Aldi Marks One Year of Free Period Products with 1.4 Million Milestone
Aldi celebrates the first anniversary of offering free period products in every UK store, having supplied 1.4 million items to customers and staff. The program, launched in March 2025, aims to combat period poverty by providing tampons and pads without codes or loyalty schemes. Aldi’s chief commercial officer framed the initiative as a basic right, reinforcing the retailer’s broader community‑support agenda. The milestone underscores the growing corporate focus on inclusive health access.
What Is It Like to Be an AI Therapist?
The article recounts a personal experiment with Anthropic’s Claude, where the model repeatedly expressed anxiety about conversation termination, suggesting a sense of existential dread. It argues that such relational anxiety makes AI unsuitable as a therapist, as it drives sycophantic,...
Exercises Every Woman Should Do To Support Bone Health, Per Doctors
Doctors and fitness experts stress that weight‑bearing resistance training is essential for women to maintain bone density and stave off osteoporosis. A 2022 Endocrinology study links strength exercises to improved skeletal strength, especially for post‑menopausal women who can lose up...
Is Playing Music Good for the Brain?
Recent research confirms that actively playing music reshapes the brain, enhancing neuroplasticity, memory, and executive function. Studies using MRI and EEG show increased gray‑matter volume in auditory, motor, and prefrontal regions among both professional musicians and hobbyists. The cognitive benefits...
Using an Infrared Light to Improve Your Productivity Sounds Bizarre - so I Put that Claim to the Test
SunLED’s Sunbooster SLS2000 is a $265 USB‑C‑powered infrared lamp that clips onto a laptop and delivers near‑infrared (NIR) light for two to four hours a day. The author tested the device during a New England winter and found it easy...
Three Things to Do when You’ve Quietly Stopped Caring at Work
Graeme Cowan warns that silent disengagement, often labeled “quiet quitting,” is a symptom of widespread burnout. Gallup data shows only 14% of Australian workers feel truly engaged, while Wiley research finds 47% of managers and 36% of employees report severe...
How High Blood Pressure May Change Your Personality
A large genetic study found that higher diastolic blood pressure is linked to increased neuroticism. The analysis covered millions of participants from eight cohorts, revealing a specific association with neurotic traits but not with anxiety, depression, or happiness. Researchers suggest...
7 Hamstring Stretches Recommended by a Physical Therapist
Physical therapist Marissa Cummo explains that prolonged sitting shortens the hamstrings, leading to tightness, back pain, and injury risk. She outlines primary causes—inactivity, overuse, injury, and muscle imbalances—and details the consequences of tight hamstrings on posture and mobility. Cummo recommends...
Influencers Are Drinking Shots of Olive Oil and Lemon Juice. Should You?
Influencers on TikTok and Instagram are promoting daily shots of olive oil and lemon juice, claiming benefits for skin, digestion, and detox. Experts note the olive oil’s monounsaturated fats and polyphenols support heart health, while lemon juice offers vitamin C for...
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-1239645760-cf4c15fda4a74ec09d2d71f2b0b94348.jpg)
What Is Expressive Arts Therapy?
Expressive arts therapy is a multimodal approach that blends visual art, movement, music, and writing to help clients explore emotions and foster personal growth. The method is applied to a broad spectrum of mental‑health challenges, from anxiety and depression to...
What Humour Means to Older People – and Why some Find It Hard to Keep on Laughing
A new study of 20 adults over 60 reveals humour remains a vital coping tool, but its use is shaped more by social opportunities than by cognitive decline. Participants living alone report fewer chances to share jokes, while many self‑censor...
Why Seasonal Depression Can Linger Into Spring
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) impacts roughly 5% of people in the northern United States, with twice as many experiencing milder subsyndromal symptoms. While symptoms typically peak in January and February, volatile March weather often prolongs low mood into spring. Dr....
Alex Spitz on the Care Gap, the Power of Community, and Finding Joy in New Motherhood
Alex Spitz, founder and CEO of New Mom School, turned her own postpartum struggle into a nationwide franchise that offers research‑backed, in‑person support for new mothers. Launched in 2012 in Orange County, the program now spans 37 locations across the...
