The Rise of Low-Pressure Hobbies: Why Screen-Free Activities Are Trending for Mental Wellness

Can we all agree that January somehow lasted 400 days…and yet here we are, already a month into the year? This is usually when I start peeking at what’s bubbling up in the wellness world — the habits, mindset shifts, and tiny lifestyle tweaks people are actually sticking with (not just posting about for a week).

One theme I’m seeing everywhere right now feels refreshingly low-pressure: log off a little, and pick something up with your hands. When the news cycle feels overwhelming, or your brain is fried from screens, more people are turning to small, grounding resets: going for a walk without a podcast, reading a physical book, baking something just because, or dusting off a hobby they forgot they loved.

And honestly? I’m very here for the return of hobbies that have zero productivity goals attached. Not a side hustle. Not “content.” Just something you do because it feels good and lets your brain breathe for a minute. Crocheting, watercoloring, puzzles, gardening, learning a new recipe, playing an instrument badly and joyfully — it all counts.

I’ve been thinking a lot about the hobbies I used to love before everything had to be optimized, and my goal this season is to gently weave a few of them back into my weekly rhythm. Nothing intense. Just small pockets of analog joy that remind me I’m a person, not just a to-do list.

Ask Clara:

"How do I start a new hobby?"

The Rise of the Analog Bag: Why Everyone Is Swapping Screen Time for Real-Life Hobbies

Ask Clara:

"How do I start building healthy habits?"

Is Sex The Missing Wellness Pillar?

Ask Clara:

"How do I talk to my partner about wanting more intimate connection?"

Peptides for Skin and Health: Miracle Ingredient or Just Smart Marketing?

Ask Clara:

"How do I discuss health concerns with my doctor?"

Why Snow Days Should Still Be a Day of Unexpected Self-Care

I hope everyone’s keeping cozy out there. With so much of the country stuck in a serious cold snap, this is your gentle reminder to bundle up, sip something warm, and take care of yourself.

As an elder millennial, I still remember the pure magic of a snow day and the thrill of cancelled classes, the wide-open freedom of an unexpected day off, and the choice between building a snow fort or sledding down the largest hill you could find. These days, remote work and virtual school tend to fill what used to be a totally responsibility-free day, but I still try to hold onto a little of that snow-day whimsy. A fresh blanket of snow just begs for hot chocolate and a mid-afternoon rewatch of a comfort movie, right?

Some things that I indulged in this snowy, winter weekend:

Started watching this, finished reading this, and started reading this, put together new bar stools for our kitchen island, and tried out a few of my new Sephora finds (already impressed with this and this) that were impulse buys along with a last-minute Trader Joe’s run (the viral dumpling bake, did not disappoint)!

So whether you’re having a true snow day or just a work-from-home day that feels a little softer around the edges, I hope you’re wrapped in fuzzy socks or your favorite sweater, with a warm drink within reach.

Ask Clara:

"What's the best way to take a self-care day?"

Pleasure and Play in Relationships: 5 Fun Date Ideas to Boost Connection and Intimacy

If there’s one underrated secret to long-term relationship health, it’s this: joy isn’t extra credit — it’s the glue. And I don’t just mean big romantic moments (though those are great). I mean the everyday stuff: play, pleasure, silliness, flirting, inside jokes, laughing so hard you can’t breathe. That kind of joy is protective.

Relationship research backs this up. The Gottman Institute (aka the gold standard for couples research) emphasizes that thriving couples don’t only manage conflict well, they also keep fondness, admiration, and friendship alive and consistently “turn toward” each other in small moments of connection (what they call bids). Those moments can absolutely be playful or affectionate — and they add up.

There’s also solid psychology behind why play matters. Positive emotions like joy can broaden how we think and respond — making us more open, creative, and resilient, which is huge when life gets stressful. This is the basis of the broaden-and-build theory: positive emotions help build long-term resources, including stronger social bonds.

Need inspiration? Here are 5 fun, thoughtful date ideas that build play (without requiring a 3-hour reservation):

1. “Yes, Night”: one person plans 3 mini activities, the other can’t say no

2. Bookstore + coffee date: pick a book for each other based on vibes

3. Cook something new together (bonus points for messy homemade pasta)

4. Neighborhood photo walk: take silly pics + stop for a treat

5. At-home spa + gratitude swap: face masks + “3 things I love about you lately”

Because yes — talk through the hard stuff. But also: make room for joy. Your relationship deserves more than surviving — it deserves to feel good.

Ask Clara:

"How do I talk to my partner about goal setting?"

Skin Longevity vs. Anti-Aging: Why the Language Shift Matters

If you’ve noticed beauty brands suddenly swapping “anti-aging” for “skin longevity,” you’re not imagining things; it’s all the rage, and honestly, as a beauty editor, I kind of love the shift.

For decades, anti-aging messaging has been all about fighting time: Erase wrinkles! Reverse damage! Look younger at all costs! But the idea behind skin longevity is way more supportive (and way less shame-y). It focuses on keeping your skin healthy, resilient, and functioning well in the long term, rather than treating aging as a problem to fix.

