The beauty of friendship is that you get to choose your friends, unlike with family. But anyone who’s ever had a negative experience with someone they thought was a friend can probably attest to the fact that it isn’t always easy to spot true friendship. So we spoke with mental health experts Chaute Thompson, LMHC, and Jinnie Cristerna, LCSW, Rh.D., CHt, about what exactly makes someone a good friend and some tips on how to be a good friend yourself....

That makes it tricky for us as consumers, too. We can all agree that cutting out single-use plastic and eating mostly plants are positive goals, but what does sustainability look like when it comes to buying new clothes? The good news is “sustainable shopping” doesn’t have to be a total misnomer: From supporting Fair Trade brands to buying local or secondhand, we’ve got a solid number of strategies to help us get started with building a wardrobe that’s better for the planet....

A derivative of western Africa, Madagascar, and South Asia, these twisty desert plants love heat and humidity and are incredibly resilient in indoor environments. If your snake plant isn’t getting enough sunlight, it will tell you with droopy and sad-looking leaves. While you should be careful to not suddenly move your snake plant from a dark corner to a high-light environment, you can train it to grow really well next to a window that receives some brighter light....

None of these questions has a simple answer. The way we feel when we fall in love doesn’t necessarily mean that we are with the right person. This is why we call it “falling” in love. It doesn’t mean that we are compatible — only that we are human and have body chemistry. Moreover, when we’re under love’s spell, most of us are willing to do anything, say anything, and be anything....

Dark circles and puffiness can often be caused by lifestyle habits such as lack of sleep or poor diet. They can also be handled pretty easily thanks to makeup and even a shock of ice. So what can you do? Well, we outlined your options. “Some families have under-eye fat pads that stick out from an early age,” board-certified dermatologist at Skintap Morgana Colombo, M.D., explains. Arash Akhavan, M.D., owner of Dermatology and Laser Group in NYC, adds that aging typically compounds the issue....

Factors such as waist circumference, fasting glucose and hemoglobin A1c, blood pressure, and lipid levels were included in the evaluation of our nation’s metabolic health. Another metric of metabolic health? Your metabolism (aka metabolic rate). And while it’s true that genetics partially determine your metabolic rate, it doesn’t seal your fate by any means; the things you do on a daily basis can have an even bigger impact. Translation? Lifestyle habits and behaviors provide ample opportunities to improve your metabolism and, ultimately, enhance your overall well-being....

And as for the skin: There are plenty of reasons to add this to your routine—just be mindful of how you use it, as it may not be the right oil for everyone (everyone reacts differently to ingredients!). You can even test your oil to make sure it’s premium enough to use, as many commercial options blend the oil with additional, lower-quality oils—learn more here. One of the reasons olive oil is so skin-loving is because of the omega content....