose a darker, polarized lens rated for ultraviolet protection; most sunglasses don鈥檛 have enough UV protection alone.
• Toss on a hat: If you don’t have polarized glasses, opt for a wide-brimmed hat that gives you at least three inches of shade. You can also use an umbrella to limit sun exposure.
• Consider alternative sun care products: Sunscreen is crucial, but if it bothers your eyes and causes a stinging sensation, use a mineral version, one containing zinc oxide and/or titanium dioxide, Haimovic says. You can also try a fragrance-free sunscreen for sensitive skin. Alternatively, use a protective powder with an SPF rating for your eyelids; try a stick formula or one with a 鈥渄oe foot鈥� applicator, which allows more precise application versus your finger, Shamban says. A broad-based sun-protection eye cream will also do the trick.

4. UV Light Can Penetrate Through Windows

Being by windows can give your mental health a boost, but know that those windows, whether in your home, office, or car, will expose you to harmful UV rays. There are two types of rays鈥擴VA and UVB鈥攁nd each one affects the skin differently. UVB rays are the classic burning rays, the most common cause of sunburns and the type most associated with skin cancer, says Haimovic.

Meanwhile, although UVA rays can cause sun damage and also lead to skin cancer, they鈥檙e associated more with aging, and it鈥檚 these rays that penetrate more through windows. 鈥淢ost glass does not protect against UVA exposure,鈥� Shamban says, adding that while some of the UVB rays get through, all of the UVA rays do. That鈥檚 one reason year-round sunscreen is so critical on exposed parts of your body.

Dermatologist-approved tips:

• Buy UV protection shields for car windows.
• Clothing can even add another layer of protection.
• Look for detergents that wash sun protection into your clothing.

5. Training 国产吃瓜黑料 Increases Skin Cancer Risk

While this may be a no-brainer, it鈥檚 worth repeating: if you鈥檙e logging the miles outside, you鈥檙e at an increased risk of skin cancer.

• Reapply often: because you’re sweating so much sunscreen off, you听 ‘ll need to reapply more frequently if you’re training outside.
• Avoid the brightest times of the day: plan your workouts so you鈥檙e not outside when the rays are at their strongest, generally between 10 am and 4 pm.

Bottom line? 鈥淓ven if the sun doesn鈥檛 shine, it鈥檚 not a free pass from sun protection,鈥� Shamban says. 鈥淯ltraviolet rays don鈥檛 take a vacation, and skin cancer knows no season.鈥�

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We鈥檝e all been there. Your workout is over. Maybe you did some yoga or a HIIT session. But you have an errand or prior commitment that you cannot skip…again. Perhaps you’re so exhausted that you don’t feel like moving, let alone going home, peeling off your sweaty clothes, taking a shower, scrubbing down, washing your hair, and maybe shaving all the things if that’s your vibe. It’s all too much, and dread kicks in.

You don鈥檛 feel great about wearing your sweaty clothes (especially yoga pants or leggings), but how bad can it really be to hang out in sweaty clothes for a few hours? The answer: not great.

3 Icky Things Can Happen

Some of us might feel an underlying sense of unease when we鈥檙e unable to hit the showers immediately after class, certain we鈥檙e just asking for a gynecological or dermatological headache. Others may worry about clogging pores or offending our coworkers. We might even chastise ourselves for feeling lazy.

If you just can鈥檛 be bothered, don鈥檛 beat yourself up. Staying in your sweaty yoga pants, leggings, or bike shorts won鈥檛 create a life-altering imbalance. But it could create some, er, discomfort.

1. Fungal Infections on the Genital Area

Let鈥檚 set the record straight: 鈥淪itting around in sweaty yoga pants is not going to cause a yeast infection,鈥� says , an obstetrician-gynecologist. A yeast infection occurs when the bacteria in your vagina are out of balance. Taking antibiotics, pregnancy, or hormonal disturbances, unmanaged diabetes, or having a weakened immune system all contribute to someone’s possibility of getting a yeast infection.

