Reading is a habit that I developed thanks to my mother and father who encouraged this hobby by buying me as many books as I could read. At the age of six or seven, I dove headfirst into my first Enid Blyton novel, and since then, I have been an avid reader. My mother often reminds me of the summer when I broke the record for the most books read in a month at my local library. Every year, I set a reading challenge goal on Goodreads and try my best to stick to it. Reading is a relaxing activity that allows individuals to escape into other worlds and fuels their imagination. You can learn so much from books, regardless of their intended subject matter.

Books can be read anytime. However, in the United States and many other countries, reading lists are a significant part of the summertime theme. During the holiday, kids are given lists of books to read, and adults enjoy the latest bestsellers while relaxing by the poolside on vacation. As I love books and take pleasure in helping people find good ones, I would like to sell you on the merits of a summer reading list and recommend a few good books that you can enjoy whenever you have the time.

Reading is good exercise for your brain

Reading for pleasure can be a great way to keep your brain active and healthy by stimulating your neural pathways. Regardless of your age, everyone can benefit from having a reading habit throughout their life. Children who are encouraged to read regularly reportedly perform better in school, while older adults who engage in brain exercises such as reading are less likely to experience mental decline. Even if you can only read a page a day, try to incorporate it into your daily schedule to protect your grey matter.

Consume whatever type of material you’d like, whether it’s a comic or an anthology of poems. I can recommend Bitch Planet by Kelly Sue DeConnick, who has also written for Marvel’s Captain Marvel, DC’s Adventures of Superman, and more.

You could learn a lot of new things

Books can teach you a wide range of skills and knowledge, regardless of their main subject. As someone who is curious, I find it enjoyable to collect interesting facts and information for future use. For instance, a light-hearted book read by the pool could provide a random fact about sunsets, and a best-selling novel might describe a beautiful landscape that inspires your next vacation. So, whether you are learning how to cook or studying the intricacies of photo development, books can be a great source of learning and inspiration.

From Zen Cho’s Black Water Sister I got a glimpse into Malaysian culture and was inspired by the traditional beliefs depicted within to explore the religion native to my heritage.

You might discover new authors/titles/genres

Have you ever picked up a book and after reading it, realized that it is entirely different from what you had imagined? But despite that, you still liked it? Experiences like this are always amazing because they introduce you to things you would have never intentionally sought out, and as a result, help you learn more about the kind of person you are. This kind of open-mindedness is healthy and can significantly improve your quality of life.

I’m really bad at reading historical fiction because something about looking backward makes me feel unsettled, but I find books by Taylor Jenkins Reid enjoyable. In The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, we follow the life of a 60s starlet who has to hide who she truly is. Daisy Jones and the Six shows you the gritty side of the 70s rock scene, and Malibu Rising marries 80s surf culture with a little drama.

It could help you relax

Whether you prefer an e-book or a physical copy, a collection of short stories, or the latest literary breakout, take some time this summer to pick up at least one book and escape into a different world for a while. Reading has been shown to reduce stress levels by as much as 68%, lowering blood pressure and heart rate. Take a break from daily stressors and immerse yourself in Madeline Miller’s Circe, which tells the story of the Greek goddess of the same name and weaves in other popular mythological characters like Achilles, Scylla, Odysseus, and Daedalus.

Your mental health could benefit

At present, mental health is an area where many people could benefit from assistance. However, professional help can be quite expensive and may not be accessible to everyone. In such situations, adopting coping strategies that can be easily utilized is the best option. Along with practices like meditation and yoga, reading can improve your mood and relax your mind. Reading provides a necessary distraction from your worries and offers a healthy outlook, depending on the book you choose.

Fredrik Backman’s Anxious People takes a simple story about a robbery and stretches it into a rich tapestry of ordinary life with a sprinkle of serendipity that will restore your faith in humanity one chapter at a time.

See yourself represented

The world of writing and publishing has fortunately been evolving to include a much wider range of perspectives and experiences than the typical middle-aged, male, Caucasian thriller writers that used to dominate the popularity polls when I was a teenager. The reason why representation matters is that it helps people feel validated and not feel alone. As Marian Wright Edelman once said, “You can’t be what you can’t see.” Chinelo Okparanta’s Under the Udala Tree taught me that being queer is not unnatural and not a “western import” as many queer Africans are often told. Talia Hibbert’s third book in The Brown Sisters series, Act Your Age, Eve Brown, helps normalize neurodivergence in a society that often defines people solely by the characteristics that make them different from what is considered the norm.

It could make you more empathetic towards others

Judging people from afar is effortless because it only allows us to see what’s on the surface. Individuals who claim to be poor yet own a smartphone are often criticized for their misplaced priorities. However, in truth, smartphones have become a lifeline for many in our modern times. They are essential tools that provide access to everything from job listings to transit schedules for getting around without a vehicle.

Books can offer an insightful glimpse into lives that we may not understand. They can teach us to be kinder to the people around us. David Levithan’s book Two Boys Kissing is a poignant portrayal of gay teenage boys who are navigating their way through life while trying to discover themselves and their true identities. On the other hand, Min-Ji Lee’s novel "Pachinko” sheds light on the tumultuous moments in East Asian history, such as Japan’s annexation of Korea in 1910 and the discrimination faced by Koreans afterward.

It could help you sleep better

Reading is my preferred way to unwind before bedtime because it helps me transition into sleep more smoothly than nodding off while watching TV. Reading also helps to decrease my stress and tension, making it easier for my body to fall asleep. While e-readers are convenient to use, it’s better to stick to printed books at night since the blue light emitted by digital screens can interfere with sleep. If you’re worried that you won’t be able to put down your book, try reading popular fiction like “You Had Me at Hola” by Alexis Daria or “The Hairdresser of Harare” by Tendai Huchu.

Along with the word “unprecedented”, the phrase, “new normal” is probably one that you’ve heard flying around, or used yourself to describe the current state of things. It seems to be the best way to sum up the last 14+ months of our lives. Things are vastly different from what we’re used to, and they won’t start to resemble anything close to our pre-pandemic lives for a long, long time. I’m fine with never going back to what was considered normal, as there were so many broken aspects of our society that we averted our gazes from, choosing to survive as best as possible instead of challenging the status quo.

