Your post-vote priority this week? Massage and chill.

Almost 80% of us are stressed about the future of our nation, according to the American Psychological Association. So today, we offer tools to counter any waves of anxiety the week may bring. Plus, links + healthcare updates to keep you motivated into the end of 2024.

Your Checkup: 

• A to-do list in case this week you need to rage clean
• No matter your age, learn now how to fall correctly
• Why you really wanna toss the black plastic spatula
• A study shows political polarization makes us sicker
• What/how to eat to support your gut after antibiotics
• How to set up an HSA/FSA for medical cost savings
• When should we worry about swollen lymph nodes?
• How to shift your body’s natural pooping schedule
• Try a fitness/nutrition “winter arc” to power into 2025
• Take comfort from these easy, healthy global dishes
• Get inspired by T. Swift’s committed wellness routine

Primary Care

Maximize that massage

Massage therapists at Well+Good share how to get the most from a session:

• Schedule the appointment with time before for deep breathing + mental relaxation practices—your mind will chill out faster on the table. 
• Pre-hydrate for max muscle pliancy. 
• To help your nervous system settle, go easy on the caffeine.
•  To keep your body feeling juicy post-massage, do some light stretching, continue hydrating and skip the alcohol. 
• If you can, avoid whatever activity got you tight in the first place, like overdoing it at the gym or hunching at the computer. 

Read the article for how you can help therapists deliver the best massage for your buck or learn how to save on massage with Dr. B and your HSA/FSA.

Get cozy with cardio

According to experts in Cosmopolitan, getting snuggly with our exercise routine can counter the anxiety and overexertion of a HIIT workout—and maybe election drama.

Low-intensity exercises are good for our joints and mobility. But they also put self-care front and center, making movement a pleasure instead of an obligation.

To try it out, consider a stretch routine surrounded by candlelight in comfy clothes with a fun show streaming. Or take a slow walk with a hot beverage in nature or while listening to comforting music or an audiobook. Whatever feels indulgent and gets you moving, go deep with it.

Learn how to save on fitness trackers + more.

Okay, there’s no cure for migraine disorder. And massage + migraine studies are generally small and flawed.

But they suggest that a good massage can ease migraine triggers like high blood pressure, stress, poor sleep, slowed circulation and general pain. In turn, this can reduce migraine attack frequency and severity for some patients as well as effective medications. Not all massage techniques provide the same trigger-reducing results.

For more science-backed study details, technique tips and treatments, read more at Dr. B.

Healthcare 911

Shortage of IV fluids leads to canceled surgeries (NPR). With the NC facility that produces 60% of the nation’s fluids still inoperable from Hurricane Helene damage, hospitals are navigating emergency plans, giving ER patients Gatorade and Pedialyte and postponing up to 50% of surgeries. The federal government has allowed temporary fluid importation + fast-tracked supplies to the NC facility, which should produce high-priority fluids this week. Full production won’t ramp up until 2025.

Anti-obesity drug has life-changing benefits for arthritis (Nature).  A new study found that Semaglutide reduced pain in participants with obesity + high pain by 42 points over 68 weeks. Pain for participants on a placebo dropped 28 points. All underwent nutrition and activity counseling. The results suggest decreased pressure on joints and the drug's anti-inflammatory effects decrease pain as well as opioid medications. (Note: Novo Nordisk, which makes the drug, sponsored the study.

New Covid tests are here. They test for flu, too. (NY Times). Dual Covid-19/flu tests are about 80% accurate when taken correctly—which means testing upon symptom onset + at least 48 hours later when the virus has time to move into the nose. The combo tests are more expensive than Covid-only tests. (Households can get 4 free tests this fall.) But as symptoms overlap, they’re your best bet if you find yourself ill and needing specific antiviral treatment.