Harry Styles hosting SNL this past weekend was the highlight I didn’t know I needed. (As the mom of an Irish dancer coming down from a 18-hour St. Patrick’s Day gig, this sketch lives rent-free in my brain.) But buried in his opening monologue was an unexpectedly good reminder that slowing down can be its own flex.
Lately, the internet seems to be catching up. “Slow wellness” is the opposite of every influencer promising hacks to “fix your life in 30 days.”
Some ways to practice:
Try one small experiment.These 31 wellness ideas range from rethinking how you eat to how you approach money. Choose your own adventure.
Find a workout that’s also a hobby. They don’t have to be mutually exclusive. Think tennis, hiking, dance classes — activities you actually want to show up for.
Embrace the art of unplugging. My current obsession: “junk journaling.” And research suggests this Nana-favorite can actually help people kick bad habits.
— Anna “Just Call Me a Tortoise” Davies, writer
What's Making the Rounds
We can’t believe we have to say this, but… please think twice before putting this cooking staple in your vagina.
Many of us are already flirting with heart-healthy habits. But long-term cardiovascular care isn’t built on one “perfect” routine or wellness trend. It’s the cumulative effect of daily habits stacked up over time. And new projections suggest younger women may need to start thinking about it sooner than expected.
Researchers estimate that by 2050, nearly one in three women ages 20-44 could have some form of cardiovascular disease, as risk factors like high blood pressure, diabetes, and obesity continue to climb.
Here’s what’s worth knowing now:
Early signs are often invisible. Heart disease rarely starts with dramatic symptoms. Weight often gets framed as the primary driver, even by doctors, but the reality is more complex. Genetics, environment, and everyday behaviors can shape cardiovascular health quietly over time. That includes air pollution exposure, chronic stress, and metabolic changes, which can influence heart risk years before anything appears on a routine checkup.
Midlife puts unique stress on the heart. Certain experiences women typically go through in their 20s, 30s, and 40s can shape cardiovascular health in ways many people don’t realize. Pregnancy complications like preeclampsia or gestational diabetes can raise long-term risk. So can weight fluctuations, chronic stress (juggling kids, careers, and aging parents, sometimes all before lunch), and major shifts in sleep and diet.
How doctors can spot trouble sooner. Some screening tools can flag cardiovascular risk long before symptoms appear. One example is a coronary calcium CT scan, which measures plaque buildup in the arteries. It isn’t routine for most younger adults, but cardiologists sometimes recommend it for people with a family history or other risk factors. Mammograms may offer another clue. Research suggests they can detect calcium buildup in breast arteries, which could help identify cardiovascular risk earlier.
For Your Sanity:
Know your baseline. Blood pressure, cholesterol, and blood sugar are key signals of heart risk. High BP thresholds have recently changed, so it’s worth revisiting at your next checkup. Family history matters, too — ask your relatives about theirs. (FYI parents: It’s never too early to talk about heart health with your kids.)
Move your body. It doesn’t have to be extreme.Cardiologists consistently point to moderate activity — like brisk walking, cycling, and swimming — as one of the most protective habits for heart health. Even small increases in daily movement can help improve blood pressure and metabolic function.
Play the long game. Heart health is cumulative. Focus on building habits that support your cardiovascular system over decades. The “Essential Eight” are a good place to start.
How do you know when stomach pain is serious vs. just indigestion?
Featured Expert
Lynn Model, MD
A board-certified pediatric surgeon in Brooklyn, NY, and Castle Connolly Top Doctor with specialties including gastrointestinal surgery.
“The warning signs are the same for adults and children. But it can be very difficult to discern, especially in small children who may not report levels of pain accurately and who frequently have viruses that may cause very similar symptoms to more serious conditions.
Pain that causes someone to lay still or walk hunched over is always concerning. Vomiting blood or green fluid (versus food or yellow-colored fluid) may be cause for immediate concern as well.
Steady worsening of pain over a 12–24 hour period of observation, or no improvement with oral Tylenol may also be indications of a more serious condition — versus a crampy, waxing and waning pain that may occur with a common virus or food-borne illness.
Pain that is associated with fever, and focal locations of pain in the right lower abdomen (appendicitis) or right upper abdomen (gallbladder infection) are more specific signs.”
Your Great-Great-Grandma’s Electrolyte Hack is Back
Every few months, BeverageTok “rediscovers” a drink to make its personality (hi, hot water). The latest one? A centuries-old farm tonic called switchel AKA “nature’s Gatorade,” an OG electrolyte drink.
The base is simple: apple cider vinegar, ginger, water, and some kind of sweetener (think honey or maple syrup). The result is a tangy, lightly sweet drink that fans say can help replenish electrolytes after a sweaty workout… or just a sweaty walk from the car to the office.
Today, people are putting a modern twist on the beverage by swapping the ACV for coconut water, which softens some of the salad dressing vibes while adding natural electrolytes of its own.
Another perk? No artificial flavorings or mystery ingredients. Looking at you, Red 40.
A kiwi-forward version.Swapping kiwi in for lemons still offers a burst of vitamin C, but with a tropical flavor profile.
An easy base you can customize. Think of this as your switchel starter kit — a simple electrolyte drink you can tweak with citrus, berries, herbs, or whatever’s in the fridge.
PS: A pinch of sea salt can up the electrolytes of any switchel recipe without altering the taste.
Places, Please
Medals are nice, but nothing beats a bra that actually holds everything in place. Jogging, stretching, or just getting through your day — these brands are the real MVPs.
