Psychologists Confirm That a Canceled Meeting Is Good for You
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Every day we publish stories that cut through the noise with expert insights, science-backed advice, recipes, and thoughtful tips for living well. These are the ones we think you should read.
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Dementia Risk May Be Shared Between Spouses
Cognitive Health 
Why Revenge Can Be Addictive (and Hurt You in the Long Run)
You Should Know: When you’ve been wronged, seeking revenge sounds tempting. But revenge can actually become habit-forming and is more harmful to ourselves in the long run, according to research by James Kimmel Jr., an assistant clinical professor at the Yale School of Medicine. Going Deeper: Years of bullying led Kimmel to take matters into his own hands, though he ultimately didn’t go through with the violence he’d intended. Later, as a lawyer, he’d get a revenge fix when he won cases, but found he craved more. Now, as a psychiatry professor, he understands why: Revenge lights up the motivation and craving parts of your brain, so “revenge looks like your brain on drugs.” Takeaway: Previous studies into the “revenge paradox” support Kimmel’s research. A 2008 study found that people who retaliated felt worse and fell into a cycle of rumination about the event afterward. Taking explicit actions of forgiveness improved participants’ mental health better than other or no treatments, a 2014 meta-analysis found. Bottom Line: They say revenge is best served cold, but if you actually want to feel better and move on, your best bet is not serving it at all.
Personal Growth 
Frozen Yogurt Is Back — But Is It Actually Healthier?
The Trend: Frozen yogurt seems to trend again every decade or so, and it looks like we’re in the middle of another cycle. This time it’s showing up with fresh fruit toppings and price tags that sometimes push past $30 a bowl. Sales have climbed 26% to about 87 million servings, and shops like MYKA and Go Greek attracted hour-long lines in New York City for their debuts. What People Are Saying: The resurgence can be traced back to social media, of course. Plus, Gen Z has fueled a demand for healthier treats (froyo typically has fewer calories and less saturated fat than ice cream, and some varieties even contain live cultures). Even beyond classic frozen yogurt, people looking for a “little treat” are also embracing functional desserts like protein ice cream and collagen-infused sorbet. What to Know: Nutrition experts say manufacturers often add more sugar to frozen yogurt to balance out its characteristic tanginess. And the self-serve bar makes it a little too easy to go overboard on toppings and erase any potential calorie savings. So go ahead and order a froyo if you like it (in moderation, of course), but don’t fool yourself into thinking it’s a health […]
Nutrition 
The Best Breads for Steady Blood Sugar
Nutrition 
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.
Nutrition 
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.
Nutrition
Fitness
Nutrition
Sleep
How Long Does It Take to Grow Glutes? Here’s the Science-Backed Timeline
Most people see noticeable glute growth in 8 to 12 weeks of consistent training, with strength gains showing up well before visible change. Here's the full week by week timeline, plus what the research says about genetics, training frequency, and the exercises that actually move the needle.
Fitness 
How to Build Your Upper Glutes: 5 Exercises for the Shelf
Struggling to fill out that upper glute "shelf" no matter how many squats you do? The upper glutes need a bit more than heavy lifting alone. Here's what the research actually shows about targeting them, plus five exercises to help round out your routine.
Fitness 
Can Playing Video Games Burn Calories?
You Should Know: Fair or not, playing video games doesn’t have the best reputation among non-gamers. Chief among them? Gaming often equals too much screen time and too much sedentary time. In 2021, however, an e-sports platform funded research that got quite a lot of media attention, particularly as gaming had increased during the COVID-19 lockdown. The study found that male gamers burned 420 calories in a two-hour gaming session (the equivalent of doing 1,000 sit-ups), but new research appears to have debunked this claim. Going Deeper: Perhaps unsurprisingly, a recent systematic review of five studies on calorie expenditure while playing video games found that gaming does not actually burn many calories. The metabolic output is more along the lines of light physical activity — certainly not on par with running or cycling. Gamers’ heart rates did increase while playing, but researchers attributed that to a stress response to competitive play, not physical exertion. Takeaway: Gaming can offer benefits for stress relief, emotional regulation, creativity, and cognitive growth, but burning calories isn’t one of them. Bottom Line: If you want to play video games, play video games. If you want to burn calories, work out.
Fitness 
Does Walking Build Muscle? How to Get More From Every Step
Walking won't replace strength training, but a few smart tweaks — hills, intervals, and bodyweight moves — can make every step build a little more muscle.
Fitness 
The Best Foods for Liver Health, Backed by Research
A review of over 600,000 people found that overall diet quality, not any single food, is what's linked to lower liver disease risk. Here's what the research says to eat more of, and what to cut back on.
