National Geographic | Mind, Body, Wonder

This week, we look at how back or chest pain or fatigue can be clues to women’s biggest threat in their 60s; examine how and why your voice ages ... and ask: does birth order explain a bossy or bratty sibling?

A grape harvester, seen from behind, his shirt drenched in sweat as he walks between rows of grapevines

PHOTOGRAPH BY JACK ROBINSON/HULTON ARCHIVE/GETTY IMAGES

WHAT’S HAPPENING TO MY VOICE?

Her springlike mezzo-soprano voice began mellowing into a contralto when Joni Mitchell (pictured above in 1968) reached her 30s, a deepening timbre that reflects how age often affects how we sound.

The vocal changes, on a cellular level, differ as people grow older. Some voices ripen while others grow thinner and raspier. The force of our air flow may lessen. Why do our voices change—and should you get help?

HERE’S WHAT WE KNOW

•

Listen: Compare Joni Mitchell’s singing of Both Sides Now in 1969 and in 2021.

A woman silhouetted against a background that fades from light blue to light green; projections of a heart, brain, and arm are lit up

PHOTOGRAPHS BY HANNAH WHITAKER, NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC

THE BIGGEST DANGER TO WOMEN IN THEIR 60s

About half of U.S. adults have high blood pressure. Only a fourth of those have it under control. A surprising number of women in their 60s don’t realize it, but their biggest health risk may come from a combination of factors (depicted above). What is it?

BEYOND SHORTNESS OF BREATH

•

Why these attacks are rising in young adults, too—and what to do

TOP STORIES FROM NAT GEO

Bratty little sister? What science says about birth order of siblings and personality.

It’s hard to reconnect with old friends. Science may have a solution.

The world’s oldest sport may still be the best cardiovascular workout Related: What about pickleball?

These common U.S. snack ingredients are banned abroad

1 in 5 Americans (and 1 in 6 kids) may be hooked on a health-harming ultra-processed foods. They can be as addictive as cigarettes.

What is ‘frozen shoulder’? And why does it mostly affect women?

Bored teenagers? That’s the latest explanation for those boat-ramming orcas.

Today in history: What is Tiananmen? How a peaceful protest turned into a massacre.

A woman dancing, with her arms above her head, under moody, purple lights, amongst a crowd.

PHOTOGRAPH BY ADAM DEAN, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION

NOT AN INTROVERT? OR AN EXTROVERT?

Guess what—you’re not alone. Do you know what an ambivert or an omnivert are? Are we getting warmer?

Today’s Soundtrack: My Golden Years, The Lemon Twigs

In next week’s newsletter: What women in their 50s should watch out for. Sign up here to not miss it!

This newsletter was curated by Nishita Naga, Jen Tse, Nancy San Martin, and David Beard. Thanks for reading!

Clicking on the Facebook, Instagram, and National Geographic Channel links will take you away from our National Geographic Partners site where different terms of use and privacy policy apply.

This email was sent to: [email protected]. Please do not reply to this email as this address is not monitored.

This email contains an advertisement from:
National Geographic | 1145 17th Street, N.W. | Washington, D.C. 20036

Stop all types of future commercial email from National Geographic regarding its products, services, or experiences.

© 2024 National Geographic Partners, LLC, All rights reserved.