Every Wednesday, you can find me tying my pink tap shoes and shuffling along to Shaboozey — one of the best artists to tap to, according to my teacher.
Turns out, Gen Z is right: “Hotties need hobbies,” and adding dance to my calendar has been hugely beneficial. In the past, everything I did for “fun” tied back to productivity: training for a triathlon or working through my writing. This is the first time I’ve done something just to… do it. But half-assing a hobby is half the fun.
Hobbies can break you out of a rut, sharpen your mind, help you make friends, and (speaking from experience) impress your kids, too. Here’s how to get started:
The bad news: A recent study found that many everyday chemicals, such as pesticides and industrial compounds, can disrupt your gut bacteria — changes that may also affect how well antibiotics work.
The good news (on the policy front): A recent federal funding bill removed a long-standing “immunity clause” that shielded pesticide manufacturers from certain lawsuits. Companies may now face greater legal accountability if evidence shows their products cause health or environmental harm. This shift could eventually influence how these substances are regulated or used.
So what now? Emerging animal research shows that in mice, some gut microbes appear to act like tiny “sponges,” helping to absorb certain forever chemicals — aka PFAS — then actually remove them from the body. The promising next step? Trying it with humans. And the science already seems to reinforce what experts have said for years: Your gut microbiome does a lot more than help you digest lunch.
For Your Sanity:
Keep eating that yogurt. Fermented foods, like yogurt, kefir, kimchi, and sauerkraut, contain probiotics — the “good” bacteria that support a healthy gut. And don’t forget the prebiotics: fiber-rich foods that feed those good bacteria (think oats, bananas, onions, beans, and whole grains).
Be smart with antibiotics. Medical experts advise against taking an Rx “just in case” — always discuss with your doc. If you do need one, finish the full course (even if you feel better) to reduce potential resistance.
Conduct a low-stress PFAS audit. You can’t control every chemical you encounter, but start small: Replace nonstick pans if they’re scratched or peeling, avoid plastics with hot food or liquids, and look for PFAS-free cleaning products. (PS: Here are more steps you can take to reduce exposure during your everyday routines.)
Get This Out of Your Brain
You know the horrifying news making the rounds last year that there could be a spoon-size amount of plastic in your brain? New research is pushing back on that idea. Scientists now say some human tissues and fats can give off signals that look a lot like plastic in lab tests — meaning earlier estimates were likely overstated.
It feels like people are microdosing everything these days — from magic mushrooms to GLP-1s… to exercise. More and more, research suggests that “minimum effective dose” training, aka “exercise snacking,” is an easier, faster way to reap real health and fitness benefits — and I’m all for it.
Maybe it’s early signs of perimenopause, maybe it’s lingering pandemic brain, but my attention span for workouts hasn’t bounced back post-COVID. I find myself becoming less consistent with exercises that last more than 10–20 minutes at a time.
So, I’ve been exercise snacking throughout the day for the past two years, and at this point I feel like I have it down to a science:
I know what I like (and what’s effective). You are more likely to stick to workouts you enjoy than ones you hate. For me, that’s mini trampoline classes and strength training — both of which offer max results in a minimal amount of time.
I embrace all movement.Yard and housework can also double as exercise if it gets you huffing and puffing. I count every time I shovel snow from my driveway as cardio, and so does my fitness tracker.
I don’t worry about workout clothes. I regularly roll out of bed and onto my mat in my underwear; who cares? If a matching set motivates you, by all means put one on — but if I’ve only got 10 minutes between Zoom meetings I opt for pantsless Pilates anyday.
I “habit stack.” Just like putting your multivitamin on top of your coffee maker so you remember to take it, pairing exercise with something else you do regularly can help build it into your routine. My mornings all start the same: matcha, meditation, movement — a combo I can complete in 30 minutes or less if need be.
— Jordan “Underwear > Activewear” Galloway, editor
Spring is Here
Nothing pulls curly hair down more than the double injustice of heaters + hat head. But even in the middle of winter, there are ways to make sure your hair looks spring-y, even if nothing else in your environment does. Start with these shampoos:
This Skimm+ event is about locking in a dependable, healthy family meal you can come back to. One recipe. One approach. Fewer decisions on busy nights.
Rachel Mansfield will cook a nourishing, gluten-free weeknight dinner live and walk through the choices that make it work for families — how to keep it balanced without pushing “health food,” how to adjust for different appetites, and whe
