We all have them: moments when our inner critic takes over or we're flooded with overwhelm after one too many stressors pile up. Whether at home or in a high-stakes meeting, these experiences are part of being human. Here's a simple practice that can help restore nervous system balance in under 30 seconds. TLC combines compassionate touch, intentional breathing, and caring self-talk to interrupt the stress cycle and help you respond skillfully rather than reactively. Learn this portable practice that works anywhere, anytime—and discover the science behind why it's so effective.

Maybe you've felt unexpectedly heavy when a longtime friendship naturally faded, or found yourself grieving while finally leaving a job that wasn't serving you. Most of us expect to grieve death or divorce, yet many don't anticipate the grief that comes with outgrowing previous versions of ourselves. These experiences fall under what Dr. Pauline Boss calls ambiguous loss—losses that lack clear closure or established rituals to help us mourn.