How learning to ski helped me stop feeling SAD
Why it matters: It has done wonders for my mental health.
Catch up quick: I've struggled with seasonal affective disorder (SAD) every winter since I moved to Utah from sunny southern California when I was 11 years old.
Despite growing up in Utah County, my working parents never had the time — or resources — to drive me up the canyon for lessons. Also, winter sports aren't popular in their native Mexico and Guatemala.
For years, I felt isolated when my friends got excited about snowfall and rolled my eyes when they would use words like "shred" or "pow."
Yes, but: That changed this year when I decided it was time to get on board and learn a new winter sport to force me out of my apartment through Ski Utah's Discover Winter program.
State of play: My ski classes were held at Deer Valley Resort, where, at times, all I could think about was not getting crashed into after covering the Gwyneth Paltrow ski collision trial two years prior.
The big picture: With the proper clothes and gear, being surrounded by snow-capped mountains and getting my heart rate pumping helped change my perspective about Utah winters.
The bottom line: I may still fall getting out of ski lifts from time to time, but snow in the forecast no longer feels like an obstacle. It's an invitation.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eater
21-07-2025
- Eater
The Eater Staff Names Our Absolute Most Effective Hangover Cures
Every summer, I flirtini a little too close to the sun. As the days grow longer, the temptation to terrace-maxx after work beckons, and it feels like I fuse with my Aperol Spritz à la Leto Atreides II and the sandworm in God Emperor of Dune; where my hand begins and my 'cheeky last-call cocktail' quest ends, it's hard to say. Unfortunately, summer's festive velocity = the potential for many hangovers. Generally speaking, sleep, hydration, and snacks are my holy trinity for hangover 'cures,' and they are all stewarded by arguably the most important yet elusive ingredient: time. Drinking responsibility and in moderation [clears throat in Mrs. Doubtfire voice] is the only thing that will not make you feel like a deflated balloon animal the day after slamming nutcrackers in the park. Still, I would like to think that I have a few more helpful hangover helpers/preventative measures to share, from reusable ice face masks to investing in chic blackout curtains for a deep, restorative slumber. Given that my Eater coworkers are also passionate about food, drink, and general merriment, I asked them about the best hangover cures and preventative measures that they have fine-tuned over the years as well. Dim the lights and pour a shot of pickle brine, and let's shop. Here are the nine best food-writer-approved hangover cures, according to our staff. This icy gel head mask is like a cold plunge for your brain In a perfect world, I would follow a martini-filled night with a cold plunge in the Parisian-inspired spa in my basement — but I'm not Gwyneth Paltrow (even if I do also own the coffee machine she keeps in her guest house). But this frozen gel face mask has been the next best thing and a real life-saver in a pinch; it has been my must-have for the past four years for hangovers, migraines, and tired and puffy eyes, because it completely enshrouds your head with a soft, thick layer of icy gel goodness. — Francky Knapp, commerce writer Our senior commerce editor swears by the tropical flavors of Liquid I.V. I'll be honest: The real best hangover cure is a 20-minute walk outside (I truly believe staying horizontal all day makes it worse), an ice-cold Mexican coke, and a quesadilla. Pho is also a strong contender in the colder months. But in terms of an instant helper that you can keep on hand, watermelon-flavored Liquid I.V. electrolyte powder is also an essential. I'd recommend drinking a glass of it before you go