Is there really such a thing as ‘cortisol triggering’ foods? Scroll around on social media or on the web and you’ll find plenty of references to exactly that. But the truth about the connection between the stress hormone and your diet is a bit more nuanced than people using the term would lead you to expect. To help clear things up, we found out what the science really says. Read the full story here.
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Fitness
This Simple Tool May Be The Secret to Maintaining Weight Loss
Courtesy: OMORPHO
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.
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Sponsored
Most People Miss This Simple Upgrade
Daniel J Scwarz/Unsplash
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.
The Benefits: A proper tick check only takes a few minutes and is one of the best ways to reduce your risk of tick-borne illnesses after spending time outdoors.
How to Do It: As soon as you get home from hiking, gardening, or walking through wooded areas, tall grass, or brush, take a shower to wash away any un-embedded ticks. Then, carefully examine your entire body. Pay close attention to your scalp and hairline, behind your ears, under your arms, around your waist, inside your belly button, in your groin area, between your legs, behind your knees, between your toes, and around your ankles. If possible, ask someone to help check areas that are difficult to view, such as your back and scalp.
Also inspect your clothing, shoes, backpacks, and other gear, as ticks can cling to fabrics and later make their way onto your skin. Place your clothes in a hot dryer for about 10 minutes, or longer if they’re damp, to help kill any ticks that may still be attached. It’s also important to check pets, since they can carry ticks indoors.
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Sleep
Why People Are Traveling for Better Sleep
Curated Lifestyle/Unsplash
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.
Buttery Garlicky Cannellini Beans With Feta and Sumac
Courtesy: Serious Eats
Serves: 4 | Cook Time: 25 minutes
This recipe uses simple pantry staples, one skillet, and less than 30 minutes to make a hearty, creamy summer dish. Garlic- and thyme-infused olive oil layers the cannellini beans with flavor, while mashing a portion of the beans creates a glossy, decadent sauce that brings everything together. Nestle in a block of briny feta cheese, sprinkle with sumac, drizzle with olive oil, and serve with thick slices of grilled sourdough for a protein-packed dip that’s substantial enough to be a meal on its own.
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This, Not That
The Bare Minimum
THIS
NOT THAT
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This: The “good enough” workout Not That: Skipping because you missed the perfect window
A 15-minute walk, a few sets of squats, or some stretching on the living room floor still counts. Health is built on repeatable effort, not cinematic discipline.
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HEALTHY HABIT
End the Day With a Reset List
Before you fully clock out, write down the three things that need your attention tomorrow. Keep it short. The point isn’t to build a perfect productivity system — it’s to get the open loops out of your head so your evening doesn’t become tomorrow’s waiting room.
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Final Thought
The human body is the best picture of the human soul.”
