It’s easier said than done, but taking time to practice mindfulness, meditation, and other wellness practices is incredibly beneficial (and powerful!) for your entire body, and particularly your brain health. Read on to learn more about why staying calm matters, and tips to stay cool under pressure and the stressors of daily life.

Regulate your nervous system to stay calm (and protect your heart and brain)

For years, studies have shown that chronic stress can make your brain and body feel under duress— and that your heart and brain health can suffer as a result. However, did you know even small spikes in stress hormones, like cortisol or adrenaline, can alter daily brain function?

Neuroscientists agree that stress changes the brain’s composition, and adds to inflammation of the brain, heart, and other areas of the body. I’m no doctor, but simply put, inflammation = illness on down the line if it becomes chronic (or long-term).

So, how can one stay inflammation-free and cool, calm and collected in such a crazy world? Here are some tips that work for me:

• Reduce alcohol intake. Swap your daily glass of wine for Recess, or another alcohol-free alternative. Drinking occasionally isn’t bad, but drinking in a binge fashion or drinking daily leads to excess inflammation in the body and brain, and can negatively affect your brain’s chemistry.

• Get moving. Even a 30 or so minute movement sesh a day can ward off stress, especially if you’re consistent.

• Meditate. Even taking ten minutes a day to check in with yourself can help, and apps like Calm or Headspace make it easier than ever before.

• Breathe. This seems easy, but remembering to deeply breathe and oxygenate your brain properly is so important.

So, what quick tips do you have for stress reduction? Your body and mind will thank you later.

Xoxo, MM.

If you’re like me (and I know many of you have told me you are), you likely deal with bouts of anxiety. These bouts of anxiousness can come in the form of anything from a slightly “off” feeling to a full-blown panic attack, and they can feel difficult to stop (or even prevent) once they start to come on.

However, all hope is not lost— there are quick things you can do to regulate your nervous system during a high-anxiety time, and one of those things is practicing “joyful movement.” Let’s dive in—

What is “joyful movement”?

“Joyful movement” is moving your body in a way you actually enjoy, without the explicit goal of overexerting yourself for exercise. Joyful movement can be exercise, yes, but it mainly means moving your body in a way that feels good to you right now. For example, running a mile might feel good to some— but to others it doesn’t. Joyful movement is defining our movement and exercise habits by what actually fills us with joy, rather than dread, which makes exercise a more positive physical and mental experience overall.

Many studies have proven that exercise can help ease anxiety— even just 15 or 20 minutes a day, and when you exercise it’s an immediate way to reset your mind by pulling all the focus into your body, your breathing, and your physical surroundings.

For me, joyful movement may mean a brisk walk, or a slow walk, or even a run, or a yoga session— it all depends on how I’m feeling that day, and it’s never predicated on forcing myself to do anything that wouldn’t feel good. Joyful movement is about healing our relationship with exercise, and it can heal our mind-body connection, too.

Next time you’re feeling anxious, think of a type of movement that would bring you into your body and bring you joy. If that’s going for a run, then go for a run. If that’s taking a walk or simply doing a few stretches, do that. Ground yourself back into your body and remember to breathe— this too shall pass.

Xoxo, MM.

Ah, Saw. The horrifically gory franchise of films that had the early 2000s and 2010s in a pop-culture chokehold. Though the obvious answer to the question “are these films worth a rewatch” (or a watch at all, for that matter) may be a resounding “no” from most, I’ve found that these spooky films can be a fun, Halloween-y watch in the autumn. First, let me explain—

Why the ‘Saw’ films might be worth watching (if you like horror and early-2000s alt-rock)

The first film in the Saw franchise is the only one I’ll allow myself to call genuinely “good”, it for its originality of premise and impressively horrifying set design alone. The acting? Obviously not great. The writing? Often too contrived to even seem profound— but the little things that make your skin crawl in the first Saw film make it more horrifying than most of its contemporary horror films.

First, the premise. Dude, the premise. Imagine being locked in a disgusting, filthy bathroom and discovering that your only hope of escaping is to saw off your own leg. That alone was nightmare fuel to a younger me, and still gives me the creeps to this day. Second, the little twists within the first film we’re genuinely shocking— no, really. None of us expected Kramer to get up and walk at the end of the film, or even that he was the killer who’d created this whole trap (and simply lied there in silence while his victims suffered to figure it all out). Like, seriously? Cheesy as any other modern horror film, yes— but you can’t tell me that Saw didn’t genuinely scare you the first time you saw it.

