“Tummy time” for tech neck

If it feels like you haven’t heard about new COVID-19 variants lately, you’re not imagining it. But now, new research suggests the virus’ evolution has entered a different phase. Instead of the headline-grabbing leaps that produced variants like Delta or Omicron, scientists say the virus is now making smaller mutations that help it slip past existing immunity.

That’s partly because the playing field has changed. Between vaccines and past infections, most people aren’t as susceptible. Which means the virus’ main evolutionary trick is figuring out how to keep spreading. Researchers say that’s one reason why COVID is starting to behave more like other respiratory illnesses.

Scientists are learning more about how pandemic viruses emerge in the first place. One recent study suggests some may jump to humans already capable of spreading efficiently, rather than needing years of evolutionary adjustment. Researchers are also studying how others spill over from animals into humans, hoping those clues could help identify — or even prevent — the next pandemic.

Of course, living with a virus long term is different from living through a global emergency. The vigilance that defined 2020 has largely faded into the background. But a few developments are worth putting on your radar:

• What endemic COVID might actually look like as the virus becomes more predictable.

• How booster guidance is shifting as immunity from vaccines and infections builds.

• A nasal spray that could protect against multiple respiratory viruses is showing promising early results.
  

— Jordan “Still singing ‘Happy Birthday’ at the sink” Galloway, editor

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No carbs. Only cold carbs. Protein in everything.

When the food pyramid flipped earlier this year, it triggered the usual diet-advice whiplash — and a lot of side-eye at other people’s plates. Here’s what you might be missing:

Objects in pyramid may be bigger than they appear. While animal fats now sit higher on the graphic than they used to, the underlying guidance hasn’t radically changed. Most experts still recommend keeping saturated fat to less than 10% of your total daily calories. In other words: The visual changed more than the science.

Proteinmaxxing may be marketing. The updated pyramid suggests eating almost double the protein of earlier versions. Dietitians say that’s less dramatic than it sounds — it mostly reflects how many Americans already eat. The tricky part is PR. “High-protein” is everywhere, but the label doesn’t always mean much.

One quick gut check: Take the grams of protein in a food and multiply by four (each gram of protein has four calories). Then divide by the total calories. If the result is 30% or higher, that food is genuinely protein-dense.

And what about calories? Tracking them can help some people, but apps can also turn eating into a math test — and they rarely tell the whole story. In one recent study, researchers compared diets with similar calorie counts (think homemade lasagna vs. a packaged version). People eating the minimally processed foods lost about twice as much weight as those eating the more processed options.

Instead of subtracting, focus on adding more whole foods, especially vegetables, to meals, rather than obsessing over totals. That shift tends to displace ultra-processed options naturally.

For Your Sanity

• Start small. Research suggests reducing calories from ultra-processed foods by just 10% can lower diabetes risk by about 14%. That’s roughly the equivalent of swapping packaged chips for an apple and cheese. 

• Talk to someone who knows their stuff. Anyone can call themselves a “nutritionist,” but a registered dietitian-nutritionist (RDN) completes accredited coursework, supervised clinical training, and continuing education. Many insurance plans cover visits, and an RDN can help tailor advice to your schedule, budget, and preferences.

• Expect your eating habits to evolve. Life phases shape how we eat. If your schedule is packed, cooking a full dinner every night might not be realistic. Go-to shortcuts (prepped ingredients, simple meals, or reliable takeout) can help keep things balanced without adding stress.

One wellness trend we’re fully behind is taking cues from babies. Not just the naps (though yes, naps), but also these surprisingly smart habits, too:

Follow your hunger cues. When babies get hungry, they get a bottle — no guilt spiral required. Adults tend to power through until hanger hits. Build a loose rhythm around meals so your body isn’t constantly playing catch-up.

Make sleep the priority. Babies don’t treat sleep like a bonus activity. Adults tend to squeeze it in after emails, chores, and one more episode. Flipping that mindset can make a real difference. (And yes, there is sleep training for adults.)

Get on the floor. Spending a few minutes on your stomach can activate the muscles that counteract “tech neck” from hours at a computer or phone. Call it “tummy time” for people who pay taxes.

Margo, commerce editor, here. ICYMI, this week is officially Sleep Week, where we’re covering all the things that make going to sleep (and staying asleep) more manageable. In honor of relaxation so deep you don’t have to count sheep, I’m here to share some of our favorite affordable bedtime picks from Quince including:

• A silk sleep mask under $20. Thanks to the silk, it’ll be gentle on your skin and hair.

• This airy gauze duvet cover for the sleepers who run hot. 

• An oversized pajama set that reminds me of one I love from SKIMs (at a fraction of the cost).

• And lastly, the chicest blackout curtains I’ve ever seen.

“The scientific evidence on mouth taping is still limited and preliminary.

A few small studies suggest modest improvements in snoring and mild obstructive sleep apnea in carefully selected patients with clear nasal airways. But there are no high-quality randomized trials showing meaningful improvements in overall sleep quality, anti-aging benefits, or prevention of age-related facial or neck changes.

More importantly, mouth taping does not treat underlying airway obstruction and may be unsafe for people with nasal blockage or undiagnosed sleep apnea.

Proper evaluation of nasal and airway anatomy remains essential before considering interventions like this.”

PS: If you really want to stick to a restful sleep routine, try these strategies.

The controversial dairy product is back in the headlines — but not because of a new outbreak. Instead, the debate is moving to statehouses. Several states are advancing legislation that would expand or clarify rules around selling unpasteurized milk, often framing the issue as one of small-farm rights and consumer choice. Public health officials, meanwhile, continue to caution that raw milk carries a higher risk of bacteria like E. coli and salmonella.

The renewed attention follows earlier contamination concerns that led at least one high-profile wellness brand to pause sales just last month. 

For now, the policy changes are unfolding state by state, meaning access and regulation could look very different depending on where you live.

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 Jordan Mamone and Sara Tardiff.