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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,…

Colder weather may not be everyone’s favorite, but I love it for the cozy, comforting layers—and knee-high boots are no exception. Slipping into the right pair can feel like wrapping your legs in a stylish hug. Whether I’m pulling them over leggings for a casual coffee run or pairing them with a sweater dress for a snug but chic vibe, the best knee-high boots combine warmth, comfort, and effortless style. And let’s be honest, anything that keeps your legs toasty without relying on bulky tights is a win in my book.From slouchy suede to plush-lined leather, there are endless comfy options to suit your cold-weather wardrobe. They can add an easygoing edge to flowy dresses, cozy up your favorite skinny jeans, or provide just the right amount of polish for a workday look. Ready to find your perfect pair? Scroll to shop the…

Looking for an exercise that keeps you moving, balanced, and feeling strong as you age? Meet the hip airplane, a low-impact bodyweight gem with serious longevity perks. Whether you’re navigating stairs, chasing after grandkids, or just trying to avoid those pesky aches and pains, this simple yet powerful mobility move has you covered. Best of all, you don’t need fancy equipment or a gym membership. You can do it anywhere, anytime, making it the ultimate tool for staying agile, steady, and ready for whatever life throws your way. How to do a hip airplane with proper form Your browser does not support the video tag. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, knees slightly bent, and core engaged. Transfer your weight to one leg, keeping the knee slightly bent. Lift the opposite leg, keeping it straight and your core tight. Push your hips back…

Some people drink coffee to wake up, while others wake up to drink coffee. I, for one, sit firmly in the latter camp. According to a new study in the European Heart Journal, my habit of starting the morning with a cup or two of java may keep both cardiovascular and overall mortality risk at bay. There’s just one catch: You have to cut yourself off by noon. The authors behind this observational study examined dietary data from over 40 thousand American adults collected between 1999 and 2018 through the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, along with detailed week-long dietary logs from 1,463 adults in the Women’s and Men’s Lifestyle Validation Study, which is supported by the National Institutes of Health. They investigated coffee (and decaf!) consumption across different times of the day, ultimately grouping patterns into morning-only and all-day consumption. After…