Now, what about the others? James Wan and company stayed on the Saw train mostly just for the first few films, but quite honestly they all fly off the rails about ten minutes in as the writers began to care more about selling tickets on the premise of gratuitous violence than sticking to the moral core of the first film’s philosophical dilemma. However, that doesn’t mean they aren’t fun horror viewing, from time to time.

For example, I still get a good scare from every Saw film when I rewatch them, and as the camp factor increases throughout films, they at least remain a little fun to watch. From the ridiculous and far-fetched twists of Saw III to the actually kind of good writing in Saw VI, these films always provide a good Halloween scare and make you scratch your head as you try to keep up with all the plot twists and turns all the while. So, before you write these movies off as silly, low-brow cinema (which— that’s fair, lol), maybe give them a shot and see if they make you shiver this Halloween. And hey, they’re kind of nostalgic for all of us millennial Halloweenies, right?

Xoxo, MM.

Recently, my best friend Tyler came to stay the week with me in Philly— and we had a blast. From exploring my local neighborhood of Manayunk to trekking down to South Street for some more rowdy fun, here’s how I spent a week of fun in Philadelphia with my bestie (and all our other besties, too)—

Manayunk things to do

First and foremost, since buying our new home in the Manayunk area I’ve become obsessed with exploring the neighborhood— mainly Main Street and all its recent post-pandemic additions. New small businesses are popping up all over the Street, and some of our favorites to dine, drink and shop included the following:

• Fat Lady Brewing: the perfect circus-themed boutique brewery, featuring weekly trivia and delicious ales.

• Mi N’ Tea: the best bahn mi and bubble tea lunch you’ll ever have— trust me.

• Lucky’s Last Chance: the only late-night dive bar you’ll ever need.

• Pet Friendly Dog Boutique: the cutest of cute dog and cat accessories, treats, and more for your furry friends!

• Artesano Cafe: art, house made coffee and tea, and delicious vegan breakfast options— need I say more?

South Street things to do

Another favorite area of mine is the hip and always happening South Street, rife with thrift shops, bars, music venues, and more. Here are some of our favorite things to do on South Street:

• Tattooed Mom: crazy cool cocktails, wild graffiti walls and vegan food options all in one spot? Count us in.

• Retrospect Vintage: the coolest curation of thrift finds you’ll see in Philly, and at great prices IMO.

• Repo Records: an iconic record shop flush with vinyl, CDs, and any other medium of music you’d like to consume.

• Federal Donuts: the best donuts in Philly, and maybe anywhere. Also, Questlove has signed the wall at this spot— which makes it extra fun!

• Scoop DeVille: froyo under 250 calories AND ice cream cakes? You bet.

So, how do you like to spend time in Philadelphia? I’m always on the lookout for new haunts, so let’s discuss,

Xoxo, MM.

If there’s anything me and my besties love, it’s a super-cute pop up garden.

When exploring Manayunk, Philadelphia (among my favorite neighborhoods in the city, and my new home base neighborhood), there are lots of bars, restaurants and boutiques to check out along Main Street. A small-town vibe in a big city is always welcome, but in the summer this neighborhood becomes something more.

Each summer, pop up gardens appear across the city, including the PHS (or, Philly Horticultural Society) Pop Up Garden, and last night my best friend Tyler and I decided to check it out— and we loved it.

We ordered the vegan chicken tenders, the caprese melt sandwich, and the house made margs— and they were fantastic. Less overpriced and more yummy than most beer gardens (and covered in gorgeous plants), this is a place we’ll definitely return to. Plus, their workshops that go all summer long are worth checking out, too— and go toward the great cause of urban farming.

Xoxo, MM.

A few days ago I posted an Instagram story that said, “Are people super mean, or am I just an overly-sensitive Pisces?” … and I meant it. Sometimes I wonder if I’m being too sensitive— but I also know my feelings are valid. Sometimes people are genuinely being too harsh, too cruel— something that bothers me deeply.

If you’re an empathetic person and you feel the hurt of the world all too much at times, how can you guard your heart? How can you protect your own spirit and remember the virtue of kindness in a particularly cruel world? Well, here are some tips I like to use when I’m feeling like things are a little too rough and tough—

Tips to spread kindness in an unkind world

Most people are decent humans just trying to get by, and most people’s lives could be utterly transformed by just a few random gestures of kindness. I don’t believe most people seek to be a bad person— but maybe sometimes people lose their way, and need a reminder how transformative gentle, loving kindness (even in the smallest of forms) can be.

