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Daily Edition • Wednesday, July 1

New Yale Study Takes a Stab at Ageism

An elderly man and a young man play chess on a wooden table in a park, surrounded by onlookers.

Tanner Mardis/Unsplash

Age Is a Mindset: Ageism is a fact of life, whether you notice it or not. Older adults are often seen as less capable, less sharp, and less useful than younger people. A new study out of Yale University challenges society’s diminishment of our elders, showing that by many measures, folks actually improve with age.

The Study: Researchers followed adults over age 65 for up to 12 years, tracking both physical function and cognitive health. They collected data on more than 11,000 participants in the Health and Retirement Study, a federally funded, long-term study on older Americans. Nearly half of participants showed meaningful improvements in either their physical abilities, mental sharpness, or both. One of the strongest predictors of improvement was mindset — specifically, positive or negative views about aging. Participants who held more positive beliefs about aging were significantly more likely to experience gains in health and function over time.

Takeaway: Seeing aging as a period of continued growth, rather than a downward slide, may encourage behaviors like staying physically active, socially engaged, and mentally stimulated, all of which can support healthy aging.

Keep in Mind: Aging does increase the risk of health challenges, but decline isn’t inevitable.

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Here’s How to Snack Smarter This 4th of July Weekend

A variety of grocery items including snacks, olive oil, and dish soap arranged on a wooden surface with vegetables and a plant.

Courtesy: Thrive Market

Between pool days, backyard gatherings, and family adventures, the 4th of July weekend usually means one thing: everyone is reaching for snacks.

Thrive Market makes it easy to stock up on better-for-you favorites that fit every summer plan — from organic snacks and kid-approved treats to clean-ingredient jerky, electrolyte drinks, and allergy-friendly options. Everything is delivered straight to your door, so you can build a snack stash without the extra grocery store trip.

Whether you’re packing a cooler, filling a picnic basket, or hosting friends and family, Thrive Market helps you celebrate with options that taste good and fit the way you want to eat.

See The Snacks

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Beauty

How To Repel Mosquitoes Naturally

Numerous small insects skimming over a calm water surface, causing gentle ripples.

Kristiina Klaas/Unsplash

Fight The Bite: DEET has been the standard mosquito repellant for decades. But many consumers don’t want to slather DEET on their or their kids’ skin and want a chemical-free alternative. Plus, one study found DEET could actually attract mosquitos. So, what “all-natural” repellents actually work?

How to Do It: Strong smells can repel bugs and block the scent of humans. Patchouli, lemon eucalyptus, peppermint, citronella, lavender, thyme, tea tree, and geranium essential oils may work. Choose products that contain them, or dilute them in a carrier oil (like almond or jojoba) or lotion before applying to the skin. Some aren’t safe for use on babies or toddlers. If you’ve got a campfire going, toss bunches of strong herbs like thyme, rosemary, or sage into the flames. Another alternative? Using fans outdoors, as mosquitoes are weak fliers. Experts say those kid-friendly repellant stickers, patches, or bracelets may work briefly but won’t offer substantial protection.

The Benefits: DEET is considered safe, but it smells bad and can break down synthetic fibers when sprayed on clothing. DEET poisoning is rare, though possible. In parts of the world with lots of mosquito-borne illnesses, though, it’s best to stick to DEET for the best protection.

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SPOTLIGHT

Happiness Is a Skill

A smiling man in a gray sweater poses confidently, with light bulbs hanging above in a bright indoor setting.

DR. RANGAN CHATTERJEE
Physician, Author, Podcaster

Courtesy: Rangan Chatterjee

Dr. Rangan Chatterjee grew up in Manchester watching his father, also a doctor, work himself into the ground. For 30 years, his father slept only three nights a week and eventually developed lupus and kidney failure. Witnessing that left a definite impression on Chatterjee. So after graduating from Edinburgh Medical School in 2001, he came to believe that most of what patients struggled with was linked to how they lived rather than anything a prescription could address.

In 2015, he took that hypothesis to a show on the BBC, where he lived alongside families dealing with chronic illness and helped reverse conditions like type 2 diabetes through lifestyle changes alone. The show aired in 70 countries and helped establish him as one of the UK’s most recognizable voices in health.

Chatterjee’s book, Happy Mind, Happy Life, makes the case that happiness is the foundation beneath physical health because happy people make better choices almost automatically. He also believes happiness is a skill that you can begin to practice by assessing whether your daily actions actually reflect what you care about and making changes accordingly.

FOLLOW | READ | WATCH

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Quick Picks

Trust Your Gut — This is how to eat sauerkraut for gut health.

A Cut Above — People are swapping their plastic cutting boards for this.*

Glow Up — Do vitamin C serums provide added sun protection?

Feeling Drained? — These 7 subtle signs suggest you may be dehydrated.

Got Your Back — This is how to prevent back pain as you age.

^*Indicates a brand partnership

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What We're Cooking

Mexican Street Corn Chicken Rice Bowl

A bowl filled with rice, grilled chicken, lettuce, pico de gallo, cilantro, cheese, and a lime wedge on the side.

Courtesy: Allrecipes

Serves: 4 | Cook Time: 35 minutes

A protein-rice bowl is a filling, wholesome lunch option for the workday, but grabbing one everyday can get expensive fast. This at-home version brings bold Mexican flavors while keeping the ingredients simple — and your wallet happy. Serve leftover spiced chicken and streetcorn over rice, then layer on whatever toppings you have on hand. You can’t go wrong with lime, cilantro, fresh pico de gallo, or tortilla chips for an added crunch.

Get The Full Recipe

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This, Not That

Make It Easier

A pair of white sneakers with colorful accents are resting near a doorway, illuminated by natural light.

THIS

A person relaxing on a couch, wearing bright red socks, with decorative pillows and artwork in the background.

NOT THAT

Ivan Lopatin/Unsplash, Annie Spratt/Unsplash

This: Shoes by the door
Not That: Waiting to “feel motivated” to walk

Make the next healthy choice easy. Leaving your walking shoes where you can see them removes one tiny barrier — and sometimes that’s the difference between doing the thing and becoming one with the couch.

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The Collagen Detail Most People Miss

Collagen is having a moment, but here’s the catch: Many powders only include one or two types of collagen. That matters because different types help support different parts of the body, from skin and hair to nails, joints, and structure.

This “super collagen” formula takes a broader approach, with all five major types of collagen plus vitamin C to help support natural collagen production.

Before you grab the first tub on the shelf, this is worth a closer look.

Learn More

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HEALTHY HABIT

Put Fruit Where You Can See It

Move fruit to the counter, front of the fridge, or eye-level shelf. The easier a healthy option is to notice, the more likely you are to actually eat it.

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Final Thought

Rocky landscape with smooth, rounded boulders under a blue sky with wispy clouds.

Happiness is an activity of soul in accordance with perfect virtue.”

– Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics

Karsten Winegeart/Unsplash