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Gone are the days when people balk at you if you say you met your partner online. Dating apps have irrevocably changed the way we date — much like social media platforms have changed the way we interact with each other overall. With so many apps, from Bumble to eharmony, it can be challenging to determine which ones to invest in, especially if you're looking for that special someone.

According to 2023 findings from the Pew Research Center, one in ten partnered adults (married, living with a partner, or in a committed relationship) met their partner on a dating app or site. If you're a younger adult and/or LGBTQ, you're more likely to have met your significant other online: one in five adults under 30 and nearly one in four for LGBTQ adults.

SEE ALSO: The best sexting apps for discreet NSFW chats

The same study found that almost half (44 percent) of dating app users said a major reason for using them was to meet a long-term partner. So, if that's you, you're certainly not alone, despite what you might see people lament on TikTok. 

The discourse on dating app culture can be unrelenting. Singles told Mashable earlier this year they'd rather meet a potential partner in person, but they're begrudgingly on the apps. Some, like Tinder, have seen their revenue decrease in recent quarters, while Hinge is growing. Even then, though, daters bemoan even the most popular of apps. After Zohran Mamdani's win for New York City mayor in November, for example, Hinge users complained that it was somehow "not the same app" where he had met his wife four years prior.

Despite the frustration over The Apps™, it's undeniable that if you want to date from the comfort and safety of your home, they're the way to do it. If you're, say, introverted or have difficulty approaching someone in person, an app does have its uses.

And consistently every year, the day with the most activity on dating apps is the first Sunday in January, now known as "Dating Sunday." It's right after New Year's Eve but well before Valentine's Day; it gives people who felt their singleness at the ball drop a chance to find a date for February 14. And if your New Year's resolution is to find something long-term, what better way than to use the apps on Dating Sunday?

What is the #1 best dating app?

Considering the variation in experiences on all the dating apps, it's difficult to quantify which ones are the "best." Some people find their spouses on Tinder, while others are disappointed that their matches are only looking for hookups. 

That being said, if you're looking for something serious, your best bet is likely an app with a large user base, options for you to indicate what you're looking for in your bio, and filters to weed out who you really want to partner with. There are also apps whose branding is geared towards finding one's ultimate match — like eharmony and Match, both decades-old sites with reputations for helping users find their spouse. Hinge, Bumble, and Coffee Meets Bagel also have a reputation for more "serious" connections.

Depending on the type of relationship you're seeking, you may also benefit from a more niche app. Take one app on our list, SilverSingles, for people over 50. Sure, there are older adults on apps like Tinder and Bumble as well, but you may have more luck finding someone age-appropriate if you're in a space meant just for you.

Which dating site is best for serious relationships?

Mashable has researched to pick out a few from the plethora of dating sites (and apps) out there. These options are available for both Android and Apple users, so the type of phone you have won't determine your options. In terms of monetary investment, you can use some of these for free (like Tinder and Bumble), while others are more pay-to-play. We've also included some "niche" options, like the aforementioned SilverSingles and Elite Singles, so you have more than the standard buffet of dating apps.

Here are the best dating apps for serious relationships:

postmarketOS, the Linux distribution for phones and tablets, just released a new major update. It's still not a full-fledged replacement for Android or iOS, but now it has more supported hardware, an upgraded package manager, and new versions of GNOME and KDE.

If you keep running out of USB ports on your Raspberry Pi 5, there's an expansion board out there for you. The SupTronics X1013 v1.1 board has you covered with its additional 10 USB ports. Yes, you read that right.

Last-minute gifts on sale with same-day Amazon delivery Digital delivery $100 DoorDash gift card $85 at Amazon (save $15) Get Deal Same-day delivery Keurig K-Mini Mate $49.99 (save $40 at Amazon) Get Deal Overnight delivery Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus $21.99 (save $28 at Amazon with code HOL25FTV) Get Deal Same-day delivery Apple AirTag $24 (save $5 at Amazon) Get Deal Same-day delivery Shark Glossi 2-in-1 Hot Tool and Air Glosser $129.99 (save $50 at Amazon) Get Deal

There are last-minute Christmas gifts bought, like, the week before, and then there are last-minute last-minute gifts bought in the wee 48 hours before the big day. If you're still scrambling on Dec. 23, you're not screwed. We found an impressive handful of solid last-minute gift deals at Amazon that can arrive by Christmas, either with same-day or next-day delivery.

