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Toto, the iconic California rock band featuring Steve Lukather, David Paich, Bobby Kimball, David Hungate, Steve Porcaro and Jeff Porcaro, solidified its place in music history with global pop-rock hits like “Africa” in 1982, which became their signature anthem.

More than four decades later, the ’80s track continues to resonate with listeners and has earned a place among the greatest soft rock songs of all time.

In a list revealed by Amazon Music, Toto’s song “Africa” topped the 100 Most Beloved Soft Rock Songs of All Time, followed by The Police’s “Every Breath You Take” at No. 2 and Eurythmics’ “Sweet Dreams (Are Made of This)” at No. 3.

Written by Paich, “Africa” was part of the band’s acclaimed fourth studio album Toto IV.

Toto’s David Paich, Steve Porcaro, Jeff Porcaro, Steve Lukather, Mike Porcaro and Bobby Kimball in 1982

Angelo Deligio/Mondadori Portfolio via Getty Images

The keyboardist spent about six months refining the lyrics before showing them to the band, but it only took him ten minutes to work on the chorus melody and lyrics.

“I was hearing the melody in my head and I sat down and played the music for about 10 minutes. And then the chorus came out. I sang the chorus out as you hear it. It was like God channeling it,” he shared in the 2005 interview with Mix magazine, via Music Radar. “I thought, ‘I’m talented, but I’m not that talented. Something just happened here!'”

The songwriter was moved by a documentary he watched about Africa as well as the UNICEF ads and images of the region, despite having never set foot on the continent.

“At the beginning of the ’80s I watched a late-night documentary on TV about all the terrible death and suffering of the people in Africa,” he mentioned in the commentary of Toto’s Best Ballads compilation, according to Songfacts, adding, “It both moved and appalled me and the pictures just wouldn’t leave my head. I tried to imagine how I’d feel about if I was there and what I’d do.”

For Paich, the song wasn’t about personal romance but about a man’s love for the continent of Africa. It also draws on his workaholic lifestyle and desire for a personal life.

At the time of its release, the California-based band experienced massive success with “Africa” after it peaked at No. 1 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100, making it their first and only No. 1 hit on the U.S. charts.

In 2024, the song reached a new peak on the Billboard Global 200, climbing to No. 174 from No. 183 on the chart.

This only further proved that Toto’s iconic hit continues to stand out not just in the band’s legacy but also in rock and pop music history.

Related: 1971 Hit by The Doors, Originally Disliked by Producer, Ranked Among ‘Greatest American Rock Albums’ of All Time

Fontaines D.C. is heading to the U.S. for two special headlining shows this fall, giving fans in New York and Los Angeles a chance to see the Irish rock band in more intimate venues as it enters a new era.

The band announced the dates on Instagram, writing: “US. We’re playing intimate shows in New York and Los Angeles next month. Registering via the link in bio is the only way to get pre-sale access.”

Fontaines D.C. will perform at Kings Theatre in Brooklyn on Sept. 21 and Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles on Sept. 25.

Grian Chatten and Tom Coll of Fontaines D.C. perform at Wythenshawe Park on Aug. 15, 2025.

Photo by Shirlaine Forrest/WireImage

Fans must register by 6 p.m. on Monday to get access to the pre-sale. The general ticket sale begins at 10 a.m. on Aug. 28.

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The newly announced U.S. concerts come as Fontaines D.C. prepares to release its fifth studio album, Dopamine Chamber, on Oct. 16. The shows will also take place between the group’s appearances at Sea.Hear.Now in New Jersey and Ohana Fest in California.

Produced by James Ford, the album follows the band’s 2024 release, Romance. That record earned major recognition, including a Mercury Prize nomination and Grammy nominations for Best Rock Album and Best Alternative Music Performance for its single “Starburster.”

“Marianne” was partly inspired by the 2024 thriller series Ripley. The song also received a live debut during one of the band’s 2026 headline performances.

The upcoming album was recorded in several locations, including London, the English countryside, and Palermo, Italy. Frontman Grian Chatten also traveled through Venice, Vienna and Sicily while searching for ideas for the lyrics, per Rolling Stone.

“The album itself is a dopamine chamber,” Chatten said in a statement. “You step inside and we test these different mind or mood-altering pieces of music on you.”

Chatten also described how the new album differs from Romance.

“I think Romance was maybe 60 per cent human and 40 per cent corrupted by automation, and a loss of feeling,” he said in a press release, according to Pitchfork. “This one feels more like 60 per cent corrupted, the mask is wearing the face a little more. I felt it would be more powerful to leave the hope out and reflect the ugliness honestly. This one needed to feel more like a catastrophic warning.”

Fontaines D.C. formed in Dublin in 2014 after the members met at music college. The band includes Grian Chatten on vocals, Conor Curley on guitar, Conor “Deego” Deegan III on bass, Tom Coll on drums and Carlos O’Connell on guitar.

More than a decade after forming, the group has released four studio albums: Dogrel in 2019, A Hero’s Death in 2020, Skinty Fia in 2022 and Romance in 2024. 

Their early albums helped establish Fontaines D.C. as one of the major names in the modern Irish and British post-punk wave. A Hero’s Death received a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Album, while Skinty Fia reached No. 1 on both the Irish and U.K. album charts.

The band’s audience continued to grow with Romance, which became its first album to enter the Billboard 200.

Related: 1991 Hit Song, Reimagined by Japanese Singer in Music Festival, Grabs Metallica’s Attention

Evangeline Lilly is back in her bikini and thriving after recovering from brain damage.

Lilly, 47, rose to stardom as Kate Austen on the hit ABC drama Lost. While she announced she would be taking a bit of an acting hiatus back in 2024, the star has been living the good life in Hawaii. However, that doesn’t mean she hasn’t faced obstacles. After a horrific injury, the star is thriving once again and sharing stunning bikini photos.

“When it’s just too hot to keep working and you have to go for a swim! 🥵💦👙 Might as well ride my bike to the post office to mail in my property taxes while I’m at it 🚲. #hawaiilife #thegoodlife #theslowlife #beachlife #islandlife,” Lilly captioned her photo, which showed her standing in the mirror in a knit white bikini.

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Lilly’s Devastating Brain Injury

Back in January, Lilly opened up about how she had suffered brain damage following a fall.

“Verdict’s in…I do have brain damage from my tbi,” she shared on Instagram. “Comforting to know my cognitive decline isn’t just peri-menopause, discomforting to know what an uphill battle it will be to try to reverse the deficiencies.”

“The results came back from the scans, and I missed every area, and my brain is functioning at a decreased capacity,” she continued.

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The fall occurred when Lilly fainted during a trip to the beach and hit a boulder, causing serious facial injuries, Fox News previously reported. On her Substack, Lilly went into more detail about the horrific moment.

“I fainted at the beach. And fell face first into a boulder,” she wrote. “At the hospital, the nurses and doctor went straight into action, more determined to find the cause of my blackout than to stitch up the hole punctured into my face by the rock.”

In a photo posted on her Substack, Lilly can be seen with dried blood on her face.

What’s Next for Evangeline Lilly?

Back in June, Deadline reported that Lilly has joined the feature documentary Farmacy of Light as narrator and executive producer. Here’s the documentary’s official logline: “With chronic disease and malnutrition rates skyrocketing, a renegade farmer uncovers the link between human health and the dire need for local, light-filled food. Will society align with the quantum physics of healing before it’s too late?”

