Happy Monday, I'm inspired by the joy of my little child and how she greets each day ready for love and play. May we all cultivate that open-heartedness!
"I used to think creativity had to look like something serious: writing a novel, a side hustle, learning how to paint, the perfect 100‑day TikTok project. Until I realized that creativity doesn't have to be productivity‑adjacent at all. It can be simple, small, alive, and deeply nourishing."
If you've been waiting to invest in an organic mattress, a sustainably made sofa, or another thoughtfully crafted piece, Presidents' Day is a meaningful time to do it. We're rounding up sales from brands rooted in responsible production and long-lasting design — so you can choose fewer, better pieces that support your home and the planet for years to come.
Times like these encourage us to nourish our bodies as a practice of self-care. These healing bowls are packed with turmeric, sweet potatoes, a poached egg, and a delicious lemon dressing.
📝 A good question: Is there an activity you enjoy that pulls you into the present and makes you lose all track of time? Is there a way you can carve out some time — even if just a few minutes — to indulge in that today?
"I know it's still winter, but I'm already dreaming about sun-soaked beaches and our spring Euro trip to Portugal! I'm also taking stock of all the natural sunscreens and ways to get an effortless glow without risking a sunburn. I recently discovered this at-home spray-tan device, which I'm now obsessed with. Using fancy electrostatic tech, it gives me a flawless DIY glow in minutes, and the formulas are vegan, made in Switzerland, and free of mineral oil, silicone, parabens, and sulfates. Best of all, one device costs about the same as a single salon spray tan session. " [Check it out]
A reader comment we love:
"This is a great idea. I started to use the Anecdote Planner to write a daily memory, accomplishments, or notate a picture I took on the monthly calendar so I can create a monthly or yearend scrapbook. This Ta-Da List will help me to continue this."
Want to support The Good Trade? We're a women-led, small biz on a sincere mission to support you in your care of yourself, your community, and the planet. It means a lot to us to be in your inbox each morning. Here are a few ways you can support the newsletter.
We're currently in the dead of winter. I don't know about you, but my need for comfort is higher than ever right now.
Today, our team is sharing the relaxing evening routines that help us feel warm and fuzzy on cold, dark nights — you know, in case you need some inspiration.
"I try to embrace the fact that it gets darker earlier by turning off big lights and instead switching to candles and lamps to create a cozy atmosphere each evening." — Anisha Mansuri, editor
"After dinner, which I eat a bit earlier in the winter, I like to light candles, turn on a cozy fireplace background on YouTube, put my phone on silent, and read with my kitties cuddled around me." — Naomi Wilde, editor
"I try to have a warm shower early in the evening before I make dinner, as it feels like a nice transition from work into relaxation time." — Amy Fitzgerald, editor
"I pop the heat on, wash up, and settle down with a hot chocolate (or, if the occasion calls for it, a chocolate mug cake made in the microwave). I make sure I have ample blankets for the cats and me on the sofa, put on a binge-worthy show, and knit.
"I have a dimmable lamp I almost exclusively use during winter on the warm light setting. That, with the thick thermal curtains where I can just about see the glow of the string lights in my garden — and right now, the reflection of the snow — makes for an incredibly cozy and low effort winter evening." — Veronica Zambon, senior market editor
"My routine generally involves reading even more than usual. I also recently purchased some simple adult coloring books and use those to wind down." — Mandy French, global news editor
"I also enjoy reading before bed! I use a gooseneck holder and clicker for my e-reader so that I can read hands-free while lying down with my arms under the covers." — Sarah Choi, editor
"To help myself actually go to bed on time, I've started doing my bedtime routine (put kitties to bed, tidy up, journal, shower, skin care) by candlelight. It's amazing how the irresistible urge to do 'one last thing' just melts away when the room is so dark. My body just accepts that the day is over, and there's nothing left to do but sleep." — Arielle Trenary, assistant director
Is your medicine cabinet fully stocked? (Go check!) If not, consider loading it up with these at-home tests, stress supplements, bath potions, and other health-support and prevention staples.
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Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Now's vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health.