Nutrition 
Why Pickle Juice Is Summer’s New Sports Drink
The Trend: Pickle juice is the new sports drink. Once reserved for pickleback shots, the salty brine is now showing up in sports drinks, sparkling waters, cocktails, and aid stations at endurance races. The numbers suggest it’s more than a passing fad: The global pickle juice drinks market is projected to grow from $920 million in 2025 to over $2 billion by 2034, while analysts say Gen Z and Millennials are fueling demand for bold, sour flavors with a functional twist. In the UK, 56% of Gen Z and young Millennials say “challenging” flavors make drinks more exciting, compared with 36% of consumers overall. What People Are Saying: Fans claim pickle juice helps prevent muscle cramps, replace electrolytes after sweaty workouts, and supports post-exercise recovery. Indeed, pickle juice is rich in sodium, so drinking it can help replenish what’s lost through sweat. Research also suggests its famous anti-cramp effect may come from triggering nerve receptors in the mouth. Some call pickle juice the “pumpkin spice of summer.” What to Know: Pickle juice is extremely high in sodium, so if you’re watching your salt intake, it’s best to skip this beverage. It also contains very little potassium, so it may not […]
Nutrition 
Are Eggs Good for Gut Health?
Wondering if eggs are good for gut health? They're easy to digest and low-FODMAP, but with zero fiber and no probiotics, they don't do much for your gut on their own. Here's what the research says, plus how to pair eggs for real digestive benefits.
Nutrition 
Your Diet Might Be Playing a Bigger Role in Heart Disease Than You Think
Getting to the Heart of the Matter: Diets high in ultra-processed foods have repeatedly been associated with poorer health, although scientists are still debating how much of the risk comes from processing itself versus factors like added sugar, sodium, saturated fat, and low fiber. A new modeling study estimates that ultra-processed food consumption may account for between 23% and 38% of cardiovascular disease cases and deaths among Canadian adults. The Study: Researchers combined Canadian dietary data from 2015 — when ultra-processed foods supplied 43.4% of adults’ daily calories — with national cardiovascular statistics and estimates from the Global Burden of Disease study. Their model suggested that reducing UPF consumption by 20% to 50% could have prevented approximately 16,800 to 45,900 new cases of heart disease and stroke, along with 3,100 to 8,300 cardiovascular deaths, in Canada in 2019. The Takeaway: Even a relatively modest population-wide reduction in ultra-processed food consumption could potentially prevent thousands of cardiovascular cases, according to the model. Keep in Mind: These are hypothetical estimates, not cases and deaths directly observed in people who changed their diets. The analysis relied on older dietary data, observational risk estimates and several modeling assumptions. Ultra-processed food intake also overlaps with […]
Nutrition 
What Cannabis Really Does to Your Sleep
THC gummies can help you drift off faster, but sleep experts warn that regular cannabis use suppresses REM sleep, builds tolerance, and may leave you more tired than when you started. Here's what the research says about cannabis as a sleep aid — and what actually works better long-term.
Sleep 
Just 78 Minutes Less Sleep a Night Could Lead to Weight Gain
Tip the Scales: Good sleep is essential for keeping nearly every system in our body working properly, including our hormones, brain, and heart. Need more incentive to catch more zzz’s? A new study has found that losing even a modest amount of sleep could contribute to weight gain. The Study: Researchers studied 95 people who were already at risk for heart or metabolic disease and normally slept between seven and eight hours a night. Each participant experienced two different sleep conditions over a six-week period. During the “adequate sleep” window, they slept their normal seven hours or more. During “sleep restriction,” they went to bed 1.5 hours later than normal, losing 90 minutes of sleep time. Participants wore wrist trackers to monitor sleep and activity levels. Their hormones, BMI, body composition, and waist circumference were measured multiple times. The Takeaway: Participants who slept an average of 78 minutes less per night gained nearly one pound of weight compared to when they got adequate sleep. They also gained an average of a half-centimeter around their waist and had 17 more minutes a day of sedentary time. Keep in Mind: Because the study was small and lasted only six weeks, it can’t […]
Sleep 
Why Do I Wake Up Groggy? The REM and Deep Sleep Connection
You logged a full eight hours and still feel foggy. If you've wondered why you wake up groggy, the answer is usually about sleep quality, not quantity — here's what's going on and how to fix it.
Sleep 
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 […]
Sleep
Mindfulness
Beauty
Personal Growth
Psychology Might Explain Your Netflix Paralysis
Spoiled For Choice: Netflix has been having a rough year. A look at its top shows found that audiences declined by 30% to 70% after their second seasons. Some of that comes down to cancellations and a shrinking content pipeline, of course. But part of it may also be connected to choice overload, which is what psychologists call the exhausting experience of facing an endless wall of options. The Study: In 2000, researchers Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper set up a tasting booth at a grocery store. One day they displayed 24 flavors of jam. Another day, they displayed just six. More people stopped to sample the bigger selection, but customers who saw only six flavors were far more likely to make a purchase. The same pattern showed up when students were offered extra credit essay topics, where fewer options led to more completed assignments and better writing. The Takeaway: Too many choices can make us freeze instead of act. So if you find yourself getting stuck scrolling quite often, pick two or three options ahead of time and choose between just those. Keep in Mind: Choice isn’t always a bad thing. People with strong preferences or expertise often do […]
Mindfulness 
Is There Really a Global Loneliness Epidemic?