If you head to the documentary’s website, you can watch it for free. Check out the trailer below:

Related: ‘Lost’ Star Evangeline Lilly Shares Heartbreaking Update Months After Devastating Fall

Sometimes, when it comes to songwriting, two heads are better than one. (Hey, it worked for John Lennon and Paul McCartney.) Such was the case with one of The Band’s most memorable and beautiful ballads, “Whispering Pines.”

Released on The Band’s 1969 self-titled debut album, “Whispering Pines” started out with a melody written keyboardist/singer Richard Manuel on a piano with one bad key.

“Richard had briefly lived in a house in Woodstock that once belonged to the painter George Bellows,” The Band’s manager, Joe Forno, was quoted as saying in Across the Great Divide by Barney Hoskyns.

“There was an old piano in the house which had been left behind and Richard wrote ‘Whispering Pines’ on it,” Forno continued. “It had one key that was out of tune, and when he came to record the song he had the studio piano tuned the same way, so that one key was still out. That’s what’s responsible for the vamp figure at the beginning and end of the song.”

While writing the music wasn’t a challenge for Manuel, he struggled to find the right lyrics.

“I lean more into chord changes and melodic stuff,” Manuel explained in a 1970 interview with William Bender for Time magazine. “I can write music very easily, but when it comes to words, I cringe. It’s hard to get those words in the right slot, to just get going.”

Finally, Manuel brought the song to bandmate Robbie Robertson and asked for help writing the lyrics. Robertson took inspiration from the sound of Manuel’s voice.

“Richard always had this very plaintive attitude in his voice, and sometimes just in his sensitivity as a person,” he said later, per Across the Great Divide.

“I tried to follow that, to go with it and find it musically,” he continued. “We both felt very good about this song.”

The resulting lyrics were the perfect fit for Manuel’s mournful melody:

Whispering pines, rising of the tide
If only one star shines
That’s just enough to get inside
I will wait until it all goes round
With you in sight
The lost are found

Related: 1975 Rock Ballad, ‘One of Pop Music’s Saddest Songs,’ Was Inspired by a Heartbreak That Wouldn’t Heal

“The hurt in his voice…there’s a certain element of pain in there, that you didn’t know if he was trying to reach the note or he was just a guy with a heart that had been hurt,” Robertson reflected in a 1997 interview for the British documentary series Classic Albums.

Eric Clapton, also interviewed for Classic Albums, likewise reflected on the unique quality of Manuel’s voice.

“He had this amazing power to move you with his voice and his presence even,” Clapton said.

“I suppose it’s just that thing that when he came into a room…you were just drawn to the amount of energy there was in his music. He was very shaky and fragile and scared, and sometimes, in a reverse way, that had a lot of power, that drew you and attracted you.”

Fans and critics alike found “Whispering Pines” just as moving.

In a piece written after Manuel’s death in 1986, Billboard called it one of The Band’s “most haunting ballads,” while author George Case took it one step further in the book Out of Our Heads: Rock ‘n’ Roll Before the Drugs Wore Off, declaring “Whispering Pines” to be “one of the most haunting ballads in rock ‘n’ roll.”

Related: 1969 Rock Classic, Initially Disliked by the Band, Became a Timeless Road Trip Anthem

Some songs become bigger than the moment that inspired them.

Such was the case with Buffalo Springfield’s 1966 psychedelic folk rock anthem “For What It’s Worth,” written by 21-year-old singer and guitarist Stephen Stills. Released during a period of enormous social and political upheaval, the mesmerizing pop song would become the band’s biggest hit and one of the most recognizable protest songs of the 1960s.

And it all began with a kid from Texas.

Born in Dallas, Texas, Stills spent part of his childhood in Latin America as his military family moved around, living in places including Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Panama. The experience would have a profound effect on the young musician.

As a teenager, he witnessed political instability and violence firsthand. Years later, Stills recalled being caught amid gunfire while traveling with his father and desperately trying to make it safely back to their hotel. The frightening memory gave Stills an early and unique personal perspective on what political unrest actually looked and felt like.

“‘For What It’s Worth’ was a result of the fact that [I] was brought up partially in Latin America, and saw governments fall and rise and fall again,” Stills revealed in a 1970 interview with UK music journalist, historian, and radio presenter Charlie Gillett for Sounding Out. “And, you know, dodged machine-gun bullets myself, because me and my dad were in a town, and everybody started shooting, and I was off hanging out and I was trying to get home, and it was one of those get back to the hotel alive kind of things… It was nitty gritty… That was when I was 14, 15 years old, right? Younger even.”

By 1966, the ambitious singer and songwriter had landed in Los Angeles, where he joined forces with Neil Young, Richie Furay, Bruce Palmer and Dewey Martin to form Buffalo Springfield. And it would be here that Stills witnessed another kind of unrest.

The Sunset Strip, an area in West Hollywood, had become the beating heart of the Los Angeles rock scene in the 60’s, packed nightly with young people drawn to its clubs and burgeoning counterculture. Increasingly frustrated local businesses and residents pushed back, claiming that the presence of these crowds was hurting local business. As a result, authorities imposed restrictions aimed at curbing the crowds.

Tensions came to a head on Nov. 12, 1966, when close to 1,000 young people gathered to protest restrictions and the planned demolition of Pandora’s Box, a popular nightclub and coffeehouse. And Stills was there.

“What actually happened was just a bunch of kids got together on a street corner and said we aren’t moving,” said Stills. “Then about three busloads of Los Angeles police showed up who look very much like stormtroopers, which is what the Guardia Civil in Nicaragua looks like. And I looked at it and I said, Jesus, America is in great danger of turning politically to the fascist right.”

That night, the young songwriter took that feeling home with him and wrote a song about it.

Stills later explained that several things were swirling around in his mind at the time, including the Vietnam War and what was happening on the Strip.

“But I knew I had to skedaddle and headed back to Topanga, where I wrote my song in about 15 minutes,” Stills said in an interview with the Los Angeles Times. “For me, there was no riot. It was basically a cop dance. … Riot is a ridiculous name. It was a funeral for Pandora’s Box. But it looked like a revolution.”

“For What It’s Worth” emerged from the experience, its ominous guitar harmonics, restrained beat and Stills’ quietly commanding vocal perfectly capturing the sense that something was happening and no one quite knew where it might lead.

And what happened next was history.

Buffalo Springfield quickly recorded the song, and it was rushed into release while the events on the Strip were still fresh. “For What It’s Worth” climbed to No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1967, becoming Buffalo Springfield’s biggest hit.

For Stills, it was only the beginning.

After Buffalo Springfield disbanded in 1968, he joined David Crosby and Graham Nash to form Crosby, Stills & Nash, with Young later joining the legendary supergroup. Between 1970-2005 Stills released 8 studio solo albums. He would ultimately be inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame twice, as a member of Buffalo Springfield and Crosby, Stills & Nash.

If you didn’t know better, you might just hear “For What It’s Worth” as the pulsing, dreamy, catchy sing-a-long that it is. While the chorus lyrics Stop children, what’s that sound, everybody look what’s going down hint at something gone awry, the song itself is famous for its excellent song craft. It’s the kind of song that quiets a room and gets people singing. And that is what makes “For What It’s Worth” a timeless favorite.

