Health

Have you heard of dark showering? Showering with the lights dimmed or off before bed. TikTok is obsessed, and the science is actually interesting.

“Showering with the lights off promotes melatonin release, preparing the brain for sleep ahead of time.” — Dr. Chelsie Rohrscheib, neuroscientist & sleep expert

Warm water raises your body temp, then the drop when you step out mimics what your body naturally does before sleep. I’ve tried it and find it really relaxing. Worth adding to your nighttime routine!

Photo by Victor Furtuna on Unsplash

Just read this fascinating study where older adults (65+) did brain training for 10 weeks and reversed about a decade of brain aging. They actually measured brain chemistry changes. Kind of makes me think about what I could be doing now at 50 to keep my brain sharp down the road. Read more here.

This year: more bloom than doom. Bloomscrolling means intentionally curating uplifting content instead of doomscrolling. I won’t avoid hard topics—open wounds need discussion—but I want scrolling that serves me, not just drains me. Small shifts, better mental space. Read more about it here

I knew hugs were good for stress, but I had no idea they boost immunity, lower blood pressure, help you sleep better, and reduce pain by 31%. A 2025 study says hugging 1-3 people daily is ideal. Most of us are touch-deprived. Time to get our daily dose of free medicine. Read this article here.

“Women and girls struggle with anorexia—the feeling they’re never thin enough. Now there’s something affecting men and boys that’s just as serious, but way less talked about. It’s called bigorexia. Ever heard of it? I hadn’t. Here’s what parents need to know.

TrumpRX launched this week with discounts on prescription drugs—but it’s not the only game in town. GoodRX and Mark Cuban’s Cost Plus Drugs have been doing this for years. Good to have choices, though TrumpRX prices run higher than the other two. Read more here (NPR)

70% of U.S. grocery stores are ultraprocessed. New study shows cutting back improves insulin sensitivity and metabolism—even without trying to lose weight. Being diabetic makes me rethink my pantry choices, but honestly? Not gonna be easy. Link

Two months into managing diabetes and still learning so much. Found this article on bedtime routines—checking blood sugar before bed, timing dinner right, prepping your room for sleep. Actually helpful stuff worth checking out—Steps To Take Before Bed If You Live with Diabetes