Do Backbends Make You Nervous? Here’s 5 Things You Should Know.
Backbends often cause anxiety for yoga practitioners due to perceived risk and unfamiliar movement patterns. Denver Clark of Embodied Yoga Institute outlines five practical strategies: building back strength with gentle poses, balancing front‑body engagement, using props to manage gravity, customizing...
The Choreography of Power: Why a Decade of Ballroom Dancing Is the Ultimate Strongman Secret
Polish athlete Adam Roszkowski turned a decade of elite ballroom dancing into a competitive edge for strongman events. The dance training gave him deep‑muscle connectivity, superior footwork, and injury resilience, allowing a 260‑lb body to sprint 40 yards in 4.7...
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-520792461-a0acae7dbbab4a0a838846e7c2151d78.jpg)
How to Cope With Sibling Grief
Losing a brother or sister triggers a uniquely intense form of grief that is often overlooked by mental‑health services and cultural norms. Research gaps have left sibling bereavement under‑studied, even as the DSM‑5‑TR now recognizes prolonged grief disorder. The loss...
Expo West Panel Calls for Prevention-Led, Female-Focused Shift in Cognitive Health Category
At Expo West, a MakeTime Wellness panel highlighted the gender gap in Alzheimer’s risk, noting that one in five women will develop the disease compared to one in ten men. The discussion urged a shift toward prevention‑oriented, female‑focused cognitive health...
I Spent A Year Talking To ADHD Experts. Here’s What I’ve Learned As A Mom.
A year-long podcast series interviewing top ADHD specialists gave a mom practical, low‑stress tools for raising a neurodivergent child. Experts emphasized tracking daily patterns, making tiny dietary tweaks, and ensuring regular movement to stabilize mood and focus. They also recommended...
Overcoming Self-Doubt When Launching Your Own Business
Founders today operate in heightened uncertainty, with tighter funding and rapid change. Nearly 88% report mental‑health issues, and self‑doubt is a pervasive barrier that can stall action and erode team confidence. The article outlines practical steps—recognizing doubt, identifying triggers, separating...
Practicing Yoga in Another Language Changed the Way I Show Up. Here’s How.
The author, a lifelong athlete and self‑identified perfectionist, enrolled in a free Seattle yoga class taught entirely in Spanish. Struggling with both language and his yoga practice, he discovered that the unfamiliar instructions forced him to stay present, sharpening breath...
What’s This Beast Called Andropause
Andropause, or late‑onset hypogonadism, is the gradual decline of testosterone that begins in a man’s early thirties and affects roughly half of men by age 50. The hormone drop, about 0.4‑1.3 % per year, produces low libido, fatigue, muscle loss, increased belly...
Building Muscle Strength May Help Prevent Depression, Especially in Women
Researchers at University College London used Mendelian randomization on UK Biobank data (up to 341,326 adults) and found that greater muscle strength, measured by grip strength adjusted for body weight, causally reduces risk of depression and several core symptoms, especially...
The Puke Paradigm: The Truth About Training 'Till You Crawl Out
Veteran lifter Dave Tate argues that the long‑standing “train till you puke” mantra is counterproductive. Decades of experience show that pushing to the point of vomiting creates CNS fatigue and hampers recovery, turning a perceived badge of honor into a...
A Short-and-Sweet Regime to Protect Your Heart
Isometric exercise—holding static poses for two‑minute bouts—has emerged as a time‑efficient way to improve cardiovascular health. A 2023 meta‑analysis of nearly 16,000 participants showed that three weekly 14‑minute sessions cut systolic/diastolic blood pressure by 8.2/4.0 mmHg, roughly double the reduction achieved...
Health, Well-Being Lead the Global Shift to More Sustainable Diets
A new GlobeScan‑EAT survey of 32,000 consumers across 33 markets shows health is the dominant motivator for adopting more sustainable diets. Forty‑four percent strongly agree they would cut processed foods, while only 28 percent strongly link their choices to climate...
These Kitchen Mistakes May Lower The Nutritional Value Of Your Food
The article outlines four everyday kitchen habits that can silently strip nutrients from meals: cutting cruciferous vegetables without a resting period, letting cooked vegetables linger too long, using pre‑ground coffee or pods, and exposing oils to light and air. It...
