A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of spending time with Helen Hunt, who is one of those actresses people feel like they know. In her case, it’s partly because her iconic role as one half of a married couple navigating the relatable ups and downs of everyday life in the ’90s sitcom Mad About You made people think “you have a camera inside our living room—you know what we’re saying to each other,” Hunt jokes. 

But it’s also because she carries herself with a groundedness that makes being around her instantly comfortable, which is why she’s a perfect cover star for this month’s digital issue on brain health. As our reporting reveals, researchers are increasingly finding that small lifestyle changes, like meditating (which Hunt does daily) and staying intellectually active (Hunt is also taking college-level literature courses), can have a big impact on how our brains age. 

But maybe the most important shift we can make is to spend less time fracturing our brains with distractions, and more time fully immersing ourselves in one activity at a time. This experience is known in psychology as “flow state,” and the science is so convincing that we chose to name our brand (and our soon-to-launch podcast!) after the idea.

There are, of course, a multitude of ways to experience flow; for our CEO, Samantha Skey, it happens when she’s surfing; for me, it’s when I’m gardening in my small backyard. But however you find it, know you’re reaping health benefits that last long beyond the moment. Your future self thanks you.

Inside the Issue