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Yoga Stretches That Improve Your Health
Research shows that yoga helps ease stress and may even fend off sniffles. Here, a 15-minute daily routine that will get results
Why Women Should Manage Their Own Money
These six strategies can help women fight the odds of facing financial trouble in retirement
Why You Should Ditch the Quest for the Perfect Career
For twenty- and thirty-somethings, the constant search for the perfect career can be both a blessing and a curse. The grass-is-always-greener mentality can serve as motivation, but it also has a tendency to become a trap, causing us to live in the future rather than enjoying the present
Clearing out the cupboards and sprucing up the garden aren't the only things that need a little attention this season; you do too. These 10 self-makeover tips can put a little spring in your step and a smile on your face
A Woman's Dilemma: To Dye Or Not To Dye?
One strand became two, then three, then 219. At my mother's suggestion, I colored my tresses, and before long I found myself enslaved to a monthly ritual that unites women of every race and creed the world around. And once you begin, honey, there's no going back. Or is there? Lately I've been toying with a subversive idea: Going gray
Child-Friendly College Programs for Parents
With the help of school programs across the country, from residential support systems to campus lactation rooms, there are options available to women and their children. Here are some of the ways child-friendly college and university programs are helping mothers earn bachelor's degrees
Women's Day: Life (and Work) Lessons Every Woman Should Learn
This year's International Women's Day celebration was focused on work -- and making sure women across the world have access to the training and technology necessary to be a part of the global economy. For most of us, work is a fundamental part of how we make a living and express ourselves in the world. It provides a livelihood, identity, and purpose
How Morning Exercise Can Boost Your Career
In their book, 'Wellbeing: The Five Essential Elements,' co-authors Tom Rath and Jim Harter examined the qualities and habits that contribute to high levels of wellbeing in the social, career, financial, physical, and community elements of life. When it comes to daily habits for physical wellbeing, morning exercise is hard to beat
Best Phone Apps for Busy Women
Are you still using your smart phone just for texting friends and updating your Facebook status? Start putting it to work for you by downloading apps that can help you make the most of your jam-packed life.
Sodium (including salt) is an important flavor-enhancer, but its use should be limited in your kitchen. Here are some of my favorite tips for creating a tasty meal -- without going overboard on sodium
Comfort food doesn't have to mean meatloaf and mashed potatoes. In fact, research reveals that there are healthier staples that can soothe your soul and get you grinning. Incorporate these eight expert picks into your daily diet and you'll score more energy, less stress and even a brighter smile. Consider these your new happy meals
The Right Job at the Right Time
An estimated five million women across the country have hired themselves as head honchos and launched their own home-based business. With many working moms out of a job and at-home moms eager to bring in extra income, the idea of being your own boss is becoming more attractive than ever. Here's how you can get started on a business and make it blossom
Sodium (including salt) is an important flavor-enhancer, but its use should be limited in your kitchen. Here are some of my favorite tips for creating a tasty meal -- without going overboard on sodium
Comfort food doesn't have to mean meatloaf and mashed potatoes. In fact, research reveals that there are healthier staples that can soothe your soul and get you grinning. Incorporate these eight expert picks into your daily diet and you'll score more energy, less stress and even a brighter smile. Consider these your new happy meals
Some people find it virtually impossible to be on time. No matter how important the event, they're always in a mad dash and get there late -- or just under the wire. Sound familiar? Maybe you need to reset your internal clock and stop being late before chronic tardiness costs you a friendship, a promotion or a reputation
My wife and I have a solid marriage, but like everyone, we've struggled with the changes that aging brings -- including those that affect our love life. The good news: With simple adjustments, sex after 40, 50, 60 and beyond can be as satisfying as ever, strengthening your relationship rather than becoming a source of conflict and stress
Are you striving to be perfect at work and at home? Make this the year the year you stop listening to your inner critic and start learning to love your imperfections. Follow this plan and you'll be less perfect -- but also a lot less stressed!
Top 10 Ways to Stick to Your Resolutions This Year
It isn't too late to get your yearly tune-up in gear. Top life coaches and some real women share their infallible stick-with-it tips
Strong Relationships Are Good For Your Health
Social connections not only give us pleasure, but they also influence our long-term health in ways every bit as powerful as adequate sleep, a good diet, and not smoking. Dozens of studies have shown that people who have satisfying relationships with family, friends, and their community are happier, have fewer health problems, and live longer
Opening Our Eyes to the Value of Closing Them
My big idea is actually a very small idea -- but it's one that gives you access to the keys that will unlock the big ideas that will change our world.
