To your health
Wednesday, Aug. 12 — Happy Wednesday!
It’s been a busy few days in the sports world. I actually have the European Athletics Championships on in the background as I’m working on this newsletter. I’m particularly excited about the women’s 800-meter final on Friday, which will be a showdown between Swiss athlete Audrey Werro — the third-fastest of all time — and reigning Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson.
🏆 After nearly a year-long break from competition, Olympian and Norwegian middle-distance runner Jakob Ingebrigtsen won his fourth straight 5,000-meter European title this week. The rest of this year’s Diamond League meets are going to be super fun with him back in the mix.
🚲 Demi Vollering won the Tour de France Femmes this past weekend, securing her second victory in the historic, multi-stage event. She also won the final stage with a dramatic solo attack on the final climb of the Col d’Èze near Nice.
🏃🏼 Check out this video of Stephen Biebelhausen running the world’s fastest-ever stroller mile at a Cleveland race last weekend. He clocked a blistering 4:17 mile pushing his baby, who was a whole vibe.
🎽 Young American athletes had a great showing at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, winning a record-setting 24 medals. It’s a great opportunity to see the next generation of track and field stars in action (Noah Lyles and Tara Davis-Woodhall both medaled at U20s before winning Olympic gold). Some standout performances: University of Georgia track star Madeline Cooper won the women’s 100-meter hurdles, 18-year-old phenom Tate Taylor anchored the men’s world-record-setting 4 x 100-meter relay team, and rising University of Florida sophomore Claire Stegall dived dramatically at the line to snag silver in the women’s 1,500 meters.
🤸🏽♀️ 2024 Olympian Hezly Rivera won her second straight all-around title and repeated as the balance beam champion at the USA Gymnastics Championships. On the men’s side, fellow 2024 Olympian Frederick Richard won his first U.S. all-around title and gold on floor exercise. He also incurred a three-tenths penalty for ditching the sport’s traditional leotard and tight stirrup pants for looser-fitting shorts over compression tights in select events. I admire him for bringing visibility to men’s uniform standards, which are often as outdated as the women’s.
🛼 Last weekend, the City of Atlanta honored “Beltline Kevin” for his contributions to the community.
🚌 Girls on the Run still needs volunteer coaches for the fall season. I’ll be working with my amazing team at Morris Brandon Elementary again. Sign up here to volunteer.
🩴 High-heeled flip flops have been dominating street fashion this season. No matter how effortless they look, open-toed shoes on dirty city streets are a hard no for me. And not to kill the vibe, but they’re also terrible for your feet.
👁️ I am maxed out on all things maxxing, but “eyemaxxing” — the subtle, natural eye makeup trend — is a refreshing break from the heavy winged eyeliner of my youth.
🩻 Yes, most of us have had an MRI or an X-ray. But this Elle article explains why luxury body scans are the next big wellness trend.
🖥️ As a young Gen X-er, I was the last generation raised without smartphones or 24/7 digital connectivity. Just in time for back-to-school, my feature story this week has practical tips for teaching kids healthy digital habits. This New York Times op-ed, “All This Staring at Our Faces Is Messing With Our Heads,” feels especially timely in the age of the ubiquitous “Instagram face.”
Be well!
✨ Laura
❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology. SPONSOR MESSAGE
How Parents Can Help Children Build Healthier Digital Habits
🎒 My 11-year-old niece just got her first cell phone because she’s walking to school for the first time. For many kids like her, digital devices are a non-negotiable for safety purposes. They’re also a way for kids to connect with their peers. But knowing when to give children access to digital devices and how to set boundaries is a hot topic in many households, so I really appreciated the insight from experts for this feature.
📱 Read my story, with input from a local psychologist and a tween app entrepreneur, on how to assess a child’s digital readiness, modeling healthy digital and online habits, and teaching digital literacy — just in time for back-to-school.
High School Football Preview
High school football kicks off this week with the Corky Kell + Dave Hunter Classic.
