Skimm Well

Don't Speak

Confession: I bought the mouth tape. Yes, that mouth tape. The kind the internet swears will turn me into a silent, nasal-breathing, eight-hours-a-night goddess… or at least a well-rested jellyfish.

What pushed me over the edge, though, was sharing a room with my 10-year-old on a recent trip. She took my phone and recorded me while I slept. What followed was less “gentle, restorative slumber” and more… a one-woman off-Broadway production. Talking. Mumbling. A light, haunting soundtrack.

It made me realize that I needed to do something. And even though the actual science on the benefits of mouth tape is slim, the anecdotal feedback on my feed still influenced me to try. After all, like my fellow aging millennials, sleep is the new going out (shoutout to my favorite Instagram comedian for calling it) and for good reason. New research suggests the “wrong amount of sleep” could raise dementia risk.

So while I wait for a proper sleep study (and if anyone’s ever commented on your nighttime noises, you should, too), in addition to taping my mouth shut, here’s what I’m trying in the meantime:

Bedtime snacks are fine. But a “bedtime stack” is where things get interesting.
There’s a case for sleeping with less on, and it’s not just about comfort.
Worrying about sleep can quietly make it worse. Luckily, there are simple ways to break that cycle.
This type of trip won’t fix everything, but it can reset your sleep faster than you’d expect.

— Anna “On Silent” Davies, writer

What's Making the Rounds

Fluoride has come under fire for its potential impact on brain health, but new research pushes back on that assumption. Mind blown.

A buzzy telehealth startup just got called out because its “doctors” may not be real. It’s giving Grey’s Anatomy… and not in a good way.

Think a heart-healthy diet is all about what you eat? A nutrition scientist says timing and pace matter more than you may realize.

P(ee)SA: Bladder leaks aren’t just embarrassing — they may be tied to broader health changes as you age.

We all know what “allergy face” looks like, but these tricks to calm it might surprise you.

If a viral recipe has inspired your dinner plans tonight… make sure it doesn’t include these red flags. The last one is an immediate no for us.

Lights, Camera, Acetylcholine

If protein is the Meryl Streep of the nutrient world — permanent A-list — then choline is Anne Hathaway. Versatile, but easily taken for granted.

Your body uses choline to build cell membranes, support metabolism, and produce acetylcholine, which plays a key role in recall and muscle control.

It’s especially important during pregnancy, which is often the one time most women think about their choline intake. The essential nutrient supports fetal brain and spinal cord development, and new research suggests it may also affect inflammation in mothers in ways scientists are still unpacking.

But other recent research also connects choline to brain aging and cognitive function, with some early findings that go beyond memory.

Your body only makes a small amount of choline, so the rest has to come from food, and most people don’t get enough (about 425 mg per day is the target for women). Eggs are a standout source; one has more than 25% of your daily needs.

When it comes to choline, true deficiency is rare, but suboptimal intake is super common. And for some people, it matters more than you’d think. Choline is tied to methylation, a process that affects how your body uses genetic information and handles detox. Research suggests your genes may influence how much you need, which helps explain why certain people are more likely to fall short even if they hit their daily value.

Over time, consistently low consumption of choline has been linked to issues like muscle damage and fat buildup in the liver. So… kind of a big deal.

For Your Sanity:

Call in a pro. A registered dietitian can look at your actual eating habits (not your aspirational grocery list) and spot gaps. They can also help you navigate supplements, which don’t always do what they promise. Bonus: Your insurance may cover the cost.

Think “add,” not restrict. Low energy, brain fog, random muscle aches? Eliminating foods isn’t always the answer. More variety means better coverage. Start here, and consider the mindset shift that can make this easier to stick with.

Don’t assume intake = impact. Your body doesn’t use every bit of choline you eat, and your gut plays a role in how much you absorb. So getting enough comes down to consistency.

Is there an "ideal age" to freeze your eggs?

Featured Expert

Anate Brauer, MD

A board-certified reproductive endocrinologist and OB-GYN based in NYC and a Castle Connolly Top Doctor.

“The ‘right’ age depends on your personal goals, medical history, and timeline — not just biology alone.

That said, we generally consider the late 20s to early 30s (around 26–34) to be the most favorable time to freeze eggs. At this stage, eggs tend to be healthier, which increases the likelihood of future success.

Egg quality and quantity decline with age. In our mid to late 20s, around 25% of our eggs are chromosomally abnormal. That number climbs to 40–50% in our early to mid 30s, and up to 90% by age 40 and beyond.

Many people freeze [their] eggs later (in their mid to late 30s) and can still have good outcomes, though it may require more cycles to achieve a larger number of eggs in the freezer.”

PS: Not to stress you out, but this common food habit may impact fertility.

Off to the Races

Every trainer I know is suddenly obsessed with Hyrox, which makes me feel like it’s either very legit… or quietly unhinged.

If you’ve seen the fitness buddy race all over your feed and assumed it’s only for people in peak shape, same. That’s not entirely true.

On paper, the format sounds simple. But in reality, this hybrid strength-cardio competition is a serious endurance test.

While you don’t need marathon-level training to try it, you do need a baseline of strength and stamina that most “I go to the gym a few times a week” routines don’t fully cover.

That tension is kind of the whole point. It looks doable, but it’s hard enough that finishing actually means something. Hence why fitness pros are so obsessed.

Curious where you’d fall on that spectrum? Gym chains like Orangetheory and F45, along with CrossFit and independent gyms, now offer Hyrox-style training.

A colonoscopy reduces your risk of colorectal cancer by about what percent?

The Spice is Right

While foods like chili peppers, mint, and ginger have long been labeled “anti-inflammatory,” a new study suggests it’s not just what you eat when it comes to spices, it’s what you pair them with.

Researchers looked at how plant compounds from foods like chilies (capsaicin), mint (menthol), and eucalyptus (1,8-cineole) interact inside immune cells. They found that combining them can amplify their effects, sometimes dramatically.

The interesting part: the combos that may help dial down inflammation are the same ones that already taste good together. So instead of overthinking it, try expanding your spice repertoire. Here, some inspo:

Lunch:

🥗 A nutrient-dense spring roll salad that feels like the opposite of a sad desk lunch.

Dinner:

🍗 Spicy chicken with a cooling mint sauce. High-protein, low effort, and actually worth repeating.

Experiment

🌶️ Pho is basically a blank canvas to load up with herbs, spices, and heat. We like this starter option.

A Cut Above

Skip the full kitchen reno (for now). A new cutting board does more than you’d think — it instantly upgrades your prep setup, helps keep cross-contamination in check, and somehow makes everything feel a little more pulled together.

Here, a few we love:

OXO

OXO Utility Cutting Board is the best budget-friendly cutting board.

Made In

Made In Butcher Block is the best cutting board with a juice groove.

Caraway

Caraway Cutting Board Set is the best splurge cutting board set.

Material

Material The MK Free Board is the best dishwasher-safe cutting board.

Here’s the full list of the best cutting boards for your kitchen (and your knives).

Today's Recs For a Life Well-Lived

A dye- and fragrance-free bodywash that's safe for ultra-sensitive skin. Did we mention it's $12?

A random Amazon buy that's helping us stay on top of our seasonal allergies.

An underrated SPF lip balm that doesn't taste like sunscreen.

And a serum-like, aluminim-free deodorant our editor firmly believes no one is talking about enough.

Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).

A quick fix for “allergy face”