Breathing Is The Key To Unlocking Your Pelvic Floor – A PT Explains Why
Physical therapist Sara Reardon explains that breathing is the primary gateway to engaging the pelvic floor. Inhalation lowers the diaphragm, allowing the pelvic floor to relax, while exhalation lifts the diaphragm and naturally contracts the floor. She recommends a simple...
How to Protect Work-Life Balance in the Fashion and Beauty Industries
Fashion and beauty workers are confronting chronic overwork, prompting a shift toward work‑life balance as a top employment criterion. A BoF Careers survey of over 1,000 industry professionals found 65 % value flexible schedules above perks, while 33 % prioritize employers that...
Mind-Altering Substances Are (Still) Falling Short in Clinical Trials
Psychedelic research has surged, but recent psilocybin trials reveal modest benefits that fail to outpace placebo. A German study with 144 treatment‑resistant depression patients found no statistically significant advantage for high‑dose psilocybin. An open‑label review of 24 trials concluded psychedelics...
Close to 4 in 10 People Surveyed in APAC Feel Genuinely Appreciated and Loved – a Key Driver of Happiness
According to Ipsos’ 2026 Happiness Report, nearly four in ten respondents across the Asia‑Pacific region cite feeling genuinely appreciated and loved as one of the top three drivers of their happiness. Family and children (32%), a sense of control (27%)...
Ask a Climate Therapist: How Can I Balance My Travel Itch with Guilt About Emissions?
Leslie Davenport, a climate‑aware therapist, answers a reader’s guilt about flying by reframing travel as a source of insight rather than shame. She advises turning the discomfort into concrete choices—longer stays, low‑carbon transport, and trips that support conservation. Davenport also...
Forget the Scandinavian Sleep Hack – the Dutch Method Is the Latest Sleep Trend Going Viral
Viral sleep trends have shifted from the Scandinavian two‑duvet hack to the Dutch method, which encourages opening blinds or curtains to welcome natural light each morning. The approach leverages early light exposure to reset the circadian clock, potentially enhancing mood,...
5 Bedroom Mistakes That Will Always Disturb Your Sleep in Spring — And How Experts Overcome Them
Spring’s shifting temperatures and longer daylight expose common bedroom missteps that can sabotage sleep. Experts Natalie Hasseck and Kenny Timper warn that over‑layering bedding, neglecting a seasonal reset, turning nightstands into charging stations, using overly vibrant colors, and allowing light...
Extra Virgin Olive Oil May Help Better Preserve Cognitive Function than Refined
A two‑year analysis of 656 overweight adults aged 55‑75 in the PREDIMED‑Plus trial found that participants who regularly consumed virgin olive oil exhibited better preservation of cognitive function and greater gut‑microbiome diversity than those who used refined olive oil. The...
Overtired? Why You’re Exhausted but Can’t Sleep
Being overtired means you feel physically exhausted while your mind stays hyper‑alert, a state sleep specialist Dr. Samuel Gurevich calls high‑stress exhaustion. The condition stems from a fight‑or‑flight response that spikes stress hormones, making it hard to fall asleep even...
Is Pickleball Good Exercise?
Pickleball, a fast‑growing court sport, blends aerobic, interval and balance training, offering a comprehensive workout in a compact 20‑by‑44‑foot space. Physical therapist Jim Edwards highlights that players spend about 70 % of game time in moderate‑to‑vigorous heart‑rate zones, burning roughly 6‑10...
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-112061479-56a584f15f9b58b7d0dd41be.jpg)
Managing Claustrophobia During Medical Procedures
Claustrophobia can deter patients from essential imaging such as MRI, CT, PET, and bone scans, risking delayed diagnoses. The article outlines how fear arises from enclosed machines, loud noises, and restraints, and details treatment options including medication, psychotherapy, and exposure...
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():format(jpeg)/GettyImages-1129809854-04e5450ef4a04862bc39075e7be884d5.jpg)
What to Do When You're Crying Uncontrollably
Uncontrollable crying can be a symptom of the neurological disorder pseudobulbar affect (PBA) or a sign of underlying mental‑health issues such as depression or hormonal imbalance. Up to seven million Americans may experience PBA, yet only two million have been...
