Healthline Wellness Wire

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In a Nutshell

I’ve found that simplifying a few daily tasks helps to protect my well-being and boost my overall quality of life. I’d love to know how you simplify your life to save time, stress, and energy. I’ll go first — scroll down to read my “automation strategy,” then chime in to share yours.

ICYMI, here are a few of our newest stories:

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Be well,
Morgan Mandriota
Newsletter Editor, Healthline

Written by Morgan Mandriota
October 17, 2026 • 2.5 min read

what’s got us buzzing

Stop making things so hard on yourself

Have you ever heard of the Spoon Theory? Using spoons as a unit of energy, it conceptualizes how people with disabilities, chronic pain, or health conditions typically have less energy to expend each day than others. Basically, we get fewer daily spoons. It’s both an art and a science to figure out how to spend each spoon to finish essential tasks — without going in the red.

For example, washing dishes may be no big deal to you. Maybe it costs you one spoon or zero spoons. But for me — someone with mental and physical health conditions and without a dishwasher — this chore costs three of my precious spoons, leaving me with less bandwidth to do other things I wanted to accomplish that day, like cook dinner or go for a walk.

All that to say, I try my best to navigate my task list wisely every day. Here are a few “little” things I’ve been doing that have had a big impact on my energy levels and overall well-being:

setting a built-in brew timer on the coffee machine
using coffee grinds instead of grinding beans myself
buying and eating frozen, microwaveable meals
automating all of my recurring monthly bills
cooking 3 days' worth of breakfast burritos at once
ordering takeout for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner
using disposable cutlery and plates (don’t yell at me!)

Now, over to you: How do you simplify your life? Let us know at wellnesswire@healthline.com!

ways to boost energy

Great finds

My go-to coffee maker

Hamilton Beach Automatic Coffee Maker

Remember that built-in brew timer I mentioned earlier? From measuring grinds and scheduling brews to actually doing the brewing, the Hamilton Beach automatic coffee maker does it all for you (read: me).

SHOP NOW

Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline's or Optum Store’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Store are owned by RVO Health.

health stories you need

What we’re reading next

🔥 Reasons your eczema might be flaring up. Learn common triggers and ways to avoid them.

🥜 28 healthy snacks everyone will love. This list is mainly for kids, but I personally approve of these snacks for adults, too.

💊 10 supplements to manage anxiety. I’ll take five bottles of each, please.

🏋️ 7 best kettlebell exercises. Try adding these to your next workout!

Thanks for reading! Time to go make some coffee. I’ll be back in your inbox on Friday with a personal story that you may be able to relate to.

Until next time,

Take care of yourself, and we’ll see
you again soon!

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Every product we recommend has gone through either Healthline’s or Optum Now’s vetting processes. If you buy through links on this page, we may receive a small commission or other tangible benefit. Healthline has sole editorial control over this newsletter. Potential uses for the products listed here are not health claims made by the manufacturers. Healthline and Optum Now are owned by RVO Health.