Meredith Bethune

2 weeks ago | nationalgeographic.com | Meredith Bethune

Ask almost anyone how to stay mentally sharp in old age; chances are someone will bring up crossword puzzles. Alongside Sudoku and word searches, these games have long been seen as “workouts” for the brain. In fact, a 2020 study published in Frontiers in Human Neuroscience found these kinds of puzzles are among the most frequently engaged-in activities for brain training and cognitive benefits. But how did this belief become so widespread? And does it actually hold up?

1 month ago | cntraveler.com | Meredith Bethune

All products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you purchase something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. With its gabled facades, maze of canals, and steady flow of bikes whizzing past, Amsterdam is one of Europe's most instantly recognizable cities. Strip away the neon signs, and the Dutch capital still looks as it did when most of these tall, narrow canal houses went up in the 17th century.

1 month ago | magazine.northeast.aaa.com | Meredith Bethune

Spring’s arrival ushers in one of the season’s most beautiful sights: cherry blossoms. These delicate pink and white flowers are native to Asia and strongly associated with Japan, where they symbolize renewal. In the U.S., Washington, D.C., is home to the most famous display with those fleeting flowers blooming against the capital’s white monuments. But you don’t have to head to Washington to see cherry blossoms. There are plenty of places in the Northeast to admire these short-lived beauties.

1 month ago | honehealth.com | Carol Lynn |Mara Santilli |Jennifer Howze |Meredith Bethune

Calling someone “long in the tooth”—a not-so-subtle dig at aging—can be literal for women entering menopause. Fluctuations and declines in estrogen affect nearly every tissue in your mouth, making perimenopause mouth problems like dry mouth, and gum issues like bleeding gums frustratingly common. A 2023 survey of women 50 and older found that 70 percent experienced oral health changes like dry mouth, receding gums, or tooth sensitivity when they entered the menopause transition.

1 month ago | foodandwine.com | Meredith Bethune

Photo: DANIEL LEAL / POOL / AFP via Getty Images Step through the grand stone gates of Tandragee Castle, and you might expect tales of battles, betrayals, and noble bloodlines. After all, this 500-year-old fortress in County Armagh, Northern Ireland, was once home to the mighty O'Hanlon clan before falling into the hands of the Duke of Manchester during the 19th century. The property has seen rebellions, battles, and the shifting tides of Irish history.