Read on for the Cliffs Notes from the November issues of some of our favorite mags.
Womans Day
Its All About the Timing
When should schedule your checkups and important medical tests?
Mammogram Between day 7 and 14 of your cycle (day 1 is the first day of your period). Breasts are less swollen and dense at that time, so it will hurt less and the technician will get a better image.
OBGYN checkup Between day 7 and 14 of your cycle. The cervix is usually softer and more open at this time, which means the exam will be more comfortable and the tech can get a more accurate sample.
Colonoscopy First thing in the morning. You may be more apt to stick to the preparation required if you know you can get back to normal eating soon. Better prep means a better view.
Marriage Bond
Get closer to your spouse with tips from Alisa Brown, author of Project: Happily Ever After.
-Have a connection routine. Take a walk and chat about your day. Sharing little details makes it easier to discuss important stuff.
-Turn annoyances into shared experiences. I used to call my husbands bicycle the other woman, explains Brown. But taking an interest in his hobby gave us more to talk about.
-Writedont fight. Put your feelings down on paper first. It helps you think through your anger.
-Give praise publicly. I update my Facebook status with nice things my husbands done for me, she says. It makes us feel like a team.
Ladies Home Journal
Big, Beautiful Lashes
Use the 30-scond window before your mascara dries to work the wand. Start with curled lashes and 2 coats of mascara, and then try one of these tricks:
To go bigger and wider. Elongate your center lashes. Use the tip of your brush to stretch the middle lashes upward. Next, define the bottom lash line and then emphasize the center lashes with the tip of your brush.
To look well rested. Carefully coat your baby lashes (the tiny inside-corner hairs). It brightens the whites of your eyes. You need very little mascara for this trick, so clean off the tip of the wand first.
To get an instant lift. Add an extra coat of mascara to the outermost lashes and hold the brush for a few seconds to set.
The Great Outdoors
Three good reasons to get outside, where Mother Nature can nurture your health.
Stronger Immunity. Taking a walk through the woods might protect you from the common cold, according to a study in Japan. You might get the benefit from being exposed to phtyoncidesaromatic oils with infection-fighting properties that certain trees emit.
Lower Blood Pressure. Participants in another study had lower pulse rates and lower levels of stress hormone cortisol after a short nature walk compared to a city stroll.
Better mood. A study in England found that even a short workout in the park can elevate your mood and bolster your self-esteem. The presence of water generated a sunnier outlook. Beach jog, anyone?
O: The Oprah Magazine
An End to Overload
Four ways to end your multi-tasking habit.
1. Simplify your environment. Humans are programmed to pay attention to new stimuli, says Maggie Jackson, author of Distracted. At your computer, close superfluous windows, turn off Twitter and disable automatic email notification. Put unnecessary papers out of sight and turn off your cell phones ringer.
2. Build up your forces. Chronic multitaskers may have weakened their ability to focus. Set aside a block of timeeven if its 5 minutesto deal with a mentally challenging task.
3. Embrace discomfort. People often give up on difficult tasks in order to escape to something easier. When you hit a wall, dont point-and-click, push past it.
4. Take breaks. Every hour or so, take a quick walk around the block or step away from your computer for a few minutes.
Youre Not Getting Enough Vitamin D If
Everyone knows vitamin D is linked to things like greater resistance to viruses, less cancer and a reduced risk of Parkinsons. If you fall into one of these categories, think about a supplement.
-You live north of 34 degrees latitude (imagine a line running from Los Angeles to Columbia, South Carolina). October to March, the angle of the sun is so low that we just cant produce any D from it.
-You have dark skin. You absorb less sunshine
-You rely on a multi for your daily dose of D. Most multis have 400IUD, which is woefully inadequate.
-You slather on sunscreen. SPF 30 blocks out 97%of UV-B rays. You should (gasp!) use less of it!
