🧭 Here’s what’s in today’s issue:

• 🧠 Trivia Challenge: Spotlight Hook
• 🌞 Live Well: Do Pickleball Players Stay Active Longer Than Tennis Players?
• 💪 Wellness Tip: Using Questions to Quiet Your Inner Critic
• ⚠️ Health Alert: Meat, Shrimp, Cheese Products Recalled Over Health Risks
• 😄 Meme of the Day – Just for laughs
• ❤️ Communities need strong connections: Show Your Support
• 📅 Events: Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

👉 Browse the highlights. Click your favorites.

Did someone forward you our Cary newsletter? Then subscribe here

Question: Which country is both in Europe and Asia?

(Answer at the bottom of the newsletter.)

KinderCare Supports Early Learning in Cary

Do Pickleball Players Stay Active Longer Than Tennis Players?

Researchers from Apple, Brigham and Women’s Hospital, and the American Heart Association analyzed data from more than 200,000 participants to compare pickleball and tennis. They found that pickleball players engage in longer sessions, averaging 90 minutes, compared to 81 minutes for tennis. This extended activity contributes to improved cardiovascular health and overall fitness.

Beyond physical benefits, the study also revealed positive mental health outcomes. Both pickleball and tennis players reported fewer symptoms of depression, underscoring the value of regular physical activity in reducing mental health risks.

Pickleball’s accessibility and social nature are key drivers of its popularity, with participation particularly strong in Utah. The sport continues to expand nationwide, drawing in players of all ages and backgrounds.

The findings position pickleball not just as a recreational activity, but as an effective way to support public health by promoting active lifestyles and fostering community engagement. Read Full Article

Click here for the Most Popular Pickleball Courts in Cary

Just curious…

Pickleball is gaining ground as a top choice for fitness and fun. We’d love to know what gets you moving!

Content sponsored by Dr. Estelle Tsalik - Your Trusted Wellness Consultant.
Dr. Estelle Tsalik, a highly skilled wellness consultant and the founder of Living Well with Estelle, is here to empower you on your journey to optimal health. She is committed to simplifying the process and guiding you towards simple, sustainable, and sanity-saving solutions. Start your journey by taking her Living Well Blueprint Quiz today.

Using Questions to Quiet Your Inner Critic

Irrational thoughts can fuel anxiety and distress, but a method known as Socratic questioning offers a way to regain balance. This approach, often taught in therapy, involves asking specific questions to test whether a thought is supported by evidence or distorted by bias. The process helps individuals step back from immediate emotional reactions and assess situations more clearly.

For example, someone who fears failing a presentation can review past positive feedback, consider how common nervousness is, and imagine how they might reassure a friend in the same situation. Such steps encourage more accurate thinking and reduce the severity of emotional responses.

Researchers emphasize that anxiety and depression often distort perception, leading people to assume the worst or interpret events negatively. Socratic questioning challenges these patterns by introducing alternative perspectives.

Practicing the method consistently can strengthen overall mindfulness and resilience. Tools such as structured question lists or books on cognitive strategies can help people apply the technique on their own, though therapists can provide additional guidance.

The therapist resource site Therapist Aid has a free printout with 10 Socratic questions you can use to challenge irrational thoughts. Read Full Report

Meat, Shrimp, Cheese Products Recalled Over Health Risks

Hostess Brands recalled certain Ding Dongs snack cakes due to potential mold contamination, prompting a Class I alert. The contamination may cause allergic or respiratory reactions and exposure to mycotoxins. Consumers should not consume the product and may return it for a refund. See full recall report

Frozen raw shrimp sold under Walmart’s Great Value and similar labels was recalled due to possible cesium-137 contamination. Though only one batch tested positive, authorities flagged broader safety concerns. Affected shrimp should be discarded, and refunds are available from retailers. See full recall report

In New Jersey, nearly 32,000 pounds of meat were recalled after the USDA discovered fraudulent inspection labels on products from Sabrositos Hondureños, LLC. These items were never officially inspected, and consumers are advised to dispose of the meat and contact the USDA. See full recall report

Finally, multiple cheese products were recalled over Listeria concerns. The recall includes Wegmans, Middlefield Original Cheese Co‑Op, and Fromi USA items sold across multiple states. Listeria can cause serious illness, particularly in vulnerable groups. Affected cheeses should be discarded or returned, and contaminated surfaces should be sanitized.
See full recall report

Meme of the Day.
Brought to you by Cary's Daily Newsletter.

What’s faster than word of mouth? Cary Spotlight! Keeps you updated on what is going on locally and connects businesses to our vibrant community.

🎟️ Upcoming Events (Top Picks)

Outdoor events may be changed due to weather, so click the links to see latest event information. Here are a few ideas for the week, so plan ahead:

• Today: Tai Chi: Downtown Cary Park 6PM-7PM
• Today: Flower Hammering Workshop  6:30PM-8:30PM
• Thursday: Board Game Social 4PM-8PM
• Thursday: Town Council Meeting (Regular) 6:30PM-8:30PM
• Friday: Discover Dance: Latin Session 7:30PM-9:30PM

But wait! There’s more. To save space in your inbox, we’ve moved the full list of events online — now you can plan ahead: See Full 2-Week Calendar