Hi, Yahoo Life readers! My name is Kaitlin and I provide the best wellness advice on the web.
August is coming to a close, and fall is just around the corner—if the launch of Starbucks’ Pumpkin Spice Latte is any indication. (Just remember not to overdo it on the caffeine…it is an espresso-based drink, after all.) If the end of summer means “back to school” for you and your little ones, check out these expert parenting tips that can help you navigate the start of the school year.
Take a look at the weather in your area and, if you want to be guided by the stars, your horoscope, then read the following tips for a healthy week.
🦷 Bring order to your dental care routine
You can proudly tell your dentist that you floss and brush your teeth regularly, but are you doing it in the right order? Flossing before brushing removes debris from your teeth before you brush it away, preventing bad breath and potential gum disease.
No matter what you do first, dental hygiene is important—and not just to protect your sparkling white teeth. Good oral health is also linked to a lower risk of heart disease, diabetes, and other serious conditions.
🧦 What to pack for your next flight
You’ve got your eye mask and noise-canceling headphones — but do you really need compression socks for your long flight? Experts say it’s a good idea to wear them. Dr. Leo Reap, a hematologist at Ascension Michigan, told Health that “blood flow in the veins can become sluggish and pool in the lower legs” — especially on flights longer than four hours — which can increase the risk of blood clots. Compression socks gently press on the legs, which helps maintain blood flow and reduces the risk of swelling and blood clots.
You can also reduce your risk of a blood clot by getting up and moving around on the plane, even if it’s just a short stretch in the aisle. Staying hydrated can also reduce your risk, so bring a water bottle and sip regularly. (Need to get up and go to the bathroom? Great, you’re already moving more!)
😋 Plums as a snack
Thanks to their high fiber content, prunes are great for getting your gastrointestinal tract going, but that’s not the only reason to eat them as a snack. Prunes contain tons of antioxidants that can lower your risk of chronic diseases like heart disease, and they may actually protect your bone health due to their phenolic compounds, vitamin K, and potassium content.
You don’t have to eat it whole to enjoy this fruit: try adding it chopped into your salad or porridge, or mix it into your smoothie for a natural dose of sweetness.
🏃 Join a running club – maybe you’ll find love
Running clubs are all the rage right now and are a great way to train for marathons or improve general fitness. But if you’re single, there’s another reason to get involved: Theresa DiDonato, an associate professor of psychology at Loyola University Maryland, told Women’s Health that you’re more likely to form a romantic relationship with people who share your interests. Maybe that running buddy will turn into something more?
🦘 Bring energy boosts to your evening routine
Winding down in the evening is important, but a new study in BMJ Open Sport & Exercise Medicine has found that short bouts of exercise can actually help you sleep better. Researchers had participants break up four hours of sedentary TV watching with three-minute intervals of bodyweight exercise every 30 minutes, which resulted in participants sleeping nearly 30 minutes longer that night than those who didn’t get up and move. Although the study was small, researchers believe this benefit may be related to improved blood sugar regulation. Consider squeezing in some squats while you’re glued to NFL games this season.
🍕 Avoid the leftover pizza (sorry!)
Didn’t clean up after your pizza party and want to grab a slice for breakfast? Don’t, experts warn Yahoo Life—because pizza has been in the “danger zone” (between 40°F and 140°F, where bacteria can multiply quickly, increasing the risk of foodborne illness) for too long. In the future, put away leftovers within two hours and try to wrap your slices individually in plastic wrap or aluminum foil. That way, your pizza won’t absorb flavors from your fridge (yuck), and you’ll also avoid possible food poisoning.
🧘 Focus on flexibility
New research published in the Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports suggests that flexibility may be linked to longevity. If you’re feeling a bit stiff, there are several ways you can work on your flexibility. One easy method you can incorporate into your routine? Foam rolling – it loosens tight muscles and fascia, which increases range of motion and reduces stiffness. You can also sign up for Pilates or Tai Chi classes (or look for them online). Both are exercises that will help you maintain and improve your flexibility.
If you want something you can do right away, try this doorframe stretch: Stand in a doorway with your arms bent at 90 degrees, place your forearms on the doorframe, and step forward. Lean forward until you feel a stretch in your chest and shoulders, hold the position for 30 seconds, then step back. Repeat as needed.
🎮 Play video games for your mental health
Is it time to dig out the PlayStation? A Japanese study published in Nature Human Behaviour found that playing video games for a few hours a day improved mental health by reducing psychological distress and increasing life satisfaction. However, these positive effects disappeared when people played for more than three hours a day.
Because this study was conducted during the pandemic, it’s possible the results would have been different under different circumstances, the researchers noted. But if you’re already a gamer, this is a great excuse to play – just keep it to under three hours to get the most benefit.
🐟 Eat fish with your vegetables
According to a study from Loma Linda University, eating fish and vegetables may be the best way to reduce the risk of death, especially in the very elderly. Researchers found that participants on a pesco-vegetarian diet had an 18% lower risk of death than non-vegetarians. And while a strict vegetarian diet provides health benefits in middle age, an exclusively vegetarian diet in old age is associated with a slightly higher risk of neurological disease. The additional fish in the diet offers a “small but significant benefit,” according to researchers.
Want to try a pesco-vegetarian diet for yourself? You can start simply by incorporating more canned fish into your diet instead of other meats. These fish have many nutritional benefits, such as calcium, which can protect your bones, and omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for your brain. They also have a long shelf life and are less expensive than the fresh variety, so you can easily incorporate them into your meals, whether it’s a Caesar salad or a pasta dish garnished with anchovies.
