While it can be daunting to declutter your whole home and all those forgotten closets full of stuff, you could set time aside daily or weekly to do some organizing. Or make a plan to declutter one drawer or one area of your home per day; tackle the rest similarly until your space is free from junk. Not only does decluttering make your home look better, it can put your mind at ease, too....

Cognitive behavioral therapy, known as CBT or talk therapy, has been proven to greatly reduce anxiety and depression. A 2016 study done in the UK found that 43 percent of the participants who had received CBT over the course of four years reported a 50 percent decrease in symptoms of depression. While therapy is a highly beneficial treatment for many, cost remains one of the main obstacles to seeing a therapist: 46 percent of those surveyed cited affordability as one of the most important factors when choosing a therapist, according to a 2018 study on counseling by Barna....

However, the first few times you use your bread machine, you might end up with a surprising result. Whether you accidentally bake a dense loaf that doesn’t rise or an oddly-shaped lump, here are some of the common mistakes you might be making with your bread machine and how to fix them. Setting It and Forgetting It I get it—the appeal of a bread maker is not having to fuss over your loaf....

Of course, making a good salary has its perks, but sometimes—no matter how many digits are on that paycheck—it isn’t worth the tradeoffs in terms of health, mental well-being, and work-life balance. 5 Signs Your Job Isn’t Worth It If you’re at a crossroads, contemplating whether to stick it out or take a hike, consider these five signs that your job may no longer be worth the money. Your health and mindset are suffering Most jobs are served up with a side of stress, but if it’s contributing to a major decline in your overall physical or mental health (or both!...

Though essential during a holiday meal, gravy usually becomes an afterthought when overshadowed by the stress of cooking a 15-pound turkey. However, there’s good news. Remove one more item from your to-do list and opt for store-bought gravy instead of making it from scratch. With a few simple modifications and tweaks, you can easily transform store-bought gravy into a richer, tastier sauce—and fool everyone into thinking it was homemade. And, if you happen to have some extra, there’s no harm in transforming your leftover gravy into classic Canadian-style poutine or hearty brunch biscuits and gravy....

Do: Clean the dishwasher filter. Both the experts at Maytag and Samsung agree: Cleaning the filter is a must (especially if you notice dishes aren’t coming out clean). To wash the filter by hand, just follow a few simple steps. All dishwashers are a little different (you can always check the manufacturer’s instructions), but these basic guidelines work for most models: Remove the lower rack to expose the bottom of the dishwasher—and you’ll spot the filter....

1. Create Flow with Color In a house with an open floor plan or one in which rooms connect through wide openings, it’s even more important to choose colors that relate to each other. In this situation, the challenge is to give each room its own identity according to its function and still achieve a feeling of unity. Repeating similar colors or materials in small details, such as window treatments, fabrics, or wall decor, can help form a subtle link between spaces for an overall cohesive look....

Before you spend hours shopping at a store or sifting through thousands of options online, take a look at this curation for every interest, hobby, or passion, like an easy donut maker for the sweet-lover in your life or an under-$50 digital instant-print camera for the friend who’s always snapping photos when you’re together. With options for everyone (women, men, kids, teens, grandparents, and even pets) you’ll find something special for every person on your holiday list—even the pickiest of people....

Reader question: I’m trying to go gray but look younger. Can you recommend some gray hair colors that do that? If your grays are starting to come in, you should find comfort in knowing that people are trying to make their hair gray right now (read: you’re naturally trendy). “Gray hair is for everyone—all ages, hair types, and lengths,” agrees Min Kim, L’Oreal Professionnel Global Ambassador. “From Winnie Harlow to Jane Fonda, you’ll see this color everywhere on the red carpet and in streetwear as people begin to embrace their grays as opposed to covering them....

But luckily, hot tool technology has vastly improved since I was a teenager and there are so many options for straight-haired people looking to change up their ‘do. Gone are the days of drugstore curling irons that stop heating up after four uses, or sleeping in hot rollers overnight in hopes of waking up to bouncy curls. Now, people with straight hair like mine can invest in some quality hot tools that give you salon results—as long as you know how to use them, of course....

