Unfortunately, you might notice your back or neck pain is worse when you get out of bed in the morning—starting a never-ending cycle of trying to chase higher-quality sleep. That being said, you shouldn’t rule your mattress out altogether. “You can definitely sleep in less than optimal positions, which can leave you with a stiff back or sore neck,” explains Yuen. “If your mattress or pillow is not filling in empty space while you’re sleeping or is pushing you too far out of a neutral alignment, I would absolutely recommend exploring changes in mattresses or pillows....

Complete fertilizers often contain the three essential plant nutrients—nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium—as well as a number of beneficial micronutrients that can assist with photosynthesis. Plant foods, on the other hand, usually contain only a few of them. (Think of them as a targeted supplement for your greenery.) Here, Kelly Wilkniss, gardening expert and host of My Soulful Home on Smart Healthy Green Living shares her simple, three-ingredient recipe for well-rounded homemade plant food....

Across a varied range of aphrodisiac foods, spices, herbs, and plant-based and non-plant-based substances, Cline says they “ideally [increase] blood flow to genitals or get some of those neurochemicals flowing,” such as oxytocin or dopamine, which are neurotransmitters and hormones our brains release during sex. That said, while people often slurp down oysters in hopes that they’re an aphrodisiac, Cline says there isn’t enough scientific evidence to support many of the aphrodisiacs of pop culture....

Beyond being full of probiotics, apple cider vinegar’s many other properties are beneficial for gut health. As functional medicine practitioner Will Cole, D.C., IFMCP, explains, “apple cider vinegar has also been shown1 to have antiviral and anti-yeast and antifungal benefits, all helpful in supporting microbiome and overall immune balance.” So before digging into your starchy faves like pasta, potatoes, and pretzels, try sipping on a little apple cider vinegar. Researchers believe it works by suppressing appetite....

With options to talk, text, or video chat with your online therapist, you can’t beat the convenience of therapy from your own home. As access to therapy continues to improve, the United States has seen an increase in the number of people open to receiving mental health treatment online. In fact, a 2022 public opinion poll by the American Psychiatric Association found that nearly four in 10 Americans have used telehealth services to meet with medical or mental health professionals....

For those thinking of picking up a bottle or bar, here’s exactly what Castile soap is, how it differs from other cleaners, and 14 recipes to help you get the best use of it in every room. Nowadays, “Castile is truly a multipurpose soap and very popular among people who want to live a cleaner, healthier, and more natural life,” says Loni Brown, the founder and CEO of EntirelyEco. In addition to the original olive oil blend, you’ll also find solid and liquid Castile soaps made with coconut oil, palm kernel oil, or hemp oil....

“Just like clear quartz has inclusions of aluminum and lithium, that’s what helps create the kind of golden smoky color you see in natural citrine,” explains Ashley Leavy, founder and educational director of the Love and Light School of Crystal Therapy. There’s also heat-treated citrine, she adds, which is commonly called “fake citrine” or “baked amethyst.” Heat-treated citrine is amethyst, another variety of quartz, that’s been heated to change its color from purple to shades of yellow, amber, etc....