HOW DID WE NOT KNOW THIS

Is there a better way to breathe?

Don't think about breathing. Once you do, it gets weird. But while you're definitely not thinking about your breath, consider this: More evidence is in that proves breathing through your nose is the best possible way to breathe.

Wait, how do I normally breathe? I can't remember

Some definite benefits of breathing through your nose include better memory, fewer particulates and bacteria in your lungs, better regulation of body temperature, and mood control. But using the logic that breathing through the nose allows for deeper breaths and more oxygen in the lungs, cells, and tissues, experts contend that nose breathing can do even more. On their list: It can help prevent dementia, high blood pressure, heart disease, insomnia, diabetes, some kinds of cancer, and more.

You can even make yourself happier and calmer

Breathing is connected to emotion in a pretty concrete way—to the point where just mimicking happy/sad/calm/anxious/etc. breathing patterns can actually make you feel each emotion. So yeah, those anti-anxiety breathing exercises really work. If you can take slow, deep breaths for long enough, you'll trick your body into thinking you're happy and calm.

And how do you take slow, deep breaths that convince your body you're happy? Through your nose.

(Forbes, Psychology Today)

Try this

If you're struggling with insomnia, one of the best ways to calm your mind is to let your thoughts be rather than engaging with them. Focus on your breathing and try not to concentrate on everything you need to get done. This can bring you back to the present and help you get some quality rest. 💤 Greatist

What if we told you you could be smarter in just five minutes?

You'd be like, "Scam!" and we'd have to say, "No, no scams! Just Morning Brew, a daily newsletter with the business news of the day wrapped up in a five-minute read."

We know business news can be bleh, but Morning Brew makes it interesting

Think more Silicon Valley (the show) and less Silicon Valley (the place). Instead of stuffy jargon that puts you to sleep, you get easy-to-follow write-ups you can actually understand. There's a reason 825,000 people start their day with Morning Brew. You can be one too—for free.

WELL, SHOOT

Your yoga pants are kinda bad for the environment. And for public health

The fashion industry is one of the biggest polluters in the world, and while buying secondhand clothes or ones made from recycled materials helps, that's only half the problem.

The other half is microfibers, which are microscopic pieces of fabric that shed from clothes as they're worn and washed. When the microfibers come from natural materials like cotton, silk, and wool, they're biodegradable and therefore fine. But when they come from synthetic fibers like the ones used in most of our workout clothes (polyester, spandex, and nylon), they build up and pollute waterways and oceans.

But what do they do?

To be honest, it's a little unclear. There's not much research on the effects of microfibers specifically, but many experts believe they behave similarly to microplastics (same microscopic particles, but they shed plastics instead of fibers).

Microplastics absorb harmful bacteria in the water, which are then consumed by fish, then humans. Studies also suggest they retain the chemicals from the manufacturing process, which could be harmful to human and animal health. TBD on whether microfibers do the same, but it's hard to imagine they're good.

OK, so how do I stop it?

Also unclear! Sorry. Many companies are working on natural alternatives to synthetic fabrics that are just as effective at wicking moisture, but unfortunately that's not always a great solution—many natural fabrics have a huge carbon footprint, mostly because of the water and land they require to grow. Recycled and reused garments are a good option (yes, even reused workout clothes), but the fabric will still break down the more you wear them.

Washing your clothes in cold water will reduce the number of microfibers released, and washing them less frequently will help even more. In general, being aware of microfibers and the effect your clothing purchases have helps too, so be mindful. The environment thanks you!

(Teen Vogue)

A pork jerky without all the crap

Usually when I pick up a package of jerky, I immediately put it back on the shelf. Sugar as the second ingredient? Hydrolyzed corn protein? No, thanks. And that's before you even get to the quality of meat being used.

So I was surprised when I looked at the back of Tender Belly's pork jerky. No added sugar whatsoever. Ingredients I could actually recognize. Plus the company truly cares where its pork comes from, sourcing it from family farmers who treat their animals well and never use antibiotics or hormones.

Of course if it doesn't taste good, none of that matters. But it's actually super tender and perfectly seasoned—more like a juicy tenderloin than the dry, too-sweet jerky we've all become used to. And while I reeeeally wish it were available on Amazon, it's worth paying shipping for.

-- Jay Blades, head of content development

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