Rough Draft has partnered with Score Atlanta, one of the state’s largest producers of television and digital broadcasts of Georgia high school sports, for our annual High School Football Preview.
A confident school year starts now
SPONSORED BY INTOWN PSYCHOLOGY
📚 With many schools back in session, now is the ideal time to help children and teens prepare for a successful transition back to the classroom.
Parents can help by:
• gradually re-establishing school routines and sleep schedules
• encouraging face-to-face time with friends before school begins
• helping kids practice problem-solving and independence
• focusing on strengths and celebrating small successes
➞ If your child is struggling with anxiety, friendships, confidence, emotional regulation, or the transition back to school, Intown Psychology is here to help.
Learn more:
• 5 Strategies to Build Self-Esteem and Resilience in Kids
• Helping Kids Navigate Friendship and Social Challenges
Upcoming Meetings to Help Guide Sandy Springs Land Use and Parks
Sandy Springs officials are encouraging community members to attend one of two upcoming meetings to share their thoughts on the city’s comprehensive land use and parks plan update. City consultants said they have received hundreds of comments already through in-person meetings and online surveys (closing on Aug. 21). There will be three more public meetings this fall and winter.
🌳 Read Hayden’s story for more details.
The Short List
🎧 Along with Waxahatchee’s “St. Cloud,” Phoebe Bridgers’s “Punisher” was one of the albums I had on repeat in the early days of the pandemic. Fans (shoutout to my fellow Phoebe fangirl, Richard, who gave me a heads-up about early on-sale concert tickets) are *finally* getting a new solo album from the sad-core singer-songwriter. “Lost Weekend” comes out on Friday and is already getting rave reviews.
🤠 Did you know rewatching your favorite comfort show is good for your well-being? I have several (“New Girl,” “The O.C.,” “Veronica Mars,” and the criminally underrated “Happy Endings”), but nothing hits in the fall like “Friday Night Lights.” Coach Taylor giving his signature “clear eyes, full hearts” speech; Tami Taylor going all-out for her students, no matter the personal cost; Tim Riggins doing Tim Riggins things…Texas forever, y’all.
📣 As someone who often conceals my Southern accent and has spent years unpacking the unattainable beauty and body standards of my Texas-South Carolina upbringing, I enjoyed this Vogue essay on how “America’s Sweethearts” helped the author embrace her Southern roots —and leave what didn’t serve her behind.
❤️ Therapy that helps you feel seen, supported, and understood – while building practical skills to navigate life with confidence at Intown Psychology. SPONSOR MESSAGE
Book It
🧖🏼♀️ Schedule some self-care at The Spa at The St. Regis Atlanta. The spa is offering a Summer Wellness on the Go package for indulgent mid-day escapes through Sept. 7. The experience includes your choice of a select 60-minute massage or facial, a cocktail or non-alcoholic beverage, dessert with tea service, and extended access to spa facilities, like a Himalayan salt sauna and a steam room.
🫖 Book the package, available Mondays through Thursdays, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The Rundown
🧘🏼♀️ Cascade Springs Nature Preserve is hosting the last summer stretch session of the season on Saturday. Register here for the hour-long, all-levels class led by Justflo Wellness founder and certified yoga and meditation teacher Missy Goss-Coln.
👟 Join REI’s free Get Outside & Run event on Saturday. The morning kicks off with a community walk/run, followed by an expert panel on the latest racing fashion and gear, moderated by local race director Tes Sobomehin Marshall.
💪🏼 The Daily Pilates is hosting a free, all-levels mat class at E+Rose in Old Fourth Ward on Saturday. Registration is required for the outdoor event.
🕯️ Sound bath meditations return to the Sandy Springs Performing Arts Center on Aug. 17. The immersive experience includes the soothing tones of crystal singing bowls and chimes led by sound healer and yoga instructor Malinie Feeney.
⚡ The Fit-X Experience is coming to the Atlanta area on Saturday, Aug. 22. Expect an all-levels, DJ-driven workout with Ish “The Black Superman” Sandiford and high-energy vibes. Reserve your spot here.
