Avery Newmark
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Articles by Avery Newmark
When Mother’s Day hurts: Strategies for those struggling
Mother’s Day isn’t just about buying cards and gifts; it’s about acknowledging the unique bond between a mother and her children, and all maternal connections. However, for some, this holiday can be a painful reminder of loss, grief or a complicated relationship. If you find yourself dreading the second Sunday in May (even the days leading up to it), know you are not alone in your struggles. Rebecca Soffer, author of “The Modern Loss Handbook,” understands the challenge.
Soak in history and healing at Virginia’s Warm Springs
Water is taking center stage in travel this year — and it’s not just about beach vacations. Tripadvisor’s 2025 Trendcast points to “waterculturalism” as a rising trend, with travelers embracing everything from group water-therapy sessions to invigorating cold plunges. Water is taking center stage in travel this year — and it’s not just about beach vacations.
A surge in ‘energy healing’ searches points to something deeper
Wellness Rolene Jaffe, a healing practitioner, says we’re not lost. We’re just finally starting to look inward. Healing practitioner Rolene Jaffe shows Rise & Radiate oracle cards, which Jaffe created, at 7th House, an astrological-themed restaurant where her son, Alexander Sher, is part owner, on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, in Atlanta. (Hyosub Shin/AJC) If you’ve found yourself Googling “how to be spiritual” or “energy healing” lately, you’re in good company.
Your new self-care habit costs one stamp
Wellness Handwritten letters are showing up in mailboxes again. Experts explain why. Handwritten letters are making a comeback. And you don’t need fancy stationery or a lot of time. Pick one person you’ve been meaning to reach out to and write them a few lines. (Tony Anderson/Getty Images) Screen time is at an all-time high, and people are feeling it.
Want to live longer? Blue Zone research points to these 5 daily habits
Pulse TikTok found the olive oil. Here’s the bigger picture. Ikaria, Greece is one of the world's Blue Zones, places where time outdoors, simple food and strong community have kept people living very long lives for generations. (Leeturtle/Creative Commons. License: https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0) You’ve probably heard the term Blue Zone by now, or at least seen evidence of it.
Juicing vs. blending: A dietitian’s guide to which one is right for you
Wellness The answer depends on your gut, your blood sugar and your goals. Not all green drinks are created equal. The difference between juicing and blending starts with what stays in the glass. (Courtesy of Pickpik) It starts with a trendy acai smoothie bowl on your feed, then a “detox” green juice ad targeting you before you even shower and get out the door. Both look healthy. Both feel like the right choice. But are they actually delivering the same thing nutritionally? Not entirely.
10 under-the-radar bands to check out in metro Atlanta this spring
Wellness From Peruvian cumbia legends to psych rock, Atlanta’s spring concert calendar has so much going on. The Lambrini Girls perform on Day 1 of Shaky Knees Music Festival at Piedmont Park in Atlanta on Sept. 19, 2025. (Ryan Fleisher for the AJC) Atlanta has no shortage of big names rolling through town this spring, but some of the most electric shows on the calendar aren’t the ones with the biggest following.
Sound baths are one of 2026’s biggest wellness trends
Wellness Georgia sound practitioners explain what sound baths are, how they work and where to try one Malinie Feeney leads a sound bath meditation at the Studio Theatre, as part of the venue’s “Refresh & Renew” wellness series, on Monday, March 16, 2026, in Sandy Springs. (Arvin Temkar/AJC) On a Monday night in March, more than two dozen people bought tickets and spread yoga mats across the floor of the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center.
5 ‘yellow flags’ that deserve a second look in new relationships
Pulse These behaviors aren’t dealbreakers but they deserve your attention early on. These behaviors aren’t dealbreakers but they deserve your attention early on.
A guide to the most popular skin treatments right now
Wellness ‘Finding a provider you actually trust matters as much as the treatment itself,’ says Dr. Amy Hubert of The Beauty Barn in Milton. A provider administers a BBL broadband light treatment at The Beauty Barn in Milton, Georgia. (Courtesy of The Beauty Barn) If you live for all things skincare and find yourself eavesdropping on strangers’ beauty routines wherever you go, you’ve probably seen “BBL” mentioned somewhere on your FYP. Not that BBL.