SEE ALSO: We found 35+ unique gifts under $50 for the holidays

If your giftee would appreciate a gift card more than any forced physical gift, our favorite last-minute gift card deal is easily the $100 DoorDash gift card on sale for $85. It has limited inventory, so grab it before the status bar hits 0% left.

There are also several options for tangible gift ideas with lightning fast delivery that would work for just about anyone. The Amazon Fire TV Stick 4K Plus with overnight shipping is on sale for $21.99 after a regular onsite discount and a few extra dollars shaved off with code HOL25FTV. (That's the slightly upscaled version of the Fire TV Stick 4K Select, one of Mashable's top-selling items on Black Friday, that wouldn't arrive until Dec. 27.)

Available with same-day delivery are the Keurig K-Mini Mate at a record-low price of $44.99, the Shark Glossi hair styling tool at its Black Friday price of $129.99, and an Apple AirTag for just $24 (another Black Friday best-seller).

Bah humbug. Just days before Christmas, the U.S. has effectively banned foreign drones, including the most popular drone maker, China-based DJI.

So, what happens next, especially if you already own a DJI drone or have a new one waiting to be unwrapped under the Christmas tree? Here's what we know.

On Monday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) officially blacklisted foreign-made drones and components, which include DJI's drone products. The ban has been looming for a while now, and DJI, which accounts for a whopping 90 percent of the global drone market share, tried to fight it. The drone maker recently agreed to comply with audits in hopes of being removed from the FCC blacklist, but to no avail. DJI drones are now banned with all the others, on the blacklist.

The FCC instituted the ban in the name of national security, claiming foreign drones pose potential threats to the U.S.

"President Trump has been clear that his Administration will act to secure our airspace and unleash American drone dominance," Trump's appointed FCC chair, Brendan Carr, said in a statement.

This Tweet is currently unavailable. It might be loading or has been removed. What about the DJI drone you already own?

So, where does that leave U.S. consumers who own a DJI drone? These consumers also include many industries that have pushed back on the ban, as drones have become an important tool for everything from law enforcement to agriculture.

According to the FCC, those who already own drones will not be affected by the ban. Consumers in the U.S. can continue to own and operate their DJI drones or any other drones made by companies affected by the blacklist. Additionally, retailers can continue to sell drone models and products from blacklisted companies that have already been approved for sale.

SEE ALSO: Review: Is Insta360's Antigravity A1 drone the DJI replacement we've been hoping for?

In a statement, Carr said that the ban "does not disrupt the ongoing use or purchase of previously authorized drones, and with appropriate avenues for excluding drones that do not pose a risk."

DJI released its own statement on the ban, committing to continue serving the U.S. market under these new regulations while criticizing the process by which they were implemented.

"DJI is disappointed by the Federal Communications Commission’s action today to add foreign‑made drones to the Covered List," the company said. "While DJI was not singled out, no information has been released regarding what information was used by the Executive Branch in reaching its determination."

"DJI products are among the safest and most secure on the market, supported by years of reviews conducted by U.S. government agencies and independent third parties," DJI continued. "Concerns about DJI’s data security have not been grounded in evidence and instead reflect protectionism, contrary to the principles of an open market."

The drone maker also reiterated the FCC's claim that consumers who already own DJI drones will not be affected by the ban and can continue to operate their drones. DJI also expressed hope that its future products will be cleared by the Department of Defense and Department of Homeland Security for release in the U.S.

Even if you buy one of the fastest SSDs, you may find it running slowly, and not necessarily because there's something wrong with the hardware itself. Often, the problem can be easily fixed on your end without jumping through too many hoops.

