 Like most of you, I’m counting down the days until I can see my family. Many of us will soon gather with loved ones to celebrate the season — possibly for the first time in a while. One way to make sure that’s safer is by rapid testing beforehand. But relying on these tests isn’t as simple as you think. Senior reporter Catherine Pearson spoke with experts on how to properly execute the process. There’s no 100% foolproof method for COVID. That said, the more risk mitigation measures you take, the better. You might want to consider masking indoors if there’s a large group, hosting your party outside if you can, or at least keeping windows open and having proper ventilation. You may also want to get your booster shot if you haven’t already. This isn’t December 2020 by any means — but caution is still warranted.
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You Oughta Know  Experts are still working to understand more about the omicron variant. There are reports that say many of the cases are mild, which is likely thanks to our immunity. But what exactly does “mild” mean now? Is it different from how it was at the start of the pandemic? We broke it all down for you.
A Minute And Change Got a spare minute? Use it to change your life. Our “A Minute And Change” series will help you become happier, healthier and more productive by doing one thing a little differently. This week’s tip comes from therapist Michelle Risser on how to sneak in a moment of self-care during your busy days:
When you are driving or taking the bus, use every red light as a mental health break. When you stop at a light, instead of engaging in the usual thoughts about running late or wishing the traffic would hurry up, take a quick opportunity to relax. Unclench your jaw. Gently lift your shoulders up, push them back, then slip them down. Breathe in nice and slow on the count of five, then exhale on the count of seven. If you start to do this every time you stop at a light, you will build an amazing mental health habit that you don’t even have to think about.
Crushing On This 'Gram 
Before You Go... Read this story by reporter Nicole Pajer on how to help a loved one who is grieving this holiday season. You don’t need to reinvent the wheel in order to support someone. This advice will help you show up in ways that really matter.
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