The way that we care for ourselves is one of the many aspects of our lives that has evolved since the pandemic began. If you’ve noticed recently, there’s been a lot more emphasis on self-care in the beauty sphere, emphasizing the need to practice it intentionally and with great care. A new trend has been born out of this evolution already - skinimalism. A year spent cooped up indoors coupled with a few other factors has birthed a new dedication to caring for skin so that it doesn’t need to be covered up by makeup. Even though I’ve been a beauty buff for years now with a solid Rolodex of effective techniques and holy grail products, the pandemic HAS changed the way that I approach skincare and beauty in general. Here are some that I can think of.

Skin-forward

Nothing forces you to take an honest look at the state of your skin like a few months without makeup. When you begin to get more comfortable with the sight of a bare face staring back at you 24/7, you might be more inclined to dedicate more effort to sort out any skin issues. I had a stubborn acne scar that had taken up residence on my left cheek for the better part of 6 months, but never really focused on clearing it up because I could always camouflage it with super coverage concealer. Constantly staring at myself in the gallery of faces during many, many zoom calls and noticing the little flaws that marked my face pushed me to demand more of my skincare products. I also began to pay a lot more attention to the minute changes in texture, clarity, and hydration.

SkinSelf-care

I’ve always been pretty good at researching products before I purchase and using them responsibly, but something about all the extra time and my need for an outlet has made transformed my daily routines into a more relaxing experience. A 45-minute sheet mask session feels less like an additional chore at the end of a busy day, and more like a chance to reflect and unwind before bed.

Easing into exfoliants

After years of trying to introduce chemical exfoliants into my routine without much success, I’d all but given up. While everyone was making sourdough, shaving their heads, or painting accent walls, I focused on the goal of using chemical exfoliants successfully, introducing alpha hydroxy-acids through a painstakingly slow process that spanned weeks. The outcome is that my face can now handle 2x/weekly applications of my favorite overnight peel, my skin looks amazing, and I’m more confident in my ability to take care of my skin.

Bright-eyed

Elaborate eye makeup quickly caught on during the pandemic for an obvious reason - because we were all mandated to wear masks, only the upper half of our faces were visible to others. Lipstick lovers quickly became eye shadow artists, and fans of the natural look embraced color. Eyeshadow is one of my favorite aspects of makeup, so I have a pretty decent collection of palettes and pencils. Towards the end of the last lockdown, I started to experiment with gemstones, stamps, and bright pops of color. It’s a pleasant way to express my creativity and makes the transformative power of makeup even more fun.

The art of transformation

A lot of people who wouldn’t have been caught dead without a full beat pre-pandemic have embraced the barefaced look and don’t see themselves ever going back. I’m the total opposite. I still hunt for the perfect shade of peachy blush for an Igari-style look and adhesive rhinestones to elevates even the most casual outfit. I appreciate the radiant glow and bouncy texture of my moisturized, healthy skin, but I also sigh over a buttery bronzer and metallic cream shadows. I haven’t abandoned one thing for the other, just learned to slow down and take in every step.

Taking the plunge

For a long time, I wanted to loc my hair but FOMO always prevented me from following through. What if I got bored of having my hair in one style? How would I know how to take care of my hair properly in this new style? In the first week of the pandemic, I said, “Why not now?” because it seemed to me that there was no better time to experiment than during an anxiety-triggering global crisis. Not only would I be accomplishing something I had wanted for a while, but it would serve as a project to distract me while we waited to see how things would play out. Almost a year and a half later, I’m immensely pleased with my loc journey and can’t wait to learn even more about my hair in this new form.

What are some of the ways your beauty routine has changed since the pandemic began? Are you really into sheet masks now? Have you learned to give yourself salon-quality manicures at home? I’m excited to learn how your beauty journey has changed.

Now that a significant percentage of the population has been fully vaccinated, corporations are starting to call employees back into the office. The bulk of office re-openings seem to be scheduled for the week after Labor Day weekend, with the rest following by the end of the year. Hopefully, a lot of employers will offer their staff the flexibility to work from home for at least a few days of the week, instead of returning full bore to the exhausting 9-5 grind of our troublingly capitalistic society. Amazon, for instance, has announced that it will only require employees to come into the office three days a week. And other tech companies like Twitter and Square will allow their workforce to remain fully remote if they wish. Neat right?

Whether the return to the office is a few weeks or months ahead, you might be worried about what that will be like. After over a year spent adjusting to the new normal of the home office, feeling comfortable in your old (or brand new) workplace will take some getting used to. Add to that a number of issues that have cropped up since the pandemic began, and the thought of sitting in a cubicle or office, surrounded by a bunch of other people might feel understandably stressful. I racked my brain for some of the elements of working in an office setting that may be anxiety-inducing in hopes that they will make the transition back to in-office hours a little smoother. If there are any that I forget to mention, feel free to leave them in the comments.

Engaging anti-vaxxers

For anyone who suffered through the daily anxiety of the pandemic or lost a loved one to the virus, concern about being in such close proximity to people who have elected not to get vaccinated can be frustrating. You might feel angry because you believe they’re being selfish, or unsafe because their vaccine hesitancy makes them potential carriers for the virus. Do your best to remain civil and counter any anti-vaccination conspiracy theories with facts, like this guide from CNN. After all, this wouldn’t be the first time a group of people have decided to believe in hearsay rather than science. While you can change some minds with the right mix of compassion and information, it’s not your job to do so. Unless you‘re the head of HR perhaps.

The loss of a hard-won work/life balance

Before the pandemic hit, it seemed like we were all forever rushing around, with little time to spare for hobbies, self-care, and other non-work activities. The elimination of commutes and restaurant closures gave us a lot more time to rest and recharge. No longer were we dashing from the office, into rush hour traffic, then to the gym to squeeze in a quick workout, before heading home to grab dinner and catch up with your partner/family/roommate before falling asleep, only to wake the next day and do it all again. Increasing commutes from a 5-minute walk between your bedroom and home office/kitchen table workstation to 30+ minutes of traffic and public transportation will only bring us back to the unbalanced state we were in pre-pandemic. The only real way to counter this is to make a commitment to continuing the good wellness habits we developed, like engaging in relaxing activities and taking rest days. This is also the time to engage with others intentionally. Hold space for the relationships that are good for your mental health and let go of any social habits that no longer serve you. It’s okay to change.

