You need a “dark shower”

Yes, it’s finally not pitch dark when you wake up… but somehow, you still want to crawl back under the covers. If daylight saving time has had you dragging all week, you’re not alone. (And to the parents daydreaming about moving to Arizona or Hawaii just to avoid this nonsense, I see you.) 

Turns out, shifting the clocks by even an hour messes with our brain’s internal timekeeper — the suprachiasmatic nucleus (try saying that three times fast). When that gets thrown off, everything from our sleep-wake cycle to our digestion and focus can slip out of sync for days. Kinda like being jet-lagged… without the travel. 

The good news: This snoozy stretch might be the perfect excuse to recommit to our sleep hygiene. Sure, I’ll try the classics: no screens in bed, no doomscrolling before lights out — but this week, I’m also testing a few new ideas:

• Retooling my meals because this physician calls ending our day with a big dinner “the worst habit for energy levels.” 

• Adding a “dark shower” to my nighttime routine. Yes, it’s exactly what it sounds like — and psychologists swear by it.

• Cancelling the cheese plate after learning research shows a link between nightmares and lactose intolerance.

• Letting this tired mom convince me to give magnesium oil spray a shot.

• And for the bold: A new study says a “sleep divorce” might actually improve rest (with one major caveat).

- Anna "Pajamas at 4 pm Are Acceptable if You Call Them Loungewear" Davies, writer

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Carb season is in full swing, and here’s a reason stuffing may deserve a second chance. A new study suggests that what many people call “gluten sensitivity” might actually come down to a miscommunication between your gut and your brain. Researchers followed people who experienced bloating and other symptoms after eating gluten and found the majority of them reacted the same way even when given a placebo.

The gut-brain connection, decoded. That “gut feeling” is real. Your digestive system and brain send signals back and forth all day, shaping everything from mood to metabolism. But when that line of communication gets fuzzy, your body can register discomfort, even if there’s no physical cause. Scientists are also finding that gut inflammation can affect more than digestion, including your muscles, joints, and even your energy levels. Translation: When your stomach’s upset, your whole body knows it.

If not gluten…then what? Gluten gets a bad rap, but the study found that the real culprit might be fermentable oligosaccharides, disaccharides, monosaccharides and polyols, or FODMAPS. These are carbohydrates that can be tough to digest, and they are found in a wide variety of foods, including fruits like apples and cherries, sugar-free candies, wheat, and dairy. 

Because FODMAPs exist in so many foods, shifting to a low-FODMAP diet should ideally be done under supervision of a doctor or dietitian.

Before you swear off FODMAPS… Bear in mind: Food sensitivities often overlap with stress, hormone changes, or even sleep patterns. So if something feels off, jot it down, adjust, and bring it up with your health care provider instead of going full elimination-diet detective mode.

For Your Sanity:

• Know your triggers. These can also change over time. For example, estrogen fluctuations can lead to digestion issues.

• Add probiotics and prebiotics. Together, they can help rebalance your gut microbiome. This is especially useful if you’ve been under stress, on prescription medication, or relying on more takeout than usual. And no, you don’t need to eat a ton of yogurt. 

• Mindful doesn’t mean restrictive. Between cocktails, sweets, and new foods, your gut’s routine can go rogue. Try pacing yourself, keeping fiber in your rotation, and drinking plenty of water — your microbiome loves it almost as much as it loves fermented foods.

• Tap a pro. If you’re feeling constantly uncomfortable, talk to a registered dietitian (RD) — not a nutritionist — as they specialize in the science of food and digestive health. Start your search with these online platforms that offer dietitian services. Bonus: Sessions may be covered by insurance. 

As a mom of three kids 4 and under (Gus, 4, Ozzie, 3, and Lou, 1) with husband Taylor Goldsmith, Mandy Moore knows germs are just part of the gig. But before she was dealing with real-life runny noses and toddler meltdowns, she got a head start as supermom Rebecca Pearson on This Is Us — parenting two boys and a girl on camera ahead of doing it IRL. 

These days, she’s teaming up with the Beyfortus Celebrity Mom Squad  to talk about RSV protection. Quick refresher: RSV is a common virus that can cause serious lung infections in infants and a leading cause of hospitalization for babies under 1. The surprising part? Nearly 75% of those babies have no underlying health conditions.

Here, she shares why she encourages parents to get their medical advice from their doctor, and not the group chat:

Read the full interview here.

We love a good health tracker. It’s validating to know how many steps we walked or how many hours we slept. But should some things stay secret or approximate? You be the judge.

Lawful good. A hydration tracking smart bottle that connects to an app. Your Stanley cup just got some serious competition.

Lawful evil. The lioness, a sex toy that can help you track your orgasms, so you know whether you’re a volcano, ocean wave, or avalanche. Performance pressure, what?

Chaotic good. New startups are using period blood to diagnose endometriosis and other health issues. Best use of a bloody tampon. 

Chaotic evil. A camera, installed in your toilet, to track your poop. In our opinion, some “data” is better left flushed.

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Cold days call for comfort food. ALDI’s got you covered — and your budget, too.

Swiping on lip balm is one tiny act of self-care you can do when the wind is whipping and you’re freezing your face off. These lip balms are great for chapped lips… and absolute delights to find in your coat pocket on a cold day.

Aquaphor

Aquaphor Lip Repair is the best drugstore lip balm.

Laneige

Laneige Lip Sleeping Mask is the best lip mask.

Dr Dan's

Dr. Dan’s CortiBalm is the best lip balm for chapped lips. 

Jack Black

Jack Black Intense Therapy Lip Balm SPF 25 is the best lip balm with SPF.

Here’s the full list of the best lip balms, according to our team of testers.