I hate to admit it but I used to skip stretching whenever I was short on time. But for the past 8 months, I’ve made it a priority to warm up before and cool down after every workout, and the difference has been huge. My recovery is faster, I’m lifting heavier, and I haven’t had a single muscle strain since (knock on wood).
If you’ve been putting stretching on the back burner, consider this your nudge to bring it back. Scroll on for 4 articles that’ll help you build the habit.
What’s one warm-up or cooldown move you swear by? Respond to this email and let me know!
—Ava Durgin, assistant health editor
What an extra 1,000 steps can do for your heart
We’ve all heard the “10,000 steps a day” rule, but new research shows you don’t need to hit that magic number to protect your heart.¹ For people with high blood pressure, every extra 1,000 steps a day can make a serious difference for long-term health. Here’s what the study found:
Each additional 1,000 daily steps = 17% lower risk of major cardiovascular problems.
Heart failure risk dropped 22%, stroke risk dropped 24%, and heart attack risk dropped 9% per 1,000 extra steps.
Walking faster mattered too. Those who averaged 80+ steps per minute during their briskest 30 minutes had a 30% reduced riskof heart events.
Benefits were seen well below 10,000 steps, starting from just 2,300 steps a day.
Even small increases (say, adding a 10-minute walk after dinner) can move the needle for your heart. And if you can, pick up the pace for part of your walk to maximize benefits.
Collagen supplementation is only effective if it delivers the right types. Research shows that Types I and III make up over 90% of the body’s collagen,² providing structural support for skin, bones, tendons, and connective tissue—making them the most critical forms to replenish.
Working together, these types support skin elasticity, bone density, ligament strength, vascular health, and even muscle repair.*³
With the right dosage, you can start reaping the science-backed benefits of Type I and III collagen:
Studies show that 10 grams of collagen per day can helpimprove skin elasticity and appearance.*⁴
For muscle health, aim for 15 to 20 grams per day as studies show it can help muscle mass, strength, and composition.⁵*
Just 5 grams of collagen is associated with a 7% increase in bone density in one year,⁶ which is about how much bone density the average adult loses in five years.⁷*
NativePath Collagen Peptides is formulated with nothing but single-ingredient peptides of Types I and III—without the hormones, additives, or GMOs common in other brands.
In two scoops, NativePath Collagen Peptidesdeliver 20g of hydrolyzed, grass-fed collagen to help support joint health, buildstrong bones, enhance skin elasticity, and keep you feeling young.*
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In just two easy scoops, NativePath Collagen Peptides delivers 20g of pure, grass-fed collagen to help you stay strong, smooth, and supported.* Real users agree, including this 5-star rating: “My joints, muscles, skin, hair, and countless other areas of my body are fully charged withNativePath Collagen Peptides. I’m now as strong as ever.”*
How to build muscle, protect your brain, & age powerfully
Vonda Wright, M.D., double board-certified orthopedic surgeon, internationally recognized sports medicine expert, and member of mindbodygreen’s board of scientific advisors, shares a powerful new lens on longevity—one that’s rooted in science, shaped by mindset, and powered by muscle. Here are the key points:
Just a heads-up: Everything in this newsletter is for general info only—not medical advice. We always recommend checking in with a healthcare professional before making any health decisions. Our product picks and reviews reflect our editors’ opinions unless we say otherwise. We sometimes link to other sites, but we’re not responsible for their content.
*These statements haven’t been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.