Prevention

I MEAN, YOU KNOW, for real—the best thing ever, especially if Steve is reading this (hi, honey!). But of all the ideas in this issue that resonate with me (as I hope they will with you), one of the most salient is the reminder on page 7 that there are at least as many undercelebrated varieties of love as there are cute little Valentine’s Day tchotchkes and chocolate in the “seasonal” aisle at CVS. There’s ride-or-die BFF love, got-your-back-from-a-distance aunt or uncle love, and not-just-because-you-feed-me pet love, just to name a few. My twins (above), now 22, seem to have a sibling love that will carry them forward even when I’m no longer around. Taking a beat to appreciate the many types of love will make the world seem sunnier. Even…

Heart-shaped boxes and grand gestures are expected this month, but romantic love is far from the only kind to celebrate. Research links experiencing love and connection of any type—whether it involves a friend, a lover, or a pet—with higher levels of psychological well-being and optimism. And expressing adoration or appreciation has a ricochet effect: Hearing those sentiments makes the recipient feel warm and mushy, studies show, and delivering these emotions elicits loving feelings too. Awww! WRITE DOWN THREE NAMES OF PEOPLE TO WHOM YOU WANT TO SHOW LOVE—AND HOW YOU’LL DO IT.…

COSPLAY AN OLYMPIAN The much-anticipated Winter Olympics are February 6 through 22, but instead of always staying cozy on the couch while you watch, do a little wintertime exercise yourself. Write down five to eight exercise moves you can do in your living room (see page 36 for ideas), then cycle through them while watching favorite events. If you’re used to exercise, bundle up and get outside to break a sweat—cold-weather workouts may help you burn calories more efficiently and are associated with improved cardiovascular health, studies show. GIVE YOURSELF CHOCOLATE In honor of American Heart Month this February, have a little heart-smart treat. Dark chocolate is higher in cacao (the fruit it is made from) than milk chocolate, so it is richer in antioxidants and flavanols that may help…

DARK CHOCOLATE POWER BARK ACTIVE 10 MIN. TOTAL 30 MIN. SERVES 8 In toaster oven on small rimmed baking sheet, toast 1½ Tbsp each raw pepitas and raw hulled sunflower seeds at 400°F until fragrant, about 4 min.; immediately transfer to medium bowl and toss with ⅛ tsp ground cinnamon and a pinch of chipotle chile powder, then with 1 cup plain granola (we love Early Bird Kiss My Oats). Meanwhile, microwave 8 oz dark chocolate (chopped) in small bowl, stirring every 20 sec., until melted and smooth. Spread on parchment-lined baking sheet into 8-by 12-in. rectangle. Scatter spiced granola over chocolate and sprinkle with ½ tsp flaky sea salt. Refrigerate until set, about 20 min. Break into pieces and serve, or pack in airtight container and store in…

When your pucker is so parched that it’s flaking and cracking, swiping on a balm doesn’t always cut it. The medical term for severely chapped lips is “cheilitis,” and it occurs when skin’s outer barrier loses moisture faster than it can be replenished, says Mona Gohara, M.D., a board-certified dermatologist, a clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine, and a member of the Prevention Medical Review Board. “Without proper care with the right moisture-locking products, water evaporates and dries out that protective barrier,” Dr. Gohara adds. Your lips are vulnerable to begin with because the skin there is thin, lacks lubricating oil glands, and has very little melanin to shield it from UV exposure. “All this makes your lips uniquely prone to dryness and damage from environmental factors…

As the days get shorter and daylight dims, so can your mood. Up to 20% of U.S. adults experience the “winter blues,” a mild form of seasonal affective disorder (SAD), at this time of year. That’s because sunlight is one of the body’s most powerful regulators, upping your serotonin levels to support a steady mood, boosting your vitamin D levels to promote strong immunity, and keeping your circadian rhythm humming so you can sleep soundly and wake up energized and refreshed. Without enough light, those systems can get out of sync—hence that tired, irritable, sad feeling. Some science suggests that light therapy lamps may help improve SAD symptoms by mimicking outdoor light, but there’s nothing quite like feeling the warm sun on your face and breathing fresh air. If you’re…