How to Turn Setbacks into Bounce-backs
It turns out that resilience -- the ability to deal with and adapt to stressful or traumatic events -- is a combination of attitudes and behaviors that help people overcome adversity. Even if your life is going smoothly now, remember these four important ways to build resilience, and you'll be able to clobber any curveball life throws your way
Are you starting to stress about holiday shopping? Skip the mall and consider do-it-yourself gifts from the garden instead. No, not bouquets of flowers, but infused vinegars, oils, salts and beauty potions handcrafted from easy-to-find garden herbs.
Surprising Benefits of Pumpkin
If you're like most women, you think of pumpkin just twice a year: once as a glorified candleholder come Halloween and then again as the indulgent finishing touch to your Thanksgiving dinner feast. But this big orange orb is actually one of nature's nutritional powerhouses. Here are the top reasons this gourd's goodness is a treat you should indulge in all year
Feel Happier: Just Change Your Shirt
It's true: Changing the colors you wear can actually change your mood -- and how others feel about you. When I was first trying to learn about color, there wasn't much research out there. So I decided to do the studies myself and fill the obvious gap
How Jealous Friends Sabotage Your Health
No matter how devoted the friendship, there's often an undercurrent of jealousy or competition. In researching my book on female friendships, I found that this is particularly true of women. We compare ourselves to each other. We tell ourselves that we make more money, but her kids are better behaved; our house is nicer, but she's thinner. It's like a running balance sheet
Megan Fox would seem to have it all. But in a recent interview, she confessed: 'I have no confidence, and because of that I'm always second-guessing myself.' You'd never guess it from her self-assurance in movies, on the red carpet and at photo shoots. Anyone can project A-list confidence, however, by following that old Hollywood mantra -- fake it till you make it. Here's how
Creating Your Own Journey of Discovery
Elizabeth Gilbert first seduced us in her best-selling memoir Eat, Pray, Love, then, we watched with envy as Julia Roberts recreated the author’s life-changing journey on the big screen. Now you can revive your own spirit at home -- no passport required -- by incorporating some of Gilbert’s happiness-inducing discoveries into your everyday life
Inspiring Stories to Make You Smile
When the going got really rough for these three women, they all found ways to stay positive. These stories can help to build confidence, achieve your dreams and be your best self -- no matter what life throws your way.
Between work and family, household responsibilities and a social life, your days are packed. How do you have time to find the energy for it all? The next time you're in need of a pick-me-up, try one of these quick and easy energy boosters. They'll add some oomph to your attitude in less time than it takes to brew a pot of coffee
A bad hair day, a wobble on stilettos or a sudden onset of the sweats can send confidence levels south. And it can be worse when those snafus happen during an important meeting or a hot date. We corralled a bunch of experts -- from doctors to stylists -- for their quick tips on tackling seven esteem sinkers.
In a perfect world, you'd leap out of bed and cross off half of your to-do list before heading out the door. The reality? It takes three hits of the snooze button and two cups of coffee before you can muster enough energy to drag yourself back to the daily grind. But you can break out of an a.m. slump -- without overhauling your entire life. Work these seven tweaks into your daily routine
Stay-at-Home Moms Need a Career Plan
Becoming a stay-at-home mom doesn't necessarily mean bringing your career to a screeching halt. The possibility looms, however, if you don't maintain your network and keep current with your industry. Stay-at-home moms are advised to keep their career in motion, even if at a slower speed, by devising a short-term career strategy
Challenges and Rewards of Part-Time Work
To work or not to work many mothers grapple with that issue. Some moms decide to stay home for months or years, if it is economically feasible. Others continue to work full-time. Still others decide to reduce their hours to part-time, and remain on their career path, although possibly on a slower schedule.
Running from place to place throughout the day is really hard on your feet. And since regular pedicures are a pipe dream, you need a quick way to combat calluses, cracked heels and brittle toenails. Thankfully, you can clean up and beautify your feet at home in not much time. Check out these expert strategies for fixing your most annoying foot issues
Isn't It Time to Stop Judging Yourself?
Bad habits aren't limited to things like nail biting and procrastination. For women, one of the most common and insidious habits is being overly critical or judgmental of themselves. What's worse, a pattern of self-criticism can become so ingrained, you might not even notice you're doing it. You can learn to silence your inner critic and become more accepting of yourself, however. Start with these strategies
Cleopatra was known for soaking her skin in a rose petal and milk bath to keep it soft. The ancient Greeks used honey and the Romans olive oil as natural skin moisturizers. So what's the real deal? Here, eight skin care essentials from the experts to increase your chances of having great-looking skin
What Makes a Housewife Desperate
One hour into my new job on 'Desperate Housewives,' Felicity Huffman asks me, 'You have three kids under three years old? How are you managing it all with work?' I can't even meet her eye as I shamefully reply, 'Work is the best part of my day.'