Sixty years later, “For What It’s Worth” has long outgrown the Sunset Strip confrontation that inspired it. What began with a gifted 21-year-old songwriter recognizing something unsettlingly familiar in the chaos around him became an anthem for the ages—and an early glimpse of the extraordinary career Stephen Stills had waiting ahead.

Related: 1974 Iconic Ballad, Originally by Scott English, Became a Career-Defining No. 1 Hit 

Former Guiding Light star Hayden Panettiere died at the age of 36 earlier this week. Now, on what would have been the beloved actress’s 37th birthday, her former on-screen television father, Grant Aleksander, has paid tribute to the star.

Aleksander spoke with former Procter and Gamble publicist Alan Locher, of The Locher Room podcast, to share his message on social media.

“When I think of Hayden, the first image that comes is of her running down the hall in the studio with a huge, toothy grin on her face,” he began.

Reflecting on his time with Panettiere, who played his daughter Lizzie Spaulding between 1996 and 2000, Aleksander shared that she was always “Pure, infectious joy.”

The Daytime Emmy-nominated actor explained that Panettiere was a “natural” talent who exhibited “an instinctive understanding of acting that most adult actors can only dream of possessing.”

He added that wasn’t the aspect that he will remember most about her. “It’s that sunshine she brought to all of us who were lucky enough to be in her orbit that will stay with me.”

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Aleksander shared that he will “always cherish the years I got to be her TV, Dad.”

He added that he wished he could have seen her once again to tell her how proud he was of her, and hoped that she had found the peace that had eluded her in her short life.

The actor ended his tribute, adding, “Rest in peace, Princess!”

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In the comment section, Aleksander’s scene partner Beth Chamberlain gave context to the bond that Panettiere and Aleksander shared, adding, “To give you an idea of how special this picture is, Grant rarely smiled in photos.”

Aleksander portrayed the legacy character Philip Spaulding from his arrival in 1982 until the series’ ultimate cancellation and final episode in 2009. Since then, Aleksander has appeared on the web soap Tainted Dreams and has taken to the stage, performing in productions such as Mary, Mary and Perfect Crime.

It was 1952, and Kitty Wells was about to make country music history with a song that some radio stations considered too controversial to play. 

“It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” became a groundbreaking hit for Wells, making her the first solo female artist to reach No. 1 on the country charts. But the song did more than make history on the charts. It challenged the double standard surrounding men and women in country music and opened the door for generations of female artists who followed. 

The song was also an answer to one of the biggest country hits of the year, Hank Thompson’s “The Wild Side of Life.” 

Thompson’s song tells the story of a husband whose wife leaves him for “the places where the wine and liquor flow.” He laments, “I didn’t know God made honky tonk angels,” adding, “I might have known you’d never make a wife.” 

Wells wasn’t willing to let that stand. Written by J.D. Miller and set to the same melody, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” pushed back against the idea that women should take all the blame for broken relationships. 

“It’s a shame that all the blame is on us women,” Wells sings, arguing that “most every heart that’s ever broken / was because there always was a man to blame.” 

The response was bold enough to spark real backlash. NBC banned the song from its radio network for being too “suggestive,” while the Grand Ole Opry initially refused to let Wells perform it onstage. The Opry eventually gave in after audiences demanded to hear the song. 

“The Wild Side of Life” had already spent 15 weeks at No. 1 before Wells ended its run at the top. On August 23, 1952, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” reached No. 1, where it remained for six weeks. The song also topped the country jukebox chart and made the pop Top 40. 

The hit sold more than 800,000 copies during its first year and later became one of the first million-selling singles by a solo female country artist.

But Wells almost didn’t record it. By May 3, 1952, Wells was so discouraged about her career prospects that she was considering retirement. Female singers weren’t getting much support from country music promoters, and the Nashville native was seriously thinking about leaving the business. 

She still needed the money, though, so she headed to Nashville’s Castle Studios to cut what she figured would be a minor addition to her repertoire. “I wasn’t expecting it to make a hit,” Wells said. “I just thought it was another song.”

Instead, the song became the biggest hit of her career and a turning point for women in country music.

Wells’ record made an impression on young girls who dreamed of singing country music, including Jeannie Seely, who was 12 and living in rural Pennsylvania when she first heard it. 

“I was absolutely thrilled, of course, to hear another girl was a big thing, because there weren’t that many at that time,” Seely told Rolling Stone in 2022.

Seely eventually found success herself with the 1966 hit “Don’t Touch Me,” going on to win a Grammy and spend more than 50 years as a member of the Grand Ole Opry. But Wells’ record was one of the first things that made a career in country music feel possible to her. 

​​“I didn’t have a lot of mentors back then,” Seely said. “So when [Wells] came along, and that record hit, I was like, ‘Wow, this opens a whole new world to me.’” 

Wells’ success helped open the door for women in country music to push back against male infidelity and the double standards surrounding relationships. Dolly Parton, Patsy Cline, Loretta Lynn and Tammy Wynette would later address many of those themes in their music. 

Related: 1964 Rock Song, Written by Carole King, Launched a 16-Year-Old Singer’s Career

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There are plenty of ways to add a little Halloween spirit to your home, but decor that can also help contain everyday messes is especially welcome. The Celebrate Together Fall Small Boo Braided Bin is currently $20 at Kohl’s, down from $25, and it comes in a candy corn-esque orange colorway with white and yellow stripes and a playful black “boo” across the front. 

The basket measures 12 inches high by 13.1 inches wide and 13.1 inches long, so it offers plenty of room without taking over your floor or shelf. It’s made from a polyester-cotton blend, has a 4-pound weight capacity, and can be wiped clean when needed. 

Celebrate Together Fall Small Boo Braided Bin, $20 (was $25) at Kohl’s

Courtesy of Kohl's

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You could use it in the living room to house throw blankets, set it up in a playroom to store toys, or pop it by the entryway to hold seasonal accessories. Alternatively, there’s another use that almost seems too perfect: turning it into an actual boo basket. A boo basket is essentially a Halloween care package filled with treats and little seasonal surprises to spread some spooky-season cheer. You could fill this one with candy, fuzzy socks, a small candle, or Halloween goodies, and the “boo” stitched right across the front takes care of the theme for you. 

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One shopper confirmed that it’s “perfect for a fall boo basket,” while another reviewer who uses theirs for kids’ toy storage called it “super durable.” Shoppers have also described the bin as “cute and colorful,” while someone who bought it as a housewarming gift said it’s “adorable” and “very well made.”

Related: Kohl’s Adorable $24 Ghost Braided Basket Makes Halloween Decor Surprisingly Practical

This boo-tiful little basket is an easy way to snag something both seasonal and practical for your setup, especially for just $20. It can hide clutter when company comes over, hold cozy essentials, or become the base for a Halloween gift, making it a treat you can keep using long after the candy is gone.

Shop More Deals

• Celebrate Together Fall Footballs LED Pillar Candle, $8 (was $10) at Kohl’s
• Celebrate Together Fall 2-Piece Happy Fall Kitchen Towel Set, $10 (was $13) at Kohl’s
• Celebrate Together Peanuts Snoopy Hello Fall Caption Box, $12 (was $15) at Kohl’s

The Celebrate Together Fall Small Boo Braided Bin proves Halloween decor doesn’t have to be dark or spooky to make an impact. It’s especially cute for anyone who prefers whimsical decor, and at $20, it’s a fun little find that can add a fresh pop of personality to your fall setup. Be sure to shop it now while it’s still marked down at Kohl’s.