out and after you get home, but in the morning, it also pulls a lot of weight to help get you rehydrated. Plus, it tastes good enough that even if you are suffering it will feel pleasant (not medicinal) to sip on. — Hilary Pollack, senior commerce editor Pro tip: Add chicken nuggets to some lentil soup When I'm hungover, the only thing that truly makes my body feel a little better (besides all the sugar-free light blue Gatorade I can drink) is canned lentil soup. There's something about the saltiness of the broth and the heartiness of the lentils that soothes my body. I always amp up the soup, too: dousing it in hot sauce and a little olive oil and lots of pepper and whatever style of cheese I have on hand (yes, I've ripped up American cheese slices sometimes, too). But more importantly, I love cutting up chicken nuggets and adding them into the soup. The broth soaks into the meaty chunks for a bonus richness. Ahh. — Nadia Chaudhury, editor Keep a bedside carafe of water to hydrate I'm admittedly one of those people who won't drink water throughout the day unless it's right in front of them, but I also don't want to stare at a towering metal cantine on my dresser or desk all day. Luckily, Maison Balzac speaks my language with its aesthetically pleasing bedside carafe set. I use the amber–colored carafe every day, but on a night when I'm going out I'll also drop in some lime slices and a pinch of salt to help me replenish electrolytes later. — FK Start your night out with probiotic shots My sister-in-law swears by ZBiotics, which is a little shot you take before you start drinking for the night. I tried it once, and it worked pretty well! — Ben Mesirow, associate editor My wildest 'hear me out'? Pearl onion brine Some folks swear by the power of pickle juice, which is full of electrolytes, to help prevent hangovers (remember when Texas Rangers starting pitcher Kumar Rocker slammed a few bottles of pickle juice to conquer his cramps during a game?) and, well, I am some folks. But my favorite beer-and-shot combo actually consists of a shot of pickled cocktail onion brine, because it tastes a little sharper and lighter to me than pickle juice. — FK Blackout curtains have never looked more chic Darkness is a key component to making sure our brains can produce melatonin during sleep, which is why I never feel fully rested after a night out unless I draw the blackout curtains in my room. This linen-colored blackout curtain from Quince still manages to look breezy and light thanks to the cotton crossweave, and it starts at an under-$100 range (meanwhile, comparable linen curtains at West Elm will cost between a $100 to $200 range). — FK A weighted eye mask for sleeping through it Step one for maintaining some sanity the morning after a four-mezcal-and-soda night is sleeping as much as possible, and that isn't always easy, especially if you're on vacation (not the 4 a.m. jerk awake to where am I??? — help!) or didn't sleep at home for whatever other reason. Blackout curtains are a great start, but you can't take them with you, after all. Strongly recommend a weighted eye mask; I had this amazing silk one from Lunya but sadly left it on a plane, so now I have this more affordable Bearaby mask that is also a (literal) dream; I don't travel without it. Great for napping, hung over or otherwise. The gentle weight of it on your face not only blocks out the oppressive rays of the sun, but makes you feel like you're in a safe and cozy cocoon. —HP Oh, we've read the classics (Diet Coke) When I wake up hungover, the only thing I can even contemplate putting into my body is a crispy Diet Coke. Ideally it's from a can, chilled in the refrigerator, and poured over a ridiculous amount of nugget ice. — Amy McCarthy, reporter Crispy water, aka Alka-Seltzer Plain old Alka-Seltzer and a prayer for me. — Kat Thompson, associate editor See you at the next party, champ.