It was April 15. I went and mailed my taxes. It felt surreal, doing this mundane civic chore on the day breast cancer took my mother. I remember being vaguely surprised that taxes were still due, that the world had not stopped, that here was life, going on regardless. Now here we are, 22 years later and I just signed up to walk 60 miles as part of the Susan G. Komen 3-Day For The Cure.
Can You Afford to Be a Stay-at-home Mom?
Leaving the workforce to be a stay-at-home mom might seem risky these days. But it can be a good decision, particularly if your spouse has a secure job. If you're deciding whether you can afford to be a stay-at-home mom, consider these factors: finances, your partner's support and your own emotional well-being. Here's how to weigh the risks and rewards
The ABCs (and D's!) of the Bra
When it comes to getting a bra, it's so important to have the perfect fit. We want to keep you, er, abreast of what to look for when bra buying.
Once focused primarily on spas and shopping, girlfriend getaways now feature just about every type of boundary-pushing experience you can imagine. Like to sail, ski or sleep under the stars? Want to perfect your downward-facing dog? Here's seven girlfriend getaway ideas that will whet your appetite for adventure
You'll Be Happy to Know You'll Get Happier Every Day
Happiness, researchers say, has a U-shaped relationship with age. People are relatively happy until they're 18 -- then life happens. Mortgages, jobs, children, relationships, disappointments with a capital D. So that youthful feel-good quality heads south until one hits 50. After bottoming out in the early 50s, however, people grow steadily happier
We've Come a Long Way in Wrong Direction
I doubt today's working world is what the suffragettes were thinking of 100 years ago when they marched for a woman's right to vote and a few other crumbs of equality. I doubt, too, this is what mid-century feminists expected when they knocked on boardroom doors and corporate glass ceilings.
While you may not always be able to control the outcome of situations, you do have a choice about how you react to it. Focusing on your actions is one of the best ways to fend off a bad mood. To stay happy and pay your attitude forward in a positive way, put these tips into practice
Why Women Need Their Own Money Advice
Women are different, at least in some ways, when it comes to money. For starters, they live longer than men, which means they'll likely outlive their spouse and manage their money on their own one day. They also tend to earn less, partly because they are often the primary caregivers for children as well as their own parents. Here's nine tips from authors of financial books for women
Why Some Women Skirt the Wage Gap
Take a look through the Labor Department's data on wages and you'll see an astonishing pattern. Nevermind modernity and women's liberation, men still make more than women in nearly all occupations. If a woman must work but she cannot provide the necessary level of income, her entire household suffers the cost.
Finding the 'Me' in Motherhood
Whether you're a mom or not, at some point you've likely put yourself on the back burner while turning your attention to the needs of those around you. But moms know this feeling better than anyone: With kids, life isn't only about you anymore. But if you're losing yourself in the process of raising a family, it's time to refocus. Here's how to find a balance
Finding Hidden Moments for Me-time
When your day is devoted to taking care of your kids, your husband, your job and the many other important things on your agenda, it can seem impossible to schedule time for yourself. But setting aside your own time is key to maintaining your physical and mental health. Here are six expert ways to find hidden moments in your day and how to spend them so you feel energized and invigorated.
Healthy hair starts with a well-balanced diet. Specific nutrients play key roles in hair growth and maintenance, and if any are missing from your diet, your strands could suffer. Check out this guide to foods that encourage healthy hair, and start feeding your follicles at breakfast, lunch and dinner
We've all heard the stories: A mom has a big idea, such as inventing a device to prevent toddlers from unrolling an entire roll of toilet paper, and overnight she becomes a millionaire. It sounds easy -- but is it? Here's myths -- and realities -- about becoming a successful mompreneur
Creative Ways to Combine Work & Family
Sharon Reed Abboud, author of All Moms Work: Short-Term Career Strategies for Long-Range Success, writes about 'the new mommy track,' or the trend towards mothers finding creative ways of combining work and family after their children are born. Abboud says telecommuting, freelancing, and owning your own business are all ways to make it possible
It's time to whip your self-confidence into shape. Hasn't anyone told you that you can learn to be fabulous? It's not about your looks -- it's your thinking. Your happiness, appearance and relationships all hinge on how you perceive -- and present -- yourself
Women excel at taking care of the needs of others. But when it comes to persuading someone to do something for us, it can feel awkward or be difficult. Well, not anymore! You can learn to be persuasive without being bullish. The path to getting what you need is filled with obstacles, but if you present your case the right way, you will find success. Here's how
How to Comfort a Friend in Need
A friend calls crying because she's going through a tough time. You want to comfort her, but for most of us, the first impulse is to give advice. It turns out that jumping in with suggestions isn't always the best way to comfort someone. Later, after you've heard her out, try these strategies for providing comfort during some of life's most challenging situations
How TV Distorts Your Body Image
There's a sneaky force taking over the minds of girls everywhere. Fact is, TV and other forms of media, like teen magazines, have a huge influence on the health of teen girls. What you watch on the tube affects your self-esteem, shopping decisions and even facial expressions (eye-roll much?). But most of all, it affects how you feel about your body.