SAVE $6: As of Dec. 23, get Pokémon Brilliant Diamond for $53.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $59.99. That's a discount of 10%.

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$59.99 Save $6   Get Deal

Looking for a last-minute Nintendo Switch gift or just want to add to your collection? Amazon has your back with this deal on a great Pokémon remake for Nintendo Switch that can arrive as early as today if you hurry and pick yours up.

As of Dec. 23, get Pokémon Brilliant Diamond for $53.99 at Amazon, down from its usual price of $59.99. That's $6 off and a discount of 10%.

SEE ALSO: Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025: the hot console's first year evaluated

Pokémon Brilliant Diamond and its companioin game Shining Pearl are remakes of the 2006 Nintendo DS entries Pokémon Diamond and Pearl. They take place in the Sinnoh region and come with a wide variety of then-new Pokémon to capture. These remakes take a different approach to the games, however, with special chibi art and a host of improvements to the originals as well as new content.

These remakes were looked upon fondly when they first debuted, and they're still very much worth adding to your collection, especially if you fancy yourself a big fan of the monster-collecting franchise. You don't need both entries to enjoy the game to the fullest, but keep in mind each game does have its own Legendary monster, with Dialga in Diamond and Palkia in Pearl.

This is a particularly fun Pokémon entry for Switch, so make sure you get it while it's still hot, as the clock is ticking down to the holidays fast.

Whether you're a DIY mechanic or a professional, you likely have a large collection of sockets, wrenches, pliers, and power tools. And while Snap-On and Milwaukee are often recommended for their quality and feature set, there's a wide range of other quality brands worth considering. Here's why you don't need to spend big to work on cars.

SAVE $72: The Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $107.99, down from the list price of $179.99. That's a 40% discount that matches the record low at Amazon.

Opens in a new window Credit: Soundcore Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds $107.99 at Amazon
$179.99 Save $72.00   Get Deal

A thoughtful gift that someone will use everyday is hard to come up with. Mashable's gift guides can help, but we have a special recommendation for that someone who is always struggling to get quality sleep. If that's someone on your Christmas shopping list, check out this thoughtful gift that's on sale at Amazon.

As of Dec. 23, the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds are on sale at Amazon for $107.99, marked down from the list price of $179.99. That's a savings of $72 thanks to the 40% discount. This sale price matches the rarely-seen record low at Amazon. Depending on the delivery address, these might arrive in time for Christmas.

Whether it's a partner snoring, the cat running around, or the neighbor's party, noise is a big sleep disruptor. Putting on a fan or a white noise machine helps some people, but you have another option in sleep earbuds. The Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds are designed to be comfortable enough to wear all night long, even for side sleepers.

Mashable Lead Shopping Reporter Bethany Allard tested out sleep earbuds and found the Soundcore Sleep A20 to be the best option for most people. The earbuds let you stream your own audio or sleep sounds from the Soundcore app. They also track sleep data and come with six different earbud tips.

SEE ALSO: From Oura to Whoop, we tested the best sleep trackers of 2025

Soundcore mentions the Sleep A20 earbuds get about 80 hours of playtime before they'll need to recharge, which means you'll have to recharge about once per week, depending on how much you sleep. And don't worry about sleeping through an alarm — you can set that to play on the earbuds.

While they're back at a record-low price, snatch up the Soundcore Sleep A20 earbuds. Gift them to a loved one who could use some better sleep or buy them for yourself as motivation to get better rest in 2026.

SAVE $31.99: As of Dec. 23, the Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones are on sale for just $38 at Amazon. That's 46% off their current list price of $69.99 and only $5 shy of their best price ever.

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$69.99 Save $31.99   Get Deal

They may be the most basic headphones in Sony's lineup, but the WH-CH520s are still pretty great — especially when they're on sale.

As of Dec. 23, the Sony WH-CH520 wireless headphones are down to just $38 from $69.99. That's 46% in savings and only $5 shy of their best price ever on record.

