Fierce Self-Compassion vs Tender Self-Compassion

Dear friends, Fierce self-compassion involves taking action to protect ourselves and meet our needs, even when doing so is uncomfortable. While tender self-compassion allows us to accept ourselves with warmth and understanding, fierce self-compassion helps us stand up for ourselves. One of the mo... Read More

Feeling Grateful for Getting Older

I recently celebrated my 66th birthday. I don’t share this news with hopes for either benevolent wishes or reassurances that 58 is really not that old. I am good with all that. I am sharing this because it truly makes me happy to get to be alive yet another year—and I finally figured out the secr... Read More

Green Tea and Walnuts: The Diet, Blood Sugar, and Brain Health Connection

Excerpts from full article: The recent study titled “Glycemic control contributes to the neuroprotective effects of Mediterranean and green-Mediterranean diets on brain age” provides compelling evidence linking dietary interventions to brain health. Conducted as part of the DIRECT PLUS trial, the... Read More

Blue Zone expert shares why partying all night isn’t decadent, it’s a key to longevity

In American culture, which still carries a hint of Puritanism from its early years, excessive partying can be seen as hedonistic, immature, and unhealthy. Party people are often criticized for being undisciplined, directionless, and irresponsible with their money. Dan Buettner, a National Geograp... Read More

How the first "parklet" in San Francisco created a worldwide phenomenon

BLAINE MERKER: I grew up in a small city called Bend in Oregon. Lived in an old logging town, 20,000 people. Kind of knew everybody. And then when I was nine years old, my family moved to Amsterdam 'cause my dad got a job as a aircraft engineer. So I lived in Amsterdam and then we moved to Zurich... Read More

The Hidden Power of Talking to Strangers

A new book by Gillian Sandstrom explains the research behind why it’s good for us to talk to strangers and how to go about it. BY JILL SUTTIE | APRIL 7, 2026 My husband, Don, will talk to anyone. In line at a store, on a plane, in a parking lot; it doesn’t matter where we’re at, he’ll engage. In... Read More

How the gut-brain connection influences mood

What happens in your digestive tract may contribute to feelings such as happiness and hopefulness, as well as anxiety and irritability.February 18, 2026 By Maureen Salamon, Executive Editor, Harvard Women's Health Watch Modern-day expressions suggest we're innately attuned to the relationship bet... Read More

We'll Prescribe You a Cat - Syou Ishida

Not metaphorically. An actual cat. Specific to you. Chosen for reasons the pharmacist won't fully explain but that somehow make perfect sense once you meet the creature he's selected. Syou Ishida's "We'll Prescribe You a Cat" is the kind of book that sneaks up on you. It starts quietly, almost wh... Read More

There is a quiet wound many sensitive, empathic, spiritually oriented people carry around anger.

A newsletter from Matt Licata Dear Karen, There is a quiet wound many sensitive, empathic, spiritually oriented people carry around anger.Early on, the nervous system learned something painful—and very intelligent: this energy is dangerous. Not because anger itself is harmful, but because, in the... Read More

Buddhist monks and their dog captivate Americans while walking for peace

Buddhist monks and their dog captivate Americans while walking for peace A group of Buddhist monks and their rescue dog, Aloka, are striding single file down country roads and highways across the South, captivating Americans nationwide and inspiring droves of locals to greet them along their rout... Read More