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Little House on the Prairie star Melissa Gilbert just issued a bold PSA to child stars after Hayden Panettiere‘s death.

On Friday, Aug. 21, the former child actress, 62 (who played Laura Ingalls Wilder in the original LHOTP series), took to Instagram with an important message. The update came after Panettiere died at 36 on Aug. 16.

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“Repost from @_annapaquin,” Gilbert began, tagging Anna Paquin, who starred in The Piano at age 11. “I just wrote a first draft for my Substack about exactly this. Mine will post tomorrow. Thank you, Anna. Someone has to say something. Someone has to change this. Someone has to help.”

In black text on a white background, the message read: “It’s not a coincidence that so many former, specifically pre-sexualized female, child ‘stars’ have profoundly sad lives and untimely ends. We were not as protected by the ‘systems’ that look great on paper, as we are supposed to be.”

Paquin then wrote, “RIP HP, MT, DC,” and too many others,” seemingly referencing Panettiere, Michelle Trachtenberg, and Daveigh Chase. (Trachtenberg died at 39 in February 2025, while Chase died at 35 in June 2026.)

She continued, “It’s a strange small club we belong to, and you are worthy of support no matter how our industry made us feel. Literally DM me. I believe you, and I will stand by your side. You aren’t alone. Let’s have each other’s backs. It might make public disclosure less terrifying.”

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In June, Gilbert shared an urgent plea following the revelation of Chase’s cause of death; she had previously worked with Chase for a series pilot.

“I certainly understand substance addiction disorder, but this sweet girl’s death is so much more,” Gilbert speculated. “If I had the chance to speak to any parents who were thinking about getting their children in the industry, I would tell them to please, please make sure that they are doing it for the right reasons.”

Gilbert was just 9 when she was cast as Laura in Little House on the Prairie, which aired for nine seasons from 1974 to 1983.

Next: Melissa Gilbert Shares Update on ‘LHOTP’ Co-Star Melissa Sue Anderson After Decades-Long Feud

If you have diabetes, you’re far from alone. Over 40 million Americans, or 12 percent of the population, live with the disease. 

Plus, many people miss common signs of diabetes, so they might have the condition and not realize it. Not always obvious, diabetes can be diagnosed with medical tests. Getting those tests done before you’re even suspicious of having it is important, believe it or not—especially if you have any risk factors. Getting an early diagnosis is crucial, and reversing diabetes is possible.

If you’re working to treat this condition and control your blood sugar levels, you might take diabetes medication. There are several different kinds, such as metformin, GLP-1s and insulin, just to name a few examples. 

While on those medications (or any medication), it’s important to know their interactions and contraindications. Some medications aren’t safe to take with diabetes medicine. On that note, did you know that certain supplements—even common ones—are also unsafe to combine with diabetes medication? Yep—and in fact, they can cause some pretty serious issues, including hypoglycemia (which is often mistaken for anxiety, FYI).

Ahead, endocrinologists reveal the supplements to avoid if you take diabetes medication (and explain why), and share other herbs and supplements that could be unsafe with this medication.

Related: The One Food Type Endocrinologists Say Supports Insulin Sensitivity as You Age

Avoid This Supplement if You Take Diabetes Medication

Be careful with turmeric, endocrinologists warn—especially if you take a medication like insulin or sulfonylureas.

“Turmeric can affect how the liver metabolizes medications used for treating diabetes, thereby altering the bioavailability of this medication,” says Dr. Omodamola Aje, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. In other words, the medication may not be as helpful or effective. 

That’s not the only reason why. 

“In theory, turmeric can lower blood sugar,” says Dr. Gillian Goddard, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist and author of The Hormone Loop. “If you’re taking other medications that lower blood sugar, especially insulin or sulfonylureas, adding turmeric could cause hypoglycemia.”

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This has been noted in several meta-analyses, according to Dr. Ayushi Dixit, MD, a board-certified endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes and other conditions. “Turmeric in concentrated forms, such as in supplements, may be risky, especially in patients who are prone to hypoglycemia (low glucose readings),” she tells Parade.

The key word is supplements. “People with diabetes don’t need to avoid turmeric in cooking,” Dr. Goddard adds. “We’re talking about high-dose turmeric supplements here.” (They can harm your liver, too, by the way.) 

All three endocrinologists agree that a small amount of turmeric in cooking is completely safe.

But wait—the idea of taking something that can lower blood sugar should be a “good” and helpful thing, right? That could be used instead of medication, perhaps? Actually, no.

“Even though these supplements can lower blood sugar, it isn’t recommended to use them in place of medications to manage diabetes,” Dr. Goddard says.

Related: Can You Manage Your Diabetes With Intuitive Eating? Top RDs Weigh In

What About Turmeric Alternatives?

Taking turmeric to reduce inflammation? It may not be the solution you’ve been told.

“Don’t worry about it,” Dr. Goddard says. “The benefits of oral turmeric supplementation are not clearly proven, so it’s best just to skip this one, and it is completely fine to cook with turmeric.”

For inflammation concerns, Dr. Dixit recommends turning to lifestyle habits instead, such as avoiding alcohol, eating whole foods, prioritizing exercise and getting quality sleep.

Dr. Aje isn’t a fan of supplements, either, especially if there’s no blood work showing a deficiency and clear need. For anti-inflammatory support, she recommends eating omega-3s, leafy greens and berries.

If you do take supplements, be cautious. “You should speak with your doctor prior to taking supplements to make sure that they will not interact with your other medications and cause harm to you,” she adds.

After all, they’re not automatically “safe” just because they’re “natural.”

“Many supplements/vitamins/minerals do not undergo the same testing as prescription medications, and the label may not be consistent with what is in the bottle,” Dr. Dixit warns. “A lot of natural supplements can interact with other medications.”

Related: A Study Found That 90% of Melatonin Supplements Are Mislabeled—Here Are the Safest Supplement Brands To Try

Other Herbs and Supplements That Are Unsafe With Diabetes Medication

Turmeric supplements aren’t the only things to avoid when you’re on insulin. Dr. Goddard lists aloe vera, bitter melon, fenugreek, American ginseng, alpha-lipoic acid (ALA) and berberine. Dr. Dixit also mentions berberine.

Bitter lemon and cinnamon “carry a similar risk profile,” Dr. Aje adds, in which they can lower blood sugar when combined with antidiabetic medication. St. John’s wort is another one to be cautious of, but for a different reason: It can reduce medication effectiveness and cause high blood sugar.

Ultimately, and again, a doctor’s visit before making any health change is paramount. “Speak with your doctor to see if it is safe to use with your other medications,” Dr. Dixit recommends.

Up Next:

Related: Hepatologists Say This Common Weight Loss Supplement Could Be Damaging Your Liver

Sources:

• Dr. Omodamola Aje, MD, is a board-certified endocrinologist at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
•  Dr. Gillian Goddard, MD, is a board-certified endocrinologist and author of The Hormone Loop.
• Dr. Ayushi Dixit, MD, is a board-certified endocrinologist who specializes in diabetes and other conditions.
• Statistics About Diabetes, American Diabetes Association

Nikki Crawford took on the persona of the beloved character of Lexie Carver on the Peacock streaming soap opera Days of Our Lives. Now that her time as the character has come to an end, the actress has taken to social media to pay tribute to the character.