At under $40, these aren't going to match the depth of sound of Sony's WH-1000XM6 headphones, but they're still more impressive than their price tag lets on. As our reviewer noted, the WH-CH520s "surpass expectations by delivering broad connectivity, energetic sound, and longer playtimes than most luxury models."

Standout features include up to 50 hours of battery life, a three-minute fast-charge option, multipoint connectivity, customizable EQ, hands-free calling, and a lightweight design. You can even make your own sound profiles in the app to match the genre you're listening to.

If you don't need all the fancy bells and whistles that come with top-of-the-line headphones, you can save a bunch of money by opting for a more basic pair like the Sony WH-CH520s. As Mashable reviewer Alex Bracetti said, "They are arguably the best headphones under $100, easily the best headphones under $50, and a must-own for budget-conscious shoppers who want affordable Sony cans at a ridiculously low price."

The good news is every color option is currently down to just $38. The bad news is they won't arrive before Christmas.

There's still just under a year left before Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters. But based on the film's first teaser, as well as the mid-credits scene of The Fantastic Four: First Steps, it seems like Marvel is already hinting at Doctor Doom's (Robert Downey Jr.) nefarious plans. Forget Infinity Stones, the MCU's next Big Bad is collecting super babies.

SEE ALSO: 'Avengers: Doomsday' teaser reveals the return of Chris Evans as Steve Rogers

Exhibit A: the very first time we see Doctor Doom in the MCU. His introduction comes during one of the post-credits scenes in The Fantastic Four: First Steps, in which he appears in the Fantastic Four's apartments and approaches Sue Storm (Vanessa Kirby) and Reed Richards' (Pedro Pascal) child Franklin. By this point, the film has already established that Franklin is a being of immense power, so could Doctor Doom be trying to steal him away from his loving parents to use him for his own plans?

Let's move onto Exhibit B: the teaser trailer for Avengers: Doomsday. Obviously, the biggest reveal here is that Chris Evans will be returning as Steve Rogers. But the teaser unveils another surprise: Steve is now a father.

Avengers: Endgame gave Steve a happy ending, with him remaining in the past and marrying Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). Because of the seeming finality of that arc, it's going to take something huge to bring him back out of retirement and into the fight against Doctor Doom. Yes, Doctor Doom on his own already seems like a big threat, but you know what would make Steve even angrier and ready to fight? If Doctor Doom took his baby.

The focus on children doesn't stop at Franklin Richards or Steve's baby, though. So much of the MCU post-Avengers: Endgame has been about superpowered kids, from Wanda Maximoff's twins Billy (Julian Hillard and Joe Locke) and Tommy (Jett Klyne) to Miss Marvel's Kamala Khan (Iman Vellani). Post-credits scenes also keep introducing the Avengers' descendants, like Bruce Banner's (Mark Ruffalo) son Skaar (Wil Deusner) and T'Challa's (Chadwick Boseman) son Toussaint (Divine Love Konadu-Sun). Elsewhere, Thor: Love and Thunder villain Gorr's (Christian Bale) whole evil plan involved imprisoning a bunch of children. Could Doctor Doom be treading a similar path in Avengers: Doomsday?

Again, we've got a year until we find out. But until then, I'm nervous for every young character in the MCU. Are they being set up to be part of the MCU's Young Avengers? Or are they just more kidnapping fodder for Doctor Doom?

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters Dec. 18, 2026.

Head to Toyota’s website and you'll see that the 2025 Camry starts at $28,700. The ninth-generation model is now hybrid-only, and it hits an impressive 51 mpg combined.

2025 marks 10 years after the official launch of DirectX 12 for Windows 10. This came after a relatively frequent release cycle over the years, starting with one of the first ever DirectX showcase games: Doom 95. A project started by none other than Gabe Newell while he was still at Microsoft, but shortly before he left to found Valve.

SAVE $10: As of Dec. 23, get the Tile Slim smart tracker for $19.99, down from its usual price of $29.99, at Amazon. That's a discount of 33%.