Concerns for personal safety

One major concern held by many employees who are apprehensive about returning to work is safety. How will employers clean and sanitize office spaces to protect employees? Will layouts be changed to expand personal bubbles? If vaccines will not be mandated, will temperatures be checked at the door? These are some of the questions on the lips of about 66% of the 1000 remote workers surveyed earlier this year. Check in with your managers to determine what safety measures will be put in place to ensure the safety of yourself and other employees, and voice whatever anxieties you have. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires that employers provide safe, hazard-free workplaces for their staff, and retaliation against any worker who raises concerns related to COVID-19 safety is prohibited. You may file a complaint if you feel that this is the case, or if you feel as though adequate protections against SARS-CoV-2 are not being offered. Steps you can take on your own are to keep washing and sanitizing your hands regularly, comply with mask requirements on planes, and other forms of transportation, and monitor your health for any symptoms of COVID-19.

The masked 9-to-5

The good news is that the CDC has relaxed guidelines for wearing masks indoors, for vaccinated people at least. But due to vaccine hesitancy, that might mean that only a third or more of the employees within a given organization might be immunized, and that makes things a little complicated. We’re still not sure how effective the vaccines are against the different strains of COVID-19, so precaution is still advised. Organizations may choose to have their staff wear masks in the office for safety reasons, which means getting used to wearing a mask for long hours. Workers in the service, transportation, and healthcare have had to do this for a while now, but most of us only have practiced wearing one for an hour or two, and it’s still really uncomfortable. Invest in some breathable, well-fitting masks, discard or wash after a single use, and go easy on the layers so as not to clog your pores.

The bottom line is that getting used to close, personal interaction will take some time after being told for months that being less than 6ft apart could subsequently be fatal. Most of us are just starting to enjoy little freedoms like grocery shopping without jumping 6 feet into the air every time someone passes by us in an aisle or eating at a restaurant. Feeling comfortable in rooms with hermetically-sealed windows is kind of a big leap, but for some, there might not be a choice. Whatever your return to work entails, try not to overwhelm yourself by worrying about things beyond your control. Just focus on the good habits that have carried you through the pandemic, and with time, you’ll find your footing.

Has your office announced plans for employees to return? How do you feel about it? Let me know in the comments.

If you feel out of place in the beauty community because you love skincare but hate how long it takes to complete a 10-step routine, ‘skinimalism’ is totally for you. It’s a beauty practice that emphasizes a minimalist approach to skincare and makeup in celebration of your skin. It’s not completely antithetical to the shelfie trend that we have seen a lot of in the last few years. You can still share your pretty shelfies, but this time your minimalist assemblage might encourage someone else to take a good, hard look at their beauty habits, and make a change for the better.

It sounds well-intentioned and balanced on its face, but is it really all that?

Skinimalism is one of the better trends I’ve seen in a while, and I believe that it does have a number of benefits. For one, it can influence the sustainability practices of the conglomerates who make the products we use, as far as ethical ingredient-sourcing, environmentally-friendly packaging, and responsible marketing. They will see how consumers are pivoting towards brands who employ those practices, or learn through consumer research, and then implement processes that are better for the public and the environment. That plus better shopping habits leads to emissions and consumer carbon footprints that gradually reduce with every unnecessary, skipped delivery.

Skinimalism is not only gentle on your skin, but your wallet as well. It encourages enthusiasts to consume beauty products ethically, buying only what is truly needed instead of splurging on the latest picks a well-placed ad told you that you needed. Skinimalism extends to makeup as well, favoring natural-looking, minimal step looks that let the beauty of your skin shine through rather than hiding under layers of product. Less steps and a rudimentary regimen mean fewer products and thus less money spent.

Having only a few steps to work with will force you to put more time and effort into curating your skincare wardrobe, as you’ll want to get the most out of every single product. You will begin to do more research about the ingredients that work best for your skin, as well as best practices both general and according to different skin conditions. Understanding the benefits of a product before purchasing by looking through its list of ingredients will become second nature, and you will learn a lot about how to attain and maintain healthy skin.

If you’ve been suffering from one bout of irritation after another perhaps from using too many products or using them incorrectly, adopting skinimalism will give your skin the time and nourishment it needs to recover. If you ever decide to add more steps to your routine in the future, a skinimalist skincare approach will provide a solid foundation upon which to build other goals, all while bearing in mind the lessons you’ve learned about what constitutes good beauty habits.

Hopefully, you will also develop a better relationship with your skin during this experience, since you’ll spend more time learning how to care for it properly, rather than covering it up. We live in an age of photo-retouching where we are slowly conditioned to believe that the unattainable beauty standards we see on our screens is what we should aspire to. The time you spend caring for your skin will re-orient your perspective of what skin really looks like, and teach you about factors that could potentially affect its condition, as well as how to manage them.

Skinimalism is the perfect introduction to skincare for newbies, as it eases them into the practice rather than presenting a confusing laundry list of steps and products, the function and benefits of half of them unknown to these novices, or poorly understood. For beginners, skinimalism also enforces good skin care habits such as substance over trendiness, how to spot truly beneficial products, and how to avoid overspending.

It seems pretty obvious that this new trend was born of the COVID-19 pandemic. More specifically, a new awareness of how little we need to thrive, the drastic decrease in the number of opportunities to get glammed up, and a need for comfort as we made our way through a difficult time. We are adapting, and this is hopefully one of the many changes for the better that we make.

How Humidity Affects Your Skin—The Good & the Bad

Longer days, sunny skies, and warmer temperatures are all things most people look forward to in the summer. But in some locales, those extra degrees come with an extreme twist: humidity.

Humidity is the measurement of water vapor in the air—folks who live in states like Louisiana are no strangers to hot, muggy summer days that feel like wading through soup. And depending on your skin type and how you care for it, humidity can either have a beneficial or adverse effect on the health of your skin. Before the temperatures spike and you start scrambling around for ways to care for your skin amidst all that surplus water vapor, here’s what you should know about humidity and how it can affect your skin.

The Bad

Human skin needs a perfect moisture balance to thrive. Too much can create a hospitable environment for bacteria to proliferate. Excessive sweating is one side effect of humid atmospheric conditions that can clog the pores and cause irritation, which then manifests as acne or heat rash.

The first step towards avoiding these issues is to understand your skin. This means knowing what type it is, how best to care for it, and any possible ingredients that may cause reactions. Keep your skin clean and use products that are best suited to the climate, e.g., selecting a gel-type hyaluronic acid for oily skin. You could also add chemical exfoliants to your routine, as the accelerated cell turnover can reduce the likelihood of acne by preventing the pores from becoming clogged by sebum and dead skin cells.

