Well + Good

pulse check

Vacation Brain

A few weeks ago, I had to pick my daughter up from camp in the Catskills, and I figured I'd break up the drive with an overnight stay. To me, this was logistics, not luxury. But then I checked in, read by a babbling brook, had an amazing dinner that reminded me even beets can be magical, watched fireflies dot a meadow, and fell asleep to a murder documentary on Netflix (my version of a spa experience).

The next morning, I journaled at an antique desk as the sun came up. I didn't expect that to be the thing I'd bring home with me. But I’m still writing.

Not every escape needs a passport or a week off work. Scroll down for our "Well Traveled" section on how you can maximize PTO, your way.

In the meantime:

Tracee Ellis Ross shares the reason why travel makes regular life so much better.
When I was in my early 30s and single, I took seven months off to travel. I didn't know it then, but I was on a "millennial sabbatical." Trust me: You don't need to be independently wealthy to make it happen.
This nighttime wellness habit is one you can do anywhere in the world, and has the added benefit of calming your nervous system.
Here are five ways to make a weekend at home feel like a vacation. My advice: Start with tip five and work backwards.

— Anna “Accidental Tourist” Davies, writer

Well, well, well

What's Making the Rounds

Gum disease may be contributing to at least six medical conditions outside your mouth. Reaching for a toothbrush now.

You’re probably reading this in “forward head position.” Here’s why you should maybe pull back.

A neurologist shares three lifestyle tweaks she's made to minimize her risk of Alzheimer's. The key? Small upgrades to habits you (probably) already have.

That wellness influencer in your feed? She may not be real — and neither are the health claims she’s pushing. Here’s how to spot a fake.

... And sometimes real influencers also make wildly misleading claims. PSA: You can't actually clone yourself.

This old-school piece of gym equipment deserves another look. It can build strength, improve grip, and comes with some bragging rights.

If you're refreshing your summer routine, don't stop at your morning habits. These three postdinner tweaks are worth adding, too.

in our rotation

Meet your new nightstand staple: this retinol regimen kit (serum, cream, and pads) does the heavy lifting on your skin while you sleep. Now over 30% off.*

A supportive sports bra that's under $30

Keep scrolling...more recs below

well aware

Can Being Too Nice Make You Sick?

That girl’s night you don’t have the energy for. That neighborhood volunteer gig you got roped into. You agreed to do it anyway — and now social media wants to know: Does saying “yes” to everything make us sick?

The theory has taken off alongside conversations about the “good girl trap”: constantly suppressing your feelings, avoiding conflict, and putting everyone else first can keep your body stuck in stress mode. And, when stress rarely lets up, it can affect sleep, digestion, metabolism, inflammation, and cardiovascular health.

Shakier claims say that the chronic stress of being “too nice” may increase risk of autoimmune disease. Some research has found connections between self-silencing and certain symptoms, but that doesn’t prove one caused the other.

Getting sick doesn’t necessarily mean you were insufficiently assertive. Chronic conditions can involve genetics, infections, environmental exposures, trauma, healthcare access, and plenty else. But people-pleasing can make you feel stressed and overwhelmed.

Break the Pattern:

Pause before answering. Try: “Let me check and get back to you.” Micro-boundaries don’t require a dramatic monologue.
Know why you’re saying yes. Helping because you want to is different from agreeing because you’re scared of disappointing someone.
Talk to someone. People-pleasing is often an ingrained response pattern you developed in childhood, which is why it’s so hard to stop saying, “sounds fun!” A therapist can help you unpack the why, so saying “no thanks,” feels less charged.

the more you know

According to the American Heart Association, how many cups of coffee are safe for adults to drink each day?

There is no safe level.

In Our Rotation

The chicest way to bring medication on the go.

An occiptal release tool for neck pain that was last week's besetseller.

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

Together with Noom

Thing to Know

Reaching your personal goal can be its own struggle, and staying there is a whole different story.

That’s the gap Noom’s built to close. The program pairs GLP-1 medication with tools that actually fit your life, so you’re building habits while taking it — not scrambling to figure it out after you stop. Members who stuck with those habits were more likely to keep the weight off than those who didn’t. Take the quiz to find out if their program is a fit for you.

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Well Reviewed

Rub It In

You can't massage your way out of every ache and pain, but if pickleball (or your pillow) betrayed you, these creams can help you feel a little less creaky.

Bengay

Bengay Ultra-Strength Pain Relief Cream is the best option for numbing.

Aspercreme

Aspercreme Pain Relief Cream is the best option for back pain.

Voltaren

Voltaren Arthritis Pain Gel is the best option for joint pain.

Penetrex

Penetrex Daily Joint & Muscle Therapy is the best homeopathic option.

Here’s the full list of the best pain relief creams, according to doctors.

Well Traveled

Get Away From It All

We’re overwhelmed, overstimulated, and even vacation reservations keep us glued to our phones. It’s no wonder wellness trips are a bigger business than ever. But before you put down a deposit or step into that -140°F cold chamber, here are three things to consider.

Integrate wellness into your itinerary. Experts say these five habits can make your trip truly feel like a getaway… and they’re all free.
DIY it. Hiking trails and yoga classes aren't hard to find. Anchor a vacation — or staycation — around one or two of these habits, and you'll get a read on whether a full-on retreat is even your thing. Also good to know: A day pass can get you pool and spa access without the price tag of an overnight stay.
Consider "adult summer camp." Millennials are flocking to these more-rustic-than-resort options. The real draw is community: group hikes, communal meals, and activities designed to get strangers talking instead of a week of silent reflection.

Well Fed

Fro-Yo is Back and Better Than Ever

Social media is reviving a trend we didn't ask for… but we're not mad about. Fro-yo turned into a weird science experiment in the 1990s, packed with air and chemicals. TikTok made OG yogurt the main character again, and the result is protein-packed, delicious, and completely doable at home.

The classic recipe. All you need is yogurt, two pantry staples, and patience (more specifically, eight hours of it).
Make them bite size. Use a mold and add fruits for an easy dessert for a crowd.
Fro-yo bark. Add in toppings and freeze for a breakaway treat.

just one thing

The Air We Breathe

Smoke from hundreds of Canadian wildfires recently blanketed the Midwest and Northeast. Not only is it the third major smoke event to hit the US in as many summers, but the smoke exposure in many cities was equivalent to smoking a quarter to half a pack of cigarettes. And now, with fires burning across Europe and the American West, here’s what to know:

Before you plan your day: Check the AQI. If it's unhealthy, move your workout or plans indoors.

When you're inside: Run a HEPA purifier in whatever room you're in most. No purifier? The EPA says a box fan + MERV-13 filter makes a solid DIY stand-in. Proof that sometimes the best wellness hack is a trip to the hardware store.

Also: Stock up on one of these types of masks before the sky turns apocalyptic. Experts suggest one per day per person.

It’s time to PTO-max