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The Brief

Welcome back, Wellworthy readers.

Most health advice is about doing more: steps, supplements, scores, stacks. 

But researchers found one of the most consistent predictors of mental health and happiness wasn’t another habit to optimize. It was having hobbies, just because you like them. 

This week, we’re making the case for being a little more “unproductive.”

Here’s what’s inside:

• The science-backed case for doing less

• Bryan Johnson’s new $1M longevity program

• PLUS: A wearable that counts your reps, smart sunglasses with built-in GPS, and the smoothie formulated around your bloodwork

Here we go!

— Jake, Joana & Ash

📍This report showed the healthiest cities in the U.S.

Mindbody's 2026 Healthiest Cities report ranked 25 major U.S. metros on exercise, sleep, stress, and community connection. The city that came in first? Orlando—yes, the theme park capital of the world. 

The patterns that explain why are worth a look wherever you live.

The Breakdown

A study tracking 93,000+ adults across 16 countries for up to eight years found that having a hobby was consistently linked to fewer depressive symptoms and higher levels of self-reported health, happiness, and life satisfaction.

Life satisfaction showed the strongest link. Not just feeling good, but genuinely feeling good about your life.

Another data point: In a Drexel study, 45 minutes of making art lowered cortisol in 75% of participants, and it didn’t matter if they were beginners or experienced.

Why it matters

Most of us treat hobbies like a luxury. The optional thing we'll get back to when life slows down. But the data suggests they should be foundational. 

Getting lost in something you enjoy, for no other reason than because you want to, has measurable benefits over time.

What you can do

• Ignore the ROI: The goal isn't to get "good." Whether it’s puzzles, knitting, or gardening, the benefit comes from the action, not the result.

• Start with interest, not commitment: You don't need to find the perfect thing. Or a new identity. Just a starting point.

• Find a third space: Classes, clubs, and groups layer in social connection—and the upside compounds.

The takeaway

Health—whether mental or physical—doesn't always come from discipline.

In a world where every moment is optimized, hobbies work because they’re “unproductive.”

Just Dropped

New products and drops spotted → 

Fitness & training

Minimis Flow is a pair of smart sunglasses that puts your pace, heart rate, and GPS maps directly in your line of sight. The goal is to let you leave your phone at home and watch while you run or bike—the glasses also handle music, tracking, and navigation. Learn more.

Lululemon’s new performance collection, Unrestricted Power collection, is dialed in on heavy lifting. The fabric is designed to stay in place during deep squats without pulling, but also be smooth enough not to restrict movement. See the collection.

Fort is a new wearable designed specifically for the weight room. It automatically tracks your sets, reps, and rest periods without you having to touch your phone. It even analyzes your "muscle stimulus" to tell you if you’re actually getting stronger. Pre-order here.

Weight Watchers just added PVOLVE's functional training to its platform, and the timing isn't random. The low-impact, resistance-based classes are designed specifically for members on GLP-1 medications or navigating menopause, moments when maintaining muscle mass can be more difficult. Find your plan.

Wellness tech & longevity

Mira and Oura teamed up to layer your sleep, temperature data, and hormone levels. It’s built to help you connect the dots—like realizing that "brain fog" or fatigue is actually tied to a progesterone drop rather than just a bad night's sleep. Essentially, the why behind how you feel. Check it out.

Bryan Johnson just launched Immortals, a $1M-a-year longevity program limited to three people. It packages his entire anti-aging protocol into a service with a concierge team, 24/7 AI, and constant biological tracking.  The ultimate "health as a luxury" flex. Join the waitlist.

Amazon One Medical’s Health Insights tool analyzes 50+ biomarkers from your bloodwork to generate a personalized wellness score. It organizes lab data by categories, like cardiovascular or metabolic, and then pairs results with evidence-based lifestyle recommendations. Available in the One Medical app.

Supplements & nutrition

ODD dropped M-01, a drinkable supplement they're calling a salad replacement. The pitch: 97% of Americans don't get enough fiber, and 40% live with obesity, driven by faster, more processed meals. It's built around five clinically studied ingredients targeting blood sugar, gut health, and post-meal glucose response. Try it here.

Mont just dropped Tart Cherry Recovery, a drink mix designed to help you bounce back after a hard workout. It uses tart cherry extract (a tool for muscle soreness) to help offset inflammation without the sugar of a typical sports drink. Buy here.

On Our Radar 

What's moving in wellness this week → 

Nobody finished the Barkley Marathons. Again. For the second straight year, all 40 starters at the notoriously brutal Tennessee trail race were eliminated before completing five unmarked loops through the Cumberland Mountains—roughly 100 miles (this year’s loop was closer to 130 miles) with no aid stations. The race has been completed only 26 times in its 40-year history. Extreme endurance continues to evolve, but the Barkley exists to remind everyone where the ceiling actually is.

Lab data is now in your smoothie. Function and Erewhon’s new collaboration, The World’s Healthiest Smoothie?, was formulated by Dr. Mark Hyman using blood work from Function’s member base. The recipe specifically targets two of the most common health gaps: fasting insulin and ApoB levels. It’s a shift toward functional food backed by actual biology instead of generic trends.

Your childhood chip’s new personality. PepsiCo announced Doritos Protein as part of a broader push to simplify its ingredients, removing artificial colors and flavors while adding more protein, fiber, and whole grains across its snack lineup. It's not on shelves yet, but we expect to see it later this year. What’s the limit to how far legacy snack brands will go to stay relevant? Because right now, there doesn’t seem to be one.