“The ticks are winning.” At least that’s what a CDC scientist wrote in a paper published earlier this year. Ticks, and the diseases they carry, are on the rise and scaring people off of trails. While there are things we can all do on an individual level (our editor uses permethrin to treat his hiking clothes), some are arguing that it’s time for a more robust approach to tick control. Check out the full story in The Atlantic here.
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Cognitive Health
Can Nature Give Your Mood a Boost?
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A Natural Boost: Most of us know we feel better after spending time outside, but scientists are still teasing apart why. Is it the greenery? The birdsong? The fresh air? A new study suggests that the sights and sounds of nature may each play an important role in boosting mental well-being — and together, they may be even more powerful than any individual component.
The Study: Researchers asked participants to sit along a nature trail or in an urban environment, while listening to birdsong or the sounds of traffic through noise-canceling headphones. The participants reported changes in stress and mood, and perhaps unsurprisingly, they consistently reported better mental well-being after spending time in restored forests. Hearing birdsong provided an additional boost. The findings suggest that both visual and auditory aspects of nature contribute to helping people feel calmer, more positive, and mentally refreshed.
The Takeaway: To boost your mood, spend time in green spaces where you can both see trees and hear birds. Even a short walk through a park may help you recharge more than a stroll down a busy city street.
Keep in Mind: This study measured short-term, self-reported psychological effects, but it still adds to a growing body of evidence suggesting that making regular time for natural environments is a simple, low-cost habit that can support well-being.
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Sponsored
Most People Miss This Simple Upgrade
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A good pair of sneakers can do a lot. But if your feet still feel tired after walks, workouts, or long days on hard floors, the problem may not be the shoe itself. It may be what’s inside it.
That’s where CURREX comes in. Designed by German sports scientists, CURREX insoles are built around biomechanics, with dynamic arch support, shock-absorbing cushioning, and a deep heel cup that helps your foot feel more stable inside the shoe.
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Beauty
Why Everyone Wants to Smell Like a Tomato This Summer
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The Trend: Tomatoes aren’t just in season for caprese salads or gazpacho this summer — they’re also the latest fragrance trend. Loewe kicked off the tomato candle craze more than six years ago, but this year the whole beauty industry seems to be putting that garden-fresh scent into perfumes and sprays. Bath & Body Works and Le Monde Gourmand have released tomato-based scents, and Jo Malone has rolled out an entire veggie-inspired line, featuring beetroot and carrot scents.
What People Are Saying: Fragrance insiders think vegetables might be the next big food-inspired scent category, on the heels of vanilla and dessert scents. Garden vegetables also feel fresh and natural during these warmer months but without the heaviness and sweetness inherent in fruit-based aromas. Tomato, in particular, reads as grounded and simple, which aligns with the general public currently leaning toward more understated options when it comes to beauty.
What to Know: The earthiness of tomato’s scent can feel a little intense on its own, but blends that mix it with citrus or florals tend to soften that quality. And if a new tomato perfume is too much of a commitment, candles and home sprays are a low-pressure way to test the trend.
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Personal Growth
At What Age Are People Most Satisfied With Life?
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You Should Know: When do people feel most satisfied with life? The answer, according to a new survey of 6,442 Americans ages 65 and older, is age 52. Looking back on their lives, respondents said their early 50s were when they felt most fulfilled overall — a period that tends to be associated with greater stability, stronger relationships, and a clearer sense of purpose.
Going Deeper: More than any career milestone or financial achievement, survey participants pointed to friendships and relationships as their greatest source of life satisfaction. Health ranked second, followed by romantic partners, careers, and home. Three out of four participants even said they’d choose love over wealth if forced to pick. These findings also fit with a broader body of research suggesting happiness often follows a “U-shaped curve”: life satisfaction tends to dip during the pressures of early adulthood and midlife before rising again.
Takeaway: The survey suggests that fulfillment isn’t something you suddenly “arrive at,” but something built over decades through meaningful relationships, good health, and a growing sense of what truly matters.
Bottom Line: If there’s a secret to life satisfaction, it may be less about chasing success and more about investing in the people you’ll want beside you when you look back.
This smoky dirty rice is hearty, colorful, and built for feeding a crowd. Jasmine rice is cooked with clam juice, saffron, Creole seasoning, smoked paprika, garlic, red onion, bell pepper, serrano, green onions, and smoky grilled sausage. A squeeze of lemon and fresh parsley brighten everything up, making it a bold, satisfying main or side.
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The Microplastics Quiz
What’s Your Microplastics Exposure Score?
All Healthy Design Studio
Microplastics are nearly impossible to avoid — but your exposure may be higher or lower than you think. Take our free 2-minute quiz to discover your exposure level, identify your biggest sources of exposure, and get personalized recommendations to reduce it.
Created by German sports scientists and trusted by runners and walkers alike, they’re an easy swap worth considering when long days, workouts, or daily miles leave your feet feeling worn out.
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HEALTHY HABIT
Use Sauce Strategically
Vegetables are easier to eat when they taste good. Keep one sauce, dressing, salsa, yogurt dip, pesto, or vinaigrette around that makes basic food more appealing. The healthiest eating plan is not the one with the most rules — it’s the one you’ll repeat.
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Final Thought
Not I, not any one else can travel that road for you, you must travel it for yourself.”
