City

Whether unwinding after a long day with a cocktail, toasting a celebratory moment with bubbly, or sharing a bottle with friends over dinner, alcoholic beverages—when enjoyed responsibly in moderation—have long been one of my favorite rituals for bringing people together and feeling present in the moment. However, the soaring popularity of the sober-curious movement in the past decade has led more people—including myself—to reevaluate the role alcohol plays in our lives and our health. Trends like Dry January encourage individuals to reimagine their relationship with alcohol and navigate their social lives without it. With new health guidelines in the U.S. warning that even moderate alcohol consumption is linked to an increased risk of cancer, the inclination to stay dry—or at least damp—beyond January is becoming increasingly common. Yet, like breaking any habit, going dry can be challenging initially. Even with the rise of…

Sore nipples and breast tenderness are classic early pregnancy signs. But… are there other reasons why your nipples are hurting, even if you’re not expecting? Turns out, a bunch. Nipple sensitivity can happen for lots of reasons, and only some of them have to do with hormone fluctuations, explains Suzy Lipinski, M.D., a board-certified OB/GYN and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group in Sunrise, FL. And don’t worry: The other causes are rarely serious. So, let’s talk about what might be going on. Here are seven reasons why your nipples feel sensitive or painful, and what you can do to finally get some relief. 1. Menstruation If your nipple or breast sensitivity tends to hit around the same time every month and is accompanied by other symptoms like bloating, breakouts, mood changes, fatigue, or headaches, chances are you’re dealing with PMS, according to…

It’s Friday, the day of the week ruled by beauty planet Venus, and your daily horoscope is all about amping up that glam. With the moon in mystical Pisces, we can envelop ourselves in pixie dust (read: glitter) and head into the weekend like it’s a fairytale that we’re writing as we go. Yes, we may be a bit confused and perhaps out of it, but embracing the messy magic and leaning into creativity and romance is a better option than fighting it. When the onrushing tide is wild and uncontrollable, there’s nothing to do but go with the flow—while wearing shimmery eyeshadow, of course. Looking for even more astrology insights? Read your January 2025 horoscope and your full 2025 romance horoscope. Aries March 21–April 19 Everything is super dreamy for your Friday, Aries. The moon has moved into your twelfth house of…

So you’ve finally found someone you like. Now, what’s the best way to get to know them better? (No, it’s not by going through their entire social media history.) It’s good to let things unfold naturally, but it’s also important to have intentional conversations to clarify if you’re a good match and whether there may be a future together. Before you can start a productive conversation to help you get closer, you must look at yourself —and understand what’s important to you and how you show up in a relationship. Ahead, some solid questions for yourself and your significant other. Consider how you feel and behave first First, consider how it feels to be with your potential partner, says Kevin Gilliland, a licensed clinical psychologist and the author of Struggle Well, Live Well. These questions will help you examine your own experience and…

Whether or not you subscribe to the Hallmark side of Valentine's Day, there's no denying that a holiday devoted to love is a great opportunity to shake off the mid-winter blahs—especially in the bedroom. If you’re coupled up, gifting your partner a sexy something is a fantastic way to show your affection and keep the spark alive. And, if you’re flying solo, there’s an even better reason to treat yourself to a new sex toy—because nobody loves you like you do! Fortunately, intimacy brands like Lovehoney are currently offering significant sales, with discounts up to 57 percent, to help get you in the festive mood. Among the many high-value toys featured in the Lovehoney Valentine’s Day Sale, a standout item you cannot afford to miss is the Lovehoney “12 Days of Romance” Valentine’s Day Gift Set, which is essentially a sexy advent calendar.…

How often should you poop? It’s one of those questions that doesn’t come up in polite conversation, but everyone secretly wonders about it. From once a day to a few times a week, everyone's pooping habits can be different. While some of us are regular “clockwork” poopers, others might skip a day or two. But how often should you actually go? Ahead, we break down the healthy range and what different pooping patterns can mean for your gut health (including when your bathroom rhythms might warrant a trip to your healthcare provider). How many bowel movements are considered ‘normal’? Well, it depends on what’s normal for you. In fact, there’s quite a spectrum when it comes to poop frequency. “A normal number of bowel movements can range from one to three times per day to three to four times per week,” says Peyton…

With the current outbreak of avian flu, you may be wondering if your eggs are safe to eat. Luckily, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) says that the chances of contracting avian flu from eating eggs are very low. But raw eggs can still pose a health risk. “According to a 2013 report by the USDA, over 30 percent of raw shell eggs are contaminated with salmonella,” says Emily Hovis, an assistant teaching professor at the University of Washington’s Department of Environmental & Occupational Health Sciences and a former retail food safety specialist. “While that number is concerning, salmonella (and other pathogens, including bird flu) can be killed with proper cooking to 165°F.” (For reference, a cooked sunny side-up egg will reach 165°F.) But what about recipes that call for raw or undercooked eggs—like carbonara or tiramisu? For certain dishes, there’s no appropriate…

Two fingers over from my wedding ring finger lies a band that seems to suggest betrothal to my AI boyfriend, but is actually a smart ring. Smart rings, for the uninitiated, are health and fitness metric trackers that slide onto your finger; they collect much of the same data as smart watches (the Apple Watch, Garmin Forerunner, Polar Grit, etc.), but do so in a bite (er, band) sized format. For the last decade, Oura Ring, which debuted their first product in 2015, has had a near-monopoly on the smart ring market. But that may be starting to change—the latter portion of 2024 alone saw Samsung launch the Galaxy Ring, Verizon tag-team with Ultrahuman to release the Ultrahuman Ring Air, and Amazon drop the Amazfit Helio. Despite an increasing number of options, however, smart rings have continued to be a rich-person game. The…

Right when I wake up, the hit of natural energy (cortisol, technically) tricks me into believing I can tackle my to-do list and hit the gym before noon. But that natural energy doesn't last very long—by the time I finish scanning my inbox and slipping on a workout set, you'll find me beelining to my Nespresso machine. That's why I'm always looking for alternative (cue: caffeine-free) ways to feel more energized. Recently, instead of reaching for a second cup, I decided to dust off my essential oil diffuser and pop in some uplifting scents. I’ve found that diffusing bright, citrusy oils, like lemon or orange, gives me that much-needed pep in my step, especially on gray, thick-of-winter days. I like my scent extra concentrated, so I pour about 10 drops of oil into my water-filled diffuser and let it work its magic while…