Friday

"I let go of what I can't control and keep what I can."

It’s finally Friday! Today, we're chatting about:

• Can you train you body for hot weather?

• Tips for working though emotions

• Upgrade your fall nighttime routine

• How to actually remember what you read

• Are you paying too much for car insurance?

You Can Actually Train Your Body for Hot Weather

Exercising in hot weather doesn't have to feel miserable every time. Your body can actually adapt to heat over time through a process called heat acclimation, which helps you sweat more efficiently, keep your heart rate lower, and cool down faster during a workout.

The most effective way to build this tolerance is simply practicing the activity you want to get better at in warm conditions, gradually increasing the time or intensity every few days. Some research suggests sauna or hot tub sessions can help too, since they trigger similar physiological responses and support recovery between workouts. Most people start noticing benefits, like a lower heart rate and more efficient sweating, within the first few days of consistent heat exposure.

Hydration is key throughout the process. The more you sweat, the more fluids and electrolytes you need to replace, so it's worth drinking water or an electrolyte beverage steadily throughout the day rather than just during your workout.

If you're planning to exercise in hot weather this season, give your body one to three weeks to gradually adjust beforehand. A little preparation goes a long way toward making outdoor workouts feel more comfortable once the heat sets in.

A Simple Shift for Actually Working Through Emotions

Ever explain a hard situation perfectly, down to every reasonable, logical detail, and still feel just as bad as before? That gap between understanding a feeling and actually working through it has a name: intellectualizing.

Intellectualizing means using logic to explain away a difficult emotion instead of actually sitting with it. It might sound like, "The breakup was for the best, so I shouldn't be upset," rather than simply admitting, "I'm heartbroken." It's not that the logic is wrong. It's that skipping straight to the explanation can quietly become a way of avoiding the feeling itself. Over time, unprocessed emotions tend to build up rather than disappear, sometimes showing up later as resentment or a general sense of disconnection.

One helpful place to start is simply naming what you're feeling, beyond just "fine" or "not okay." Are you disappointed? Embarrassed? Overwhelmed? Putting a specific word to the feeling can make it feel more manageable. From there, resist the urge to immediately rationalize it away. You're allowed to feel hurt even when you understand why something happened, and you're allowed to feel sad without needing to fix it right away.

Next time a hard emotion comes up, try pausing before you analyze it. Just naming it, and letting yourself sit with it for a moment, might do more than you expect.

Crisp Nights, Softer PJs

As warm summer days give way to crisp fall nights, slip into the pajamas you’ll want to live in. Eberjey’s iconic Gisele PJs are crafted from buttery-soft TENCEL™ Modal in classic silhouettes made for cozy evenings and slow mornings. Consider your fall wind-down routine upgraded.

Shop Eberjey’s Women’s Pajamas

Thank you to Eberjey for sponsoring Note To Self. 

How to Actually Remember What You Read

Rereading a page might feel productive, but research suggests it doesn't do much for long-term memory. A large review of learning strategies found that two other approaches work far better: actively recalling information and spacing out your learning over time.

Closing the book and trying to explain what you just read, without peeking, forces your brain to actually retrieve the information rather than just recognize it. In one study, people who practiced recalling word pairs remembered about twice as much a week later compared to those who simply reread them. Spacing out your review sessions helps too. Revisiting material the next day, then again a few days later, gives your brain more chances to strengthen that memory over time.

A few everyday habits can support the process as well. Handwriting notes, rather than typing them, seems to engage the brain more actively, and a brisk walk before you sit down to learn something new may give your focus an extra boost. Sleep matters too, since your brain continues processing new information overnight.

Next time you're trying to learn something new, skip the extra reread. Close the book, see what you remember, and come back to it again in a few days.

See If You’re Overpaying For Car Insurance

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: False. Some research suggests a connection between higher conscientiousness and a greater tendency toward intellectualizing.

• 🌅 Sunset Of The Day: Sunsets are more than beautiful—they’re actually good for your mood. Got a favorite one? Reply to this email with your best sunset or sunrise photo for a chance to be featured!

• 💭 Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Feeling something strongly doesn't mean you're overreacting. Emotions usually make more sense once you slow down enough to notice them.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Know of a great self-care tip or article you'd love to share with the community? Want to send us pictures of you completing one of your self-care rituals? Email us at [email protected]!