If you’re ready to spread kindness in an unkind world, try these tips:

1. Reach out to someone, randomly, with a kind word. Do you ever think of people you haven’t spoken to in a while? You’re probably thinking of them for a reason. And, either way, they’d probably love to know you thought of them. Reach out to that person, just say hi— it might make their day!

2. Compliment a stranger. Last week, I was walking around my neighborhood and saw a woman walking past me that looked absolutely gorgeous. So, I told her! I simply looked at her and said, “I love your outfit, you look amazing!”— and she lit up. She smiled, thanked me, and it made me feel glad that I’d stopped and let someone know they truly looked beautiful that day. Don’t just think compliments, vocalize them! Most people would enjoy hearing a kind word from a stranger every now and then.

3. Don’t be a troll. This is like the internet equivalent of, “if you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.” And it’s that simple. Instead of spending your time cyber-bullying or talking down to someone, just put your phone away. Scroll past things you don’t like. Don’t become a part of the online noise— it’s loud enough as it is.

These are just a few ways you can spread kindness that cost you nothing, and take mere moments to do. This is not at all an exhaustive list, but this might be a great start. So, how do you already kindness?

Let’s discuss,

Xoxo, MM.

As someone who writes often about mental health, physical fitness, boundaries and the like, I’ve realized lately I don’t write nearly enough about (nor practice in my own life) the act of rest. So, today, this reminder is for me just as much as it is for all of you— it’s time to give yourself a break (and more credit).

It’s okay to rest

This morning I woke up, and I wasn’t feeling my best physically. Usually, I’d try to force myself to get up, workout as usual before work, and just deal with it. However, today, I wasn’t feeling it— full stop. So instead, I asked myself “what would feel good to do this morning?” — instead of forcing myself to do anything. And do you know what I did next? I put my headphones in, turned my favorite songs on, and took a walk. I went to Starbucks and indulged myself in a sugary, iced, caffeinated drink. I walked home before starting work and let myself ease into my day, feeling refreshed and with a full heart and easy mind.

And the world didn’t end! Skipping a workout, or two, or many, won’t make the world end. It won’t erase your progress. If anything, rest will make your body and mind feel so much better in the long run, allowing you to enjoy life and reach your goals in a healthy, sustainable way.

In other words, rest is just as important a part of the process as the work you do. Rest is essential, and it is allowed. Here’s your reminder (and mine), give yourself a break today— and more credit. You’re doing great.

Xoxo, MM.

It’s August, so it’s basically Halloween, right?

As spooky season approaches for us Halloween-freaks, a lineup of Halloween-adjacent shows have already begun to drop on FX and Hulu, including the latest seasons of American Horror Story short-form spin-off, American Horror Stories, as well as Taika Waititi and Jemaine Clement’s What We do in The Shadows. Here’s my review of the new seasons of each, and why I’m optimistic for future fall TV series (like my all-time favorite book now turned AMC series, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire.)

‘What We do in The Shadows’ Season Four

Among my favorite shows on television is the vampire mockumentary What We do in The Shadows, a spin-off of a film by the same name.

As the series enters its fourth season it’s just as funny as ever, and even more daring and “out there” (and absurd) than seasons before. This makes this season the most great fun yet, and I truly can’t get enough of this show. With some on-the-nose pop culture references (and some clear fan service for Guillermo X Nandor shippers), this season is 5/5 stars in my book.

‘American Horror Stories’ Season Two

This one had me feeling more apprehensive, I must say, but so far episode one rocked my world. With episode one being a bit fan-service conscious, it never divulges too much of whose origin story this anthology episode centers around until the very end, keeping you on the edge of your seat all the while. Dennis O’Hare never disappoints, so it’s worth watching. I enjoyed it, and I hope this means a more impactful, well thought-out season to come.

‘Interview with the Vampire’ and More to Come

As more fall TV approaches, I’m clearly the most geeked about my favorite of all time book series (Anne Rice’s The Vampire Chronicles) being turned into a television series by AMC. These books have meant the world to me for years, as I’ve read all 13 of them, and I’m on the edge of my seat to see how AMC’s interpretation measures up. Interview With the Vampire the TV series premieres October 2nd on AMC and AMC Plus, and I know I’ll be tuning in.

So, what series are you most excited for this fall? Let’s discuss,

Xoxo, MM.