Humidity can be incredibly pesky when it comes to hair too, causing perfectly coiffed hairstyles to pouf up in the moist heat and lose their definition. It’s a problem I frequently encountered when I used to wear my hair loose. Many curly-haired people can attest to this annual problem. To keep your twist-outs and curly styles intact and frizz-free, use a styling product that offers a flexible but humidity-resistant hold.

The Good

A moisture-rich atmosphere can be a godsend for dry skin, which typically struggles to retain hydration. It’s like Mother Nature’s sheet mask. All that moisture prevents typically dry or dehydrated skin from flaking and helps it to feel soothed. Those who suffer from conditions like psoriasis and eczema reportedly experience less discomfort in humid environments, due to a stabilization of the skin’s moisture levels.

More sweating can lead to natural detoxification of your body’s largest organ as any toxins will be eliminated along with sweat. One other benefit of humidity for the skin is that it creates conditions conducive to healthy aging. Aside from sun damage, moisture loss is another factor that contributes to premature aging. The hydration derived from humidity penetrates deep into the layers of the skin and replenishes its moisture reserves, plumping skin on a cellular level.

To make the most out of this situation, ensure that the products in your skincare routine contain humectants that will act as hydration magnets, pulling moisture from the air into your skin to hydrate it deep down. Examples are glycerin, hyaluronic acid, honey, and aloe vera.

How does humidity affect your skin, and what do you do about it?

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I hate to break it to you, but the wintertime isn’t the only season when you have to take extra care when it comes to your skin. The summertime can be the other side of the same coin as far as extreme weather conditions are concerned, increasing your exposure to potentially harmful environmental conditions. Some elements of skincare are fixed, remaining unchanged through the seasons, but others need a little tweaking depending on what the skies look like.

Warmer weather can come with less than desirable consequences like heat rash from excessive sweating, and sunburn from our solar system’s biggest star. Before you head outside to enjoy beach days and other assorted summer activities, let’s quickly run through ten different ways that you can make sure your skin is properly cared for this season.

Hydrate inside and out

If you’re familiar with the relationship between your body and water, then you know how important it is to ensure that the body has as much as it needs to function properly. You can do this by drinking the daily recommended number of ounces for your weight, climate, and activity level. Topically, nourish your skin with products rich in humectants, ceramides, and emollient moisture like the Skinceuticals H.A. Intensifier for your face, and the Bioderma Atoderm Ultra-Nourishing Cream for the rest of your body.

Apply and reapply

Sunscreen is a vital part of any good skincare routine no matter the season, but the summer is the least ideal time of year to be going sans SPF. Apply half a teaspoon to your face and neck at the end of your daily AM routine, and reapply for every 2 hours of sun exposure. Ensure that whichever sunscreen product you choose is at least SPF 50 and broad-spectrum to reduce the possibility of sun damage.

After-sun care

How you care for your skin after you come in out of the sun is just as important as your actions before and during sun exposure. Despite our best efforts, sometimes our re-application game might be a little lacking, leading to burns and moisture loss. Soothe your face with a calming and hydrating sheet mask to replenish your skin’s water stores, and apply aloe vera gel or your favorite after-sun product.

Make the swap

The number of steps that make up your routine and the products you use for certain steps might stay constant whether snow or sunshine, but certain swaps should be made to prevent inadvertent harm. For instance, continuing the use of your heavy winter moisturizer during blazingly hot summer months can clog pores and cause inflammation instead of imparting moisture. You can swap out your bathtime products too, opting for refreshing soaps featuring ingredients like cucumber and peppermint over creamy body washes. The zing of mint and the freshness of cucumber could provide some relief from the sweltering days.

Add vitamin C

Not too long ago, many of us were under the misconception that vitamin C could only be used at night because of its photosensitizing properties. It turns out that it’s totally fine to use your vitamin C serum during the day, as long as you’re wearing adequate sun protection. Vitamin C’s antioxidant properties can act as a shield against environmental pollutants and free radicals.

1. Pay extra attention to cleansing

Hotter days and nights usually mean more sweating, creating moisture that outdoor dirt and grime can easily latch onto. When showering or washing your face after a long day of activity, make sure to cleanse properly. Use both oil and foam cleansers if you’ve been wearing makeup, and work the product into areas where dirt, oil, and makeup remnants can lurk, like your hairline, jaw, and neck.

Exfoliate regularly

The goal of exfoliating is to reveal smooth, bright skin by sloughing off dead skin cells and stimulating circulation. One of the easiest ways to exfoliate the skin on your body is with a physical scrub. It’s especially effective in areas with thicker, rougher skin and usually contains natural abrasives such as salt, sugar, coffee, and grains. Summer beauty tip: the best way to prevent painful ingrown hairs and razor bumps is to exfoliate with a scrub before you shave. Doing so will unclog the hair follicles and encourage normal hair growth.

Wear breathable fabrics

Fabric choice can make a world of difference when it comes to staying cool this summer. Garments that are constricting or made from impermeable materials can cause discomfort and increase perspiration. Textiles like cotton, linen, rayon, and chambray are super-breathable thanks to their light weave, allowing air to circulate the body and wicking away moisture.

Keep the humectants and occlusives

Hotter temperatures don’t mean that it’s time to break up with all things hyaluronic acid. Your skin still needs a moisture balance to function optimally. Instead of ditching the good stuff, find them in other formulations. For instance, swapping serums and ampoules for light essences and rich moisturizers for emulsions of a thinner consistency. All skin types need moisture. You just have to figure out how best to get it.

Carry a mist

Want a quick and easy way to cool down? Carry a travel mist. Whenever you feel overheated or need a quick refresh, simply spritz it across your face, neck, and chest a few times. When selecting a mist, choose products with soothing and hydrating ingredients. They exist in quite a few varieties, offering benefits like skin cooling, mattifying, hydrating, and brightening. A face mist is also handy for perking up dull skin and freshening up makeup.

There’s a lot of misconception about sunscreen and where it belongs in our personal care rituals. If you browse the skincare aisles of any drugstore, beauty retailer, or department store, you’ll notice that most brands that market a complete line of skincare usually do not include sunscreen in the lineup. And so most people do not include it in their skincare routine outside of whatever’s included in their makeup or moisturizer.

