Skimm Well

“Look who’s FINALLY awake!”

If you just felt a shiver go down your spine, odds are you didn’t grow up in a “sleep supportive household.”

I’m now in a happy and committed LTR with my bed. But, it took me a while to get over my internalized guilt whenever I slept in.

We know that sleep matters. Your brain and body need those seven-to-nine hours to repair cells, consolidate memories, balance hormones, and keep you from turning into Kendall Roy outside a board room, yelling about being the eldest boy.

It’s all about supporting the parasympathetic nervous system, which starts in your brainstem and goes down your spine to your sacrum. It’s in charge of “resting and digesting” (that gut-to-brain connection is strong) –– meaning, shifting your body out of go-go-go and into R&R mode.

The basics of good sleep never change much: Keep a consistent bedtime, make your bedroom a calm space, and cut down on alcohol.

That said, I’ve been doing some digging and managed to round up a few actually new tricks to make falling (and staying) asleep easier…

How much sleep does your body specifically need? Hello, sleep calculator.
Still scrolling at night? This one swap may be all you need to finally break free.
If white noise doesn’t do anything for you, same. Try “pink noise,” which could induce deeper sleep.
You’ve heard that magnesium helps you wind down. Try this two-ingredient nighttime snack.
If you’re planning on brewing a nice, steamy cup of “lettuce water” tonight, read this first.

— Anna “Kicking Diet Coke Off My Nightstand” Davies

What's Making the Rounds

Attention Owala devotees: This simple hack will help you stay hydrated and avoid microplastics.

Want to boost your immune system, keep your eyes sharp, and fill up without spiking your blood sugar? Meet summer’s most misunderstood fruit.

Hate flossing? So does the head of the American Dental Hygienists Association. Here’s what she does instead.

And now for the ultimate production credit ... this Emmy nominee/mom of four just shouted out her surrogate in an interview.

If “get a flu shot” always falls to the bottom of your to-do list … there’s a new at-home version you can order online and administer yourself, no needles required.

This old playground party trick is actually a bicep curl for your abs. Meet “the stomach vacuum.”

Speaking of playground party tricks, frozen yogurt is the hottest dessert since your 10th birthday party … but how does it stack up, health-wise, to ice cream?

Are You Old at Heart?

Pop quiz: Pull up your latest bloodwork, and answer these ten questions about your heart. *Cue Jeopardy! music.

Done? If the risk age for your heart is biologically older than your calendar age, you’re in a not-so-exclusive club that includes most Americans.

The basics… Being off by one or two biological years is no big deal. But, if your heart is five or 10+ years ahead, check in with your GP to talk through interventions for things like high blood pressure or LDL (“bad” cholesterol).

You can probably guess what the other best practices are: Diet, exercise, stress management, and limiting how much alcohol you’re drinking. No Flamin’ Hot anything.

It’s go time… In your 30s and 40s, hidden risk factors like chronic stress and disrupted sleep start quietly reshaping your heart’s future — stiffening blood vessels, raising blood pressure, and pushing cholesterol into a riskier range.

And, speaking of stress… Chronic stress and anxiety cut down on blood flow to the heart, elevate your blood pressure and heart rate, and keep your cortisol levels high. Over time, that can speed the buildup of plaque in your arteries. If this is you, it’s time to slow down and take care of yourself. (We know it’s easier said than done.)

For Your Sanity:

Know the difference between men and women. Heart attacks look different across gender. Here are the signs to look for.
Meet “the Nordic diet.” Grab your Viking helmet and add these items to your grocery list.

Get an air purifier. One new study found that running an indoor air purifier “significantly” improves at least one measure of heart health.

Go beyond cholesterol. Taylor Swift credits this “resting stress test” with saving her dad’s life. There’s also this calcium test to give you a better idea of your heart attack risk, especially if you have a family history.

Are You Well Informed?

Q: How soon after you eat should you brush your teeth?

Is there anything baking soda can't do?

Bad news first: Some of our favorite fruits and veggies — like blueberries and green beans — can come with a harmful level of pesticide residue. When that produce is imported, it may even carry chemicals banned in the US.

Now, the good news: You don’t need fancy tools, special sprays, or an exorcism, to get them off. Just add 1 teaspoon of baking soda to about two cups of water, and let your fruits or veggies take a 15-minute soak before you eat or add to a salad.

We're here with strong opinions, loosely held.

We’re all for committing to a new habit, but wellness -maxxing feels like playing the health version of “Love Island” where everyone’s competing to see who can go the hardest.

Here are our takes on the biggest “-maxxes” of the summer…

Lawful good: Fibermaxxing. Fiber has gotten trendy, and dietitians are thrilled. Extra points for anyone who can make chia pudding look cute on Instagram.

Lawful evil: Cowmaxxing. Bone broth? Sure. We draw the line at eating this.

Chaotic good: Bob the Builder-maxxing. We’re all for getting our to-do lists done. But don’t underestimate the singular bliss of conquering a Kallax by yourself.

Chaotic evil: Proteinmaxxing... on your European vacation. Just enjoy your burrata and leave your giant tub of protein powder at home.

Hacky Kitchen Tools That’ll Make Cooking Easier

We love a home-cooked meal, but we do *not* love the time it takes to make it. That’s why we always have these clever cooking gadgets on hand. They make the more annoying prep tasks much more palatable (i.e., no more garlic-scented fingers), so you’ll get to the table stress-free.

Today's Recs For a Life Well-Lived

If applying body lotion after showering is the bane of your existence, use this in-shower treatment. It's packed with hydrating jojoba oil, coconut oil, and shea butter, so you can forgo moisturizer.

Looking for a way to streamline and simplify your better-eating journey? This viral nutrition platform might be your answer.

We've been singing the praises of HigherDose's red light therapy mask for years now, and we still stand by its brightening effects. Get 20% off yours with code SKIMM20. You'll become a believer.

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

You don’t have to use “journal” as a verb to benefit from this course

Ever opened a journal, stared at a blank page… and ended up writing a grocery list instead? A Year of Writing to Uncover the Authentic Self gives you the roadmap for how to turn that notebook into something meaningful.

For one year, you’ll receive a weekly lesson in writing your life story — which can help you understand yourself better, and heal from the past. The course is go at your own pace and pay what you wish, learn more here.