Viewers were led to believe that Lexie died back in 2012 following the retirement of Renee Jones, as Lexie was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor and passed away in her husband, Abe Carver (James Reynolds), arms.

Crawford assumed the role earlier this year on March 6, 2026, when it was revealed that she was placed in a cryogenic tube and placed in a medically induced coma until Dr. Rolf had developed a cure that brought her back to life.

As the story played out, the cure was only temporary, and the drug’s power wore off; thus Lexie’s health began quickly declining, ultimately leading to her death once again.

Crawford took to Instagram to reflect on her time on the soap opera. “What a beautiful ride. ❤️,” she began.

She then paid tribute to her character, sharing, “Lexie, you challenged me, moved me, and gave me so much to carry with me.”

With soap operas, and Days of Our Lives in particular, death doesn’t always mean that there is no chance for a return, and Crawford acknowledged that she would be up for a possible return, ending her tribute to the beloved character saying, “Until we meet again… 💕.”

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Lexie Carver debuted on Days of Our Lives in 1984, originally played by an actress. Still, it wasn’t until the character was recast in 1993, when Renee Jones assumed the role, that the character became ingrained in the fabric of the soap opera.

Over the years, her love story with Abe Carver, her tumultuous relationship with her biological parents, and the evil Stefano DiMera (Joseph Mascolo) and Celeste Perrault (Tanya Boyd) kept viewers on the edge of their seats. Still, they rooted for her to always come out on top.

Abe and Lexie became the first contracted married couple on the soap opera. However, their wedding took place off-camera during the period when Reynolds left the show for Generations.

Now fans look back fondly on the character’s legacy and on Crawford’s role in it.

Days of Our Lives streams weekdays exclusively on Peacock.

Whether you watched her on television, dog-eared her magazines or absorbed her ideas by osmosis, Martha Stewart has had a remarkable influence on the way we live at home. Her lessons in decorating, entertaining, cooking and baking didn’t stay contained within the pages of her books or the walls of a television studio. They seeped into everyday life, shaping our collective understanding of what it means to make a home feel beautiful and welcoming with all of those “good things.”

A Martha-inspired table might mean folding the napkins a little more carefully. A holiday gathering could call for a homemade centerpiece. Even an ordinary Tuesday night can benefit from the notion that dinner is worth setting the table for. Her particular brand of domesticity turned everyday rituals into something worthy of a little ceremony, and decades later, we’re still taking notes.

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Martha Stewart Layered Branches 3-Piece Quilt Set, $83.99 – $97.99 (reg. $180 – $210) at JCPenney Martha Stewart Layered Branches 3-pc. Quilt Set

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That influence extends to more rooms of the house than just the kitchen and dining room. In a bedroom, for example, Stewart’s branded line of linens can transform the entire mood of a space. And the Layered Branches 3-Piece Quilt Set from her line at JCPenney feels like exactly the sort of timeless touch she has been encouraging us to bring home all along.

The printed quilt brings a pretty farmhouse-inspired look to the bed, while the coordinating set includes two standard shams for an easy, finished feel. It comes in Full/Queen or King sizes, is made from soft 100% cotton and has a cozy cotton-rich fill that gives it just enough weight without feeling overly bulky. And because beautiful bedding shouldn’t require a complicated care routine, the quilt and shams are machine washable.

Related: Sam’s Club’s Stunning Pre-Lit Topiary Brings Vibrant Color and a Cozy Glow to Your Porch

JCPenney shoppers who have purchased the set seem really pleased with both the style and feel of it.

“I really like the look and feel of this quilt,” says a customer in their review. “It held up perfectly to the washer and dryer. It’s a great weight for warmer months. You could actually reverse it as there is a cute stripe pattern on the underside.”

Right now the quilt set is on sale at JCP so grab it before it returns to full price.

Related: Costco’s Set of 2 Fluted Bowls Is the Chic Way to Serve Dinner—or Snacks

For those who grew up in the early 2000s, Save the Last Dance was one of the defining films of the era. Released in 2001, the movie turned Julia Stiles into a major movie star and inspired a generation of ballerinas to try their hand at hip-hop dancing. Save the Last Dance required Stiles to convincingly perform both ballet and hip-hop on screen, training that now seems fortuitous. Twenty-five years later, Save the Last Dance feels tailor-made for the next chapter in Julia Stiles’ enduring career.

Julia Stiles and Fresh Prince of Bel-Air alum Tatiana Ali are reportedly joining the cast of Season 35 of Dancing With the Stars. The darling of the early 2000s, Stiles also starred in another iconic film of the era, 10 Things I Hate About You, the film that became actor Heath Ledger’s breakout.

@mgmplus

Replying to @Endless Pawibilities We could do this choreography in our sleep. 😌 #SaveTheLastDance #JuliaStiles #SeanPatrickThomas #90s #90skid #movie #dance

♬ original sound – MGM+

Stiles enters the ballroom with a serious advantage, having portrayed Sara Johnson in Save the Last Dance, an aspiring young ballerina whose life changes following her mother’s death. A new city and a new school introduce Sara to Derek, portrayed by Sean Patrick Thomas, who helps her learn hip-hop while she pursues her dream of auditioning for Juilliard.

Julia Stiles Trained to Dance for Save the Last Dance @riristea

‘Save the Last Dance’ Star Julia Stiles Joins DWTS Season 35! #dwts #juliastiles #TikTokEntNewsProgram #riristea #rivetsoro

♬ original sound – RiRi’s Tea ☕️

One of the defining teen movies of the era, the movie helped establish Stiles as one of the most recognizable young actresses of the time. Her role as a dancer was unexpected as audiences didn’t immediately associate Stiles with dance. Extensive dance training helped her prepare for the role, including rehearsals with famed hip-hop choreographer Fatima Robinson.

Rather than use a double for the dance scenes, Stiles wanted to perform as many of the dance sequences in the film herself as possible. Though she did need a double for the difficult ballet sequences, particularly pointe, she did perform the hip-hop sequences herself.

Related: 2009 Novel Rejected by 60 Literary Agents Named Goodreads’ Best Book for Book Clubs

Julia Stiles Is Taking That Training to the Ballroom

Stiles is taking that training and heading to the ballroom. Already a fan of Dancing With the Stars, Stiles said in a 2025 interview that the ABC competition reality series is her “Monday Night Football.” She even admitted she’s been known to go down a YouTube deep dive watching old performances and her favorite dancers.

Now, she’ll go from viewer to competitor, trading the ballet and hip-hop she studied for Save the Last Dance for ballroom dancing. Julia Stiles is now 45 and no longer the breakout ingenue determined to perform her own dance moves. But she brings years of experience and a completely believable performance with her to the ballroom, where she’ll work to convince viewers once again that when it comes to dancing, she can do just about anything.

Related: 1973 Song Inspired by a Notorious Texas Brothel Became ZZ Top’s First Big Hit

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Katie Holmes and her new boyfriend, artist Jason Bard Yarmosky, couldn’t seem to let go of each other at a recent party.