The Galloway Method: How walk breaks can improve your running
Wellness Run longer, recover faster. Original Peachtree Road Race winner Jeff Galloway starts and cheers a group of runners at the beginning of the AJC Peachtree Road Race on Thursday, July 4, 2019. (Bob Andres/AJC) The running community lost a legend last month. Jeff Galloway, 1972 Olympian, co-creator and first-ever winner of the Peachtree Road Race, founder of Phidippides running store, and author of more than 20 books on running, died on Feb. 25 at age 80.
Most kids don’t get enough sleep. Here’s why parents often miss the signs.
Wellness Experts share what’s keeping kids awake and how to fix it. Fred Nagurney, 5, reads a book as his mom, Sarah O’Brien, takes a photo during the 20th anniversary celebration of the Little Shop of Stories in Atlanta on Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC) You tuck them in, turn off the light and assume they drift off within minutes. Many parents do.
Feeling off days after daylight saving time? Here’s why.
If you’ve been feeling sluggish, unfocused or just a little off since the time changed, you’re not alone. “Springing forward” gives us more evening daylight in the warmer months, but that one-hour shift can also throw off your body’s internal clock, leaving people feeling sluggish, unfocused or just a little off.
Doctors are prescribing green space. Here’s how to fit it into a busy week.
Wellness Research shows Americans spend nearly 90% of their lives indoors, and doctors say we’re paying for it. People walk their dogs on the Westside Beltline Trail near Rose Circle Park in Atlanta on Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC) We spend about 90% of our time indoors. That means most of us are clocking almost our entire lives under artificial light, in front of screens and in temperature-controlled rooms.
‘Survivor’ is harder than you think
Wellness Two Atlanta players heading back for Season 50 share the physical and mental toll of playing the game. Twenty-four returning players are abandoned on the islands of Fiji for a monumental 50th season, with the chance to win $1 million. The theme of the season, “In the Hands of the Fans,” quickly materializes as decisions from the fan vote swiftly and forcefully impact the game.
What lymphatic drainage really does for your body
Wellness The science behind the trendy wellness treatment, and simple ways to try it yourself. While most people book a massage for relaxation, growing research suggests lymphatic support may also play a role in easing stiffness and aiding recovery. (Nicholas Sansone/The New York Times) If you’re on social media, you’ve likely seen it. The snatched jawline in under 10 minutes with a gua sha. People shaking on vibration plates.
Galentine’s Day is a celebration of friendship that’s good for your health
While Galentine’s Day may have started as a storyline for Leslie Knope on “Parks and Recreation” (which also gave us “Treat Yo’ Self Day”), this Feb. 13 celebration has evolved into something more meaningful: a day to connect with friends which, as it turns out, contributes to our mental and physical well-being. Numerous studies show strong friendships can be vital to your health.
Valentine’s Day gifts that feel thoughtful, cool and actually useful
Wellness From beauty splurges to cozy upgrades, these picks go beyond cliches and last longer than one night out. Local artist Andrew Bloom works on a large piece in his second-floor Ponce City Market gallery on Monday, April 14, 2025. Bloom also offers hands-on art classes, which make a creative Valentine’s Day date idea. (Miguel Martinez/AJC) Between reservations, cards and calendar chaos, Valentine’s Day can start to feel more stressful than romantic.
Dermatologists recommend this one home upgrade for dry winter skin
Wellness Cold outdoor air and indoor heating can weaken your skin barrier. Here’s how a humidifier can help. Dermatologists say cold outdoor air paired with dry indoor heating creates the perfect storm for skin barrier damage. (Photo by Luis Quintero on Unsplash) If your skin feels tight, itchy or flaky this time of year, it may have more to do with the air around you than the products in your bathroom.
