Mindful Eating Is a Practice, Not a Plan
Mindful eating isn't a quick fix or something you finish; it's something you return to. A 2026 randomized trial found that 8 weeks of mindful eating practice reduced emotional eating more than standard nutrition education, with changes lasting a month later. Registered dietitian Rebecca Lindberg shares simple ways to make it a practice.
Joy May Be Just One New Experience Away
New experiences may lift mood at every age. In a 2026 Brandeis University study of 180 adults aged 18 to 90, people reported better moods on days with more novel places and activities, and the benefit was as strong for older adults as for younger ones. A 2020 Nature Neuroscience study similarly linked more varied daily locations with more positive emotion. Registered dietitian and travel educator Rebecca Lindberg shares a story from her Camino Portugués and simple ways to add newness to everyday life.
Who's at Your Table Matters, Too
Eating with others may benefit both body and mind. A 2026 Science Advances study found that adults' blood sugar rose less and recovered faster after the same carbohydrate meal when they ate with a close companion rather than alone. A 2026 Scientific Reports study using Gallup data from 142 countries linked sharing meals with greater well-being, on par with income. Registered dietitian Rebecca Lindberg suggests pausing before the holidays to decide how you want to feel, keeping traditions that still fit, and letting go of perfection so there's more room for connection.
What a Little Time Outside Can Lead To
Spending time in nature is linked to better mood, lower stress, and less mental fatigue, according to reviews of nature-based research. A UK survey of 2,096 adults found that feeling connected to nature and doing simple things outdoors, like smelling flowers or relaxing in a garden, mattered more for well-being than total time spent outside. Easy ways to start include birdwatching, nature photography, forest bathing, walking in a local park, and making room for outdoor time when you travel.