The official start of summer 2021 is almost here and many of us will be spending more time outdoors, enjoying the weather, and pursuing our favorite activities. The coming summer will probably be a lot more active for many people since we spent last summer cooped up indoors during the quarantine instead of experiencing the season in our favorite ways. Hopefully, you’ve been wearing sun protection religiously and in the right amount, as well as reapplying after intervals of exposure. If you haven’t, it’s not too late to start protecting your skin from harmful UV rays that can age you prematurely and even cause skin cancer.

To help you develop and maintain good sunscreen habits this summer and beyond, here are 10 common myths about sunscreen we need to stop believing.

Hopefully, you’ve been wearing sun protection religiously and in the right amount. If you haven’t, it’s not too late to start protecting your skin.

MYTH 1: You Only Need to Apply as Much as Moisturizer

How much moisturizer do you apply every time you complete your routine? However much that works out to be according to your skin type and preferences, it’s probably not as much as the amount of sunscreen you should be applying.

Applying sunscreen as a separate step is the best way to ensure that you’re getting the right amount of coverage. Use half a teaspoon of SPF on your face, neck, and décolletage, and two tablespoons for your body. An easy way to ensure you get the right amount is to use at least two fingers’ worth no matter what the weather is like on any given day. (Three fingers if you’re applying with a sponge or puff since you’ve got to compensate for how much product the sponge could be absorbing.)

MYTH 2: Higher SPF = More Protection

Contrary to what may seem like a logical thought progression, SPF 100 will not provide double the amount of protection as SPF 50. You’ll notice that most brands with a sunscreen product in their product lineup never go higher than SPF 50. That’s because SPF 50 offers 98 percent protection from UVB rays, and anything more than that doesn’t offer much more.

MYTH 3: Sunscreen Is Only For Sunny Days

This is a dangerous myth as it lulls people into a false sense of complacency about how often they should be wearing sunscreen. Don’t be fooled into thinking that cloudy days mean you can skip the SPF—UV rays can penetrate cloud cover. The only times when it’s okay to go without sun protection are before sunrise and after sunset.

MYTH 4: SPF in Makeup and Skincare Is Enough

The protection offered by most products with built-in sunscreen is only within the range of SPF 15 to 35, which is only 94 to 97 percent. There’s also the quantity factor, which is an important aspect of UV blocking. In order to get as much UV protection from, say, a powder foundation with SPF, as you would from a sunscreen, you’d have to apply 15 layers. That doesn’t sound efficient, aesthetically pleasing, or sustainable. Lastly, most of the sunscreen in makeup and skincare is not broad-spectrum, only offering protection from UVB rays. UVA rays have a longer wavelength and are more likely to cause accelerated skin aging and skin cancer. Undoubtedly, some sunscreen is better than none at all, but you should be wearing sunscreen the correct way.

MYTH 5: Darker Skin Tones Do Not Need Sunscreen

One of the most popular responses I got when I advised my darker-hued friends and acquaintances to wear sunscreen was that they didn’t need to wear any because their melanin provided enough protection. That assumption is false. While it’s true that darker skin tends to age better due to factors like the amount of eumelanin produced, and Black people, in particular, possessing a kind of collagen that is more resistant to sun damage, everyone should be wearing sunscreen.

MYTH 6: You Don’t Need Sunscreen Indoors

UV rays might not be able to penetrate wood and concrete, but they certainly can pass through glass. If you live or work in a space that gets a lot of sunlight, you’re still susceptible to sun damage, especially if you spend a significant amount of time by a window. Wear sunscreen even on the days when you’re indoors, and remember to reapply for every two hours of exposure.

MYTH 7: All Sunscreens Are Essentially the Same

This is certainly not the case. Some sunscreens use physical (or inorganic) UV filters, meaning that they typically feature titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both. Physical sunscreens generally work by reflecting sunlight away from the skin to prevent damage, and start to work immediately. Chemical (or organic) sunscreens contain UV filters like avobenzone and oxybenzone, and work by absorbing UV rays before they can penetrate the skin. These work best when applied 20 to 30 minutes before sun exposure. Don’t forget to check for the words “broad-spectrum” to ensure that your suncare product will adequately protect your skin from both UVA rays and UVB rays.

MYTH 8: All Sunscreens Leave a White Cast on Darker Skin

This might have been the case a few years ago, but increased awareness of proper sunscreen use and protests by consumers have slightly expanded the selection of good sunscreen products that don’t leave a white cast on anyone darker than Tilda Swinton. Some examples are Black Girl Sunscreen, Supergoop Unseen Sunscreen, and Lancôme’s Youth Shield Milky Bright Ultimate Multi-Protection SPF 50 PA++++. If you’re a fan of Japanese and Korean sunscreen, brands like KAO Biore, Shiseido, A’Pieu, and CosRX make sunscreen products that offer protection without the cost of a ghostly visage.

MYTH 9: Sunscreen Absorbs Into Your Bloodstream & Is Toxic

In 2019, there was a bit of a flurry about the danger that sunscreen could pose to general health. It came after the FDA released the results of a study about the absorption of four common chemical/organic sunscreen ingredients into the bloodstream. The media reports on this issue irresponsibly inflamed panic in the general population, even though the results of the FDA study were not new or damning. As the FDA itself stated, “The fact that an ingredient is absorbed through the skin and into the body does not mean the ingredient is unsafe.” (A good breakdown of what the study really means, from a chemist’s point of view, can be found here.) As the FDA continues to study the issue further, it strongly advises sunscreen use, given the recognized public health benefit.

MYTH 10: You Can Make Your Own Sunscreen at Home

For the love of all things that are good, please do not attempt to make your own sunscreen at home. Effective sunscreen needs to be tested properly by someone who knows what they are doing. Good sunscreen also needs to contain the proper ingredients, such as avobenzone or zinc oxide, not carrot seed oil, shea butter, or any other untested “natural sunscreen.” The level of damage that could occur from using ineffective products isn’t worth the gamble, so stick to the tried-and-true formulas.

What other sunscreen myths have you heard that you wish would go away?

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Much in the same way that hygge could be the key to adapting to a housebound winter, lykke could be the best way to embrace the new year. Unlike hygge, which is more of a lifestyle concept, lykke is simply the Danish word for happiness. The interest in the Danish way of finding and experiencing happiness took off in 2017, a year after Danes ranked highest on the list of the world’s happiest people for the second time. While Finland has held the title for the last three years, Denmark has maintained a firm hold on second place, lending its citizens the reputation of happiness guides.