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$29.99 Save $10   Get Deal

If you're always losing some of your most important belongings like your wallet or your purse or bag, a smart tracker is a great idea for you. You can just toss one in a card slot, a pocket, or even your car and you'll be able to track down your lost item in minutes. And right now you can get one for a great price at Amazon.

As of Dec. 23, get the Tile Slim smart tracker for $19.99, down from its usual price of $29.99, at Amazon. That's $10 off and a discount of 33%.

SEE ALSO: Grab a 4-pack of AirTags for under $65 and get 'em before Christmas

This slim, card-shaped tracker is the same size as a credit card, only slightly thicker, and you can fit it nto any wallet or other area in which you can fit a card. It's Tile's thinnest tracker yet, and it's perfect for any area you can't really make a traditional tracker like an Apple AirTag fit in.

This tracker works with both iOS and Android though, so you aren't locked to one network if you happen to lose something. When you connect this tracker to your phone, you can have it ring to help you find it or locate it on your phone with special directions via the free app. You can even trigger an SOS alert if needed in an emergency situation.

This handy tracker is a must-have if you find yourself losing all of your things at inopportune times, and it's super affordable. Grab one for yourself or a few and stay on top of your belongings. There's not enough time in life to be stressing over lost items.

SAVE $140: The Amazon Kindle Scribe (64GB) is on sale at Amazon for $309.99, down from the list price of $419.99. That's a 31% discount that matches the record low at Amazon.

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$449.99 Save $140   Get Deal

We're getting close to the deadline for Christmas presents arriving on time. But there's no need to freak out if you're a last-minute shopper. Amazon has a nice selection of gifts that will still arrive for the holiday. You'll need to wrap in a hurry, but as long as everything goes to plan, you'll be ready. If one of the most versatile e-readers sounds like a nice gift, there's a great deal in store today.

As of Dec. 23, the Amazon Kindle Scribe (64GB) is on sale at Amazon for $309.99, down from the list price of $419.99. That works out to an awesome savings of $140 from a 31% discount. This sale price matches the lowest we've ever seen at Amazon for this model. This sale price applies to both the Metallic Jade and Tungsten colorways, so check delivery times/dates for both options if you're looking for the quickest possible delivery.

If you or someone on your Christmas shopping list loves to read and journal, the Amazon Kindle Scribe is the perfect model. On Mashable's list of the best Kindles, the Scribe earns top marks as the best option for taking notes. Mashable Shopping Reporter Samantha Mangino wrote, "If, looking through your bookshelf, your books have dog-eared pages, highlighted lines, and scribbles in the margins, your instinct might be that an e-reader isn't for you, but I'd like to introduce you to the Kindle Scribe," she said. "It's the only Kindle with writing capabilities and comes with an included stylus pen that magnetically attaches to the side of the e-reader; it's ready for all your handwritten thoughts."

SEE ALSO: Need a last-minute Christmas gift? The Amazon Kindle Colorsoft is $60 off and it'll arrive before Dec. 25.

Mangino explained the included pen moves across the screen with ease, giving it the feel of writing on paper. In the full review of the Kindle Scribe, it lost some points because of it's $450 price tag, but today's sale that brings it down to $310 gives it much more allure. Plus, the pre-Christmas deliver date is a major bonus.

Focusing on some specs, the Kindle Scribe has a 10.2-inch display, getting up to 94 nits of brightness. Battery life is strong, getting up to 12 weeks before you'll need to recharge and the included premium pen doesn't ever need recharging. But keep in mind that it's not waterproof like some of its other Kindle family members like the Paperwhite.

If you're in a slight panic about shopping for last-minute gifts, rest assured that almost anyone would love the Kindle Scribe. Snag it while it's on sale at Amazon for $309.99 which shaves $140 off the normal price. Get the gift bag ready and you'll have a wonderful Christmas present, good to go.

SAVE $25: As of Dec. 23, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is on sale for $134.99 instead of $159.99. That's a savings of 16% or $25 and about $10 shy of its best price ever.

