How expensive is your pee?

My 10-year-old has been practicing Irish dance every morning outside at 7 am in anticipation of a big competition at the end of November. As the days get shorter and colder, I’ve come to realize how much we both need that burst of energy — and sunshine — first thing. Turns out, early exposure to bright light starting now is one way to keep the winter blues at bay. Seasonal depression is common (here are the signs), but there are plenty of ways to handle it other than burying yourself in a weighted blanket till spring. 

Here’s what I’m leaning into before winter fully sets in:

• While my daughter’s jigging, I’m testing this viral morning ritual to get my own heart rate up.

• I’m adding these 10 foods to my cart …plus a  daily serving of this type of fruit that’s been linked to lower risk of depression.

• Before we hibernate, I’m building community by finding my “watering hole.” Drinks optional. 

• Clearing the “emotional clutter” from our house is top of mind, too.

• Finally, I’m buying another pillow to shift out of my “high-stress” sleep position.

—  Anna “Nothing Like the Sound of Accordions in the Morning” Davies, writer

This viral cooking trend can potentially add years to your life. Bonus: It couldn't be easier.

Sure, your microbiome loves yogurt, but it also loves makeout sessions. Here are 7 things your gut wants you to do besides lurk in the probiotics aisle.

This new study about diet sodas and liver disease has us weeping into our Diet Cokes… and reaching for our Owalla.

Is your neighbor’s filter-free skin thanks to great genes or a “Hollywood dose” of this prescription medicine?

If your breast self-exam is basically a quick finger graze in the shower, you may be missing out on these unexpected early signs of cancer.

Think you’re a sleep expert? Take this short quiz and find out. (Question #6 was — pun intended — an eye opener.)

Women live nearly six years longer than men on average… and experts have pinpointed a few reasons why that might be.

If your sleep routine is borderline aggressive and you’re still not conking out quick enough, “cognitive shuffling” could help.

There’s a supplement for everything these days — glowing skin, better focus, less bloat, more calm. Scroll one wellness post and suddenly your algorithm thinks you need magnesium, mushroom coffee, and a greens powder from a guy named Chad.

It’s little wonder the supplement industry is booming — now a $63.9 billion market and expected to nearly double in the next decade. But when sales explode faster than the science, the medical world starts to side-eye. Even doctors aren’t sure all supplements are worth it, with many saying the evidence for real benefits is thin.

Yeah, but mine are clinically proven. Unfortunately, that claim on your collagen powder might just mean one small study, or none at all. And because the FDA classifies supplements as food, not medicine, companies don’t have to prove they work. Labels can be inaccurate, doses can vary drastically, and some products even contain contaminants or undeclared ingredients. (Get this: Even a supplement CEO has publicly called for stricter regulation.)

Even when the label is accurate, your body might not actually absorb what’s in the bottle — bioavailability varies wildly between forms. Plus, the buzziest ones may not be the smartest. Take gummies: fun to chew, but usually more sugar than substance.

Don’t I need them to fill gaps? Supplements can help, but they’re not stand-ins for sleep, whole foods, or stress management — they can’t undo three lattes and no vegetables (sigh). There are times they matter — pregnancy, aging, certain meds, heavy menstrual cycles, vegan diets — but the dose and type should match your actual needs.

And those symptoms you’re trying to fix… Fatigue, brain fog, mood swings — supplements can feel like a proactive step, but sometimes they’re covering up what your body is actually trying to tell you. Think of them like turning off a smoke alarm instead of checking for a fire. That’s why leaning on pills or powders in place of a check-up could delay a real diagnosis or effective treatment. 

For Your Sanity:

• Check before you stack. Some supplements can mess with your Rx. For example, St. John’s wort can make birth control less effective. Vitamin K can blunt blood thinners.  And when you take your vitamins matter. For example, fat-soluble vitamins (A, D, E, K) absorb better with food. Iron absorbs better with vitamin C, worse with dairy or coffee. Ask your doctor or a registered dietitian to review your current list for best practices. 

• Read the labels. Look for third-party testing with labels like USP, NSF, CVS or ConsumerLab. Oh, and that “proprietary blend”? That’s often code for: “We’re not telling you what’s in here.”

• When in doubt, stick with the basics. NAD+ might be trending, but not all medical professionals are buying it. The supplements worth your shelf space are likely the classics, depending on your diet, lifestyle, and age: vitamin D, iron (if you menstruate heavily or are vegan), omega-3s (if fish isn’t on the menu), and calcium.

• There is no casual supplement. Just because they’re sold over the counter doesn’t mean they’re harmless. For example, certain fat-soluble vitamins and minerals can actually build up and cause toxicity if you overdo it. Here are some side effects to be aware of — because “over the counter” doesn’t always mean “low risk.”

In general, our approach to workouts is: whatever floats your boat. We’re not going to yuck someone’s fitness yum. So if you’re running, squatting, or “silent walking,” we’re cheering you on.

And then… we get on TikTok. Here, some of the most unhinged workout ideas we’ve seen lately:

Lawful good: “Cozy cardio.” The only thing better than activating endorphins is doing so in fuzzy socks.

Lawful evil: The 10-10-10 Challenge. Ten miles, ten beers, ten slices of pizza… and ten hours on the toilet to sweat out your regrets.

Chaotic good: “Warrior monk” workouts. NBA players are ditching the weight room for meditation, martial arts, and off-season enlightenment.

Chaotic evil: The 100-meter lego brick sprint. Barefoot. On purpose.

^{IN PARTNERSHIP WITH BANK OF AMERICA’S BETTER MONEY HABITS®}

Money Mood

When you face financial uncertainty, your body might react as if it's under physical threat, leading to elevated stress hormones, disrupted sleep, and heightened anxiety. If that stress feels overwhelming, start small: pick one financial challenge and create a plan to tackle it. Whether it's establishing a budget, increasing credit card payments, or automating savings transfers, Bank of America's Better Money Habits^® offers comprehensive resources designed to help you tackle the issues keeping you up at night. Balance = Restored.