SELF-CARE

Women around the country are constantly searching for something new and different to do for a great girls night out that doesn't involve a bar or a highly overrated movie. When you consider the fact that most women have different tastes in books and poetry, book readings or signings are often very hit or miss, physical activity takes some of the fun out of things, and dancing inevitably leaves an odd man (or in this case girl) out. Dinner is great but often over far too soon. How about an evening of painting, laughing, joking, and dishing with the girls at your local paint your own pottery shop? Seriously this option offers a little something new and different for you and the rest of the girls without putting too serious of a strain on your pocket book. Unless of course you get greedy ...

Take a break from your screen and look at plants − botanizing is a great way to engage with life around you. When you hear about the abundance of life on Earth, what do you picture? For many people, it’s animals – but awareness of plant diversity is growing rapidly. Our planet has nearly 300,000 species of flowering plants. Among animals, only beetles can compete with that number. There are more species of ferns than birds, more mints than mammals, and more beans than butterflies. Measured in total mass, plants make up 82% of all life on land across the globe. We are plant scientists and co-founders of Let’s Botanize, an educational nonprofit that uses plant life to teach about ecology, evolution and biodiversity. In the past several years we have witnessed a botanical boom, with partic...

How to Pursue Self-Improvement Without Stressing Out Self-improvement is the deliberate effort to grow your skills, habits, and self-awareness over time. For people who want to improve their lives, the challenge isn’t motivation—it’s sustainability. Many people start strong, pile on goals, and then quietly burn out. The aim here is simpler: grow steadily, stay curious, and keep your energy intact. A Quick Orientation Before You Dive In Self-improvement works best when it’s treated as a long game, not a personal boot camp. Progress compounds when you pace yourself, choose what actually matters, and allow room for rest and reflection. You don’t need a total life overhaul to move forward—just a few well-placed adjustments done consistently. The Burnout Trap (and Why It’s So Common) Burno...

Family matters: Why genetic cancer testing is important (BPT) - When someone in your family is diagnosed with cancer, it can raise questions. Is it a coincidence, or is there something that runs in the family that makes others more likely to get it too? For Jodi, whose mother was diagnosed with cancer at the age of 51, and whose maternal grandfather was diagnosed with the same disease at 55, those questions were top of mind from a young age. Her family history instilled a fear of the unknown — was she at elevated risk too? For women like Jodi who have a family history of cancer, the possibility of what genetic testing might reveal can be scary, yet having answers can be empowering. "You know, I had always been very afraid of cancer because of my family history," Jodi shared. "And not ju...

More Americans meet criteria for high blood pressure under new guidelines. Nearly half of all Americans have high blood pressure – a condition called hypertension. Hypertension is the No. 1 risk factor for heart disease and stroke. In addition, hypertension increases risk of dementia and cognitive decline. Heart disease, stroke and dementia are the first-, fourth- and sixth-leading causes of death in the U.S. Unfortunately, only 1 in 4 people with a history of high blood pressure have this condition under control. In August 2025, the American Heart Association and the American College of Cardiology released new guidelines on prevention and management of hypertension, based on a comprehensive analysis of literature published over the past 10 years. The Conversation U.S. asked cardiolo...