The World Happiness Report is more than just the measure of the average citizen’s joyfulness; it measures six factors that contribute to their wellbeing—levels of GDP, life expectancy, generosity, social support, freedom, and corruption—which all determine a person’s comfort and make it easier to reach a good emotional state. It’s the combination of this ranking and Meik Wiking’s The Little Book of Hygge that precipitated an interest in learning the art of happiness from Danish people.

The World Happiness Report’s measure of six factors that contribute to wellbeing and the concept of hygge led to an interest in lykke, the Danish art of happiness.

Wiking states in his second book, The Little Book of Lykke, that he was prompted to write it after letters poured in from readers around the world, who shared how they had embraced hygge, inspiring him to search the world for common denominators of happiness. He also points out that these WHR rankings don’t necessarily indicate a perfect society, since they are based on averages and don’t apply to every single citizen. And so it’s up to us to learn from each other what works best and try to apply that to our lives.

Measuring Happiness

The Happiness Research Institute, of which Wiking is CEO, measures happiness based on three states: affective, cognitive, and eudaimonia. The affective dimension measures everyday emotions such as anxiety or mirth. The cognitive dimension measures the overall evaluation of one’s life, e.g., best possible scenarios and proximity to achievement, while eudaimonia measures happiness according to Aristotle’s philosophy, which is based on how meaningful and purposeful life is. Measuring happiness according to these criteria is a lot more attainable than, say, the level of infrastructure provided by one’s country of residence, which isn’t under the control of the average person.

This is the main reason why I think the journey to finding lykke is perfect for coping with whatever comes with the new year. We can all apply the Happiness Research Institute’s methodologies to find our khushi, felicidad, haengbok, or anwuli, figuring out what we can do to make our days better, what we want most out of life, and how to make those dreams a reality.

To incorporate the spirit of lykke successfully, we must examine the factors that separate the happiest countries from those that rank lowest on the list, and piece them together to create a roadmap towards happiness. No country has a monopoly on joy, so you don’t have to move to a specific geographic location. It can be found right where you are. All you have to do is be willing to learn what these common denominators for happiness are, and how to adapt them to your situation. So let’s break these lykke factors down.

Togetherness

Think about the last time you sat around the table with people you love, basking in the ambiance of a full stomach and pleasant conversation. Or the nostalgia evoked by the memory of sitting around a bonfire chatting with others. How do you feel when you have an adult sleepover with your best mates or attend a monthly brunch outing? What do you remember feeling during any or all of these moments?

A sense of community nourishes our souls and reminds us that we are not alone. Togetherness is vital to our happiness. While physical gatherings might not be doable for a lot of people any time soon, you can modify rituals centered around food to fit your situation. Have dinner with a friend over Zoom or recreate a game night in the Houseparty app. Nurture relationships with the people you have in your life who you can rely on, and who can rely on you in times of need.

To extend this to others around you in the spirit of eudaimonia, perhaps get to know your neighbors and create a community of care. Check in on those who might be struggling, offer to grocery shop for someone who cannot get to the store, leave extras from your meal at the door of someone who has lost their income, and so on. Look around you and find areas where you can be of service.

Create a community of care. Check in on those who might be struggling or give extras from your meal to someone who has lost their income.

Money

There’s an important distinction between the happiness that comes from having money to clothe and feed yourself and the kind that comes from clicking “submit order,” knowing that a package full of things you probably don’t need will arrive on your doorstep in two days. This is a good comparison of the affective versus cognitive dimensions of happiness. One is fleeting and disappears into the ether when the last bit of packaging goes into the recycling bin, while the other is a lasting kind that’s based on the comfort of stability.

While having the disposable income to spend on unending spontaneous Amazon purchases may be a source of oxytocin, having more money isn’t a guarantee of happiness. Occasional retail therapy is fine if you can afford it, but it’s important not to place all of your aspirations for joy on it. Aim for things you can enjoy for a longer time, like a trip full of memories, and put yourself on a no-buy from time to time, only purchasing what is absolutely needed. In other words, buy memories, not things.

A writer from London profiled in The Little Book of Lykke describes a year of strict budgeting, during which her only expenses were on her mortgage, groceries, and essential bills. Not being able to meet up with friends at pubs was brutal, but in the end, those restrictions forced her to embark on a journey to discover her happiness. Using Eventbrite, she found free events like museum exhibitions and film screenings, and she embraced the outdoors as well, going for walks and camping on beaches. She was grateful for the challenge because she might not have had any of those experiences otherwise, encapsulated in her bubble of routine happy hours and movie dates.

Take a page out of her book and examine your relationship to money and the emphasis you place on it. Not only will you learn how to spend more responsibly and break bad habits, you might also discover things about yourself that you didn’t know before.

Health

The link between health and happiness is obvious—it’s hard to feel cheerful when you’re in pain or uncomfortable. In addition, regular physical activity can boost your mood and make it easier to manage mental health conditions like depression, anxiety, and ADHD. While the Danes might not be at the top of the list when longevity is ranked, they are the most active people in the world, thriving in a society where as much care is devoted to making casual fitness accessible as it is to indulging in hygge by way of delicious pastries and warm drinks.

This coming year, set activity goals for yourself every week, and find unique ways to meet them. You might crush it with at-home workouts, walks around the neighborhood, or with short breaks to skip rope throughout the day. Along the way, you just might discover an activity that you really take to.

Health consciousness, of course, also applies to mental health, so if you think you need help, stop putting off the process of seeking it. You deserve to be heard and to feel better.

Freedom

For many, this is a harder beast to tame as our freedom isn’t always under our control. Stuff like freedom of expression and movement are rights that we are all entitled to but can’t always adjust to our favor (e.g., attitudes towards same-sex relationships and religious beliefs). But there is one aspect of freedom that we can take charge of, and that is the freedom to do what we like with our time. The unhappiness in this case comes from not being able to control our desired life outcomes due to an imbalance that leaves us with less time than we’d like to indulge in the things we prefer.

