Mind & Wellbeing

It started as an experiment. I was working from home, slogging through back-to-back virtual meetings, and feeling the slow mental unravel that comes from forgetting your body has needs—like light, movement, and maybe a reason to look more than two feet beyond a glowing screen.

Yoga gets a lot of airtime. People rave about how it changes lives, boosts flexibility, strengthens the core, calms the mind, aligns the spine, possibly even your chakras (if that’s your thing). But I didn’t approach yoga as a long-time devotee or spiritual seeker. I came in as someone who'd done a few casual YouTube flows, mostly when my back was tight or I needed to feel like I’d “done something.”

For years, the commute has had a branding problem. It’s been synonymous with stress: jostling through packed subway cars, dodging delays, and refreshing a transit app like it’s a lifeline. But recently—quietly, and in ways that feel almost rebellious—people have started reclaiming their commutes as something else entirely: self-care.

You’ve had a long day. You’re exhausted. Maybe it was a happy hour that turned into dinner that turned into falling asleep on the couch. The last thing you want to do is wash your face. So you don’t. You crawl into bed with a full face of foundation, mascara, maybe even a bold lip—and figure your skin will survive just this once.

You ever stare down a half-full tub of yogurt, eye the expiration date, and then proceed to open it anyway because, well, it smells fine? We’ve all played that internal game of “Is this really expired?” And sure, sometimes it’s harmless. But other times? It’s a roulette wheel you don’t want to spin—especially when your gut (literally) is the one placing the bet.

If you’ve been thinking of upgrading your snacking game or looking for something that fuels you without weighing you down, cottage cheese might not be the first thing that pops into your mind—but it should be. I know, it doesn’t sound like the most glamorous option compared to chips or granola bars, but hear me out. Cottage cheese is the unsung hero of snacks, and once you learn about its incredible versatility and benefits, you’ll never look at it the same way again.

You don’t need a gym membership, special gear, or an Instagrammable routine. You don’t need a fitness tracker (though if you love data, great), and you don’t have to follow a 12-week program. What you do need? About 20 minutes—and a pair of shoes that won’t hurt your feet.

When we think of staying hydrated, the first thought that comes to mind is usually drinking enough water. And while getting enough fluids is essential, what many people don’t realize is that our bodies also get hydration from the foods we eat. Specifically, about 20-30% of our daily water intake can come from high-water-content foods, making them a delicious and surprising way to supplement our hydration needs.

We’ve all been there: someone we care about is going through something big, and we freeze. Our brains search for the perfect thing to say, but nothing feels right. We end up fumbling through clichés (“everything happens for a reason”) or defaulting to silence—both of which can leave the other person feeling unseen, even when we meant well.