Opens in a new window Credit: Kindle Amazon Kindle Paperwhite $134.99 at Amazon
$159.99 Save $25   Get Deal

Mashable shopping reporter Sam Mangino has tested every Kindle device and the Kindle Paperwhite constantly comes out on top. "It's "as good as an e-reader can get," she writes. Ahead of the big day on Dec. 25, you can pick one up for $10 shy of its best price ever.

As of Dec. 23, the Amazon Kindle Paperwhite is down to $134.99 from its list price of $159.99. That's $25 or 16% in savings. While we did see it drop even lower on Black Friday, this is still a really solid discount — and its second-best price all year.

Though I'm a major fangirl of the basic Kindle (and highly recommend it!), the Kindle Paperwhite is definitely the "better" device on paper. It's the fastest model yet and turns pages without stuttering or slowing down. The vibrant seven-inch display includes adjustable brightness and warmth to make reading in any condition easy on the eyes. And the real kicker is that it's waterproof (unlike the basic Kindle) — a pretty major reason why it lands in the top spot on our best e-reader's list.

Though it's a bit bigger than the basic Kindle, it's still small enough to slide comfortably in a purse. And just like every Kindle device, its battery life is bonkers at about 12 weeks per charge.

Unfortunately, you can only get delivery before Christmas in some locations. But saving $25 justifies waiting an extra day or two in my eyes. Snag the Paperwhite for only $134.99 while this deal is still live.

SSDs are great for a lot of things, but long-term cold storage is not one of them, and while many never fail, some do—taking some data with them.

The European Commission is pleased with Apple's iOS 26.3 – two of its features in particular, that is.

The European Union's watchdog said that two of the features introduced in the iOS 26.3 beta were a result of an EU investigation into Apple's terms for connected devices.

"The DMA creates new opportunities for developers to bring to market innovative products and services in Europe. This is another step towards a more inter-connected digital ecosystem to the benefit of all EU citizens,” an EC spokesperson told the Wall Street Journal.

One of the two features in question is Notification Forwarding for third-party smartwatches, which we've covered here.

The other feature the EC probably refers to is Proximity pairing, allowing users of iOS devices to easily pair with third-party devices, similarly to how you pair AirPods to your iPhone.

There's also a feature called Transfer to Android, allowing users to transfer their data to an Android device in an easier way.

SEE ALSO: Apple's iPhone Fold isn't even announced yet, and Samsung might already be working on a competitor

I can't remember when a new version of iOS was this focused on compliance with European rules. All three new features have to do with Europe's Digital Market Act (DMA), which Apple isn't very happy about.

All of these new features will only be available for customers in the European Union. Apple's iOS 26.34 is currently in beta, and will probably become available in January.

Marvel Studios keeps bringing back the actors it sent off in Avengers: Endgame — and I'm not just talking about Robert Downey Jr. as Doctor Doom.

Instead, I'm talking about Chris Evans as Captain America/Steve Rogers.

SEE ALSO: Is Doctor Doom going after all the super babies in 'Avengers: Doomsday'?

The teaser trailer for the upcoming Avengers: Doomsday puts Steve front and center, revealing what's been going on in his life since the end of Avengers: Endgame. In that film, following the return of the Infinity Stones, Steve stayed in the past and married Peggy Carter (Hayley Atwell). He grew old and, in the present, passed his shield and the title of Captain America to Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie).

However, based on the Avengers: Doomsday teaser, it's clear that that wasn't really the end of his story.

The teaser sees Steve returning to the home he shares with Peggy, then cradling his newborn child. Cute, right? Well, it's less cute than it is foreboding, because what in the world is going to happen to Peggy and that child to bring Steve out of retirement and into the fight against Doctor Doom? Remember how Doctor Doom was creeping on Reed Richards (Pedro Pascal) and Sue Storm's (Vanessa Kirby) baby Franklin at the end of The Fantastic Four: First Steps? What if he's coming after all the super babies?