The beloved actress, 47, rose to stardom as Joey Potter on the WB teen series Dawson’s Creek. She went on to roles in films like Batman Begins and Thank You for Smoking, and became prime paparazzi fodder thanks to her 2006 marriage to Hollywood icon Tom Cruise. While that relationship sold endless tabloids and made Holmes a paparazzi target, even after their 2012 divorce, the devoted mom of Suri has done her best to eschew the prying eyes of the camera. That’s why it’s a bit surprising that she’s having the time of her life in front of the camera lens with Yarmosky. The duo held hands and didn’t let go at the Michael Kors 45th Anniversary Collection Dinner held at Swifty’s at The Hedges Inn on Thursday in East Hampton, New York. Dressed in a deep purple gown, Holmes had a bright smile on her face as she clutched Yarmosky’s hand in hers.

Lexie Moreland / Getty Images

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The Couple Hit the Red Carpet Together

Earlier this month, Holmes stepped out with Yarmosky at the 2026 Guild Hall Summer Gala in East Hampton, New York.

With their arms around each other, Holmes leaned in to Yarmosky’s shoulder with a smile on her face. Elegantly dressed in a strapless white dress, the beauty looks mighty happy with her new love, whom she started seeing in July.

Sonia Moskowitz / Getty Images

What is Katie Holmes Up to These Days?

Last summer, Holmes reunited with her Dawson’s Creek costar Joshua Jackson for Happy Hours, which she wrote, starred in, and directed. The dramedy, which is a trilogy, was described to Deadline as a “story about two people (Jackson and Holmes) navigating their relationship within the challenges of careers and family responsibilities and the pursuit of love, despite life’s inevitable obstacles. It’s a character-driven dramedy that explores the emotional journey of young loves who reconnect as adults, with the connective thread of shared joys, loss, and hope.”

Related: Katie Holmes and Her Mom Are the Cutest Red Carpet Duo

Right now, Iron Maiden are on their Run for Your Lives World Tour, taking their massive catalog to stadiums and festivals across North America. Meanwhile, drummer Nicko McBrain, who recently retired from touring with the band in 2024, has been hosting Iron Maiden-themed events at home and swapping stories with fans.

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At a recent fan event called An Evening With CapnHarris, hosted at McBrain’s Rock n Roll Ribs barbecue joint in Florida, the legendary drummer got down to some very important business: naming his favorite Iron Maiden songs. Specifically, he was naming his picks for the best songs written by Iron Maiden founder and bassist Steve Harris.

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The big reveal came during an interactive game of “Bowl of Songs” during which fans and co-hosts pulled songs from a bucket and McBrain picked his favorites. However, when one co-host drew “Back in the Village,” a deep cut from Powerslave, McBrain threw the game rules out the window and chose his own contender: “When the Wild Wind Blows.”

“It’s a stunning piece of music,” McBrain said about the 11-minute closing track of 2010’s The Final Frontier, per Louder. “It is, in my opinion, the second-best song Steve Harris has ever written, next to ‘Hallowed [Be Thy Name]’ and ‘The Red and the Black.’”

So, McBrain apparently had three picks, though he never explicitly revealed which of the three he considers No. 1. The event’s tournament, however, produced a winner of its own—and it wasn’t any of McBrain’s contenders (find out what it was here).

Same goes for the top Iron Maiden song recently declared by MetalTalk.

In its story of the 20 best Iron Maiden songs, ranked, the outlet gave its own verdict, choosing “Phantom of the Opera” as the band’s greatest.

A sprawling seven-minute epic, “Phantom of the Opera” is another Harris original. It’s the fourth track on their self-titled 1980 debut album and serves as an early example of the band’s progressive multi-tempo songwriting.

“This song was the start of my Iron Maiden journey,” the writer shared. “Loud, raucous, it’s punk (sorry, ‘Arry, it is), it is prog rock, it is speed metal, it is everything that you want in a great metal song. If ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ epitomized Queen, ‘Phantom of the Opera’ is the very definition of what Iron Maiden were at that period in time and still are.”

Predictably, some fans weren’t having it. The biggest sticking point? “Hallowed Be Thy Name” wasn’t even mentioned in the 20-song list, which also omitted fan favorites such as “Fear of the Dark” and “Wasted Years.”

“Hallowed Be Thy Name,” from the band’s 1982 album The Number of the Beast, is one of Iron Maiden’s most acclaimed songs, praised for its moody storytelling and simmering slow-build. It’s also notably one of the three tracks McBrain singled out when discussing Harris’ best songwriting.

This is all just proof that there’s no wrong way to pick an Iron Maiden favorite.

Related: 2000 Song, Featuring a Tool Legend, Voted Greatest Heavy Metal Duet of All Time

When talking about how to live a healthy life, most people probably think about physical health; some may think about mental health. But there’s an important component of our overall health that affects us more than we realize: our emotional health.

In case you aren’t familiar, this pertains to one’s awareness and capacity for dealing with emotions, according to WebMD. And interestingly, there are a lot of ways we can improve our emotional health. That said, what are the most emotionally healthy habits? And which are the most important?

To find out, we spoke with three psychologists: Dr. Ayli Carrero Pinedo, PhD, a licensed psychologist and the founder of California-based In Alignment Wellness Services; Dr. Kamran Eshtehardi, PhD, a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice in California; and Dr. Robin F. Goodman, PhD, a New York-based licensed clinical psychologist and the Assistant Director of Public Education and Bereavement at Child HELP Partnership at St. John’s University.

After all three psychologists shared their picks for best behaviors in this category with Parade, they then worked together to rank the top 10 most emotionally healthy habits. Keep reading for the full list, their insights on why these habits are so beneficial and their tips on how to incorporate these practices into your life.

Related: We Asked 4 Psychologists What Usually Causes Adult Siblings To Drift Apart—They All Said the Same Thing

What Defines an Emotionally Healthy Habit?

“An emotionally healthy daily habit is something we do every day that reduces negative mental health symptoms and helps us achieve and maintain emotional regulation,” Dr. Eshtehardi explains to Parade.

“Emotionally [healthy] daily habits are small, repetitive, values-aligned practices that improve self-regulation, self-development and self-awareness,” adds Dr. Carrero Pinedo. “When done consistently, they become part of a person’s baseline functioning so they are better prepared when a crisis hits.”

According to Dr. Goodman, when it comes to trying to form new emotionally healthy habits, “it’s important to understand not just how to do them but why you do them.”

The 10 Most Emotionally Healthy Daily Habits, Ranked by 3 Psychologists

Dr. Carrero Pinedo, Dr. Eshtehardi and Dr. Goodman all agree that these are the 10 most emotionally healthy daily habits, ranked from good and healthy (#10) to the absolute healthiest (#1).

10. Listening to music

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“Music is easy to incorporate into your day-to-day life, and can have a major impact on your mood and stress level,” says Dr. Eshtehardi. “Several studies have shown that listening to music, especially playlists that are meant to evoke a certain mood, can reduce stress, symptoms of anxiety and symptoms of depression while enhancing our mood.”

If you’re looking for more ways to incorporate listening to music that makes you feel good into your life, he suggests treating it like its own activity.

“Sitting back and just listening to music is also a great alternative to scrolling on our phones,” the psychologist adds.

