In addition to filling our fridges with probiotic foods like yogurt and kombucha, probiotics have quickly become one of the most popular supplements in the United States. Despite their popularity, it’s important to note that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to probiotics. There are many different types of probiotics—called strains—and each one has its own special function. Every person also has a unique gut microbiome—or balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut—so the best probiotic for you may be different from the ideal choice for someone else....

To help keep the conversation flowing, here are a few ideas for what to talk about during this first encounter. When you first arrive on the date, try starting with a little bit of casual conversation drawing from the context you’re in. For example, if your date picked the restaurant you’re at, ask her if she’s been here before, how she discovered the place, and what she likes about it. Or if you’re at a bar that specializes in quirky cocktails, ask him questions about his go-to drink and share your own....

Anecdotally, many of my patients found their thyroid problems started after a stressful time in their lives. Research validates this stress-thyroid connection—one Clinical Endocrinology study says, compared to control groups, autoimmune thyroid patients had a higher rate of stressful life events prior to their diagnosis. What to do: Be consistent with activities of calm, like mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. These activate your body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which can make you feel more zen....

Anecdotally, many of my patients found their thyroid problems started after a stressful time in their lives. Research validates this stress-thyroid connection—one Clinical Endocrinology study says, compared to control groups, autoimmune thyroid patients had a higher rate of stressful life events prior to their diagnosis. What to do: Be consistent with activities of calm, like mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. These activate your body’s parasympathetic nervous system, which can make you feel more zen....

Debra Lee Baldwin, the author of Succulents Simplified, likens their plump leaves to a succulent steak. “When you push on it, it has that soft resilience,” she tells mbg. “Tropical plants have thin leaves because they’re getting plenty of moisture from either rain or humidity, so they don’t need to store it.” “Based on the research I’ve found, there are over 10,000 different types of succulents that we know of, but a lot of those include the ones that humans are now cultivating and hybridizing,” Rachael Cohen, the author of Infinite Succulent, tells mbg....

But now, amid inevitable seasonal immune challenges and what 2020 and beyond taught us, a top question on your mind may be: What can I do to bolster my immune system? While there’s no real way to “boost” the immune system, there are definitely ways to support and strengthen immune cells and their critical functions. It’s a daily process that requires tending to, well, every day. And it starts in the gut....

By supporting companies doing it right, we can all use our dollars to vote for a more sustainable future for this fabric. But what about their sheets? Ettitude’s signature bamboo lyocell set is woven in a silky sateen weave. Customers note that their soft feel, temperature-regulating qualities, and rich colors make them a great option for all kinds of sleepers—especially if you tend to run warm at night. Lyocell does tend to wrinkle over time, and some reviewers note that these can come out of the laundry looking worn....