First for Women

Want to know the single thing that changed my outlook on life? Noticing glimmers. Your eye lands on the tidy sight of your freshly cut lawn. Maybe you also inhale the scent of freshly cut grass. You feel pleased, maybe even proud. That’s a glimmer. Glimmers are, simply put, micro moments of happiness. Noticing them, sharing them, savoring them all lead to a more mindful existence, which studies show is linked to all sorts of mental and physical health benefits. As Kristina Mastrocola writes in our feature on page 46, glimmers can “soothe your nervous system and boost resilience.” I ran across the concept a year ago on social media. Noticing I lingered on (and liked) posts about the natural world, plants and animals, waterfalls and sunsets, the algorithm started…

“The baby is one thing, but how does the plant get more likes than me?” MY TREASURE LUCKY SHAMROCK PIN “My mom was always a great friend to me. When I was in my 30s, we traveled to Italy and Spain. These trips were so special because it was just the two of us. (I have nine siblings!) I could not go on a later trip to Ireland with my parents and siblings, but my mom gave me a souvenir—a shamrock pin from Belleek Pottery. I treasure it as a reminder of my Irish heritage and my bond with my mother.” —Sharon Duffy, Indiana THE MOMENT SMALL REMINDERS OF HOPE AND FAITH “I captured this gorgeous view with my camera while out on a recent walk with family. When I…

1 TREAT A SUNBURN FOR PENNIES Got more sun than you thought? Soothe the burn with cold black tea bags—just pop them in the fridge for 15 to 30 minutes and their poly-phenols and tannic acid will help calm and heal skin. For full-body relief, toss 10 tea bags into a tub and soak for 20 minutes. 2 Shrink under-eye bags No one likes waking up with puffy eyes. A quick fix for the swelling: Steep two tea bags, let them cool, then place on eyes for 15 minutes. Tea’s anti-inflammatory properties help reduce swelling so you look refreshed for the day. Tip: Try keeping a few chilled bags in the fridge. Next time you need to eliminate the puffiness, they’ll be ready to go! 3 Banish swelling and bruising If…

SIGNS A blessed breakdown “After my sister, Beverly, was killed in a car accident last June, I felt like my life was over. She and I were inseparable and we loved going to the beach every Fourth of July to watch the sunset and fireworks. But on my first Fourth without her, I couldn’t bear to go alone and worked late instead. “Driving home, I took the back roads to avoid holiday traffic. But as I rounded a bend, my car choked and died. I kept trying to start it, but I was stranded. “I got out and walked down the road a bit and came upon a small cliff overlooking the ocean. I looked up and saw the most glorious sunset…and I knew my sister was with me; I…

THERE’S NOTHING like the sweet start of summer to lift your spirits. But after several weeks spent in the water-retaining and body-swelling heat, your sunny disposition can easily turn sour. These expert-backed tips can help you feel lighter, slimmer and cooler, so you can focus on making the most of the season. BLOATED BELLY? Try wood therapy To tackle a swollen belly, Lika Alania, celebrity aesthetician and founder of Alania Aesthetics in Westfield, New Jersey, recommends wood therapy. This technique entails using a carved wooden tool (like Cococar Wooden Massage Roller, Amazon.com) to massage the belly, “relieving abdominal pressure, reducing water retention and supporting digestion,” says Alania. She suggests freezing the tool before-hand since the cool sensation enhances the de-bloating effect and soothes the skin. TO DO: First, apply a contouring…

DERMATOLOGIST FIX Supercharge your SPF “Dark spots after 40 often stem from sun damage, hormones or past breakouts,” says New York City dermatologist Marisa Garshick, M.D. To help fade spots and prevent new ones, choose a sunscreen with skin-brightening vitamin C. She likes TruSkin SPF 30 Mineral Sunscreen Facial Serum (Amazon.com). Bonus: “Its prickly pear and sunflower extract also protect skin from digital blue light exposure, which can darken spots,” she explains. DIY FIX Spot treat with parsley To fade dark spots naturally, whip up a face mask using kitchen staples! The simple how-to: Combine 1 cup of chopped parsley, which is packed with vitamin C and natural brighteners, then add1 ⁄2 tsp. of baking soda and 1 Tbs. of yogurt to help remove dead, discolored skin cells. Gently apply the…