Related: 3 Psychologists Agree: This Is the Biggest Benefit of Learning an Instrument as a Kid

9. Reading books

Giselleflissak / Getty Images

“Reading books can reduce stress, reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression and improve empathy, emotional intelligence and sleep quality,” says Dr. Eshtehardi—especially when you consider that reading can be an “excellent alternative to scrolling on our phones.”

If you find it hard to focus on reading, he has a few tips. First, know that the more you read, the more you’ll get used to it, and the less challenging it will be to focus. Additionally, it’s key to read books that actually bring you joy, as this will make reading more appealing.

“If you want to read more, you have to start by finding things you’re interested in reading,” he states. “Many people believe that reading should be ‘productive’ and therefore reading fiction books is a waste of time. This is not true. In fact, reading literary fiction can be particularly effective at increasing emotional intelligence and empathy.”

And as an alternative to reading books, Dr. Goodman suggests crossword puzzles and coloring books.

8. Reduced social media use

Catherine Falls Commercial / Getty Images

“The average American spends five hours a day looking at their phones. What they’re looking at is, more often than not, algorithm-curated content,” Dr. Eshtehardi notes.

“There are a plethora of issues that can emerge from too much exposure to this type of content,” he continues. “The simple takeaway is that reducing time spent on our phones, specifically looking at algorithm-curated content, will improve how we feel.”

To reduce your screen time, he suggests replacing it with “other healthier habits,” such as reading, listening to music and exercising.

Related: A Social Media Coach Is Begging People To Stop This Common Online Habit

7. Practicing gratitude and mindfulness

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According to Dr. Goodman, thinking of something you are grateful for every day can make a huge difference.

“Some days this can be harder than others,” she admits. However, “some days it may be as simple as being grateful for a soft bed to rest, a cup of your favorite coffee or the ability to care for yourself. Searching for and focusing your mind on gratitude makes it more likely you will see it. It’s not just the half-full vs half-empty; it is that you will see what you look for.”

Dr. Carrero Pinedo agrees that a daily gratitude practice is wonderful for our emotional health.

“Taking time to reflect on the day can help shift perspective away from negative things in your life,” she explains.

She recommends doing this as part of your bedtime routine by asking yourself questions such as, “What made my day difficult?” “How was I supported today?” and “What made me feel good?” 

Similarly, practicing mindfulness is great for emotional health. Dr. Carrero Pinedo shares that “acknowledging what is happening in the present moment helps us focus on facts and change our relationship with our internal experiences.”

6. Spending time outside

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Dr. Goodman is a big advocate of spending time in nature, or at least interacting with the outdoors in some way.

“This can be as simple as mindfully taking five minutes to look outside the window or taking a walk,” she says. “Stepping away from your thoughts, seeking and recognizing there is [a] world bigger than you can be useful.”

Related: 7 Psychological Benefits of Gardening, According to a Psychologist

5. Moving or taking walks

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“Movement is medicine. It releases accumulated stress, shifts mood and reconnects you with physical sensations,” states Dr. Carrero Pinedo.

She adds that “exercise does not need to be intense to be beneficial,” and can be as simple as doing some stretches in your living room or taking a 10-minute walk around the block.

If you find it hard to motivate yourself to exercise, she suggests habit stacking movement with a meal (such as taking a walk after lunch every day). She also recommends “checking in about how you feel after the activity rather than how well you did shifts the perspective from performance to effectiveness.”

Dr. Eshtehardi is also a big advocate of regular movement—specifically walking, noting that “studies have shown that regular walking reduces symptoms of depression and anxiety.”

4. Connecting with others

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“Being in community helps us reduce stress levels and increase our sense of belonging,” explains Dr. Carrero Pinedo.

Not only that, but connecting with others “has been shown to be one of the most protective mental health factors at all ages,” according to Dr. Goodman.

To be more proactive about connecting with others, Dr. Carrero Pinedo suggests that you “search the web for activities [that you enjoy or want to try] and schedule them.” Then, “invite others to do the activity with you or make small talk with someone during the activity.”

If you don’t have anyone to spend time with in person, connecting with others “can be as simple as doing something kind for a stranger,” Dr. Goodman says. “Thanking someone [or] complimenting someone allows you to connect to people around you.”

Or, if you prefer virtual connection, Dr. Goodman says there’s a lot of merit to phone calls and texts with loved ones.

3. Eating well and staying hydrated

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Though your eating and hydrating habits may not seem related to your emotional health, all three psychologists agree that these are some of the most important factors that contribute to our emotional state.

“Nutrient deficiencies, malnourishment or dehydration can lead to a host of negative mental, emotional and physical impacts,” explains Dr. Eshtehardi.

“Diet is very tricky and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach,” he adds.

If healthy eating has been a challenge for you, he recommends seeing a doctor or a nutritionist to determine what your body needs. And if you suspect you’re not getting enough water, “try to gradually increase your water intake throughout the day,” he notes.

2. Practicing good sleep habits

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Dr. Eshtehardi is a major advocate of good sleep, noting that he would personally put practicing positive sleep habits at #1 on his list, though he agrees that it makes sense in the #2 slot, too.

“Sleep has a major impact on our mental and emotional well-being,” he says. “People who experience poor sleep report feeling mental exhaustion, sadness, anger and stress. Improving sleep can measurably reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.”

Dr. Carrero Pinedo adds that “sleep is critical for clear decision-making, storing energy and a strong immune system.”

Her top tip for healthy sleep is to only lie down in your bed when you are sleepy and ready to close your eyes, as this can strengthen the connection between sleep and your sleep area.

“Staying in bed when you are not asleep actually promotes insomnia because your brain starts to associate being in the sleeping area with being awake,” she explains. “If you are not asleep within 20 minutes of lying down, get up and go to another area. Go back only when you’re feeling sleepy.”

Dr. Eshtehardi recommends reading before bed (instead of scrolling on your phone!) to help yourself relax, and going to bed early rather than engaging in “revenge bedtime procrastination, which is the habit of delaying going to sleep as a way to maximize free time and maintain a sense of control.”

1. Checking in with yourself

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All three psychologists agree that in many instances, checking in with yourself is the most important thing you can do for your emotional health.

“If we do not check in with ourselves, we cannot identify our needs,” says Dr. Carrero Pinedo.

“Improving awareness of emotional patterns and triggers expands our emotional capacity and ability to effectively communicate how we feel and what we need from others,” she explains. “Over time, it also helps us reduce impulsive or avoidant reactions under stressful situations.”

So how can you hone this habit of checking in with yourself? Dr. Carrero Pinedo is a fan of sitting down to journal.

“Spend one minute writing down a situation that brought up strong emotions,” she suggests. “Then, spend another minute identifying one emotion and one need, followed by a small action that supports your need.”

According to Dr. Goodman, checking in with yourself is all about “being mindful about how your body is feeling and creating a sense of calm. Learning and doing calming breaths or muscle relaxation at a set time or being intentional about doing it when your body needs a reset creates a cascade of change.”

She adds: “Because the mind and body are connected, a calmer body can result in a calmer mind.”