Or, maybe you’re not about to host. Maybe you’re just not sure what you want for dinner, so a variety of little bites sounds more appealing than a large dish. Either way, the following “small bite” ideas will satisfy you when you want a smorgasbord of tastes in one meal. Get the recipe: Endive With Ricotta, Almonds, and Raisins These hummus and cucumber crostini solve this common party woe in a delicious way....

Choosing just seven cookbooks to cover all 33 countries is an impossible task, but these picks go beyond food to incorporate the history, culture, and legacy of Hispanic heritage. Dive into these books to humor your inner chef, soothe your travel bug, and learn more about the tradition behind these foods. Argentinian Street Food: Empanadas, Helados, and Dulce de Leche by Enrique Zanoni and Gaston Stivelmaher One thing about street food is that it’s made to be eaten on the go....

With a quick refresher on proper etiquette and how to start a conversation, any host can get the conversation rolling. With that in mind, Real Simple’s “Modern Manners” columnist Catherine Newman shares easy-to-remember phrases that will make the party more enjoyable for all involved. (Have a pressing etiquette question of your own? Ask it here.) “Just bring yourselves” This is always a nice thing to say, followed by “I’m keeping it super simple....

What Is Salt-Free Seasoning Blend? A lot of favorite seasoning mixes (i.e. Cajun, herb, taco) contain a lot of sodium. A salt-free seasoning takes your favorite herb and spice mixtures and makes a flavorful blend without adding sodium. So when you’re trying to limit your salt intake, it’s a lot easier to keep track of how much sodium is going into your food when you’ve got salt-free seasonings on hand. Here are some easy additions to consider stocking your spice pantry....

Some home decor websites, such as World Market, even let you sign up to track a specific item. Say there’s a floor lamp you have your eye on, you can enter you email address to get price alerts so you won’t miss it if the lamp goes on sale. Just be wary of buying anything with upholstery, which can harbor bugs, and during coronavirus, you’ll want to wipe down the item and ask about safe pickup or drop-off options....

Lettuce typically grows best in slightly cooler temperatures, meaning that the best local leaves will be found through early summer and then again in late summer/early fall. All salad greens are potent sources of vitamins and minerals, but generally the darker the leaf, the more nutritional value. And, while kale and spinach are truly great additions to your plate, they are not technically lettuce, so they are off this list....

Plus, travel prices are expected to surge this summer, so you’re going to want to plan ahead and look for ways to save when you get to your destination. Here are some tips to help you stick to your budget for a vacation that’s relaxing in more ways than one. Bringing your debit card along will also be helpful for withdrawing cash—Harrell-Goodwin recommends her clients set aside $200 in cash for tips and any small expenses....

I probably don’t need to say that I am tired, which is good, because there really aren’t enough words for how exhausted I am. Plus, I recently went back to work writing, making me even more drained. It’s not pleasant to feel tired, of course, but in my opinion it’s a big bummer to look as tired as you feel. While I thankfully don’t have to look presentable logging on to any Zooms with coworkers, I still look at myself in the mirror every day, and it’s nice to see a reflection that at least appears to have it together—especially since my postpartum hormones are causing night sweats and hair loss that wreak additional havoc on my appearance (good riddance)....

But don’t grab the scissors just yet—the list of styling opportunities for long hair is just as lengthy as your strands. Not only are these long hairstyles super cute, but they’ll also make the maintenance process so much easier. We asked top hairstylists to share the best hairstyles for long hair—but don’t worry, you don’t need to be a professional to recreate these. When starting with wet hair, you can also flip your hair upside down while drying the roots to maximize lift....

If it’s your first time cooking a Thanksgiving feast on your own, you may need to learn how to roast a small-sized turkey and you should probably read up on mistakes to avoid when making mashed potatoes. Maybe a pint-sized pie with complicated directions is on the menu (reminder: Trader Joe’s isn’t open on Thanksgiving Day in case of a disaster). Head spinning yet? You’re not alone. In fact, according to a 2020 survey by HelloFresh, 53 percent of Americans said their Thanksgiving stress doubled last year, with nearly 20 percent revealing that they were hosting at home for the first time....