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Being a responsible citizen by voluntarily self-isolating and social distancing isn’t always easy. Beyond preventing everyday social interaction, it means no concerts, museums, sightseeing, or flying for weeks—maybe months. Even self-avowed homebodies and introverts get stir crazy from an eight-week self-quarantine recommendation. After all, distance makes the heart grow fonder—and yes, that can also apply to your relationship with the couch. If you’re bummed about having to cancel recent travel plans, craving a diversion from understandable anxiety, or simply getting antsy at home in isolation, these genius “travel” ideas can help scratch that itch for arts, culture, and adventure....

Steve Wadlington, president of WIN Home Inspection, shared five home improvement chores homeowners should tackle this fall to help make their homes more efficient and more capable of withstanding whatever the winter throws at them. (Bonus: Taking care of these tasks now can help save you money on winter energy bills!) If you’re relatively handy, you can handle many these check-ups yourself; if not, have a trusted home repair pro (ask neighbors for their recommendations) come out and take a look....

RELATED: Here’s Why Your Skin Is So Dry This Time of Year—and What to Do About It RELATED: Here’s What Happens to Your Skin When You Don’t Get Enough Sleep

Alcohol wakes you up at night. While a drink or two at night can make you feel drowsy and prompt faster onset of asleep, going to bed with a buzz may lead to a worse night’s sleep overall. In one comprehensive study, scientists reviewed 20 different studies and concluded that, while sleep may come more easily after consuming alcohol, you’ll eventually wake up more easily and more often throughout the night or in the early hours of the morning....

We asked skincare experts to weigh in on their favorite budget-friendly anti-aging skincare options—all available at your local drugstore. Here are their top picks for dry skin, sensitive skin, pigmented skin, wrinkled skin, and more. —Joshua Zeichner, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City —Hadley King, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City —Sandy Marchese Johnson, MD, FAAD, board-certified dermatologist at Johnson Dermatology in Fort Smith, Ark. —Anna Guanche, MD, board-certified dermatologist and celebrity beauty expert —Ted Lain, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City —Whitney Bowe, MD, board-certified dermatologist in New York City

That said, you’re probably already eating a number of foods that are past their prime, and the sky hasn’t fallen. That’s because a “best by” or “use by” date typically tells you when the product will be at its highest quality—not whether or not it will make you sick. In many cases, you can still eat them for a number of days with no ill effects. Whether or not some of these ingredients are still technically safe to eat, you may notice a change in their taste, color, or texture (eek)....

To make 4 succulent beef patties, start with 1¼ pounds of ground chuck (85 percent lean or less). Then heat your grill to medium-high. Divide the meat and gently form it into 4 balls. (Don’t overwork the meat or it will become dry and tough.) Beef Burgers

This may come as a surprise to you: Pumpkin spice has no actual pumpkin flavor. Instead, the flavor we associate with pumpkin baked goods is a mixture of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and allspice used in pumpkin recipes. Individually, each of these spices is quite special on its own, but together, they create a warm and tingling combination that evokes cravings for chilly nights by the campfire and cozy flannel shirts....

Knowing you want to enjoy a great pork roast or pork tacos is one thing, but being able to pick the right pork cut is another. Here, we’ve broken down eight popular pork cuts, with information on what they are, how they should be cooked, and the recipes they’re best for. Whether you’re planning your main course to go with those tasty pulled pork sides or hoping to try a new pork ramen recipe, this guide to different types of pork will help you pick the right cut for your occasion....

Repaint the Walls In any room, including the bathroom, a coat of paint is one of the easiest ways to give the space a new look. If you have a small bathroom or if the lower half of the walls are tiled, you likely only need a single gallon of paint. For less than $100 (including new brushes and rollers), you can revamp this room. Pick a hue that works with what’s already in the space, keeping in mind the wood tones, tile colors, and flooring....

Makeup artist Julia Dalton-Brush recommends cleansing, toning, using a facial oil (if appropriate), and moisturizer. “Unfortunately, many people see applying makeup as the only thing they need to do, and when they do not get the flawless look they are searching for, they blame the products,” she says. “A fully hydrated and prepped face will do wonders, not only for your skin under the makeup, but also for the end result....

Next, implement the avalanche method: Pay the minimum on all your debts each month and put any extra money toward the loan with the highest interest rate. If you get a windfall—like a bonus or a tax refund—put it toward that top debt as well. Once you pay it off, move to the loan with the next-highest interest rate, and so on. Next, think about the previous year. Make note of any big life moments that might affect your taxes—like buying a house or losing your job....

The Magic Linen Besalu Linen Pants are the multi-seasonal heroes of my wardrobe. These linen pants have been lovely as we transition into fall and New York City’s unpredictable weather, which means it’s 50 degrees in the morning and in the 80s by midday. Since they’re linen, these Magic Linen pants are breezy, soft, and luxurious feeling (and looking), but they have a heavier weight to them than I would have expected for this typically feathery fabric, which has made them extremely adaptable through the changing temperatures....

That all changed after I received a sample of the Saatva Linen Sheet Set. I was excited about the prospect of sleeping in these sheets after touching them with my hands. They’re slightly textured, since they’re real linen, but they’re also incredibly soft and even out of the box, they felt cooler than the temperature of my room. Plus, as someone who, admittedly, cares about things like this, the expensive-feeling box (complete with a ribbon-tied bow) the set came in elevated the entire experience from the moment I received it in the mail....