Up Next:

Related: 3 Psychologists Agree This Is the Most ‘Underrated’ Positive Parenting Habit

Sources:

• Dr. Ayli Carrero Pinedo, PhD, is a licensed psychologist and the founder of In Alignment Wellness Services.
• Dr. Kamran Eshtehardi, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist in private practice.
• Dr. Robin F. Goodman, PhD, is a licensed clinical psychologist and the Assistant Director of Public Education and Bereavement at Child HELP Partnership at St. John’s University.
• The transformative power of music: Insights into neuroplasticity, health, and disease. (2023) Brain, Behavior, and Immunity.
• For many Americans, their smartphone is the last thing they see at night and the first thing they see in the morning. (2025) YouGov.
• Increased walking can lessen depression. UCLA Health.

What if the world’s next generation of wildlife conservationists got their introduction to the work through PAW Patrol?

A new collaboration between Colossal Biosciences — the company behind the de-extinction of dire wolves — and Paramount’s PAW Patrol, is using the popular children’s franchise to shine a light on the real-world science and conservation efforts underway to protect threatened species.

Through the campaign, which is tied to PAW Patrol: Dino Island, Colossal is bringing some of that work to families in a way young children can understand.

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The campaign begins in the fictional world of Dino Island, where dinosaurs have survived because they have a safe habitat to call home. When Mayor Humdinger begins mining the island after discovering diamonds, the pups have to step in to protect the dinosaurs and their home.

“Real animals don’t always have the PAW Patrol to rescue them,” Marshall explains in the trailer shared via Instagram on Thursday, August 20. “That’s where teams like Colossal come in. They’re on a mission to keep animals from disappearing.”

Viewers are introduced to some of the projects Colossal is working on, including EEHV vaccine development for elephants and research designed to protect amphibians from the deadly chytrid fungus.

Rather than presenting conservation as an abstract concept, the campaign draws a direct line between the fictional rescue missions kids already know and the work scientists are doing in the real world, giving parents an age-appropriate way to introduce subjects like endangered species and habitat protection to their children.

“The next generation of protectors? That’s us,” Marshall adds. “Together we can become a real-life PAW Patrol for our planet.”

The hilarious Carol Burnett admitted that even she has had some unfortunate performances.

When asked about her most embarrassing Hollywood moment during a recent appearance on The Patrick LabyorSheaux the 93-year-old comedian and actress did not hesitate.

“Oh, The Front Page,” Burnett replied. “When I did that, I was terrible.”

“I thought it was the right part … but I was nervous,” she said. “After it was released, I never wanted to see it because I knew how awful I was and I certainly did not get good reviews and so forth.”

The 1974 film starred Burnett alongside Susan Sarandon, Jack Lemmon, Austin Pendleton, and Walter Matthau. The movie followed a successful Chicago newspaperman who decides to retire from writing and get married. The paper’s editor goes to great lengths to retain his star journalist. The Golden Globes Award-winning actress played Mollie Malloy.

Burnett recalled a moment when she had to confront the film.

“So now I’m on an airplane, going to New York and oh my god the movie they’re going to show was The Front Page, on the plane and the stewardess — at that time they called them stewardesses — said, ‘Oh, and we’re going to have the movie and one of the stars is with us today on the flight,’” she shared.

“And everybody turned around and smiled and waved and I thought, ‘Oh no. Oh my god.’ Now the movie starts and everybody pulls down their shades and I just couldn’t watch. It was terrible,” she explained. “The movie ends, everybody puts the shades up and nobody turns around to smile.”

Burnett is best known for her CBS variety show, The Carol Burnett Show, which earned 22 Emmy Awards. The series aired for 11 seasons from 1967 to 1978.

Kim Basinger keeps a low profile these days, making a new sighting of the Oscar-winning actress a rare (but welcome) occurrence.

The 72-year-old was photographed running errands in Los Angeles on August 17, marking an uncommon public appearance for the L.A. Confidential star. The photos were obtained by E! News and shared on Friday, August 21.

Basinger went makeup-free for the casual outing, wearing a dark zip-up sweatshirt with jeans and black sandals. She also wore sunglasses for her appearance.

The appearance comes years after Basinger largely retreated from the Hollywood spotlight. Her most recent major acting role was in 2018’s Fifty Shades Freed, where she reprised her role as Elena Lincoln from Fifty Shades Darker.

While fans may not see Basinger on screen much anymore, daughter Ireland Baldwin has occasionally offered glimpses into her life away from Hollywood.

Basinger appears to be especially enjoying her role as grandmother to Ireland’s daughter, Holland. In a Mother’s Day carousel, Ireland shared a sweet video of her mom jumping on a trampoline with the little girl.

And Basinger will soon have another grandchild to spoil. Ireland, 30, announced in May that she and boyfriend André Allen Anjos, better known as RAC, are expecting their second child.

Ireland is Basinger’s only child with ex-husband Alec Baldwin. The former couple married in 1993 before separating in 2000 and finalizing their divorce in 2002.

READ MORE: Alec Baldwin Asked His Wife Hilaria for ‘Another Baby’ — See Her Reaction

Alec has since built a much bigger family with wife Hilaria Baldwin, whom he married in 2012. The couple share seven children: Carmen, Rafael, Leonardo, Romeo, Eduardo, María Lucía, and Ilaria.

And apparently, eight isn’t entirely out of the question—at least for Alec. Earlier this month, Hilaria jokingly shut down that possibility in an Instagram Reel. After text representing Alec’s response to “I would do anything for you” read, “Have another baby with me,” Hilaria gave the camera an unimpressed look, swatted it away, and walked off.

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Anyone who has ever run out of places to put their books, baskets, picture frames and other household items knows that one small shelf just won’t cut it. If you’re craving more storage — but don’t want your home to look like a warehouse — Walmart has a towering bookcase that could solve all your storage woes.  

The Homfa Tall 73-Inch Bookcase With Doors is currently $170, down from $280. It’s made from engineered wood and has six tiers, including open shelves and two enclosed cabinets to keep clutter neatly out of sight. Shoppers loved the bookcase’s classic style, with one saying that it was “very sturdy” and “easy to put together.”

Homfa Tall 73-Inch Bookcase, $170 (was $280) at Walmart

Courtesy of Walmart

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Measuring 45.28 inches wide by 10.63 inches deep by 73.03 inches high, the bookcase makes use of vertical space while giving you plenty of storage below. It features eight open cubes for books, plants, photos, and decorative accents. There are also two cabinets with slim, metal handles where you can stash toys, office supplies, or anything else you don’t want on display. Each shelf has a weight capacity of 44 pounds. 

It comes in seven colors: black, blue, cherry red, green, light oak, wash gray, and white, so you can choose a style that works with your space. Most colors are on sale for $170, while the green option is slightly higher at $180, so you’ll still get a substantial discount no matter which shade you choose. 

Walmart shoppers were impressed with how much storage it provides. One reviewer called it a “very nice bookcase,” adding that upgrading from a smaller one gave them “lots more room.” Another shopper said that the cabinets and shelves were “beautiful and sturdy,” adding that they planned to buy at least one more unit.

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Related: Walmart’s ‘Very Sturdy’ 6-Tier Slim Bookcase Is Made for Small Spaces — and It’s on Sale for $50

Whether you’re building out a home office or simply trying to get the clutter under control, the Homfa Tall 73-Inch Bookcase gives you a lot of storage in one piece of furniture. Head to Walmart and scoop one up while it’s still in stock and on sale!

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