This language shift matters because aging is normal. It’s also a privilege. Allure famously stopped using the term “anti-aging” years ago, pointing out that the phrase subtly frames aging like something negative! And in 2026, so far, the trend reporting, longevity-focused skincare is increasingly about prevention and supporting skin cells, not just “treating” the signs of aging after the fact.

What does “skin longevity” actually look like in real life? It’s the stuff dermatologists have been preaching forever, just in a cooler font: daily sunscreen, barrier support, and evidence-backed ingredients. The American Academy of Dermatology emphasizes sun protection to prevent premature aging (and skin cancer), which is basically longevity 101. Some researchshows that topical retinoids like tretinoin can improve signs of skin aging by supporting collagen balance.

So no, skin longevity isn’t about pretending wrinkles won’t happen. It’s about asking: How do I want my skin to age? And how can I support it, as I do the rest of my health?

Ask Clara:

"How do I keep my skin hydrated?"

What Is a Dopamine Menu? How to Create One for Better Motivation and Mood

On days that feel like, mehhh, I love to go on Pinterest and get a fix of inspiration and a mix of motivational quotes, makeup brands, the random and unnecessary Amazon household gadget ad, and a few odds and ends, but a trend I’ve seen a lot of lately, the Dopamine Menu.

Basically, if your brain has ever been like “I want to feel better, but I don’t know what to dooooo”, let me introduce you to the dopamine menu.

A dopamine menu (sometimes called a “dopamenu”) is basically a personal list of feel-good activities you can pick from when you’re low-energy, overwhelmed, or sliding into doomscrolling mode. It’s inspired by the fact that dopamine is a neurotransmitter tied to motivation, reward, and pleasure — and it plays a role in how we seek out what feels good.

The concept was popularized in ADHD circles (shoutout to Jessica McCabe from How to ADHD), and it’s often described as a practical way to reduce decision fatigue and make it easier to choose supportive habits. By intentionally selecting activities that “boost dopamine levels” in healthy ways. And with some experts describing dopamine menus as essentially a rebrand of behavioral activation — aka strategies that help you do what’s good for you even when motivation is missing.

To build your own, think in menu categories:

• Appetizers (5–10 min): quick walk, playlist, stretch

• Mains (30–90 min): workout class, creative project, coffee date

• Sides (do alongside tasks): candle, lo-fi music, body doubling

• Desserts (fun but limited): TikTok, online shopping, reality TV

The goal isn’t “productivity.” It’s having a grab-and-go toolkit for joy — so future-you doesn’t have to think so hard.

Ask Clara:

"What are small ways to boost my mood?"

Lifting Weights for Longevity: The Strength Training Benefits Women Need to Know

Remember when there was the myth that lifting would bulk you up, and endless cardio was the way to “be your healthiest” Well, take a look at any of the weight racks at your local gym, and you’ll  notice more women trading endless cardio for the squat rack lately, you’re not imagining it — strength training is having a moment, and honestly? It’s one of the healthiest “trends” we’ve seen in years.

Here’s the deal: strength training isn’t just about aesthetics (though yes, feeling strong in your body is a vibe). It’s about longevity; staying mobile, steady, and independent as we age. Research consistently links muscle-strengthening activity with a lower risk of early death and chronic disease, with some studies showing the biggest benefit at roughly an hour per week of resistance training.

And for women, lifting heavier matters. As estrogen declines with age (hello, perimenopause), we naturally lose muscle and bone density faster. Strength training helps counter that by supporting bone health, protecting joints, improving insulin sensitivity, and reducing fall risk.

So why the “lifting heavier” wave now? Because women are finally being told the truth: you won’t “get bulky” overnight — but you will get stronger, more resilient, and better equipped for the long game.

In other words: lifting isn’t just fitness. It’s future-you care.

Ask Clara:

"How do I start a strength training routine? "

Emotional Labor 101. Why It's Exhausting-and How to Share The Load

Let’s talk about emotional labor, because if you’ve ever felt like the “project manager” of your relationship (or your household, friend group, family…honestly, society), you’re not alone. And yes: it’s exhausting.

At its core, emotional labor is the mental and emotional work involved in managing feelings, needs, and harmony — whether that’s remembering everyone’s birthdays, checking in on your partner’s mood, anticipating what needs to be done, smoothing over awkward moments, or being the one who always says, “We need to talk.” Emotional labor can be draining, especially when it’s constant and goes unrecognized.

And here’s the part that makes people quietly rage-clean their kitchens: emotional labor is often invisible. Or how one partner (often women) tends to carry the “mental load,” which can lead to relationship burnout and resentment over time.

So how do you share the load without turning it into a fight?

Start by making the invisible visible. Literally list out the “stuff you track” — appointments, groceries, social plans, emotional check-ins, family obligations. Then have an honest convo about ownership, not “helping.” (Because “helping” implies it’s your job.) The Fair Play method by Eve Rodsky is a popular framework for this — it encourages couples to divide responsibilities so each person fully owns tasks from start to finish (planning included).

Remember that emotional labor isn’t weakness — it’s work. And relationships feel so much better when the work is shared.

Ask Clara:

"How to have healthy conversations?"