Emmy Hayes Condon
Your daily guide to feeling, looking, and living your best.
To Combat Loneliness, Doctors Are Prescribing Art
What if the best prescription for feeling less alone wasn't another medication—but a paintbrush, pottery class, or museum visit?
It may sound surprising, but a growing number of healthcare providers are embracing "arts prescribing," a wellness approach that connects people with creative activities to improve mental health and reduce loneliness. The idea is simple: making art—or even experiencing it alongside others—can create meaningful moments of connection that many of us are craving. Research suggests that creative expression helps lower stress, boost mood, and strengthen our sense of belonging, all of which can have a real impact on overall well-being.
Think about the last time you lost yourself in a watercolor class, sang along at a concert, wandered through an art museum, or laughed over a DIY craft night with friends. Those experiences don't just fill time; they help us feel seen, inspired, and connected.
As loneliness continues to be recognized as a serious public health issue, experts are encouraging us to think beyond traditional treatments. Creativity isn't just about making something beautiful; it's about building community and giving ourselves permission to express what words sometimes can't.
So this week, consider making a little room for art. Visit a local gallery, sign up for a ceramics class, color in an adult coloring book, or invite a friend over for a craft night. Get inspired and socialize!
Ask Clara:
"What are some good date ideas for friends?"
The Rising Cost of Dating: Why Money Is Becoming a Barrier to Finding Love
Can we all agree that dating has gotten...really expensive? Between cocktails, dinner reservations, rideshares, new outfits, and the pressure to plan an Instagram-worthy night out, it's easy to see why so many people are hitting pause on romance. According to a recent New York Times report, many Gen Z singles say the rising cost of dating has become a real obstacle to finding connection, with some choosing to date less—or not at all—because they simply can't justify the expense. It's part of a larger shift happening as young adults navigate higher living costs, student loans, and financial uncertainty. Recent surveys estimate that the average date now costs close to $190, and about half of Gen Z says dating expenses are getting in the way of their financial goals. Instead of grand gestures, many people are redefining what effort actually looks like, focusing more on intentionality than price tags.
Honestly? That might not be such a bad thing. Some of the best dates don't require reservations or a hefty bill—they just require showing up.
Need inspiration? Try one of these budget-friendly ideas:
Pack snacks and watch the sunset at a local park.
Visit a free museum day or neighborhood art walk.
Grab coffee and take a long walk instead of sitting in a crowded café.
Browse a bookstore together and pick out books for each other, and visit a library later.
Cook dinner at home and rate frozen pizzas or mocktail recipes like you're food critics.
Check out free concerts, outdoor movies, or community events in your city.
Because at the end of the day, the goal isn't to impress someone with your spending. It's to find someone you genuinely enjoy spending time with.
Ask Clara:
"How do I build better relationships?"
The Excitement of Exosomes in Skincare
If it feels like every skincare brand suddenly has an exosome serum, you're not imagining it. Exosomes are quickly becoming one of beauty's buzziest ingredients—and while they sound incredibly futuristic, the idea behind them is surprisingly simple. Think of exosomes as tiny messengers that help skin cells "talk" to one another. Researchers believe they may support your skin's natural repair process, encouraging collagen production, calming inflammation, and improving the look of fine lines, texture, and redness. It's no wonder they've become the latest obsession in regenerative skincare.
That said, the science is exciting, but it's still evolving. Much of the strongest research has focused on exosomes used by dermatologists after procedures like microneedling or laser treatments. While at-home serums are becoming more sophisticated, experts say we still need larger, long-term studies to understand exactly how effective topical exosome products are on their own. So think of them as a promising addition to your routine—not a miracle replacement for sunscreen, retinoids, or a healthy skin barrier.
Curious where to start? Some of the most talked-about options include The INKEY List Exosome Hydro-Glow Complex, Cosrx PDRN Exosome Glaze Face Mask, Naturium Multi-Active Exosome Serum, and Medicube One Day Exosome Shot 2000. Whether exosomes become the next retinol or simply another helpful tool in the skincare toolbox, one thing is clear: regenerative skincare is having a major moment.
Ask Clara:
"What are the benefits of SPF?"
Dancing Your Way to Better Health: Wellness Festivals Tap Into Rave Culture
Apparently the biggest wellness move for 2026 isn't a new supplement or a fancier tracker—it's the dancefloor. According to the Global Wellness Institute's 2026 Future of Wellness Trends report, the industry is officially embracing what they're calling the "festivalization of wellness."
