Wednesday

"I let today unfold without forcing it."

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

• Happy April Fools’ Day!

• A skincare routine for dry skin

• Does cat litter stay in landfills forever?

• What causes sugar cravings

• A guide to surviving working in HR

April Fools' Day Is Good for Your Health

Happy April Fools' Day! And yes, we're absolutely using it as an excuse to talk about the wellness benefits of a good laugh.

Laughter lowers stress hormones, loosens physical tension, and gives your immune system a little boost. And the best part is your brain can't tell the difference between a real laugh and a forced one, so even a groan at a terrible prank still counts. You're getting the benefits either way.

Most of us don't think of laughing as something we need to actively make time for, but somewhere between adulting and taking everything seriously, it quietly slips down the priority list. Today's a pretty good reminder to let it back in.

So find the person in your life who always makes you lose it, text them something ridiculous, or just let yourself fully laugh at something dumb today. No wellness routine required.

The Ingredients Your Dry Skin Is Actually Craving

If your skin feels tight, flaky, or just perpetually thirsty no matter what you put on it, the issue might not be the products themselves but the combination. Dermatologists say the best dry skin routine needs three types of ingredients working together: humectants to draw water in, emollients to soften the skin barrier, and occlusives to seal everything in place.

Hyaluronic acid and glycerin are the humectants you'll see most often, while shea butter and petrolatum are classic emollients. Occlusives like argan oil and beeswax are the final lock. A moisturizer that has all three is genuinely worth looking for.

A few habits matter as much as the products themselves. Applying moisturizer while your skin is still slightly damp after cleansing helps lock in water more effectively. Hot showers feel amazing but actually strip the skin of its natural oils, so warm water is the move. And if you're seeing flaky patches, resist the urge to exfoliate since what the skin actually needs is hydration first.

At night, reach for a heavier cream rather than a lotion. Thicker formulas have more occlusives and stay in the skin longer, which matters because nighttime is when your skin does most of its repair work.

Does Your Cat Litter Sit in a Landfill Forever?

Most traditional cat litters are made from strip-mined clay or silica. Both end up in landfills when thrown away and are not biodegradable.

A new natural cat litter called Tailfeather is changing this with their eco-friendly, plant-based, clumping cat litter made from cassava.

Why cassava? It clumps extra hard for easy, clean scooping, clumps lift right out without sticking to the box. It's also much lighter than clay and produces far less dust.

It's fully biodegradable and 100% plastic-free, including the packaging. Tailfeather is delivered conveniently to your door, and each package lasts for 8 weeks, double the amount of other litters.

For the next 24 hours, Note To Self readers get a $15 credit on your first order with code NTS15.

Try Tailfeather for your cat and the environment today.

Thank you to Tailfeather for sponsoring Note To Self. 

What's Actually Behind Your Sugar Cravings

If you've ever tried eating less sugar to stop craving it and ended up right back at the cookie jar, here's something worth knowing: cutting back on sweets doesn't actually make you want them less. Your preference for sweetness is pretty much just part of who you are, and that's okay.

What dietitians say actually helps is getting honest about when the cravings hit. Cravings that show up when you're tired often signal a sleep issue. Cravings after a stressful day are usually emotional. And cravings that strike mid-afternoon frequently mean you just haven't eaten enough earlier in the day.

Treating sweets as off-limits tends to make the whole thing worse too. When something feels forbidden it becomes a lot more tempting, which is the opposite of helpful.

The more sustainable approach is to fuel yourself well first and then have the sweet thing if you still want it. Pairing a treat with protein or fiber helps you feel more satisfied afterward. The goal isn't to never eat sugar again, it's to enjoy it in a way that doesn't feel like a battle.

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Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: True. Skin is highly responsive to internal and external factors.

• 🌅 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: Not every craving needs to be fixed. Sometimes it just needs to be acknowledged, and then gently met.

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]!