Well + Good

pulse check

On the Rox

Somehow, I’d signed up for a Hyrox intro class the exact same day Joanna Wietrzyk soiled herself during the grueling competition. What are the odds? Despite being terrified, I decided not to cancel, and 60 minutes later, I walked out sweaty, exhausted, and completely intrigued.

What scrambles my brain about Hyrox is how recently someone simply… made it up. In 2017, two German guys combined running with eight functional workout stations and essentially said, “race ya!” In some ways, it’s like CrossFit, but with more cardio and a set format. Now, Hyrox is valued at roughly $700 million, and I might be its next convert if my recent search history is any indication:

Wellness blogger Liz Baker Plosser sees Hyrox as a “gift to women” due to its camaraderie and positive approach to strength.
Curious? This 30-minute workout lets you test the waters at your own gym.
And about that incident: It’s not uncommon in elite athletes. The fact that Wietrzyk continued to use communal equipment is where things really got messy.

— Anna “Bathroom Breaks Are in the Training Plan” Davies

Well, well, well

What's Making the Rounds

Kids in college have swapped beer pong for wellness “darties” with group workouts and matcha. Can we go back to college?

“RICE” is out, “PEACE” and “LOVE” are in. The new injury-recovery advice favors gradual movement over rest and ice.

Popping ibuprofen on an empty stomach can cause some major digestive drama. Pharmacists recommend a snack first.

These five everyday habits can slow biological aging, according to science — and none require a pricey longevity routine.

It may be time to enter your supportive-slipper era: Podiatrists say walking barefoot on wooden floors can cause plantar fasciitis symptoms.

Could pink noise improve your rest? New research suggests precisely timed bursts may boost brain activity while asleep.

in our rotation

Ulta's fall sale is still going strong. Save up to 30% on affordable beauty essentials from La Roche-Posay, Morphe, and more.

The easiest way to take care of your bare nails (and have them look good).

Keep scrolling...more recs below

well aware

Under Pressure

As if losing daylight weren’t injury enough, now your brain is begging you to lie in a dark room. We get it: Summer is over.

Fall can bring an uptick in headaches, thanks to shifts in weather, allergies, and changes in sleep and routine. Something else to have on your radar? Swings in barometric pressure may activate pain-sensitive nerves.

Hormones can add to the misery. During perimenopause, estrogen can fluctuate and make migraine attacks more frequent or severe. And if you’ve never had one, consider yourself lucky, as it’s far more than a bad headache. Think intense pain, nausea, sensitivity to light and sound, and, for some, visual auras with flashes or blind spots.

For Your Sanity:

Know your headache. There are more than 100 kinds, and the right treatment depends on the type. The main ones are tension, migraine, and cluster.
Keep tabs. Track when the pain starts, where it hurts, how long it lasts, and potential triggers, from sleep to your cycle. Your Notes app beats headache-addled recall at the doctor’s office.
Don’t dismiss the viral “migraine meal” of Coke and fries. It may help some people, thanks to caffeine and a dose of salt and carbs.
Never underestimate the comments section. One woman’s daily headaches led to a binocular vision dysfunction diagnosis after someone on TikTok suggested an eye exam.

the more you know

Which food may help clear plastic nanoplastics from your body?

Well Reviewed

See Ya, Screen Time

We’ll spare you the lecture. These blue-light blocking glasses may help ease headaches and sleep disruptions from all those hours on digital devices.

Felix Gray

Felix Gray Blue Light Glasses are the best overall.

Warby Parker

Warby Parker Blue-Light Glasses are the best prescription glasses.

Peepers

Peepers Blue Light Glasses are the best affordable glasses.

Eyebuydirect

Eyebuydirect Blue Light Glasses have the best variety.

Here’s the full list of the best blue light glasses, according to experts.

In Our Rotation

The HSA/FSA-eligible weight our editor has worked out with for years. Use it as a kettlebell or a dumbbell.

Run, don't walk. Old Navy Sport is officially here.

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 CVS PHOTO

Picture This

Last-minute shoppers, rejoice. We rounded up our favorite custom photo gifts you can design, order, and pick up within 24 hours.

Start Designing

just one thing

Label Snob

Before you toss a bottle of supplements in your cart and call it good, check for these third-party certifications that verify the ingredients and screen for harmful contaminants, like lead.

Whether you actually need the supplement is another story. Ask your doctor before you add something new to your routine. They may have other recommendations that could save you money.

PS: Every day, the Daily Skimm breaks down how the headlines affect your world, including your health. Sign up here.

Well Fed

Now That You Can Turn On Your Oven Again...

Sheet pan meals pack protein, carbs, and fiber into one ready-for-the-oven dinner. Even better, these combinations taste just as good reheated tomorrow.

Buffalo chicken sheet pan. Chicken provides the protein, while cauliflower provides fiber. Add onion and pepper, and drizzle with buffalo sauce and ranch (DIY it with greek yogurt and spices for added protein), top with crumbled bleu cheese, and turn on the TV.
Salmon sheet pan. You can toss salmon with any veggies you want and call it good, but this dijon-maple sauce truly tastes like fall and elevates whatever ingredients you’re adding.
Gnocchi, sausage, and broccoli sheet pan. Adding gnocchi gives some density to the meal while sausage adds protein and broccoli adds fiber. Pro tip: Throw on a block of feta before you cook for a creamy, salty, and protein-packed finish.

On Wednesdays, we listen to pink noise