Weather postpones, cancels nearly all anti-ICE protests in metro Atlanta
News Bitter cold fails to keep a few people from expressing themselves on snowy morning. Protest in Woodstock features both sides of the issue. Pro-ICE demonstrator Brendan from Holly Springs waves a flag in support of ICE deportations along Main Street in downtown Woodstock, Georgia. Saturday, Jan 31, 2026.
Everyone’s ditching their phones and ‘going analog.’ Here’s why.
Wellness The latest trend shows people are stepping away from screens. Experts explain what’s driving it. Film photography is one of several analog hobbies gaining popularity as more people look to spend less time on their phones. (Oleh Syzov/Unsplash) As screen time continues to climb, more young people are starting to ask a simple question: How much of their lives do they want to spend on their phones?
Snowed in and stir-crazy? Easy indoor habits to support mental health.
Wellness Because cabin fever is real. Speed-puzzler Karen Kavett works on a puzzle in 2024. (Emanuel Hahn/The New York Times) Metro Atlanta is settling in for a long winter weekend. On Thursday, Gov. Brian Kemp declared a statewide emergency as Winter Storm Fern approaches, urging residents to stay off the roads, prepare for possible power outages and hunker down indoors. The system is expected to impact 34 states, stretching from Arizona through the Midwest, South and into the Northeast.
If you’re seeing hair loss, it might be time to try PRP
Wellness A new hair growth studio opens in Buckhead Village, bringing nonsurgical restoration to Atlanta. Great Many uses high-resolution scalp imaging to evaluate hair density, spacing and overall scalp health before recommending treatment. (Photo courtesy of Great Many) Hair loss has long been one of the most talked-about health concerns, but for years, options remained limited. Unless you opt for surgery or take a chance on ad-targeted serums and supplements, many people feel stuck.
Wearable health tech is everywhere. Here’s how it works best.
Wellness Experts explain why context, not constant tracking, makes the difference. From fitness watches to sleep rings, wearable health tech has become part of daily life. Experts say how you use the data matters more than the numbers themselves. (Courtesy of Garmin) Sleep rings. Fitness watches.
5 simple ways to refresh your home (and headspace) this winter
Wellness These small, easy updates can make being stuck indoors a little more fun. Wallpaper from Gray Benko Home shows how pattern can act as a backdrop, grounding furniture, art and collected pieces without overpowering the space. (Courtesy of Gray Benko Home) It may not always feel like it outside, but it’s officially winter. The holidays wrap up, plans slow down, and suddenly many of us spend a lot more time at home. That extra “hibernation” time can actually work in our favor.
Vision boards, deep cleaning and other rituals that set the tone for 2026
Wellness The changing of the calendar brings a unique opportunity for focus, clarity and intention. Southern Fried Queer Pride, an Atlanta-based organization that empowers queer communities in the South, hosts at least 40 events each year (including a popular vision board party) — without a space to call their own. That will change this year with the opening of their new multipurpose building, Clutch. (Courtesy of Southern Fried Queer Pride) It’s time to plot your 2026 rebrand.
6 ways to start 2026 gently in Atlanta Original
Wellness If your goal in 2026 is feeling steadier (not stricter), these local studios and spas are a good place to start. A pilates exercise, in Amsterdam, July 18, 2022. Whether a first workout proves gentle or challenging, experts have advice for carrying on. (Melissa Schriek/The New York Times) The new year has a way of making us want to hit reset, whether that’s finally prioritizing sleep, moving our bodies in ways that actually feel good, or just wanting to feel like ourselves again.
Your FSA is expiring. Here are 20-plus things you can buy right now
It’s easy to get swept up in planning for the new year — and who can blame you? Setting intentions, making resolutions and refreshing routines can feel like a breath of fresh air in the middle of cold season. But before you move too far ahead, it’s worth checking whether there’s money you could be leaving behind: unused FSA dollars.
We asked nutritionists what they eat during the winter. Here's their grocery list
Keep nutrient-dense staples on hand for the winter.(Dreamstime/TNS) The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it's also the time when the sniffles return, cold medicine is a mainstay on your nightstand and you catch yourself side-eyeing every cough within a 10-foot radius. Handwashing and sleep are still the real MVPs for dodging a cold, but what you eat can help your body get through winter a little more smoothly with everyday choices that support how your body functions.