The issue of lounging around in sweaty undies is more of an external one. 鈥淚f you get a skin rash in the external genital area, that could be a fungal infection (officially called vulvar candidiasis),鈥� explains Messore.

2. Pimples or Rashes on the Butt

Acne on the buttocks is often referred to as . Yep. 鈥淚 often see patients who experience skin issues from wearing sweaty, tight-fitting clothing, like yoga pants, for extended periods,鈥� says , a dermatologist in New York City and Palm Beach, Florida. 鈥淚t creates an environment that can trap sweat, oil, and bacteria against your skin.鈥� And that sweat buildup and friction can cause skin irritations such as rashes, breakouts on the butt, even folliculitis, she explains.

A quick primer on the difference. 鈥淧imples may appear more as blackheads or whiteheads,鈥� says Kopelman. 鈥淔olliculitis usually presents as red, inflamed bumps or pustules around hair follicles and can be itchy or tender. While pimples can sometimes become infected, they aren鈥檛 directly related to the hair follicle itself.鈥�

Folliculitis is when hair follicles become inflamed or infected, often due to bacteria, fungi, or friction from tight clothing, whereas pimples form when oil and dead skin cells clog pores, explains Kopelman. None of which is pleasant.

If you鈥檝e ever experienced an ingrown hair or clogged pore in your pelvic area, you know that it makes settling into Warrior 2 or a squat less than pleasant.

3. Smelling Like Sweat

It鈥檚 common knowledge that sweat is the body鈥檚 way of cooling down. But contrary to popular belief, sweat itself doesn鈥檛 necessarily smell. Only certain types of sweat produced by specific glands that have the potential to stink鈥攁nd even then, it鈥檚 but what鈥檚 in the sweat and how it mixes with bacteria on our skin or clothes. So sweat, on its own, is only one piece of the wet clothes puzzle.

Do This Instead of Sitting Around in Sweaty Clothes

Not surprisingly, the amount of time you sit around without changing after class makes a difference.

鈥淭he longer you sit in sweaty clothes, the worse it can be for your skin,鈥� says Kopelman. 鈥淏eyond just body odor, staying in damp workout gear for extended periods (like three hours versus 30 minutes) increases your risk of skin irritation, folliculitis, and even fungal infections. The moisture, bacteria, and friction from tight clothing can lead to more pronounced skin problems over time.鈥�

Wear Moisture-Wicking, Breathable, or Looser-Fitting Clothing

One solution both doctors recommend is moisture-wicking, cotton, and linen clothing that is lighter and more breathable. , a yoga instructor based in Brooklyn, New York, made the switch to flowing fabrics about eight years ago. 鈥淏oth my yoga practice and my teaching career started in hot yoga rooms, so I wore tight shorts and leggings for years. [Now I wear] flowier fabrics, and it is definitely the way to go.鈥� She opts for joggers over wide-leg or harem pants to avoid the nuisance of not getting tangled up in extra fabric during her practice.

Take Off Your Sweaty Clothes ASAP (Especially Your Underwear)

If you can鈥檛鈥攐r, for whatever reason, don鈥檛鈥攕hower immediately after class, Kopelman says the optimal solution is changing out of your workout clothes as soon as possible. 鈥淓ven though many leggings claim to be sweat-wicking, I still recommend changing out of tight-fitting clothing as soon as possible. This helps prevent the buildup of bacteria and friction.鈥�

Even reaching for a towel and drying your sweat can help.听At a minimum, change your underwear and slip into a loose-fitting pair of pants. 鈥淚f I鈥檓 sweaty enough after a yoga class, I鈥檓 definitely changing or, in times of need, taking off my underwear and in looser pants,鈥� says Rex.

Already found yourself with skin irritation? If you have more than a few pimples or experience persistent, uncomfortable bumps, Kopelman recommends seeing a dermatologist. 鈥淭hese bumps could indicate folliculitis, fungal infections, or other conditions that may require medical treatment to resolve. If the discomfort persists or worsens, professional evaluation is always a good idea.鈥�

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