You’re using allergy meds wrong

“Whimsy girl summer” is almost here, but even the most romanticized park picnic or flower market stroll loses a little charm when your eyes won’t stop watering. Right now, the “pollen tsunami” is our seasonal villain. But we’re fighting back with a few smart hacks:

• Apparently, a lot of us use allergy meds wrong. Here are easy tips to remedy that. Number three wasn’t on our radar.

• Speaking of whimsy, find a body of water, and you’re ready for this magical fitness trend. 

• K-beauty sunscreens have a cult following. But are they actually better?

• Think hygge vibes are only for winter? The Danes say, nej. 

• Your “home microbiome” could benefit from some spring cleaning. Commit this seven-point checklist to your Notes app now. 

• After years of wellness culture telling us to do the absolute most, one new trend says maybe… don’t.

— Anna “currently being personally victimized by a tree” Davies, writer

Scientists predict a new drug could be the “most significant advance in cancer treatment in 15 years” — how does it work?

For anyone who tracks protein intake like a part-time job, a few common habits could quietly get in the way of muscle gain. (We’re guilty of number one.)

Scientists found that a small music trick extended people’s workout endurance by 20%. We’re listening…

Your sense of smell does more than pick wine and candles. Researchers say it may reveal new information about how the body ages.  

If Maycember makes you feel overloaded, try the Eisenhower matrix to get it all done.

"Brain fog" is one of those perimenopause punch lines that's actually not that funny. While you hunt for the right word for "that thing you make with bread and meat and spreads" (hint: sandwich), your brain goes through a complex rewiring.

What's actually happening? Up to 60–70% of women report cognitive changes during the menopause transition. That’s because, up to that point, your brain ran on estrogen, especially the parts that handle memory, learning, and executive function. Which is why researchers say perimenopause is a critical window for long-term brain health. 

Tell me more: In perimenopause, your brain also uses less glucose, a preferred energy source. To compensate, it pulls power from other sources in the brain, which may lead to that foggy feeling. 

And what about post-menopause? It gets better for the most part. The brain finds a new "normal" once gray matter volume recovers, energy production improves, and hormones settle into their new baseline. Many postmenopausal women report their brain fog lifts eventually — it just takes time. 

For Your Sanity:

• Don’t DIY treatments. A viral menopause “hack” has doctors concerned. There’s no clinical evidence the medication combo works, and self-treating for too long could hide a bigger issue.  

• HRT can help. Research suggests HRT started early enough may help verbal memory. But experts say it’s important to find the right provider — not all OB-GYNs have menopause-specific training.

• Lifestyle moves the needle. Better brain health in midlife may start with one habit many women sacrifice early. And research links exercise, stress management, and a modified Mediterranean diet to better brain health in midlife. Something to think about.

“It’s never too late to consider Botox or other neuromodulator treatments for the first time. I had my first Botox treatment at 39, much younger than most of my patients take the plunge. Now that I’m turning 55, it’s become a vital part of my quarterly beauty routine. 

Botox works to weaken the muscle contractions that cause wrinkles to form and deepen over time, especially in the forehead, eye area, face, and neck. It’s not supposed to completely paralyze muscles. Carefully administered Botox by a skilled injector will decrease the strength of muscle contractions and, in turn, soften active wrinkles. Over months and years, less forceful muscle movement can reduce the depth and appearance of wrinkles. 

My advice: Do your homework, make sure your injector’s aesthetics match your goals, ask to speak with other patients they’ve treated, and go for it.”

PS: Not ready for Botox? Dermatologists recommend these six alternatives. 

It may not be sexy, but “grip strength” (yep, the skill you use to open a jar of pickles) is a sign of longevity that may offer clues to how well you’ll age.

There are plenty of ways to add grip strength training to your gym routine. Or, you can improve yours with everyday exercises at home — number three is great to do on boring calls. 

It’s about to be the off-season for our ovens. Time to lean into warm-weather recipes that are more “arrange” than “cook.” 

Ramen noodle salad. Dry ramen provides crunch and flavor to a bright, summery salad. For more protein, add edamame, tofu, chicken, or fish. You can also layer on the fruits and veggies for added density and texture. 

White bean Caprese salad. Cannellini beans are nutritional powerhouses that pack about 15 grams of protein per cup, as well as fiber, iron, and magnesium. These beans soak up the olive oil, for a rich, hearty salad that still tastes good at your desk the next day. 

Rotisserie chicken and avocado tostadas. Taco Tuesday gets an upgrade when you layer rotisserie chicken and mashed avocado. The MVP is a tangy salsa dressing you’ll want to pour over everything. 

A water pitcher filter is the easiest way to ensure you have access to great-tasting water, free from contaminants… and minus the foray into amateur plumbing. Here, the best pitchers to add to your fridge: 

Here’s the full list of the best filtered water pitchers, according to experts.

American passengers from a cruise ship linked to a hantavirus outbreak are now being monitored or quarantined in the US at specialized facilities in Nebraska and Atlanta. Here’s what to know before you forward the headline with 14 exclamation points.

Is this Covid 2.0? No. But some headlines would have you believe the virus hired a publicist. The facts are that hantavirus is contagious, especially in tight quarters, but it's not new. The Andes strain tied to this outbreak is rare, can affect the lungs, and has links to severe illness and deaths. But health officials say the risk to the general public is extremely low, and this isn’t a COVID-style situation. The Andes virus can pass from person to person, but usually through close or prolonged contact, not casual exposure. Think shared rooms or direct contact with bodily fluids — not a trip to the grocery store. 

What should I do? Take a deep breath. Confirm the source before you share. Check updates from the CDC, WHO, or your local health department instead of the loudest post in your feed. And if you traveled on the affected cruise ship or had close contact with someone exposed, follow public health guidance.

Have a question, comment, or just want to be friends? Reach out to us at well@theskimm.com

Written by Anna Davies. Edited by Jordan Galloway and Kylie McConville.
Fact-checked by Barbara Kean and Sara Tardiff.