Monday

"I welcome today with an open mind and a steady heart."

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

• The sunscreen habits dermatologists want you to know

• What happy people all have in common

• What to do if your energy bill is rising

• Foods you can eat after the expiration date

• A better solution for graying hair

The Sunscreen Habits Most People Skip

Summer means more time outside, and for your skin, that adds up fast. It's not just one long beach day, it's the coffee run, the dog walk, and the lunch outside that quietly stack up all season. A little morning SPF is a good start, but dermatologist-approved habits make the real difference.

Here's what actually helps:

• Cover your blind spots. Most people miss the same few areas every time, like the hairline, the ears, and the tops of the feet in sandals.

• Make reapplication automatic. Keeping sunscreen next to your toothbrush turns reapplying into part of your routine instead of an extra step, and it matters just as much as that first swipe, especially after swimming or sweating.

• Don't let elevation fool you. UV exposure climbs several percent with every thousand feet you gain, even when the air feels cool and breezy.

None of these changes require an overhaul of your routine, just a few extra seconds tucked into what you're already doing.

The One Thing Happy People Have in Common

Since 1938, Harvard researchers have been following the same group of people across their entire lives. They tracked their health, their habits, their careers, and their relationships. After nearly nine decades of data, one finding rose above everything else. The people who were most satisfied with their close relationships lived longer, stayed healthier, and reported greater happiness than those who weren't.

It wasn't wealth. It wasn't career success. Relationship satisfaction at age 50 was actually a better predictor of health at age 80 than cholesterol levels. And it wasn't about having a lot of friends either. A small circle of people you genuinely trust does more for you than a wide network of acquaintances. Those close connections act as a real buffer when life gets hard. They lower your cortisol, improve your resilience, and give you someone to call when things fall apart.

The relationships that held up best weren't the ones without conflict. They were the ones where people felt safe enough to be honest, work through disagreements, and show up for each other consistently. That emotional safety matters more than perfection. The takeaway is pretty simple. If you want to invest in your long-term health and happiness, the best place to start is the people already in your life.

Your Electricity Bill Keeps Climbing. Here’s How to Stop It

Electricity prices have risen faster than inflation for years - and there’s no sign of that changing. That means hundreds more dollars out of pocket each year, just to keep your lights on.

Solar changes that math. Homeowners who go solar lock in predictable energy costs and stop paying whatever the utility decides to charge. Many see savings from day one.

EnergySage makes it easy to find out what solar would actually cost - and save - for your home.

• Get free, personalized quotes from pre-screened installers in your area.

• Compare them side by side and choose on your terms.

• No pushy sales calls. No guesswork.

Over 60,000 homeowners have used EnergySage to take control of their energy costs. See what solar would save for your home.

Get your free solar quotes at EnergySage.com

Thank you to EnergySage for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Foods You Can Still Eat After the Expiration Date

Expiration dates can be confusing, and most of us end up throwing away food that's actually still safe to eat. Here's a simple breakdown of what to keep and what to toss.

• Frozen meat and produce: Bacteria can't grow below 0 degrees Fahrenheit, so most frozen foods are safe well past their dates. Ground beef lasts 3 to 4 months, chicken up to 12, and frozen fruits and vegetables 8 to 12 months. Quality may dip over time, but they're safe.

• Canned goods: Beans, soups, vegetables, sauces, and canned fish can last months to years past their expiration date. Just skip any cans that are bulging, cracked, or leaking.

• Dry pasta and rice: The dates on these are quality dates, not safety dates. Most dry pasta and rice are safe to eat up to two years past the printed date.

• Bread: Safe to eat as long as there's no mold. Freezing bread extends its life by two to three months.

• Milk and dairy: Milk is usually fine for one to two weeks after opening. Yogurt and sour cream hold up for about three weeks past the sell-by date. Hard cheeses like Parmesan can last months as long as there's no mold.

• Eggs: Properly refrigerated eggs can last up to five weeks. Store them in the coldest part of the fridge, not the door.

When in doubt, use your senses. Mold, a sour or off smell, slimy texture, or bulging packaging are all signs to toss it. Fresh meat, fish, and poultry should always go by the date on the package, and infant formula should never be used past its use-by date.

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Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ Did You Know: The ozone layer mainly blocks UVC rays, the more dangerous type, though UVA and UVB still reach the ground and are responsible for tanning, burning, and long term skin aging.

• 🌅 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: Sun safety isn't about avoiding the outdoors. It's about enjoying it in a way that your skin will thank you for later.

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]!