Healthy Living, Simplified

Could GLP-1s Help Treat Depression and Anxiety?

You Should Know: It’s increasingly clear that GLP-1 drugs do more than change your waistline. In addition to potentially improving heart health and reducing the risk of substance use disorders, a growing body of research suggests they may also affect mental well-being. A 2026 study of more than 95,000 people with type 2 diabetes and anxiety or depression found that taking GLP-1 receptor agonists, including semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy), were associated with a lower risk of worsening mental health. Going Deeper: The reasons aren’t fully understood. GLP-1 receptors are found throughout the brain, and these medications may influence inflammation, stress responses, and reward pathways involving dopamine. Better blood sugar control, physical health, and quality of life may also contribute. A 2026 meta-analysis of randomized trials found modest improvements in psychological well-being, but no significant improvement in depressive symptoms. But there’s a wrinkle. A large 2024 observational study found GLP-1 use was associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicidal behavior. Other research has found no significant increased risk of psychiatric adverse events. Takeaway: The evidence isn’t contradictory so much as incomplete. Different study designs can produce different answers, and researchers are still teasing apart direct brain effects from the […]

Cognitive Health

Can an App Tell You If Your Food Is Ultra-Processed?

The Trend: By now, we’re well aware of the potential health risks related to eating ultra-processed foods. That’s led to a growing interest in and market for “healthy” snack food options — but consumers are also becoming more skeptical. And some brands and products that once basked in the glow of a health halo may not be as squeaky-clean as consumers once believed — recent research from UC Davis found that 89% of foods labeled as being made with avocado oil are actually cut with other cheaper oils. What People Are Saying: As food labels get harder to decipher and trust, apps like Yuka, Oasis, Processed, and Fooducate have entered the market. They scan product labels to tell consumers exactly what’s in the products before they buy them: ingredients, allergens, nutritional profile, and processing levels. Yuka, for example, calculates a health score out of 100 and ranks products from Bad to Excellent, while Oasis tells you if microplastics are likely present. What to Know: Experts agree that eating mostly whole, minimally processed foods is best. Apps could help parse confusing ingredient listings and marketing claims. Still, the science used in some of these apps isn’t always solid, and food assessments […]

Health Tech

The Best Breads for Steady Blood Sugar

Woman smiling at dentist during checkup, discussing habits that damage teeth

8 Things Dentists Wish You’d Stop Doing to Your Teeth

From skipping floss to sipping soda all day, these are the everyday habits quietly wearing down your enamel, plus the simple swaps dentists recommend instead.

some of the best foods for lung health are fruits rich in antioxidants

The Best Foods for Lung Health, According to Research

Smoking and exercise get all the attention, but your diet belongs in the lung conversation too. Here's what the research says about the best foods for lung health — and why fruit leads the list.

Fitness

Nutrition

Sleep

You Don’t Need a Gym to Get Fitter

Home Work: It’s easy to come up with reasons not to exercise. We might not have much free time or feel comfortable working out at a gym or have room in the budget for a trainer or membership. But it is possible to get a solid workout at home, according to a new study of older adults. The Study: Researchers set out to eliminate one main exercise obstacle — going to the gym — to see if participants could get results on their own at home. 20 healthy participants aged 61 to 74 (11 women and nine men) first spent eight weeks following their usual routines and levels of activity. As a comparison, they then spent eight weeks doing a short but challenging HIIT workout on a non-weight-bearing ergometer (think at-home rower or stationary bike) four days a week, supervised with video monitoring. Researchers did body-fat scans and measured their V02 max before and after each period. The Takeaway: Fitness levels declined in the first period, but then increased during the HIIT phase. The participants also lost some fat and pounds during the HIIT period. All of this indicates that people in their older age can still see fitness gains — […]

Running Gets a Luxury Makeover

The Trend: Running, historically one of the most affordable forms of fitness, is being positioned as a luxury lifestyle. Fueled by gorpcore-esque brands like Bandit, Satisfy, and District Vision that cater to affluent customers with an angle toward exclusivity, running has taken on an identity unattainable by many (or most). What People Are Saying: Luxury running brands selling high-ticket athleisure are really selling more than the clothes. The appeal of these brands is partly performance, but also design, craftsmanship, and exclusivity. District Vision, for example, has built a cult following around minimalist aesthetics and highly technical products, while Satisfy leans into a punk-inspired, rebellious identity. As runners increasingly see their gear as part of a broader lifestyle, not just something worn for exercise, they are willing to spend more: some reports say runners spend nearly $1,500 per year on the sport, when the true essentials cost much less. What to Know: Running is still accessible and affordable. You can still lace up your old kicks and run out the door in whatever athletic clothes you own. If you can afford luxury running clothes and want to try them, that’s fine, too — just remember that luxury gear might make running […]