The fix for this is to become more adept at time management. If cooking takes up your evenings after work, commit to meal-prepping on Sundays. Schedule reminders for important tasks and mentally map out your day in the mornings to prevent unpleasant surprises. Do away with distractions while working to increase your productivity, e.g., tucking your phone away to prevent leisurely scrolling through Instagram when you’re supposed to be writing up a report. It’s also important to set up wind-down times and quiet periods. Stick to a no-emails past 6 p.m. policy and put away the electronic devices by 10 p.m. If you have an especially busy day, make sure to set some time aside to decompress.

Trust

This is kind of a hard one, as the individualistic nature of our society makes it difficult for us to trust anyone beyond our immediate circle. Building community trust is something that takes quite some time, but perhaps we can work on it through a “pay it forward” model. Empathize with the people you encounter and try to see life through their eyes.

But of course there’s a limit to this—there’s no room to tolerate intolerance. Trying to meet bigoted people in the middle only erodes empathy and shifts the goalposts towards prejudice, which is exactly how we got to where we currently are. Be a champion for the marginalized, and use your privilege for good. Be the change you want to see in the world, and maybe one day we’ll live in a world built firmly on a foundation of trust and compassion.

Kindness

One of my favorite quotes from the TV show Pose is “Kindness doesn’t cost you anything,” which is spoken by the character Pray Tell in a scene where another character is being needlessly cruel. Since I saw that scene, those words have stayed with me as a reminder that the smallest actions can make a world of difference.

Do it intentionally with the goal of infusing another person’s day with a bit of sunshine. It could be as simple as shipping your friend a care package, paying for coffee for the person behind you in line, donating to a shelter, complimenting a person’s appearance, or taking time out of your day to help someone out with a task they can’t complete on their own. Doing good will make you feel good and is yet another step down the path towards lykke.

I believe that 2021 can be a year of incredible transformation for us all if we are willing to do a little soul-searching and exist for more than ourselves. I hope you come back and share the many ways you choose to embark on your journey towards lykke.

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Whenever I think about the oncoming fall and winter, hygge immediately comes to mind. It’s the Danish concept of comfort, contentment, and coziness that calls to mind a picture of warm sweaters, a favorite drink or snack, perfect temps, and time spent enjoying moments of relaxation. Hygge is the art of introspection and self-care, an opportunity to be truly present and intentional in the way we connect with both ourselves and others.

Summer 2020 was rough because it was so obviously different from those of years past, marked by anxiety, isolation, and a constant reminder of everything we were missing out on. Gone were the days of park picnics, barbecues with friends and family, trips to exotic locales, and outdoor concerts. This pandemic has really demonstrated how much we have all taken for granted, showing each and every one of us how meaningful “the small things” are.  Who would have thought that the pleasure of munching on popcorn in a dark movie theater or sitting in a coffee shop waiting for a friend would be things that could fill us with incredible longing?

The reality is that we still have a long way to go before things start to resemble the world we were used to pre-COVID. Things will never be the same again, and some of that is okay because not everything about our world was as great as it should be. We are being forced to adapt, and some of these changes are showing us that it is possible to live in a different way.

In my opinion, turning to concepts like hygge might be just the thing that we all need to get through the oncoming fall and winter in a pandemic. My reasoning is that a concept founded on creating intimacy and finding joy in simplicity will focus our energy on enjoying the indoors rather than experiencing FOMO about all the activities we could be partaking in outside. In fact, hygge was created to help Danes and Norwegians get through cold, dark, mind-numbingly boring winters, and so it’s a perfect practice to take on for the fall and winter seasons in a pandemic.

There are a number of ways you can incorporate hygge into your life, but it’s not a one-size-fits-all thing. Different actions and experiences hold different meanings for each of us. But the art of hygge is so broad that you’re guaranteed to find a way to fold it into your life.

Create a Simple Routine For Yourself

You might already be doing this without realizing it. Perhaps you like to begin the day basking in the quiet that comes with the early hours of the morning. As you stand over your kitchen sink sipping coffee, looking out of the window and into the world, be intentional in your appreciation of that small comfort. The process that begins with putting the kettle on and laying out your brewing paraphernalia and ends with you standing over that sink is your ritual.

And sometimes it’s not an activity that you particularly enjoy but have found a way to make a little less unpleasant. For example, I enjoy having a clean and organized environment, but spending hours cleaning is not my idea of fun. To make it bearable, I listen to my favorite podcasts while I make my way through the activity. It makes the time pass quicker, and now I have a scheduled podcast + cleaning ritual that I don’t completely loathe. In addition to being about comfort, hygge is also about embracing the drudgery of everyday life in a way that makes these repeated actions feel effortless.

Do Things You Enjoy

If you think about it, participating in established routines like a monthly movie night with friends is an activity that represents what hygge is all about. So is date night with your significant other. In that hour and a half or more where you’re snuggled up on a couch with popcorn, you’re content and happy. And even if the movie is terrible, you still enjoy the experience because you’re surrounded by people who care about you and who you care about in return. There are few things better than a weekend sleepover with friends, where everyone lounges around in their pajamas while playing games, chatting, or watching a movie. Minimal effort, maximum satisfaction.

Pile on the Comfort

This is the more obvious way to apply hygge in the fall season. Take advantage of the cooler temps and lack of social activity to create a cozy nest for yourself indoors. Invest in some comfy loungewear to work or study in, take breaks to stretch and rest your eyes when you need to, eat nutritious meals, hydrate, and of course, try to get at least eight hours of sleep at night. Create an ambient atmosphere by forgoing harsh electric lighting for the soft glow of candlelight, and put on one of those Spotify playlists specially curated for work mode. Hygge says, “Yeah, you’ve gotta work. But those hours don’t have to absolutely suck.”

Find a New Hobby

We’ve all got so much more time on our hands now that commutes and more have been cut out of our workweek. One thing a lot of us have in common right now is the constant boredom now that there aren’t endless brunches to go to.

If you’re lucky to have a passion project that you’ve been putting off, this is the time to get to it. Investing time and effort in something that you’re truly interested in is a great way to channel unused energy. Not only will you be checking a project off your list, but the fulfillment that comes with accomplishment will put you in a better headspace and encourage you to tackle other tasks.

If you’ve never really had a hobby, you can explore different ones to find the one that suits you best. Tie-dyeing is all the rage right now, so maybe you could teach yourself how to do that if you’d like. Or maybe you’ll take up felting and realize that it’s the perfect pastime for you.