The Hill
19-07-2025
- The Hill
Unpasteurized vs. pasteurized: What to know about food safety
A long-practiced food processing method has been up for debate in recent years, with some opting to drink and eat without sterilizing it first. The polarizing process is pasteurization — a heating process that kills the microbes behind common foodborne illnesses. Prominent pushes for 'raw milk' consumption are growing, whether it's Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. or Gwyneth Paltrow. While still on the 2024 campaign trail for his failed presidential bid, Kennedy said he only drinks unpasteurized milk. In April, he suspended a quality control program for testing the nation's dairy supply. All the while, experts and researchers are advocating for Americans to only consume pasteurized milk. Pasteurized vs unpasteurized: What's the difference? Pasteurization is the process of heating a food product for a certain amount of time to destroy bacteria and viruses present, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Dairy products, eggs, juices, canned food, flour, honey and alcohol, among others, are typically pasteurized. Unpasteurized products don't undergo the heating and germ-killing process. They can include milk, artisanal cheese, juice, meat and more. Benefits, drawbacks of pasteurization By getting rid of harmful microbes, pasteurization can prevent foodborne illnesses like listeriosis, typhoid fever, tuberculosis, diphtheria, Q fever, and brucellosis, according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Pasteurization can also change the nutritional value, flavor and appearance of food, though only minimally, per the National Library of Medicine. 'Pasteurized milk offers the same nutritional benefits without the risks of raw milk consumption. Since the early 1900s, pasteurization has greatly reduced milk-borne illnesses,' the CDC says. Are unpasteurized foods safe? What are the risks? Some believe that so-called 'raw milk' and other unpasteurized products are a healthier option, since they are straight from nature. Some champion positive health returns from drinking unpasteurized milk, including raw milk farmer Cliff McConville: 'I can tell you that I used to get sick like three times a year, like, you know, with colds or flu, and I almost never get sick anymore.' But most medical bodies and independent experts say the benefits of unpasteurized food don't outweigh the potential health problems. The CDC and the FDA have warned that raw milk is unsafe because bacteria in it can cause illness or even death. The bird flu virus can remain infectious in raw milk for over a day at room temperature and more than a week when refrigerated, according to a non-peer-reviewed study from a group of UK scientists. The study, published in medRxiv, examined the stability of the H5N1 avian influenza virus in raw cow and sheep milk, with researchers simulating storage conditions common in dairy settings. 'High viral titres were detected in milk from infected cows, raising concerns about onwards human infections,' the authors wrote.
Vogue
05-07-2025
- Vogue
The In-Office Treatment That Builds Long-Lasting Collagen
I've always followed the skincare holy trinity: good nutrition, adequate sleep, and lots of SPF. But when I turned 35, I started to think about something that had never crossed my mind before: skin laxity. I found myself examining my face in the mirror more closely. Is that a new wrinkle? Am I getting jowls? Suddenly, my daily collagen drinks didn't seem like enough. Last week, I finally decided to undergo my first in-office treatment. No, I didn't get Botox or fillers. Instead, I went with something non-invasive that promised to address my biggest concern: collagen loss. My treatment of choice? Thermage FLX, which is FDA-approved and marketed as one of the most powerful in-office radiofrequency treatments on the market. According to one recent scientific analysis that looked at 52 surveys among dermatologists, Thermage FLX was considered 57.4% more effective than older Thermage devices. I figured that if it was good enough for Jennifer Aniston and Gwyneth Paltrow, it was good enough for me. What is Thermage FLX? Thermage FLX is a non-invasive monopolar radiofrequency treatment that 'ensures stimulation of endogenous collagen with just one treatment,' says Dr. Óscar Suárez, founder and medical director of Barcelona's MD Cliniques. He says it's so effective that a once-a-year treatment is enough for most people. But what exactly makes Thermage FLX so effective? 'It's specially designed to reverse skin flaccidity and improve wrinkles and expression lines,' explains Dr. Maria Dolores Antón, an aesthetic doctor and the medical director of Antón Clinic in Valencia, Spain. 'It tightens and firms the skin through an extremely precise delivery of energy. The device can be used to treat all areas that show the effects of flaccidity: cheeks, eyelids, jawline, bags, buttocks, arms, abdomen, knees, and thighs.' How does Thermage FLX work? Basically, Thermage FLX emits low-frequency electromagnetic waves to generate heat below the surface of the skin. 'The heat penetrates deep into the skin to stimulate the production of collagen, which is responsible for tissue tightening, rejuvenation, and improved elasticity,' explains board certified dermatologist Dr. Tanya Kormeili, a clinical instructor at UCLA. 'Because collagen and elastin are essential for skin firmness and youthfulness, the more you build the more youthful your skin can be in theory,' she says. Thermage FLX heats the deepest layer of the skin to around 140°F to stimulate the fibroblast to increase collagen production. 'Thermage FLX acts directly on the deep dermis in a very specific way: It causes shrinkage of old collagen and gives a message to the fibroblast to generate new, high-quality collagen,' Anton says.
