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Daily Edition • Saturday, Sept 12
SPONSORED BY
Daily Edition • Saturday, Sept 12
SPONSORED BY
I have become totally obsessed with tennis since the start of the U.S. Open. This week, I decided to try my hand on the court, having never played the sport a day in my life. I’m, unfortunately, not very good (yet) and I’m sore in shoulder and wrist muscles I didn’t know I had. I’ve always been fairly sporty, so the mental challenge of being bad at something has been harder than the soreness. But the good news is that pushing through the awkwardness is exactly what makes learning something new so beneficial for your brain.
So this weekend, while the best in the biz are battling it out for the championship, I’ll be out on the court, too — still struggling, still learning, and hopefully getting a little better. And with tennis often considered a top sport for longevity, maybe being bad at it is a habit worth keeping.
— Laney, Editorial Assistant
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Nutrition
Five Cups a Day Might Be Too Many for Your Bones
Kateryna Hliznitsova/Unsplash
A Bone To Pick: Coffee, now linked to lower risk of heart disease and sharper memory, has had an amazing run in the health headlines recently. But a new study has ended that streak. Researchers in Australia tracked nearly 10,000 women aged 65 and older for a decade, following how their coffee and tea habits affected bone density, and the results weren’t great for Team Coffee.
The Study: The team used data from a long-running fracture study. Two to three daily cups of coffee showed no drop in bone density, but more than five cups did; those women had lower bone density than moderate coffee drinkers. Tea drinkers had slightly higher hip bone density, credited to compounds called catechins that may help support bone health.
Keep in Mind: Adding milk to your coffee may help offset some of the effect caffeine has on calcium absorption.
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Sponsored
What Actually Motivates Kids To Brush, Floss, And Shower Without A Fight
Courtesy: Frida
If reminders to brush or shower are starting to sound like background noise in your house, it may not be a motivation problem. For many kids, the issue is that plaque, BO, and bad breath are invisible, so the payoff for good hygiene feels abstract at best.
Frida for Kids tackles that disconnect by making routines more tangible and interactive. Think a “Prove It” light‑up electric toothbrush, glittery toothpaste, a braces‑friendly flosser, and squishable Body Whip that turns soap into play, so caring for their bodies feels like something they choose, not something you chase.
What People Are Saying: One psychologist told Allure that more and more young patients are “becoming obsessed with perfection and feeling extremely lonely,” going so far as refusing to leave the house if they have a blemish. While some say Meta’s ban is a step in the right direction, Suzanne Wallach, LMFT, says, “If we want to be serious about teen mental health, we have to look at the entire system of social media.”
What to Know: The impact of social media use on teen mental health is well-documented. Conditions like anxiety, depression, ADHD, and body dysmorphic disorder have all risen rapidly over the last few decades, and researchers point to the growing use of social media and technology as a potential culprit. Combined with declining creativity as a result of AI use, it seems like society is collectively reaching a point of “that’s enough.”
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Sleep
More People Are Ditching Melatonin for Magnesium. But How Does It Help With Sleep?
Daniel Martinez/Unsplash
You Should Know: Melatonin was the go-to sleep aid for a long time, but more people are now reaching for magnesium instead. Magnesium’s surge in popularity is potentially connected to recent research linking melatonin supplements and heart risks. Plus, melatonin can make some people feel groggy and cause vivid dreams or nightmares. Both supplements can help with sleep, but do they affect your body in the same way?
Going Deeper: The body needs both magnesium and melatonin to function properly. Melatonin is a hormone that helps to regulate the sleep-wake cycle and induce sleep. It’s produced in the pineal gland, increasing production when it’s dark and decreasing production when it’s light. Magnesium is a mineral that plays a role in hundreds of bodily functions.
Takeaway: Magnesium may improve sleep by balancing the effects of excitatory and relaxing neurotransmitters, including GABA, serotonin, and cortisol. It can also calm the nervous system and treat restless leg syndrome.
Bottom Line: Experts say magnesium is likely safe for healthy people, but not every type is good for sleep — so choose magnesium glycinate or L-threonate to catch some Z’s. And remember that taking sleep aids too often could mask more serious conditions, such as chronic insomnia and sleep apnea.
Crispy baked tofu, rice noodles, roasted vegetables, and a creamy peanut sauce come together in this satisfying vegetarian dinner. It’s an easy weeknight meal that delivers plenty of flavor with minimal fuss, and it’s also endlessly customizable: Swap in whatever vegetables you have on hand, or adjust the toppings to suit your taste. The leftovers hold up well, making this a good option for meal prep, too.
By clicking, you are agreeing to receive a daily recipe from Better Plates.
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This, Not That
Make the Couch a Reward, Not the Default
THIS
NOT THAT
Vitaly Gariev/Unsplash, Toa Heftiba/Unsplash
This: Take a short walk before you sit down Not That: Melting directly into the couch after work
The couch is great. The problem is when it becomes a black hole with throw pillows. Before you fully settle in, take a 10-minute walk, stretch, or do one quick chore. A small transition can help your body shake off the day before the evening disappears.
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Sponsored
The Simple Trick That Can Turn Hygiene Battles Into Independence
Here is something you may not know: kids are much more likely to build long‑term habits when they feel a sense of control and fun instead of constant reminders. That applies just as much to brushing and showering as it does to homework.
Frida for Kids leans into that insight with playful, problem‑solving tools made for ages 6–11, like the “Prove It” light‑up toothbrush and a pea‑sized toothpaste dispenser that makes brushing feel like a game, not a chore.
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HEALTHY HABIT
Drink Water Before You Make Coffee
Coffee can still be the star of the morning. Just give water the opening act. Drinking a glass before your first cup is an easy way to start the day a little more hydrated, especially if you tend to roll straight from bed to caffeine like it’s an emergency service.
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Final Thought
But in every walk with Nature one receives far more than he seeks.”