Parties are the perfect time to let loose, catch up with friends and just have fun. And in general, party etiquette follows the standard rules of good manners: Bring your cheer, be friendly and always thank the host. However, you can sometimes find yourself in an awkward situation. Follow these strategies and you’ll emerge from these sticky situations as the polite and gracious woman
Secrets to Sneaking in More Sleep
These days, more and more people are sleeping fewer and fewer hours. But we don’t need to tell you that. Keeping up with your kids, household and the rest of your life has likely made you a living, breathing -- and exhausted -- example of today’s sleep-deprived woman. Most adults need seven or eight hours. Not hitting the magic number? Here are some innovative ways to squeeze in an extra 30 to 60 minutes of sleep each day.
In a tough economy, the tendency is to hunker down at your job -- if you still have one -- and hold on for dear life. But the truth is, now might be the right time to branch out and learn something new that will boost your employability. Here are four great ways to gain more skills without spending much
Stay Positive in Stressful Times
When everyone in your family is down for the count with colds and the flu, you're often the one who continues to be the family cheerleader. But keeping a positive perspective can be tough under some circumstances. What's the best way to maintain an upbeat attitude? Here's useful suggestions for rising to the challenge, no matter what you're up against.
Sometimes it seems as though there isn't enough time to manage everything on your plate. Never before have moms multitasked the way we do today -- from succeeding at work and taking care of the children at home, to volunteering in the community and making time for our partners and parents. What's a multitasking mom to do when the to-do list gets too long? Here's your step-by-step guide.
Missing the Point About the Alpha Wife
The media is aflutter about a new study showing a growing number of women out-earning their husbands, a situation that has become more common in a recession in which men are losing jobs at a faster clip. There's even a catchy label to accompany the movement: alpha wives. To which I say: Oh, boy, here we go again.
Ladies, you seem to be focusing on matrimony as the answer to your worries -- and overlooking a key truth about marriage today: that tying the knot is becoming more of a boon for men than it is for women. A recent Pew Research Center report confirms what the current recession is bringing home all too clearly, with more men being laid off than women
Little Girls Really Don't Need to Walk in Our Shoes
I'm a fan of sensible shoes -- the low-heeled, wide-toed variety that allows me to walk without limping or tripping. I save those shin-torturing, bunion-producing pumps for special occasions. So I don't understand the latest trend in little-girl fashion: kindergartners in high heels.
Sometimes Good Enough is Just Right
I've often joked that children are the most stressful factor in a marriage, especially for those of us who juggle work and family. Rushed, conflicted and usually overwhelmed, mothers who toil outside the home feel there aren't enough hours in the day to keep up with parenting obligations, job duties and household chores. Life turns into a never-ending to-do list, a blaring alarm that's can't be quieted
If You Have a Friend, You Have It All
After a few months' hiatus, I spoke to my best friend from childhood. Though we live hundreds of miles apart, we can tell each other anything, picking up the strands of various subplots -- children, siblings, work, health -- right where we left off. We vent, we rage, we analyze, we pick apart. We laugh. A lot. Mostly, though, we just let it all hang out. And my, my, my, that feels so dang good.
Can you both tend the home fires and stoke a high-powered career? Is it possible to juggle the third-grade play with the 11th-hour executive-board meeting? If you take a few years off to raise Suzy and Jose, can you still reach the office mountaintop? These are questions that have been on women's minds for decades, but over the years the so-called work-life balance has become the accepted formula for women who want to 'have it all.' Now comments by former General Electric CEO Jack Welch have reignited the old debate ...
Time is Ripe for Enjoying Simple Things
Confusing times call for simple pleasures. It's the safest way to indulge with minimal payout. So now friends share frugal tips over store-brand coffee. Staycations have replaced the Riviera. A few have abandoned cars and opted for public transit. It's all about doing more with less, about being happy with enough.
Recession's Impact on Women's Health
Sure, we're worried about the economy, but just how much of an impact is it having on women's health? Actually, quite a lot
Bounce Back Fast From a Mistake
Forgetting to do something important or saying the wrong thing does a number on your self-esteem. Reacting in a positive way, right away, can help put you back in control and allow you to move on. Check out strategies for how to cope and put the advice into practice. You’ll come out feeling better about the mistake and yourself.