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You’re out on a walk. The sun is out, the birds are chirping, and a pleasant, hazy view is on the horizon. Until, wait a second—is that a piece of trash? It’s a speck of ick amidst a vista of pleasantness; all you’d have to do to ignore it is shift your gaze up a bit. But you likely actually can’t help but focus on that piece of trash for a biological reason called the “negativity bias.” It’s the same reason we’ll tend to gripe about a frustrating encounter with a colleague when asked how our day was (when the day was otherwise fine) and why we tend to remember combative posts on social media. Negativity bias exists for evolutionary reasons and is hard-wired into our brain chemistry. But understanding why these thought patterns exist doesn’t mean we have to let them rule…

When it comes to squats, the sumo squat and goblet squat might seem like close cousins, but they’re built to target different muscles and fitness goals. Whether you’re chasing stronger hips, a more stable core, or flawless squat form, knowing the differences can help you level up your lower-body game. Ready to break it down and find your perfect squat? Ahead, we dive into the benefits and drawbacks of the sumo squat versus the goblet squat and how to choose the best fit for your workout. What is a sumo squat? The sumo squat is a wide-stance squat that primarily targets your glutes, especially your gluteus maximus (the largest glutes muscle), while also working smaller glute muscles, hamstrings, calves, adductors (inner thighs), core, and pelvic floor, says Michelle Wilbourn, PT, DPT, CSCS, physical therapist at Bespoke Physical Therapy in New York City. How…

Walking is the most popular form of exercise in the United States, with workout trends like color walks and backward walking proving just how versatile its benefits can be. Whether you’re looking to fuse mindfulness and cardio, improve balance and coordination, or want to increase your heart rate without sacrificing your joints, walking checks all of those boxes. Instead of lacing up a pair of running shoes, switching to a pair designed to equip feet for long walks can make all the difference. If you’re in the market for a pair of walking shoes, QVC is selling the Revitalign Gaia Orthotic Sneaker for just $80 through January 23—that’s more than 60 percent off its usual price! Between the shoe’s orthotic footbed with arch support and cushioned platform sole, this shoe is gaining buzz as a Hoka dupe among sneaker fans. Like Hoka’s cult-favorite…

If you're considering meeting with a mental health professional, you should give yourself a pat on the back for prioritizing your emotional well-being. The next step is to determine whom you ought to see, as the landscape of mental health professionals can be quite varied.This leads to the important question: should you make an appointment with a psychiatrist or a therapist? While there is some overlap in the services they provide, their training and focus cater to different aspects of mental health care. Let's explore the roles of both professionals and how to select the right one for your needs.What is a Therapist?Therapists are licensed mental health professionals who specialize in helping individuals manage their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. According to Dr. Dana Udall, a licensed psychologist and Head of Behavioral Health at Included Health, "Therapists have specialized training in mental health and…

You kick off your shoes and peel off your socks after a long day, psyched to give your tired tootsies a break. Until you’re slammed with a seriously putrid tang that leaves you wondering, why do my feet smell so bad? No one wants to talk about funky feet, but honestly, you shouldn’t be embarrassed. Aside from your pits, your feet are more likely to give off a strong odor than most other body parts. That’s because they’re usually enclosed in socks and shoes, which can trap moisture and encourage the growth of bacteria or fungus, explains Emily Wood, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist at Westlake Dermatology in Austin, TX. The moisture (aka sweat) comes from the sweat glands—and we have about 250,000 of them in each of our feet, according to the Royal College of Podiatry. That said, certain things can make your…

In the quest for better health and longer lives, body mass index (BMI) has long been a go-to metric for assessing an individual’s current and future well-being. However, a November 2024 systematic review in the British Journal of Sports Medicine challenges this notion, suggesting that aerobic fitness is a far better predictor of longevity. “Exercise capacity—in this case, measured by VO2 max—is an incredibly potent modifier of future mortality,” says Siddhartha Angadi, PhD, one of the study’s authors and an associate professor at the University of Virginia. “It’s also a far more valuable predictor of future risk of death compared to weight, as categorized by BMI.” Indeed, the study found that aerobic fitness matters more for longevity than your weight, painting a clearer picture of what truly matters for long-term health: building a stronger heart, lungs, and muscles. Here’s a breakdown of the…

You made it through the holiday hustle, and now the name of the winter game is simply survive and advance. From way-too-early sunsets to frigid temps, the season’s not for the faint of heart—but you’re no rookie, and you’ve established a fair number of hacks to get you through. To keep your toes cozy, you’ve got your go-to slippers at the ready. For hibernation-level sleep, you top your bed with a weighted blanket. To steer clear of a scratchy throat, you dust off your humidifier. And to save your skin from every type of winter weather (plus all the dry indoor heating and extra-hot showers)? You call in the experts. According to board-certified dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, FAAD, taking care of your skin during the winter is critical for your overall health—and just like your other seasonal hacks, it doesn’t have to be…

As the winter months settle in, it's the perfect time to cozy up with a book that warms the heart and ignites the imagination. This new year brings an exciting lineup of romance novels that cater to every fan’s taste—from enemies-to-lovers to fake dating tropes. Notable authors such as Ali Hazelwood, Tessa Bailey, and Sarah Adams grace the shelves with their latest works, alongside the much-anticipated adult romance debut from acclaimed YA author Julian Winters. Whether you’re looking for the perfect read for Valentine’s Day or a captivating escape during chilly nights, these ten novels are sure to keep the flames alive even as temperatures drop. The Lodge by Kayla Olson (out January 7)In Kayla Olson's sophomore novel, “The Lodge,” entertainment journalist Alix finds herself at a luxury ski resort, tasked with ghostwriting a memoir for Sebastian Green, a former member of a…

When you think about ballet, the first thing that might come to mind is beauty, grace, and maybe a tutu. While ballet is all of that, it’s also a sport that requires incredible amounts of endurance and both physical and mental strength. “In being a ballet dancer, there are mental things involved, like connecting to your muscles. It’s having to pay attention to every bit of your muscle, and still have to perform at the same time,” says ballet dancer Diedre Sears, founder and artistic director at Elevé Dance Theater. “The most important thing is your core. If your core isn’t strong, it’s very difficult to do anything else.” If you’re not quite ready to enter into your ballet era, you can attend barre fitness classes, which are low-impact workouts that have used the ballet barre as inspiration. “Barre is an accessible workout…

Strength training and cardio exercise are two popular fitness modalities. Each workout can benefit your physical and mental health, but when it comes to deciding between strength training versus high-intensity cardio, does one reign supreme? Before diving into the details, it’s important to remember that strength training and high-intensity cardio are not mutually exclusive. Combining both forms of exercise can help you reap myriad benefits and maximize your fitness. However, understanding what each modality brings to the table—and how they impact your body—is key to creating a well-rounded workout routine. Here, we explore the advantages and drawbacks of each to help you strike the right balance for your needs. Strength Training Strength training involves working against resistance from free weights, bands, cables, machines, or body weight to improve muscle strength, endurance, and size. Common types of strength training include weight lifting, resistance training,…