This Is The Best Workout for PMOS, Study Finds

A Real Pain: PMOS (formerly called PCOS) is a complex hormonal and metabolic condition that can cause irregular or absent periods, elevated androgens, acne, excess facial or body hair, and difficulty with ovulation. It’s also associated with insulin resistance and a higher risk of cardiometabolic problems. Exercise is already recommended as part of PMOS management — but does the type matter? According to one new study, yes. The Study: Researchers reviewed 19 studies involving 1,018 women with PMOS, comparing different exercise approaches — aerobic, resistance training, or both combined — with one another. They looked at how each exercise type affected levels of testosterone and follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH). Exercise in general lowered testosterone across all 19 studies, but aerobic exercise led to a larger drop compared to resistance or mixed training. Takeaway: If you have PMOS, you don’t necessarily need a “hormone-balancing” workout a la TikTok. Regular exercise is beneficial, and incorporating some aerobic work specifically may help lessen symptoms associated with high testosterone in women. Keep in Mind: The findings also don’t mean specific workouts are automatically better for everyone. Physical activity should be sustainable and based on your preferences, goals, and abilities.

How to Take a Deload Week From Training

Take a Load Off: If you haven’t taken a deload week from your workout routine in a while, here’s a gentle nudge to pencil one in. A deload week is an intentional break from training — not a complete week off of physical activity, but a smartly programmed week of less intensity and volume. The Benefits: A deload week gives muscles, tendons, ligaments, and joints time to heal from accumulated fatigue and helps reduce lingering soreness. Contrary to a common fear, you won’t lose meaningful muscle or strength from a week of reduced training. In fact, the improved recovery often leads to better long-term progress. In the short-term, you’ll come back feeling stronger, faster, and more energetic because fatigue has dissipated while fitness is maintained. How to Do It: If you’re training 1-3 days per week and/or exercising at a low/moderate intensity, you likely don’t need a deload week. If you’re training hard 4-6 days per week with progressive overload, it’s smart to schedule one every 4-8 weeks. There are a few ways to approach a deload. You can reduce weight (lift about 50-70% of your normal working weight); reduce volume (cut sets or reps by 30-50%); and/or reduce intensity […]

a woman eating a bowl of greens, representing high protein vegetarian meals in an everyday plant-based diet

High-Protein Vegetarian Meals: 8 Easy, Filling Ideas

From Buffalo tofu wraps to tempeh noodles, these 8 high-protein vegetarian meals pack 25+ grams of protein per serving. Easy to make, easy to prep ahead, and built to keep you full.

Could Your Kitchen Cleaning Habits Be Making You Sick?

Scrub Up: Avoiding nasty pathogens that can cause salmonella poisoning, cyclosporiasis, and other illnesses are top of mind for many of us these days. Handling, washing, and cooking food properly does a lot to decrease the risk. Deep-cleaning the space where you prepare that food — your kitchen — is also crucial. How to Do It: Certain parts of the kitchen are germ magnets. Ditch the sponge for a dish-scrubbing brush: Their bristles dry faster and are therefore less hospitable to germs, and they can be sanitized in a hot dishwasher cycle. Wipe countertops with paper towels or reusable cloths that are sanitized often in the dishwasher or washing machine. Disinfect your sink at least once a week with diluted bleach. Let it sit for a few minutes, then unplug the sink so it can run down the drain. Boil or run metal drain baskets through a dishwasher at least once a week. Cold doesn’t kill all germs, so two to three times a year, empty and disinfect your ice maker. It’s obvious, but bears repeating: Wash hands frequently and thoroughly when cooking. The Benefits: Cases of foodborne illnesses are increasing. Keeping your kitchen clean can prevent pathogens from lingering […]

Is Eating Breakfast Late Aging You Faster?

Rise and Shine: Breakfast used to be pretty straightforward: You wake up, you eat, you start your day. As intermittent fasting became popular, eating that first meal later became more common. But new research has found those later breakfasts may affect longevity. The Study: Researchers pulled data from 31,044 adults aged 40 and older in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), comparing participants’ meal times and health outcomes. Later mealtimes corresponded with a higher risk of all-cause mortality. Eating your first meal after noon had a 29% higher risk of all-cause mortality and an estimated 2.46 years shorter life expectancy compared to participants who ate breakfasts between 7 and 8 a.m. Eating after midnight was associated with a 27% higher risk of all-cause mortality and about 2.35 years shorter life expectancy compared to those who ate dinner between 7 and 8 p.m. The Takeaway: Eating earlier appears to work better with the body’s internal clock, which regulates metabolism and hormones. Eating too late in the day may cause additional strain on the metabolism. Keep in Mind: The study was observational and found only a correlation between meal times and mortality, not causation. And these findings don’t necessarily contradict […]