We're all a little burnt out on optimizing everything. And a backlash against over-optimization—aka "optimization fatigue"— is on the rise to combat that high-stress cycle of perfecting your routine and tracking every single metric. Instead of chasing perfect health alone in our bedrooms, people are craving something way more fun: connection, IRL, with other humans.
Enter rave culture. The report borrows heavily from festival and dance culture, reframing health as something you feel in a crowd instead of something you track in solitude. Think breathwork next to a bass drop, sober raves, sound baths between sets—wellness that feels less like a chore and more like a party you actually want to be at.
Honestly? We're into it. There's something so refreshing about swapping the pressure of "doing wellness right" for just... showing up and moving your body with people who get it. No perfect streak required, no data to obsess over, just good energy and good company.
So if the rest of this year has you eyeing a wellness retreat that comes with a DJ instead of a juice cleanse schedule, you're not alone.
How to Hydrate Dry Skin Fast: The Ultimate Moisture-Boosting Guide
Have you been staring in the mirror, wondering why your face suddenly feels like the Sahara? The good news? Boosting your skin's moisture doesn't have to be complicated. It's really about layering the right ingredients so your skin can actually hold onto water instead of losing it the second you step outside.
Start with a gentle, non-stripping cleanser (hot water and harsh soap are not your friends here). Then bring in humectants like hyaluronic acid and glycerin — these guys pull moisture into your skin like little hydration magnets. Follow up with ceramides and ceramide-rich creams to patch up your skin barrier, and seal everything in with an occlusive like squalane or a nourishing facial oil. Think of it as building a tiny greenhouse for your face: hydrate, repair, seal.
Here's your hydration lineup to shop for:
A hyaluronic acid serum — for that plump, dewy bounce-back
A glycerin-based toner or essence — lightweight hydration, first step after cleansing
A ceramide moisturizer — repairs and strengthens your skin barrier
A squalane oil— locks in moisture without feeling greasy
An overnight hydrating mask — for when your skin needs an extra boost (hello, flight days and winter months)
Consistency is everything here, friend. Do this daily, and your skin will thank you with that soft, glowy, "did you get a facial?" look.
Have We Lost the Plot? What 'Well-Rested as the New Snatched' Really Means
In my pursuit of wellness, I stumbled upon an article stating that looking "well-rested" is the new "snatched," and more people are entering dermatologist offices looking to "fake it till you make it" with targeted fillers and treatments. It gave me pause, because even as a wellness editor always on the lookout for the next trend or what's happening in the sphere of taking care of ourselves, I had to gasp with a little exasperation, wondering if maybe we've lost the plot.
Well-rested comes from the roots of wellness — with a focus on sleep, a calm nervous system, a sturdy immune system, and a balance of light and dark, both real and metaphorical. The practical side of me says drink more water and get more sleep, but we've been at this a while now, and we know our attention is constantly wanted elsewhere: the devices, the family members, the never-ending career goals or childcare. Even when you have an hour to "yourself," you feel you must maximize it to get ahead.
Knowing full well that this, too, is an illusion. So as jarring as this article was to my own wellness brain, I felt it deep inside as well — a well-rested vibe is really just that: prioritizing the self-care and sleep that can transform and refresh almost every part of our bodies. Easier said than done, but something worth striving for.
Ask Clara:
"How do I get better sleep?"
Kylie Jenner's Tomato Red Nail Trend: How to Get the Look at Home (Plus Shades to Shop)
Okay, we need to talk about Kylie Jenner's nails, because she just made tomato red the color of the summer and honestly? We're obsessed. Forget your classic cherry red or your moody vampy shades — this is warmer, juicier, and somehow feels both retro and brand new at the same time. Think sun-ripened tomatoes on a summer charcuterie board, not your grandma's stoplight red.
The best part is that this manicure is so easy to recreate at home or request at your next salon appointment. Here's how to get the look:
Start with a short-to-medium almond or squoval shape — it keeps things looking chic, not costume-y.
Prep with a hydrating base coat so the color glides on smoothly and your nails stay healthy underneath.
Apply two thin coats of a creamy (not shimmery) tomato red — glossy finishes are giving vacation, matte is giving editorial—both work.
