Friday

"Rest is not a break from life—it’s part of it."

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

• Dinner parties on a budget

• How your diet affects your sleep

• How to upgrade your bathroom in a day

• What is sunset anxiety?

• Where to find a debt relief program

Hosting a Cozy Dinner Party on a Budget

There’s something really comforting about gathering people around a table for no reason other than “let’s be together tonight.” It doesn’t need to look fancy or feel perfect. Most of the magic comes from the mood you set and the people you invite in.

If you’re hosting on a budget, start with the menu. Seasonal produce is often cheaper and tastes better, so building your dinner around vegetables, grains, and herbs can make the meal feel intentional without running up a grocery bill. Soups, stews, big salads, and anything that can be made ahead tend to stretch far and keep the prep calm.

Then look at the space you already have. A tablecloth over a folding table works. Mismatched plates feel charming with a simple color palette. A couple of candles or a small bunch of flowers can shift the whole atmosphere.

And don’t forget that guests genuinely like helping. Let someone bring a bottle, slice bread, queue up the playlist, or wash a few dishes. Shared effort has a way of making the night feel warm, memorable, and full in all the right ways.

Better Sleep Starts With What You Eat

There’s a new reason to care about what’s on your plate: it might be quietly shaping how well you sleep. A recent study found that people who eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains spend more time in deeper, more restorative sleep: sometimes as much as a 16 percent improvement for those meeting daily produce goals.

Nutrition experts say the benefit comes from naturally occurring melatonin, magnesium, serotonin, and potassium. These nutrients support your sleep-wake cycle and help calm the body, which can make falling asleep (and staying asleep) a lot easier.

The catch? Most adults barely hit the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables each day. But even small additions help. Toss extra greens into pasta or soup, add fruit to breakfast, or snack on veggies with dip.

Better sleep doesn’t always require a gadget or routine overhaul. Sometimes it’s just about adding more color to your plate.

You’re Just One Day Away from a New Bath or Shower

With Jacuzzi Bath Remodel you can rest assured your bath or shower upgrade is in good hands. With our professional and experienced team, the remodeling process is easy, affordable and stress-free. From a straight-forward quote to complete mess-free installation in as little as one day, we can help you transform your bath or shower into a stunning and relaxing sanctuary where you will love starting your day — and ending your night.

Plus, we have a variety of colors, patterns and accessories like shower heads, faucets, grab bars and seats to help you create a beautiful sanctuary that suits your needs and exceeds your expectations.

Right now Jacuzzi is waiving all installation costs plus offering no interest and no payments for up to one year.

Shop now.

Some installs may take longer. *With purchase and installation of any complete bath/shower system from participating third-party Jacuzzi Bath Remodel dealer in your area ("Dealer"). Offer and options will vary by Dealer/location. Not combinable with other offers. Add’l terms apply. Subject to change. Expires 12/28/25. †Financing offer available through third-party lenders under terms of applicable loan program. No interest for 12 months if paid in full within 12 months. Interest will be charged to you from purchase date if purchase balance is not paid in full within 12 months. Subject to credit approval—not all buyers will qualify. Add’l terms apply. See or call Dealer for details.

Thank you to Jacuzzi Shower for sponsoring Note To Self. 

Ways to Calm Your Mind at Sundown

Some people love golden hour. Others feel a quiet panic settle in the moment the light starts to fade. Therapists call this sunset anxiety. It’s not a diagnosis, but a very real pattern where the shift into evening brings uneasiness, sadness, or that nagging feeling of “I didn’t get enough done.”

Part of this comes from the body’s natural rhythm. As daylight dims, your brain starts nudging you toward rest, which can be jarring if you haven’t had much downtime or connection during the day. For others, it’s tied to productivity guilt or anticipatory worry about tomorrow’s to-dos.

A few small shifts can help. Scheduling at least one grounding moment during the day (like a walk, a real lunch break, or a short chat with someone you love) can blunt that end-of-day emotional crash. Routines help too. Try anchoring your evenings with something predictable and comforting: a class, a neighborhood walk, a simple wind-down ritual.

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Wellness Round-Up

Parting Thoughts

• ✅ True or False: True. Letting guests contribute builds ease and connection.

• 🌅 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: Your nervous system is trying to protect you. Offering it rest, rhythm, and gentle structure can create the safety it’s looking for.

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]!