Thursday

"I notice when I need a break, and I honor it."

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

• Wellness Postcards: Morocco

• Habits to help you scroll less

• Is therapy affordable?

• The secrets to long lasting makeup

• A surprising kindle hack you need to know

Wellness Postcards: Morocco's Rituals of Rest

Welcome back to Wellness Postcards. This week, we're writing from Morocco, where healing has been woven into daily life for centuries.

Mint tea is often the first thing you're offered when you arrive somewhere. It's poured from a height, accepted slowly, and shared without rushing. In Morocco, that kind of hospitality is its own form of restoration.

The spice markets of Marrakech carry the same spirit. Turmeric, cumin, saffron, and ras el hanout, a blend of up to 35 healing spices, have been used medicinally for generations. Food is cooked slowly, shared communally, and designed to nourish. The line between the kitchen and the pharmacy has always been thin here.

Then there's the hammam. A weekly ritual of steam, black soap, and stillness that's as much about community as it is about the body. You leave slower than you arrived, and that's entirely the point.

Morocco's lesson is a gentle one. Rest doesn't have to be complicated. Sometimes it's tea, spices, steam, and the company of people who aren't in a hurry.

The Simple Habit Shifts That Help You Scroll Less

Brain rot was Oxford's word of the year in 2024, and it turns out the concept has real science behind it. When you scroll, your brain's threat detection system activates and starts scanning for the next update. That creates a loop that's genuinely hard to break, not because you lack willpower, but because your brain is wired that way.

The reassuring part is that awareness helps. Once you understand why the scroll is so compelling, it becomes easier to work with your brain instead of against it. Small environmental tweaks tend to be more effective than trying to force yourself to stop. Moving apps off your home screen, turning off notifications, switching to grayscale, and setting time limits all quietly reduce the pull without requiring a lot of discipline in the moment.

It also helps to have something worth switching to. A walk, a hobby, time with someone you like, or even just a few minutes outside can shift your mood faster than another hour of scrolling ever would. The goal isn't to quit your phone entirely. It's to make a little more room for the things that actually leave you feeling good.

Is Therapy Affordable?

What if getting therapy was easier than you thought? For eligible BetterHelp members, insurance options may be available — meaning more ways to access online therapy. Your mental wellness is worth it.*

Learn more.

*Insurance availability and coverage may vary by state, plan, provider network, and therapist availability.

Thank you to BetterHelp for sponsoring Note To Self. 

The Secrets to Long-Lasting Makeup

Making your makeup last isn't about using more product. Professional makeup artists say it comes down to a few simple techniques most people skip.

Start by letting your skincare fully absorb before applying anything. Five to seven minutes is enough. You'll know it's ready when your skin feels bouncy rather than slick. Then use less product than you think you need across the board. Thin layers grip better and last longer than heavy ones.

Powder is your best tool for longevity. Press it into the skin rather than sweeping it on top, and consider applying a layer before your foundation as well as after. That sandwiching effect creates hold on both sides. For eyes, a quick dusting of setting powder on the lid before shadow keeps everything from creasing by midday.

For blush that holds, layer a light powder blush over a cream blush. And for lips, a dusting of powder over your lip liner before applying lipstick helps the liner stay put long after the lipstick itself has faded.

The through line is the same across all of it: lighter layers, the right order, and a little more patience at the start.

The Surprising Kindle Hack 15 Million Readers Already Know About

Every day, huge New York Times bestsellers are discounted to just $2. While most are unaware, readers with the inside scoop are filling their libraries with these deals. Learn how they’re saving on today's biggest ebooks — with a website that's entirely free to join.

Learn the secret to saving

Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: Many cultures historically built travel breaks around visiting natural springs for restorative purposes, with mineral rich hot springs used for centuries across Europe and Asia as early wellness retreats.

• 🌅 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: Social media can be a nice window into other people's lives, but it's worth remembering you're only seeing the highlights, not the whole picture.

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]!