Scared of Cyclospora, People Are Turning to Local Produce

The Trend: If you’ve noticed an uptick in traffic at your local farmers’ markets, you’re in good company. While sales of prepackaged salads have plummeted by 27% in response to the Cyclospora outbreak, small grocers like Oliver’s Produce, a family-owned farm in upstate New York, are experiencing sudden surges in demand for lettuce and other leafy greens — in the case of Oliver’s, demand has more than doubled. What People Are Saying: Broadly, people are frightened. Reuters reports that foot traffic at Taco Bell, which was linked to the cyclosporiasis outbreak, has fallen by more than 20% since mid-July. Panera Bread, Chopt, and Chipotle have also suffered significant drops in foot traffic. The CEO of Little Leaf Farms, a lettuce grower in the eastern U.S., said “The consumer has been motivated by fear.” What to Know: Cyclosporiasis is an intestinal illness caused by the bacterium Cyclospora. People can get infected when they consume food or water contaminated with human feces containing the bacterium; it causes diarrhea and other symptoms of gastrointestinal upset. Foods linked to the outbreak have been recalled, but it’s apparent that shoppers still fear infection and are taking their dollars elsewhere.

a woman in the shower wonders if it would be better for her to shower in the morning or at night

Should You Shower in the Morning or at Night?

Is it better to shower in the morning or at night? It's an even split among Americans — and both camps have science on their side. Here's what each does for your body.

Using Cannabis for Stress Relief? Study Says It Might Backfire

Cannabis-Cortisol Connection: Frequent cannabis use may be linked to changes in the body’s natural stress response, according to new research from Oregon State University. The study found that people who frequently used cannabis had higher levels of cortisol — the hormone involved in regulating stress — when they first woke up than people who didn’t use cannabis. The Study: Researchers focused on the cortisol awakening response (CAR), a normal surge in cortisol that occurs shortly after waking and helps prepare the body for the demands of the day. Interestingly, the size of that cortisol increase was similar between cannabis users and nonusers. The difference was that frequent users started the morning with more cortisol already circulating in their bodies, and then still experienced the increase. Takeaway: Frequent cannabis use could disrupt the body’s natural stress response. Stress is also one of the most common reasons people report using cannabis, raising the possibility of a feedback loop in which cannabis use and stress regulation influence each other. Keep in Mind: The study does not prove that cannabis causes elevated cortisol, nor that elevated cortisol causes people to use cannabis. More long-term research is needed to understand the relationship. However, the findings […]

Why You Shouldn’t Make Your Bed First Thing

You Should Know: Making your bed may give you a sense of accomplishment and order to start the day, but there’s a case for leaving it unmade for a little while. Overnight, your body releases moisture through sweat and breathing (as much as 700 mL!), and immediately covering that damp bedding can create a warmer, more humid environment where dust mites thrive. Experts suggest pulling back the covers and letting your bed air out for 30 to 60 minutes before making it. Going Deeper: The gross-out factor may be bigger than the actual health threat. Dust mites are microscopic creatures found in many homes, and their droppings and body fragments can trigger allergies and asthma, but they don’t generally make healthy people sick. The bigger concern is for people who are sensitive to them, like those with severe allergies. Keeping indoor humidity below 50%, washing bedding weekly, and using allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers can help reduce exposure. Takeaway: You don’t have to choose between a tidy bedroom and a healthier sleep environment. Simply make your bed later — after you’ve showered, had coffee, or have otherwise given your bedding some time to breathe. Bottom Line: Making your bed isn’t […]

How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep on Hot Summer Nights

It’s a Hot One: The summer of 2026 is on track to be one of the hottest summers on record, per the NOAA. Most of the U.S. has a heat index forecast for August of at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Some parts of the U.S. are expected to fall into “extreme caution” and “danger” zones. If you live in an area where air conditioning isn’t the norm (hi, SoCal) you may have noticed that it’s hard to sleep in this heat. We’ve got a few tricks to help. How to Sleep Well in the Heat: Invest in sun-blocking drapes and keep them drawn in the afternoon to prevent your home from warming up too much before bedtime. Use fabrics like bamboo or linen for bedding — same for pajamas (we really like this brand). Consider stashing your pillowcase in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before bed (yes, it works!). And if you find yourself getting frustrated, don’t lie in bed and suffer. Try reading, coloring, or another low-stim activity until you feel sleepy again. The Benefits: Sleep deprivation, even a mild case, can lead to brain fog, low mood, irritability, memory problems, weakened immunity, and more. When you sleep well, […]

Mindfulness

Beauty

Personal Growth

Person holding a mug that reads "See the Good," symbolizing an optimism and health mindset

This Is What Science Says About Optimism & Your Health

Optimism is more than a mindset: new research suggests it may meaningfully improve healthspan, from lower dementia risk to reduced mortality from heart disease and cancer.

