đź’­ Summer is slipping away

Thursday 8/14: Sponsored by BetterHelp and Bioma- hosting, meal prep, lighting

August 14, 2025

Thursday

"My life unfolds one breath, one step at a time."

Welcome to Thursday! Today, we're chatting about:

True or False?

You should do everything yourself to be a good host.

Scroll for the answer!

Tips That Make Hosting in Small Spaces Easy

You don’t need a sprawling dining room to host a great dinner party. If your kitchen, bedroom, and living room all share a wall, these small-space hacks can help you still throw a cozy, fun get-together.

Use every surface. A counter becomes a buffet, a windowsill becomes a drink station. Don’t be afraid to improvise with cutting boards, mixing bowls, or even teapots as serving pieces. Cushions on the floor? Totally acceptable seating.

Set the mood with low-effort decor (think candles or flowers), open a window before guests arrive, and keep the drink options simple. A batch cocktail or one favorite wine goes a long way in a small space.

Most importantly, remember: the charm of a small space is how close everyone ends up, literally. That’s part of the magic.

These Meal Prep Mistakes Could Make You Sick

Meal prep is meant to make life easier, but if you’re not careful, it can also make you sick. Food safety experts say these common habits are worth rethinking.

Letting food cool or thaw on the counter is a no-go. Bacteria multiply fast between 40°F and 140°F, especially in rice, meat, or dairy. Cool rice in shallow containers, thaw meat in the fridge or cold water, and get leftovers into the fridge quickly.

Another big one? Cross-contamination. Always use separate cutting boards for raw meat and veggies. And don’t rinse raw chicken. It spreads bacteria around your kitchen instead of removing it.

To avoid undercooked meat, skip the guesswork and use a thermometer. And always store raw meat on the bottom shelf of the fridge in leakproof packaging. Small shifts like these can keep your meals safe and your stomach happy.

Make Space for Yourself Before Summer Wraps

Summer has a way of flying by. Before the pace shifts and your to-do list grows, take a moment to pause and check in with yourself.

BetterHelp makes it easy to talk to a licensed therapist from anywhere—whether that’s your backyard, the beach, or between trips. You can choose phone, video, or chat sessions, so you can fit it in without rearranging your life.

72% of clients report feeling better within 12 weeks, and sessions are rated 4.9/5 from over 1.7 million reviews. For a limited time, new clients get 25% off their first month.

Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring Note To Self. 

If you’ve ever felt cozy in candlelight or overstimulated under harsh overheads, that’s no coincidence. Lighting isn’t just ambiance. It speaks directly to your nervous system.

Experts say warm, dim light signals safety and calm, while bright, cool-toned light boosts alertness and focus. That means swapping a bulb or adding a lamp can actually affect your mood, creativity, and even sleep.

Start paying attention to how different lighting makes you feel, then adjust your space accordingly. You don’t need expensive upgrades. Try adding a task lamp where you read, replacing a too-harsh bulb, or picking up a dimmer switch.

Even small shifts, like opening the curtains first thing in the morning, can send your body the right cues. It’s not about perfection, just feeling a little more like yourself.

A Calmer Gut for a Calmer You

When stress sticks around, it doesn’t just affect your mood—it can impact your digestion, energy, and even how your body holds onto weight. That’s why Bioma’s daily capsules focus on lowering cortisol, the hormone often tied to “stress” weight.

In just 7 seconds each morning, you’ll get a blend of prebiotics, probiotics, and postbiotics designed to support your gut and help balance stress from the inside out. The formula features:

  • Prebiotic xylooligosaccharides – shown to lower cortisol in weeks

  • Probiotic Bifidobacterium – for gut balance and healthy digestion

  • Postbiotic Tributyrin – to help the other ingredients work at their best

For a limited time, Note To Self readers get an extra 10% off Bioma, on top of their current discount, with code WLSUMMER.

Thank you to Bioma for sponsoring Note To Self.

The Pause

Before you go, take a small pause from your day with this tip brought to you by The Note To Self editors.

Stretch one part of your body—just one. Notice how it changes you.

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

  • âś… True or False: False. Delegating or letting guests help can make everyone feel more involved.

  • 🙋🏼‍♀️ Snapshot Of The Day: We'd love to see moments from our readers’ lives that they are proud of! If you recently accomplished an achievement, experienced a joyful moment, or are proud of a picture you have taken, be sure to capture it on camera and send it to us for a chance to be featured next week! 

  • đź’­ Final Self-Care Thoughts for Today: Hosting doesn’t have to be fancy to be meaningful. A warm welcome, a shared meal, or a few thoughtful touches go a long way.

Enjoying Note to Self?

Were you forwarded this email and loving our content? Subscribe below to keep receiving daily doses of self-care in your inbox!

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]!