We asked nutritionists what they eat during the winter. Here’s their grocery list
The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the time when the sniffles return, cold medicine is a mainstay on your nightstand and you catch yourself side-eyeing every cough within a 10-foot radius. Handwashing and sleep are still the real MVPs for dodging a cold, but what you eat can help your body get through winter a little more smoothly with everyday choices that support how your body functions.
We asked nutritionists what they eat during the winter. Here’s their grocery list
The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the time when the sniffles return, cold medicine is a mainstay on your nightstand and you catch yourself side-eyeing every cough within a 10-foot radius. Handwashing and sleep are still the real MVPs for dodging a cold, but what you eat can help your body get through winter a little more smoothly with everyday choices that support how your body functions.
You can spend your HSA/FSA on a fitness tracker, sunglasses and more Original
Wellness These practical, eligible purchases make it easier to spend down FSA funds before the deadline. Sleep and recovery trackers like the Oura Ring are among the higher-ticket items that can qualify for FSA spending. (Courtesy of Oura Ring) It’s easy to get swept up in planning for the new year — and who can blame you? Setting intentions, making resolutions and refreshing routines can feel like a breath of fresh air in the middle of cold season.
Your FSA is expiring. Here are 20+ things you can buy right now.
1 day ago NEED TO KNOW Is that Callum Turner and Dua Lipa or 2002 Bennifer? New photos of the recently engaged couple show Turner, 35, applying sunscreen to Lipa's bottom à la Ben Affleck and Jennifer Lopez in the "Jenny from the Block" music video. In photos of the pair vacationing in Mexico, Lipa, 30, lounges …
We asked nutritionists what they eat during the winter. Here’s their grocery list. Original
Wellness The everyday foods and smart habits two experts rely on during cold and flu season What you eat can help your body get through winter a little more smoothly with choices that support how your body functions. (Illustration: Broly Su/AJC) The holidays may be the most wonderful time of the year, but it’s also the time when the sniffles return, cold medicine is a mainstay on your nightstand and you catch yourself side-eyeing every cough within a 10-foot radius.
Christmas trees 101: Pros, cons and what experts recommend
Real or faux tree, there’s truly no wrong answer. Pick whichever helps you create the kind of holiday season you want this year. (Dreamstime/TNS) Choosing a Christmas tree used to feel simple. Pack up the car, drive to the lot, find the tree that calls you and then haul it home to decorate. But with lifelike artificial trees everywhere (and holiday schedules busier than ever), more people are asking themselves the annual December question: real or artificial this year?
Christmas trees 101: Pros, cons and what experts recommend
Choosing a Christmas tree used to feel simple. Pack up the car, drive to the lot, find the tree that calls you and then haul it home to decorate. But with lifelike artificial trees everywhere (and holiday schedules busier than ever), more people are asking themselves the annual December question: real or artificial this year? Both bring plenty of cheer once they’re glowing in your living room, but each comes with its own perks depending on your space, budget and traditions.
Christmas trees 101: Pros, cons and what experts recommend
Choosing a Christmas tree used to feel simple. Pack up the car, drive to the lot, find the tree that calls you and then haul it home to decorate. But with lifelike artificial trees everywhere (and holiday schedules busier than ever), more people are asking themselves the annual December question: real or artificial this year? Both bring plenty of cheer once they’re glowing in your living room, but each comes with its own perks depending on your space, budget and traditions.
This Marietta salon helps Santas get holiday-ready
At Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique in Marietta, Santa Claus is in foils. Toward the back of the salon, in a corner that now resembles a North Pole back office, snowy-bearded men shuffle between shampoo bowls and color processors while stylist Shannon Woodard works her way through the holiday rush. "We usually start in Septemberish," Woodard told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution, combing brightening glaze through a beard. "Some Santas I see every two weeks, some every three.