Find Your Own Hygge

Hygge is all around you. It’s something you can participate in alone or with others, with no need to purchase any fancy tools—except maybe snacks to munch on while you read or watch a movie. I believe that making intentional living and connectedness lifetime habits can put us all on the path to much-needed recovery from the onslaught of the current pandemic. We could all benefit from learning how to live as deeply as possible within the confines of our individual circumstances. Tap into your personal wellspring and explore what hygge means for you.

It’s been a very difficult couple of weeks for me and I can’t imagine how much more so the same is true for a lot of other people. For me, it began with the White woman in Central Park who weaponized her privilege against a Black man on camera. His crime? Asking her to leash her dog according to park rules. Watching that video or reading about it in an article, so many of us were reminded once again that the law treats us like we are separate and unequal, as though it is a criminal offense to simply be Black and exist.

And then came the death of George Floyd, murdered on camera by a police officer despite his pleas of being unable to breathe. They say that there are five stages of grief, but I have only felt two for the past 2 weeks - anger and depression. I will never get to the acceptance stage because to do that is to imply that there is a crime I or any other could commit as a Black person that would be worthy of expedient punishment in the form of death or assault at the hands of civilians or police.

Even more disappointing than the commentary about hearing “other sides of the story” and how “he committed a crime!” is witnessing non-Black family and friends express indifference and sadness. I don’t need you to say how sad you are. I need you to be angry that in 2020, things like these can still happen. I need you to be angry about the fact that Black parents have to speak to their kids about how they have to behave outside of their homes and then wait with bated breath for them to return safely. I need you to be angry about the fact that six police officers pulled their guns on a young black man for a traffic violation and the probable reason for him being alive today was because his elderly grandmother placed herself between him and the police to keep him safe. I need you to be angry that the police burst into Breonna Taylor’s home and murdered her and that her murderers have yet to be arrested. I need you to understand that no matter what crime George Floyd might have committed, he did not deserve to die at the hands of Derek Chauvin. To ask for the other side of the story is to justify his death.

Be angry and scared for those of us who are your friends, lovers, and family instead of coasting by on the contentment that you are at least not racist. Your privilege does not insulate us the way it does you. And if your answer is to claim that these deaths weren’t motivated by racism, ask yourself whether by virtue of racial/economic privilege or otherwise, you have managed to live a life removed from this reality, and if maybe it isn’t your place to tell Black people what is and isn’t racist, and how they should feel. I don’t understand why the reaction to being told to confront racism is to attempt to deflect by centering oneself as being unjustly accused rather than caring about the past and continued actions that have brought us to this point. If you’re tired of hearing it, guess what? We’re tired of living it. Help us make things right instead of standing on the sidelines muttering about the inconvenience of having to see broken Black bodies on display and your neighborhood Target on fire.

The world keeps telling us that there is no safe way to be black. Not young, not old, not driving to work, or walking away in an attempt to deescalate the situation, not in our own homes, not at a gas station, not while we try to go get help after getting into an accident, not at school. I’m exhausted and I can’t imagine how it must feel for those who have this colossal tragedy written into their personal histories, hearing stories of oppression passed down from their parents and grandparents. This commentary by activist Kimberly Jones perfectly encapsulates the history of violence and inequality against Black people in America and explains why you can’t explain away looting as some kind of deviant activity that negates the message of the movement.

Protests and riots have erupted across the country and these actions are the reason why George Floyd’s killers were finally taken into custody and charged. It is a sad state of affairs that it would take these actions to get the government to consider meting out justice to the perpetrators of his death and those of others. We’ve heard all sorts of excuses as time has gone by, claims of police officers being scared for their lives or alleged assailants being armed and reaching for their weapons. But how come White terrorists like Dylan Roof and James Holmes are taken into custody without being harmed even though they committed indisputable crimes on a much larger scale?

Don’t check in on your black friends and family just to absolve yourself of whatever guilt you may be feeling. When you speak to us, hold back from remarking on current events in a manner that makes the conversation about you and your feelings rather than the state-sanctioned murder of human beings. This is the time to show up; now and after the riots and protests peter out, and here’s how you can do it.

Donate! Bail funds are one way you can support the movement for racial justice. Protestors and activists are arrested every day, and you can help by donating to get them out of police detainment. There are also memorial funds like the one for George Floyd, GoFundMes to help families like Breonna Taylor’s, and emergency funds for the LGBTQ community because Black Queer lives matter too. No one is free until we are all free.

Write your legislators! Call them! Bombard them with birthday cards on the birthdays of each victim to remind them that their prejudice and incompetence is the reason why these people are not around to mark another year. We need the law to change, for police who use unnecessary force and civilians who use said police as their attack dogs to suffer consequences when they do wrong. If things don’t change on a legislative level, we could still be here weeks, months, years from now, still enraged and heartbroken and wondering if justice will prevail in our lifetimes. If your city has town hall meetings, virtual or in-person, show up and use your voice.

Confront everyday racism and microaggressions. Now is not the time to be soft and yielding or let things slide. Hold people accountable for racist jokes, speak out against profiling actions, stereotyping, discriminatory practices, etc. Constantly meeting problematic people in the middle doesn’t move them any closer to an enlightened worldview. It just makes you indifferent and ultimately complicit.

Educate yourself. Address your privilege and do the work instead of placing that burden on your Black friends and family who are already so traumatized from seeing racial injustice being treated as though it’s the norm.

If you’re protesting, be an ally to your fellow protesters who are black or people of color. Sometimes that means becoming a physical barrier between them and the police, and other times it means documenting police brutality or calling it out. Don’t loot, vandalize, or do anything that could endanger the lives of Black protesters.

Support your Black businesses and Black creators. Challenge the brands you support to show you how they pledge to make a difference moving forward. Have they made a statement about what they stand for? Are they donating to any Black causes?

Share accurate information to counter media bias that aims to steer the conversation away from racial injustice or paint protesters as unruly opportunists committing senseless anarchy. People like our parents and their peers rely on news outlets for their news and do not understand the full scope of the unfolding events, (like undercover police inciting violence, white supremacists causing damage to place the blame on BLM and other groups, etc.) and so if you have access to it, show it to them.

Here’s a handy spreadsheet full of information about initiatives to donate to, educational resources, protest safety and so much more. Shout out to @botanicaldyke for taking the time to compile it all.

There are so many more names on the list of people who have been murdered without receiving justice and I can only hope that as time goes by, we will not only re-open their cases and get justice for them, but end instances of police and private citizens abusing their privilege and power.

#BlackLivesMatter