Healthy Living, Simplified

Can Bad News Age Your Brain?

Weighing You Down: With nonstop headlines and doom-scrolling, many of us are exposed to suffering and negative emotions every day. Researchers from Switzerland wanted to understand how the brain responds to those experiences, especially as we age. They looked at what happens when older adults are confronted with someone else’s suffering, and the results, recently published in Nature Aging, suggest repeated exposure to negative emotions can affect the aging brain. The Study: Researchers showed young and older adults videos of people experiencing real suffering, then scanned their brains afterward. In older participants in particular, negative emotions appeared to alter neural connections in brain regions associated with emotion regulation and memory. Younger brains didn’t show the same pattern. The Takeaway: How we handle hard emotions might matter more for brain health than we previously realized. The researchers suggest meditation could help process difficult feelings before they leave a lasting mark. Keep in Mind: Stress and occasional bad news are a fact of life, but we can control how we respond.

Cognitive Health

foods that age you faster, like processed meats and fast food

Could Your Diet Be Aging You? The Foods That Age You Faster

One cookie won't give you wrinkles, but your overall diet may shape how you age more than you'd think. Here are the foods that age you faster — and the ones that help.

some foods you shouldn't save as leftovers sitting in storage containers

The 6 Foods You Shouldn’t Save as Leftovers

a woman indulges in dark chocolate because theobromine benefits include slowing aging

Theobromine Benefits: Can Dark Chocolate Really Slow Aging?

Dark chocolate lovers, this one's for you. A new study links theobromine — the compound behind cocoa's bitter bite — to slower biological aging, but the research is more cautious than the headline. Here's what it actually found.

a woman eats a plate filled with vitamins that are good for gut health

What Vitamins Are Good for Gut Health?

Your gut and your vitamins run a two-way street — certain nutrients feed it, and it returns the favor by making some of its own. Here's what vitamins are good for gut health, and why dietitians say to start with your plate before reaching for a supplement.

Fitness

Nutrition

Sleep

Is Running on a Treadmill Just as Good as Running Outside?

You Should Know: Runners tend to have very strong opinions about the treadmill versus outdoor running debate. But the real question isn’t which is “better” — it’s what you want from your workout. When effort is comparable, research suggests both improve cardiovascular fitness, endurance, and overall health. They offer different experiences, each with its own advantages and drawbacks. But depending on your goals — and what your body needs on a given day — one may be a better fit than the other. Going Deeper: Outdoor running exposes you to varied terrain, wind resistance, and elevation, which makes it best for preparing you for the conditions you’ll experience in an outdoor race. It also comes with a mental health bonus: Studies have found that exercising in nature can improve mood, reduce stress, and leave people feeling more energized than indoor workouts. Running indoors makes it easier to control pace and incline, which is a bonus if you’re doing speed or tempo workouts. They’re also safer, since you’re not exposed to traffic, weather elements, or wildlife. Treadmills may also reduce joint impact compared to running on natural surfaces. Takeaway: Even though treadmills remove some of the challenging variables of outdoor running, […]

a woman does yoga, which is one of the best exercises for arthritis

The 5 Best Exercises for Arthritis, According to Experts

The best exercises for arthritis are gentle, low-impact moves that keep sore joints moving and strengthen the muscles around them without triggering a flare. Here are five joint-friendly options, plus how to ease into each one.

This Simple Tool May Be The Secret to Maintaining Weight Loss

Heavy: Most people who lose weight gain it back within a year or two. Some of that is explained by the fact that a smaller body naturally needs fewer calories to maintain. But research shows that metabolism after weight loss drops further than body size alone would explain. So a new pilot study from Wake Forest University tested whether wearing a weighted vest could prevent weight gain. The Study: Researchers followed 18 older, obese adults through six months of calorie restriction. Half wore a weighted vest up to 10 hours a day, loaded to about 10% of body weight. Both groups lost similar amounts of weight. But two years later, the vest group had kept off about half of what they’d lost, while the diet-only group had regained nearly all of it. The Takeaway: There’s a theory that the skeleton senses body weight and signals the brain to defend against weight loss. A weighted vest may trick that system into sensing a heavier body, which may help prevent metabolism from slowing. Keep in Mind: Anyone considering a weighted vest, especially if they have joint or health issues, should check with a doctor first.

The Barre Upgrade That Adds Mindfulness to Movement

The Trend: Barre classes have gotten a recent upgrade with Barre3, a new spin on the ballet-inspired barre class that’s been around for almost 20 years now. Barre3 keeps the signature small holds and pulses of regular barre, then adds full-body movements to raise your heart rate, plus an added focus on mindfulness and breathing. Every class opens with an alignment move called Primary Posture, and modifications come with each exercise so beginners and longtime barre fans can take the same class. What People Are Saying: People (even committed HIIT and weightlifting types) trying barre are often surprised by the results. One recent reviewer went in skeptical that a low-impact class could do much, but after six weeks of regular sessions, she noticed a stronger core plus firmer arms and legs. What to Know: If you’re looking to add a low-impact but effective workout, barre is worth a closer look. It puts less stress on your joints than high-impact training, which makes it a good option if you’re easing back into exercise after an injury or break. And all the modifications make it possible to start wherever you’re at.

Is There Such a Thing as a Healthy Hot Dog?