Oh So Lonely: Loneliness has been described as a global epidemic and one of the defining public health challenges of our time. But new research suggests the reality is more nuanced: Loneliness is widespread, but who reports feeling lonely varies considerably according to health, education, employment, household composition, social support, and geographic region. The Study: Researchers analyzed Gallup World Poll data from more than 218,000 adults across 148 countries. About one in five respondents said they had felt lonely for much of the previous day, but rates varied dramatically around the world. Loneliness was most common in low-income countries, while high-income countries generally reported lower rates. However, in wealthier nations, loneliness was more strongly associated with lower current life satisfaction. The researchers found no evidence of an overall worldwide increase between 2023 and 2024, although trends differed considerably by national income level. The Takeaway: Loneliness is not simply a matter of whether someone has enough friends. Health limitations, unemployment, household composition, education, perceived social support, and the broader economic and cultural environment were all associated with those who reported feeling lonely. Building meaningful relationships matters, but so do the circumstances that make connection easier or harder. Keep in Mind: The […]
Mindfulness 
Why Smoking Is Making a Comeback Among Gen Z
Mindfulness 
Could Skipping Shampoo Help Your Hair?
You Should Know: “No poo,” which means giving up traditional shampoo entirely, has risen in prominence over the past few years. People who try it wash their hair with just water, or mix their own rinse from baking soda and apple cider vinegar. The appeal comes down to avoiding chemicals that strip natural oils from the scalp, along with curiosity about what is actually in our daily products. Going Deeper: Fine or oily hair tends to struggle without shampoo since the scalp gets oilier faster. Curly or coarse hair often sees the biggest payoff, since natural oils smooth out frizz. For example, one writer at The Guardian went months without shampoo after his barber told him to stop using it. His hair felt dry and itchy at first, then evened out into something shinier and curlier than before. Takeaway: No poo works better for some hair types than others, and anyone with scalp or skin issues should check with a dermatologist first. Bottom Line: Skipping shampoo might transform your hair. Or it might just leave it greasy (there’s no science confirming that scalps eventually produce less oil over time). Results depend on the hair you started with.
Beauty 
Benzoyl Peroxide Benzene Recall: Which Acne Products the FDA Pulled
The FDA tested 95 benzoyl peroxide acne products for benzene and found elevated levels in just six. Here's the full list of recalled products, what the findings actually mean, and whether you need to worry about what's already in your bathroom cabinet.
Beauty 
Does Lymphatic Drainage Actually Work? What It Can and Can’t Do
Beauty 
How Art May Help Slow Biological Aging
The Art of Aging Well: Spending a weekend afternoon wandering around an art museum or seeing a movie isn’t just fun — arts-related activities like these are actually good for our health (minus the gargantuan box of Milk Duds). And the benefits may even go beyond mental well-being: a new study has linked cultural enrichment to slower biological aging in older adults. The Study: The researchers pulled data from about 1,900 adults aged 50 and older living in England. They found those who went to museums, concerts, plays, and other cultural activities at least once every few months were physiologically younger than those who didn’t by about three years, despite being very close in chronological age. The Takeaway: Cultural engagement seems to impact aging in three key ways. It helps strengthen social relationships and reduce loneliness, lowers stress and supports mental health, and people who participate in these activities are more likely to be physically active and eat healthy foods. Keep in Mind: There’s a possibility of reverse causation in these findings: that healthier people are more likely to have the ability to participate in cultural activities. The most culturally engaged among the participants were female, employed with higher incomes, and […]
Personal Growth 
The New Wellness Trend? Going Back to Basics
The Trend: More isn’t always better, and Americans are embracing that mindset in their wellness routines. More than half plan to make changes this year, with 44% prioritizing better sleep, regular movement, and healthy eating over more complicated wellness practices (21%), according to data from Talker Research on behalf of The Vitamin Shoppe. In other words: the basics of a healthy life are returning to front and center. What People Are Saying: With greater access than ever to health information, tools, and supplements, wellness can start to feel like another stressor instead of something that’s supposed to make us feel good. Jordan Lee Dooley, author of Be Good to Your Body, writes, “In a world of endless fads and health trends, my best advice to reduce overwhelm is to prioritize the big stuff first.” That’s exactly what this trend of selective wellness — forgoing the latest “hack” or “maxxing” craze in favor of simple yet effective habits — exemplifies. “People are realizing that better health doesn’t always require a complicated solution,” says Dr. Sarah Jamison, a member of The Vitamin Shoppe Wellness Council, on why fiber is having a moment. What to Know: You don’t need to shun every wellness […]
Personal Growth 
Why Eating With Others May Be Good for Your Health
Personal Growth