I love validation, so when my doctor told me I was “smart” to knock out all of my preventative care visits in two weeks, I wanted her to say more. She explained that early fall is a great time to get your wellness checks — you can beat the holiday rush and have time for necessary follow-ups.
Beyond booking your standard appointments (don’t forget the dentist), here are a few other ways to make the most of health admin season.
Talk to a dietitian. Your insurance may cover a consult without a referral. I’ve done a few sessions, and came away with helpful advice and recipes for meals and snacks that work for mine and my daughter’s schedules.
Consider physical therapy. All states allow “direct access” to PT services without a referral. Check your coverage, but you may be able to get an evaluation for posture, desk pain, or minor aches.
Ask about your sleep. Talk to your doctor if you snore, wake up exhausted, or have other concerns about your rest. They can assess your symptoms and sleep habits, then recommend next steps, from simple changes to a sleep study.
Look into your Employee Assistance Plan (EAP). Many employers offer an EAP separately from insurance, with short-term support for specific concerns and ways to help you find longer-term mental healthcare.
— Anna “I Got an A in Doctors” Davies, writer
PS: Because no one wants to panic-buy Band-Aids on New Year’s Eve, here are some items to consider purchasing now with your HSA or FSA funds.
Well, well, well
What's Making the Rounds
Anne Hathaway wants more women to get to know their pelvic floor. She credits that knowledge with “improving” many aspects of her life. Consider us all ears.
No time to text back but somehow you can send 12 memes? Good news: “Pebbling” can actually help build strong friendships.
Psychiatrists are rethinking ADHD as an issue with “sustained engagement,” not an attention deficit. That could change how it’s treated.
Your coffee may be too hot to handle, literally. Some experts say sipping drinks above 149 degrees Fahrenheit could raise your risk of esophageal cancer.
Your thyroid is small but mighty. The butterfly-shaped gland at the base of your neck produces hormones that help regulate your metabolism and keep your body running. Too little can cause hypothyroidism; too much results in hyperthyroidism.
Track what’s changed. Write down your symptoms and when they started so your doctor has a clearer picture of what may be going on.
Take a look. A neck check can help spot lumps or growths: Use a mirror to watch your lower neck as you tip your head back and swallow water.
Ask about testing. Routine screening isn’t recommended for every adult without symptoms. But if you have symptoms or a family history of thyroid disease, talk to your doctor about whether a thyroid blood test makes sense.
Don’t panic about GLP-1s. Early coverage linked the medications to an increased risk of thyroid cancer. Newer research suggests otherwise.
A recent Instagram poll revealed that 15% of you say finding a therapist takes forever, and 11% worry you won’t vibe with whoever you land on.
Thankfully, Rula gets it — searching for the right fit shouldn’t feel like online dating with worse odds. On Rula, you can match with a licensed therapist or psychiatric provider from a network of 22,000+ providers across 170+ specialties, and if the first match isn’t it, switching is easy.
Plus, when you book your first session, you’ll get a $50 Taskrabbit credit† so you can cross something off your to-do list, just in time for World Mental Health Day on October 10.
Cozy season, meet cool sleep. The right sheets can help regulate your temperature and keep you comfortable all night. Consider this your excuse to upgrade your bed.
Psst…love our recs? Follow @skimmshopping on Instagram for more products, gifts, and services that are actually worth the hype (and the price tag).
Just One Thing
Test Your Strength?
Doctors use DXA (or DEXA) scans to diagnose osteoporosis and often recommend them for women over 65. But more women in perimenopause want to know if they should get one earlier (this writer included).
The test compares bone density in your hips and spine with that of an average 30-year-old. Given my family history, my doctor thought a baseline could be useful and gave me a referral.
My scan wasn’t covered by insurance and cost about $130, so check your plan first. But with or without a DXA, your bones deserve some attention. You build most of your skeletal mass early in life, and diet and exercise can help maintain it as you age.
Well Fed
Squash, Rinse, Repeat
Zucchini had its summer. Now it’s time for butternut, acorn, delicata, and the rest of the winter squash lineup to take over. Unlike their lighter, water-rich summer cousins, these cold-weather varieties have denser flesh and more carbs. Plus they’ve got fiber, potassium, and vitamin C. Orange varieties also pack beta-carotene, which your body converts to vitamin A. In other words, they’re built for a hearty fall dinner.
Three ways to put them to work:
Spice things up. Curry-roasted squash with chickpeas pairs the fall staple with fiber- and protein-rich legumes for a meatless meal that can hold its own.
Let feta do the heavy lifting. This baked feta and tomato spaghetti squash turns the strands into the base for a cozy dinner, with feta for a creamy, salty finish.
Make squash the main event. Loaded butternut squash steaks give thick slabs of the vegetable the entrée treatment. Proof you don’t always need to purée them into soup.