Mindfulness

how to keep your brain sharp includes walking outdoors

6 Everyday Habits That Help Keep Your Brain Sharp

Wondering how to keep your brain sharp as you get older? The same habits that keep your body healthy protect your brain too — and a few, like volunteering and caring for a pet, are more fun than you'd expect.

Mindfulness

a woman practices vagus nerve breathing to calm her nervous system

What Is the Vagus Nerve — and Can Breathwork Really Stimulate It?

Mindfulness

Can One Bad Sunburn Really Increase Your Skin Cancer Risk?

You Should Know: It’s a pretty common summertime sight: kids’ lathered with sunscreen and donning sun hats and long-sleeve swim shirts at the beach. Parents may be mostly concerned with preventing the immediate pain and discomfort of a bad sunburn — but it may also have a long-term benefit. Research suggests even one bad sunburn in childhood and adolescence can increase your risk of skin cancer later in life. Going Deeper: The damage from a severe sunburn goes far deeper than just redness on the skin’s surface. Dermatologists call bad sunburns — the ones that cause blistering and peeling skin — “life-changing sunburns.” That’s because they can cause extensive DNA damage and mutations, which accumulate over time and can lead to skin cancer. The risk of getting deadly melanoma as an adult more than doubles with five or more sunburns or even one severe childhood sunburn. Takeaway: Adults and kids alike should protect their skin from UV rays, but children are more vulnerable to life-changing sunburns. They tend to spend more time outside, and their skin pigment–producing cells are biologically different from adult cells. Bottom Line: Be vigilant with children’s sun protection; apply (and reapply) sunscreen regularly, dress them in […]

Beauty

From Spray Tans to Peptides: The Rise of Tanning Without UV Exposure

The Trend: Lots of us love the look of a tan, but not the skin damage and risk of cancer that can come with it. For Gen Z especially, tanning is back, but so is the desire to get that bronzed look without the UV exposure. That may help explain the rise of sunless tanning techniques, from classic lotions and spray tans, to peptides that claim to stimulate pigment-producing cells. What People Are Saying: Experts say spray tanning is experiencing a boom — and it’s getting more popular among men. They’re certainly safer for your skin than the sun’s rays, but they can also come with a hefty price tag (sometimes running around $500 a session), and often don’t last more than a few days. Another sunless trend? The “Barbie peptide,” which is an injectable called melanotan II that can darken your skin without UV exposure. Fans claim it can give you a tan “from the inside out,” but it’s still unregulated, under-researched, and can cause unpleasant (and dangerous) side effects. What to Know: Sun exposure is a major cause of premature skin aging — the exact opposite of the youthful glow many tanning fans are trying to achieve. So […]

Beauty

What “Biotech Beauty” Actually Means

Beauty

8 Things Dentists Wish You’d Stop Doing to Your Teeth

From skipping floss to sipping soda all day, these are the everyday habits quietly wearing down your enamel, plus the simple swaps dentists recommend instead.

Heat Waves May Age Your Body Faster, New Study Suggests

Heating Up: If you’ve been feeling anxious about heatwaves recently, we’re sorry to report that a new study suggests that heatwaves may age your body faster. The Study: Repeated heat-wave exposure may accelerate biological aging, potentially by disrupting metabolism. Researchers analyzed data from 2,318 adults in China, with an average age of 58.7, using health measurements collected from the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study. They compared participants’ exposure to heat waves with changes in their biological age, using biomarkers like cholesterol and HbA1c. The more heat waves people experienced, the greater their biological age acceleration. Under the study’s definition — a heat wave lasting at least four days with temperatures above the local 97.5th percentile — each additional heat-wave event was associated with about six months of biological aging. This echoes the findings in an earlier study published in Nature Climate Change in 2025, which followed 24,922 adults in Taiwan from 2008 to 2022. Takeaway: It’s hot out there, and that might be bad for our bodies. It’s possible that “heat training” can help us adapt to increasingly severe weather, but it’s also important to take steps to stay cool and hydrated each day. Keep In Mind: Other factors, […]

Starting a Hobby Is Good for Brain and Body