Inside the Marietta salon perfecting Santa's iconic white beard
Wellness Long before the mall visits and tree lightings, the magical transformation begins. Cesar Janeira (left) poses for a portrait with Jeremiah Mitchell at Three-13 Salon in Marietta, on Tuesday, Nov. 25, 2025. Janeira has been a working Santa for eight years, Mitchell for three. (Abbey Cutrer/AJC) At Three-13 Salon, Spa & Boutique in Marietta, Santa Claus is in foils.
Feeling all the feels? Here's why holidays can hit your emotions harder
One minute you’re crushing your holiday shopping list and the next you’re ugly crying in the car because your ex’s favorite song came on the radio. (Nicoleta Ionescu/Dreamstime/TNS) One minute you're crushing your holiday shopping list and the next you're ugly crying in the car because your ex's favorite song came on the radio. Or perhaps you find yourself alone baking Christmas cookies - the ones your mom used to make when you were little.
Feeling all the feels? Here’s why holidays can hit your emotions harder
One minute you’re crushing your holiday shopping list and the next you’re ugly crying in the car because your ex’s favorite song came on the radio. Or perhaps you find yourself alone baking Christmas cookies — the ones your mom used to make when you were little. If the holidays have a way of turning you into an emotional wreck, know there’s science behind these intense feelings.
Still shopping? Here's 50+ Georgia-made gifts for everyone on your list.
If you're still hunting for the right gift this holiday season - or just want to be more intentional about where your money goes - shopping local is one of the easiest ways to make your dollars actually matter. Georgia's small businesses don't just make great products; they shape the culture here. They employ our neighbors, fuel the local economy and bring a point of view you'll never find in a big-box aisle.
Check out these thoughtful holiday gifts from Georgia makers, local brands
Wellness From local luxuries to thoughtful finds under $25, these picks deliver holiday cheer. A gift wrapped with Page House Studio’s sculptural Tassel Ornament — a handcrafted piece that doubles as a keepsake and one of the Atlanta design studio’s most elevated holiday offerings.
Christmas trees 101: Pros, cons and what experts recommend
Choosing a Christmas tree used to feel simple. Pack up the car, drive to the lot, find the tree that calls you and then haul it home to decorate. But with lifelike artificial trees everywhere (and holiday schedules busier than ever), more people are asking themselves the annual December question: real or artificial this year? Both bring plenty of cheer once they're glowing in your living room, but each comes with its own perks depending on your space, budget and traditions.
Christmas trees 101: Pros, cons and what experts recommend
Wellness From fresh-cut firs to faux favorites, here’s how to decide which tree works best for you. Crew members prepare and pack online orders at Tradition Trees’ Chamblee lot in Atlanta, Dec. 4, 2024. The company is known for offering freshly cut, well-hydrated trees throughout the season. (Hyosub Shin/AJC) Choosing a Christmas tree used to feel simple. Pack up the car, drive to the lot, find the tree that calls you and then haul it home to decorate.
Your guide to a stress-free holiday season, starting with your porch
It's that time of year when, no matter what you celebrate - Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or even Festivus - the season comes with plenty of preparation. Between hosting friends and family, booking dinners, buying gifts and giving back, it's easy for the joy to turn into chaos. Before you're buried in to-do lists and tangled lights, a few small proactive steps now can make all the difference.
Your guide to a stress-free holiday season, starting with your porch
Wellness Atlanta experts share practical ways to get organized before the holiday rush hits. It’s that time of year when, no matter what you celebrate, the season comes with plenty of preparation. (Photo by Thought Catalog on Unsplash) It’s that time of year when, no matter what you celebrate — Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas or even Festivus — the season comes with plenty of preparation.
Fewer than 10% of Americans get enough fiber
Digestive health may not sound glamorous, but right now it's the wellness topic everyone is talking about. On TikTok, the hashtag "fibermaxxing" has turned everyday foods like chia pudding and overnight oats into viral staples for increasing fiber intake - an effort to close the gap in a nutrient most of us under consume. Fewer than 10% of Americans hit the Department of Agriculture's recommended intake of 25 grams daily for women and 38 grams daily for men.
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