Seal with a high-shine top coat for that juicy, wet-look finish everyone's loving right now.
Want to shop the shade? Here are some tomato-red-adjacent polishes to try:
Manicurist Poppy Red — bright, slightly orange-leaning
essie Tomato Tomahto— the exact vibe, earthy and warm
OPI Big Apple Red— a touch cooler, still fits the mood
Whether you're headed to a rooftop dinner or just running errands, this color makes everything feel a little more main-character energy.
Ask Clara:
"How do I add more vegetables into my diet?"
What Is "Ocean View" Theory? The Viral Relationship Hack for Less Toxic Arguments
You know that feeling when you're mid-argument with your partner, and suddenly everything feels like a threat? Like you're standing three inches from the problem and it's the only thing that exists? That's exactly what "Ocean View" theory is calling out — and honestly, it's genius.
The idea, which is picking up steam thanks to a recent Psychology Today piece, is pretty simple: when we get stuck in a small, self-focused view during conflict, we lose our ability to see the bigger picture and connect with our partner. Think tight chest, shallow breathing, tunnel vision — your nervous system basically going "protect at all costs" mode, even when there's no real danger, just a disagreement about whose turn it is to do the dishes.
The "ocean view" is the antidote. Instead of being the wave, thrashing around convinced you're all alone out there, you zoom out and remember you're actually part of the whole ocean — connected, expansive, bigger than this one moment of friction.
Why does this matter right now? Because so many of us are craving language for something we've always felt but never named: that perspective, not perfection, is what actually saves relationships. It's less "who's right" and more "can we both breathe and see this from higher up." That's a much kinder way to fight — and honestly, a much kinder way to love.
Ready to try it next time you're spiraling? Take a breath. Zoom out. Find the ocean.
Ask Clara:
"How do I improve my relationships?"
Why Morning Pages Are the Ultimate Self-Care Habit (And How to Start Today)
One habit that's actually changed my mornings? Morning pages. If you haven't heard of them, they come from Julia Cameron's The Artist's Way, and the idea is very simple: three pages of longhand writing, first thing, before your brain has time to get precious about it. No editing, no rereading, no worrying if it's "good." You just let it spill out.
Here's the thing I didn't expect: it's not really about the writing at all. It's about emptying the junk drawer in your head before the day gets its hands on you. All those looping thoughts, the to-do list you keep rehearsing, the weird anxious energy about nothing in particular, it all goes onto the page instead of following you into your inbox.
I've become a little obsessed with mine. I make my coffee, curl up somewhere quiet, and write until the pages fill up. Some days it's genuinely boring, grocery lists and complaints about my alarm. Other days something surprising shows up, a feeling I didn't know I was carrying, an idea I'd been avoiding. Either way, I close the notebook feeling lighter, like I've made room for the actual day instead of dragging yesterday's noise into it.
It's not about being a writer. It's about giving your mind somewhere to land before the world asks anything of you. Grab a cheap notebook, set a timer if you need to (but you’ll be surprised at how quickly you fill up pages), and start. A refreshing ritual to get your day started.
Ask Clara:
"How do I start my day with intention?"
Why Status Sneakers Are Here to Stay: Style You Can Actually Move In
The status sneakers are here to stay because I feel like the whole "athleisure" thing isn't going anywhere. Between school drop-offs, coffee runs, workout classes, and whatever chaos the day throws at us, our shoes need to keep up—and look good doing it.
That's exactly why I'm obsessed with my Hoka Bondis right now. I know, I know, they were more the status sneaker circa 2020, but I’ve been a statement sneaker convert ever since. They're the kind of sneaker that makes you feel like you're walking on little clouds, but they still look pulled-together enough to wear with jeans on a coffee date or thrown on for a quick errand run. That thick, cushy sole isn't just for looks either—it's genuinely saving my joints after a long day on my feet.
And honestly, I think that's the whole vibe of the moment. We're done choosing between "cute" and "comfortable." Status sneakers like the Bondi prove you can have both, and I don't see us going back. Our lives are busy and on the go, and our shoes should match that energy—not slow us down.
So if you've been eyeing a pair of Bondis (or any of these hyped-up comfort sneakers), consider this your sign. Treat your feet, keep the momentum going, and let your sneakers do double duty: looking good and actually supporting you through it all.