Please don’t “scoop out” your period

Dump out my tote and, between the protein-bar wrappers and hand sanitizer, you’ll find four pairs of headphones, a Kindle, a laptop, a heart-rate monitor — and, of course, my phone.

An “analog bag” it is not. And while my shoulders have thoughts about lugging all this tech around, so does my brain.

It’s no secret we’re glued to our devices. (Even Margaret Atwood admits to doomscrolling.) But a quiet pushback is brewing, marshalled by “anti-scrolling” influencers touting carry-alls designed to stop reflexive phone checks. It’s coming at the same time as the “75 Soft” trend, where people commit to doing things that feel good for their bodies and minds.

Inspired, I’m swapping some electronics for my own version of  “granny core.” And these pre-digital habits can come with real wellness perks. Slow, repetitive movements may calm the nervous system, boost focus, and give your brain something to do that isn’t refreshing the same app for the fifth time.

Looking for analog bag inspiration?

• Unsurprisingly, flight attendants have the best ideas. 

• Gen Z rediscovered this beloved grandma game that can help boost your brain power and social life. 

• If knitting and sewing give you flashbacks to home ec, here are some hobbies that require minimal supplies or finger dexterity. 

• Book a “head orgasm,” the latest offering at certain high-end spas. 

• Or just get moving and take a “stupid walk.”

— Anna “Anyone Want a Handmade Sweater” Davies, writer

High blood pressure? The culprit may be what you fill your water bottle with.

Before you chase your supplements with a latte… make sure these four vitamins aren’t included.

Jennifer Lawrence experienced this weird symptom while recording Good Hang, and Amy Poehler pointed out it could be a sign of perimenopause.

PSA: Please, don’t “scoop out” your period — and tell any teens in your life to skip this viral trend, too.

Move over, milk. This dietitian wants you to add another high-protein dairy option to your fridge.

Your afternoon “little treat” may be bad for your brain… unless you add these ingredients on the side.

Here’s some good news about cancer: Nearly seven in 10 patients now survive five years or more. Even forms once considered especially difficult to treat — like melanoma — have seen major gains.

At the same time, someone in the US is diagnosed with cancer every 15 seconds — and rates among millennials under 50 are rising. Chances are it will touch you or someone close to you. But how we talk about cancer hasn’t caught up with the realities of living with it, and that disconnect shapes how people understand their choices and respond to others.

The word cancer still carries an all-or-nothing weight. But for many people, the disease now unfolds over years, alongside work and daily life — leading some oncologists to frame certain types of it more like chronic conditions.

That complexity was on display this summer when singer Jessie J, who announced last year that she had breast cancer, postponed treatment in order to perform. The debate that followed underscored a reality that’s often missed: Living with cancer involves ongoing trade-offs, and there isn’t one “right” way to navigate them. 

The reality is that much about cancer — from diagnosis to prognosis — is out of our hands. But what we can control is how we think, speak, and prepare for the possibility that it becomes part of our life or the life of someone we love.

For Your Sanity:

• Get screened. Screening guidelines change with age and risk. Double-check what’s recommended, especially if you’ve got a birthday ending in 0 or 5 coming up, and don’t ignore symptoms just because you feel “too young.”

• Learn how to talk about it. Well-intentioned phrases can land badly with someone who’s newly diagnosed. Having a short playbook of what to say — and what to skip — can make you a much better friend. (PS: We created a full support guide over at  Skimm+.)

• Look at your benefits. Cancer care at work matters — understand what’s available, what can adapt, and, if need be, advocate for more, even before a diagnosis.

• Track your baseline. Know what’s normal for your body. It’ll make it easier to spot changes early — and raise concerns without second-guessing.

A: "Easy answer: I always take a vitamin D supplement, specifically, a vitamin D3 (not D2) supplement because it gives us exactly the vitamin D that we make. 

It’s important to always take it with food. Since vitamin D is fat-soluble, it needs a little fat to be absorbed properly."

PS: Start your supplement search with these top recs from registered dietitians.

What’s new: Last month, the CDC updated its childhood vaccine schedule, removing routine recommendations for several illnesses, including rotavirus, hepatitis A and B, meningococcal disease, flu, COVID, and RSV. Now, recommendations for these vaccines are, for the most part, no longer universal and will vary by child. 

Why the change? Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has pointed to vaccine schedules in some European countries, like Denmark, which recommend fewer childhood vaccines. Public health experts say those comparisons fall short: Denmark’s population is far smaller and utilizes a completely different care system, which affects disease spread and public-health risk.

What doctors say: The American Academy of Pediatrics said last month it will continue recommending the full slate of childhood vaccines, despite the CDC’s update.

Will insurance still pay? For now, vaccines remain covered by insurance. And some families may not have so much of a choice. School vaccine requirements are set at the state level, and some private schools, day cares, and camps may have their own rules.

As always… If you’re unsure what applies to your child, your pediatrician (not social media or that friend of a friend) can help you weigh the risks and benefits. 

Sometimes the hardest part of working out is showing up. Whether you’re getting back into the fitness game after taking some time off or you’re looking for fresh fitness inspo, Apple Fitness+ has personalized recommendations and custom plans to get you moving. They’ve got 12 workout types from Strength to HIIT to Yoga, with episodes as short as five minutes so you can get a workout in, no matter your schedule. Plus, they’re available on your iPhone, iPad, and Apple TV, meaning you can access them anywhere. 

What to queue up: Make Your Fitness Comeback is a progressive workout program featuring Strength, HIIT, and Yoga. Psst…get one month of Apple+ Fitness free (and just $9.99/month after that).^†

Rosy cheeks are cute. Raw, red skin? Not so much. When winter strips your skin of moisture, the right cleanser can make all the difference — and keep things clean, calm, and hydrated without irritation.

Here’s the full list of the best cleansers for rosacea, according to experts.

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.