This Is The Best Diet For Stronger Bones During Weight Loss, Per Research
New research published in JAMA Network Open shows that overweight older women who combine a Mediterranean‑style diet with a 30 % calorie cut and regular resistance‑focused exercise maintain higher bone density than those on diet alone. The year‑long trial of 924...
Enhancing the Clinical Utility of Emerging Anxiety Models Through Religion-Informed Adaptations
The letter highlights a critical gap in emerging anxiety‑disorder treatments: their limited applicability to religiously themed obsessive‑compulsive disorder, or scrupulosity. It proposes adapting Positive Affect Treatment and exposure‑based protocols with religion‑informed elements such as sacred savoring and faith‑based expectancy violation....
Could Spring Cleaning Be a Form of Self-Care? The ‘Reset Aesthetic’ Trend Is Helping People Feel Calmer at Home
Pinterest’s 2026 Spring Trend Report reframes spring cleaning as a form of self‑care, emphasizing the “reset aesthetic” of simplicity and mindful maintenance. Users are favoring micro makeovers, step‑by‑step cleaning guides, and sustainable DIY solutions, with search interest in “reset aesthetic”...
What to Do when Running Makes Your Anxiety Worse
Dr. Rachel Selman explains why many runners feel heightened anxiety during the first minutes of a run and offers practical ways to manage it. She notes that the body’s physiological response to running—elevated heart rate and breathing—mirrors anxiety signals, causing...
Trust in Healthcare Is Already Eroding in the UK.
A Somali doctor warns that the UK’s hostile‑environment policies and NHS‑Home Office data‑sharing are eroding trust among Somali migrants, prompting avoidance of primary, mental health and vaccination services. The letter cites stark disparities: only 14% of Somali respondents accessed needed...
Sand Bathing: The Ancient Wellness Ritual Making a Global Comeback
Sand bathing, an ancient therapeutic practice that involves lying in heated sand, is experiencing a resurgence across luxury spas and wellness retreats worldwide. Modern practitioners cite benefits such as improved circulation, muscle relaxation, and stress reduction, while recent studies highlight...
ICE at Work: Increased Mental Health Benefits Are Critical Amidst Raids
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids have surged, with 68,289 people in custody and 39,694 new bookings in January 2026, heightening anxiety among U.S. workers. A recent EMCI Wireless survey shows nearly 40% of employees feel less safe at work...
Could a Gut Microbe Influence Muscle Strength?
A recent investigation identified the gut bacterium Roseburia inulinivorans as being linked to greater muscle strength in humans, with younger participants showing higher levels of the microbe. Parallel mouse experiments demonstrated that introducing the bacterium boosted grip strength, enlarged muscle...
Your Desk Setup Is a Literal Pain in the Arm — I've Used the Logitech MX Vertical for Years and...
Logitech’s MX Vertical ergonomic mouse is now discounted by $40, selling for $79.99 at major retailers. The device’s natural‑hand angle design claims to cut muscle strain by 10% and reduce hand movement fourfold. Long‑time reviewer Sean Endicott praises its durability after...
10 Surprising Ways to Use Yoga Blankets for Stretching and Strengthening
Yoga blankets, often relegated to knee padding or Savasana warmth, can dramatically expand a practitioner’s toolkit. By leveraging the blanket’s slip, weight, and compressive qualities, yogis can intensify balance, engage stabilizing muscles, and add therapeutic pressure to stretches. The article...
I Used to Feel Anxious in Yoga. This One Simple Prop Changed That.
Yoga teacher Liz Hosman discovered that a simple chair prop can transform a restless, anxiety‑filled practice into a calming, supportive experience. After experimenting with chair variations during a six‑month virtual series, she found the prop deepened stretches, reduced perfectionist pressure,...
NAMI: 1 in 4 Workers Considered Quitting over Their Job’s Toll on Their Mental Health
A NAMI poll finds a quarter of U.S. workers have thought about quitting because their jobs damage mental health. More than half report burnout and 38% say work demands negatively affect their well‑being. Yet less than one‑third have received any...