In addition to Downey Jr. and Evans, Avengers: Doomsday also stars (deep breath) Chris Hemsworth, Kirby, Pascal, Mackie, Sebastian Stan, Letitia Wright, Paul Rudd, Wyatt Russell, Tenoch Huerta Mejía, Ebon Moss-Bachrach, Simu Liu, Florence Pugh, Kelsey Grammer, Lewis Pullman, Danny Ramirez, Joseph Quinn, David Harbour, Winston Duke, Hannah John-Kamen, Tom Hiddleston, Patrick Stewart, Ian McKellen, Alan Cumming, Rebecca Romijn, James Marsden, and Channing Tatum.

Avengers: Doomsday hits theaters Dec. 18, 2026.

If you’re one of the 67 percent of Gen Zers (ages 18-24) currently using nicotine who are planning to quit for the New Year, you might be freaking out right about now. Between gift-hunting and dealing with your extended family and all the other chaos that generally flares up this time of year, you might even find yourself wanting to reach for the vape more than you usually do. All the more reason to stay on track with quitting, even with your halls fully decked.

Many e-cigarette, vape, or pouch users may reach for nicotine in order to deal with stress, anxiety, and depression. But according to the nonprofit public-health organization Truth Initiative, nicotine can actually make your symptoms worse. That’s right, worse. 

Findings from a meta-analysis of 26 studies have shown that quitting nicotine is associated with lower levels of stress, as well as an improved mood, which is something we could all use more of this time of year. A Truth Initiative survey has also shown that a whopping 90 percent of vapers who quit reported feeling less anxious and depressed.

But surviving the holidays and sticking to your New Year’s resolutions is hard, especially when vapes are being engineered to keep you using. Truth Initiative research shows that between 2017 and 2022, disposable e-cigarettes have nearly tripled in nicotine strength — making them more potent — and they have more puffs per device and are cheaper. Over 75 percent of teens who vape use their device within 30 minutes of waking up, a key sign of growing nicotine dependence.

The good news is that you don’t have to white-knuckle it this year. While only three to five percent of people quit for longer than six months using the ‘cold turkey’ approach, counseling and medication can more than triple your chances of quitting for good. 

Additionally, Truth Initiative has proven and free resources to help keep your quitting resolutions on track. EX Program, featured in their national campaign, Outsmart Nicotine, offers a solution loaded with digital tools and both expert and peer support to help you put the vape down for good.

Opens in a new window Credit: Truth Initiative EX Program A science-based approach to quitting nicotine Learn More Tap into a free digital support network

EX Program is a comprehensive digital resource developed by Truth Initiative with the experts at the Mayo Clinic. It isn’t a generic one-size-fits-all quitting program, it’s designed to meet the unique challenges faced by Gen Z. Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine has shown that using EX Program can increase your odds of quitting nicotine by up to 40 percent. As an added bonus, if you’re thinking about quitting cannabis, a new study has shown that EX Program can help you with that, too. 

Sign up and you’ll get a tailored quit plan and a suite of digital tools that you can access 24/7. In addition to receiving expert tips and strategies to help you quit, you’ll also get interactive texts from quitting experts and other quitters just like you who have gone through the process and know what it’s like. Whether you engage — or just lurk and learn — EX Program is an anonymous, safe space that’s got your back. And it’s free. 

Change your old patterns

In order to quit for good, you’ll need to break a physical addiction, which isn’t an easy feat. Thankfully, EX Program’s daily texts and expert resources can help you identify your personal triggers, cope with cravings, and replace your old routines with healthier ones. All you have to do to start is text DITCHIT to 88709.

Take exercise, for example. Something as simple as doing a few jumping jacks every morning or taking your pup on a walk can do wonders for your head — and boost those endorphins and dopamine. Playing games can also provide a fun distraction. Whenever you feel triggered, you can do something fun to help crush the nicotine cravings. Go ahead, put on your headphones and bust a move.

If you thought the holidays were a bad time to outsmart nicotine, they might actually be one of the best times ever. Regardless, remember that Truth Initiative has loads of proven digital tools designed to help you quit — and stay quit.