Speaking Frankly: Hot dog season is practically synonymous with summer, whether you’re grilling in the backyard or grabbing one at a ballgame. But traditional hot dogs are high in fat since they’re made from beef and pork trimmings; they also rely on sodium nitrite as a preservative, which can convert into cancer-linked compounds in the body. Rest assured, though, there are ways to partake in the summer festivities without derailing your health. How to Do It: Hunting for a “healthier” hot dog can be a bit of a fool’s errand. Many chicken and turkey dogs still have plenty of sodium and saturated fat. And “uncured” or “no nitrites added” claims aren’t automatically better, since most rely on celery juice or powder, which converts into those same cancer-linked compounds. A better approach is to save hot dogs for special occasions rather than eating them all summer long. The Benefits: You don’t have to give up old-fashioned hot dogs completely to protect your health. In fact, cutting out a food you enjoy can backfire and make your relationship with eating more complicated. So enjoying one at a cookout now and then, alongside foods like fruit or a salad, is a totally reasonable […]

The 6 Foods You Shouldn’t Save as Leftovers

Most leftovers are safe to reheat and eat — but a handful aren't worth the risk. Here are six foods you shouldn't save as leftovers, and how to handle the ones you do keep.

a woman mixes electrolytes, which is one of many healthy drinks besides water

5 Healthy Drinks Besides Water, Backed By Research

Water isn't your only option for staying hydrated. Here are five healthy drinks besides water — from coconut water to tart cherry juice — that hydrate and add a little extra to the glass.

Cyclospora outbreak can cause stomach upset

Cyclospora Outbreak: The ‘Explosive Diarrhea’ Parasite Hits 18 States

A parasite called cyclospora is fueling an "explosive diarrhea" outbreak across 18 states, with more than 1,200 cases in Michigan alone. Here's how it spreads, what symptoms to watch for, and how to protect yourself while the source is still unknown.

Why Do We Sleep Worse in the Summer?

You Should Know: Summer may feel like a time to rest and recharge, but when days stay lighter for hours longer and sweltering nights make it hard to get comfortable, our sleep often suffers. Going Deeper: We may sleep less in the summer because of vacations or extra socializing, and bedtimes and wake times get later when days are longer and warmer. The extra summer sunlight affects our circadian rhythm, which regulates the sleep/wake cycle. Darkness and a drop in body temperature helps trigger melatonin production and induce sleep — both of which can be hard to come by in summertime. Takeaway: You might need to do a little more in the summer to sleep better. Keep blinds or curtains open to get as much sunlight as possible during the day, and dim the lights an hour or two before bed to signal to your body that it’s time to sleep. Keep your bedroom cool and take a warm bath or shower before bed to help trigger the needed drop in core body temperature. A consistent sleep schedule, even on weekends and on vacation, can also help you sleep more soundly during the summer months. Bottom Line: Simple steps you […]

Reinforcing the Body’s Internal Clock May Boost Stroke Recovery

Back on Track: Some of us hate routine; others need it to function. Love it or hate it, there’s no arguing against the long list of mental and physical benefits of maintaining a routine — improved sleep, reduced stress and anxiety, and increased productivity, just to name a few. New research adds to the list: Reinforcing the body’s natural routine might help stroke patients recover quicker and better. The Study: Published in the Journal of Clinical Investigation, the study found that strengthening the body’s natural circadian rhythms may improve recovery after stroke. The researchers used interventions such as time-restricted feeding, timed light exposure, melatonin, and a drug that targets the circadian clock in mouse models of stroke. Even though the interventions began three days post-stroke, they enhanced the brain’s glymphatic system, which clears waste and inflammatory molecules. The mice showed better motor recovery, smaller brain lesions, and lower inflammation than untreated animals. The Takeaway: While the findings have not yet been tested in humans, they suggest that restoring healthy daily rhythms could become a promising addition to stroke rehabilitation, potentially extending the window for effective recovery. Keep in Mind: This study was performed on mice, so the results don’t necessarily […]

Why People Are Traveling for Better Sleep

The Trend: Some people might think it’s a waste of a vacation if you spend most of it sleeping. For others, sleeping is the vacation. Sleep tourism is intended to serve as an antidote to stress and disordered sleep — and the very fact that it exists showcases just how burned out some people are. What People Are Saying: Forget long sightseeing tours and crammed itineraries. Sleep tourism is anti-hustle, focusing on helping guests calm their nervous system, unplug from their gadgets, and, yes, sleep. Hilton cited “Hushpitality” as one of its top trends for 2026. Options can range from special sleep-optimizing hotel rooms to full-fledged sleep retreats where guests can order from pillow menus and rest in smart beds meant to get circadian rhythms back on track. Treatments and activities meant to support sleep, like yoga and acupuncture, are also often included in retreat packages. What to Know: Like so much of the elite wellness industry, a trip to a sleep retreat or sleep-specific hotel room isn’t cheap. People battling burnout and bad sleep who can actually afford it might find it’s worth every penny. For everyone else, revamping your bedroom and sleep routine first makes more sense.

There’s a Sleep Hack Sitting on Your Bookshelf

Bedtime Stories: You may think reading on your phone isn’t that different from reading on paper, and you’d be right for the most part, except when it comes to your sleep. Screens keep your brain alert late into the night, and research on reading before sleep suggests that trading a screen for a physical book is a small change that can really help. How to Do It: Keep a book on your nightstand and make it the final step of your night, after putting your phone away and turning down the lights. It’s best to pick something calming instead of a thriller, since intense plots can keep your brain running even after you put the book down. The Benefits: A study comparing people reading on an iPad vs. a printed book found that those using screens felt less sleepy in the evening and showed changes in brain activity tied to rest, even though both groups fell asleep in about the same amount of time. Another study found that older adults who read a book drifted off faster than those who kept their normal routine, and adults who read stories with a positive mood slept longer than the rest.