Eat pineapple, avoid clutter creep and use this 4-word phrase to fall asleep — plus 6 more tips to improve your health
Hello, Yahoo readers! My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I am here to share this week's best health and wellness tips from around the internet.
There's nothing Yahoo Life loves more than taking a walk — we've long written about the health benefits of getting your steps in, whether that's with some cozy cardio on a walking pad or a quick jaunt around the block at lunchtime. But what happens when your feet are hurting after all that walking? This week, Korin Miller explored the different reasons your dogs may be barking, and while that could include poor-fitting shoes, it may also be something else, like a posture or gait issue. If you're concerned, a podiatrist can help you assess the problem.
In the meantime, with the weather warming up, now is a great time to take your strolls outdoors (buh-bye, treadmill). Spending time in nature can improve your mental health, help you sleep better and even boost your immune system. Got a coffee date with a friend planned this weekend? Take those lattes to go and catch up for a leisurely stroll.
And in the meantime, look at the local weather forecast and check out your horoscope for a peek at your future. Then see what small steps you can take to make the week ahead fabulous.
Summer is around the corner, and if it has you daydreaming of a tropical vacation, get into the spirit by eating pineapple. Not only is this tart yellow fruit rich in potassium, vitamin C and manganese, it's also been shown to help lower blood sugar, which can have a healthy impact on your heart. You can slice up this fruit and eat it plain, but if you're feeling creative in the kitchen, make a pineapple-based salsa with peppers and tomato. It tastes great on top of white fish like tilapia or cod.
As Real Simple shared this week, 'clutter creep' is the gradual accumulation of stuff in your home — like that too-small pair of jeans you keep meaning to return, the pile of magazines you still haven't read or the holiday cards that have been collecting dust on your mantle since December. Dealing with all that stuff can take a toll on our mental health and make us feel too overwhelmed to want to tackle a cleaning project. To prevent it, try small daily habits: Set aside five minutes each day to clean up, and make sure everything you own has a designated 'home.' If it doesn't, toss it or donate it.
Another helpful tip: Think twice before buying new items that will add to the clutter in your home. Sure, that candle smells nice, but do you have a place to put it, or will it just be one more thing you stash away in your cupboard? And do you really need a new shirt, or are you just looking for the extra hit of dopamine that comes with adding it to your cart? Taking a walk or pausing to do something else when you're shopping can help you snap out of that 'must buy now' mindset, experts tell Real Simple.
Racing thoughts can keep you up in bed — so annoying! If you're struggling with rumination in the wee hours of the night, try this simple phrase to soothe your mind: 'This thought can wait.' Psychologists found that these words are helpful because they allow you to recognize a thought as opposed to forcing it away, which can make stewing on it worse. It also removes the urgency of repeating these thought patterns, which can exacerbate anxiety.
I don't know about you, but sit-ups are my least favorite part of my gym routine. Strengthening your core, however, is vital for building stability, improving posture and preventing injury. Maddie Lymburner, who goes by MadFit on YouTube, has a core workout plan that doesn't involve sitting down at all, and it's just 10 minutes long. Pop it on next time you want your abs to burn.
You know that dark chocolate has antioxidants, but did you know that it could actually be good for your gut, too? According to EatingWell, the slightly bitter treat has polyphenols, which are plant compounds that help calm inflammation in the body by neutralizing free radicals. Plus, a study published in 2022 found that healthy adults who ate one ounce of 85% dark chocolate daily for three weeks developed more diverse gut microbiomes compared to those who didn't. A healthy dessert idea: Dip strawberries or green apples in melted dark chocolate.
There's a reason you might hear so much grunting at the gym. According to a new study in the Scientific Journal of Sport and Performance. Forcefully exhaling (whether or not it comes with a sound) has been shown to boost power and performance during intense moves, like a heavy lift or box jump.
'When you forcefully expire, you create abdominal pressure and maintain airflow — it's the best of both worlds,' exercise physiologist Alexander Rothstein tells Women's Health. 'You won't fatigue as quickly, and your core muscles will still be firing and stabilizing like they should.'
You put quinoa in your salad and are all about oats — but have you heard of sorghum? There are plenty of reasons to eat this underrated ancient grain, which has a nutty flavor and texture similar to couscous. Not only is it high in micronutrients like iron, magnesium, B vitamins and potassium, it's also rich in plant-based protein: A half-cup serving contains 10 grams, keeping you full and satisfied while also helping you build muscle and other tissue. Try sorghum in this roasted sweet potato salad recipe, or even pop it on your stovetop — it's a great, higher-protein dupe for popcorn.
The Guardian shared six conversations you should be having — including one that can enrich your relationship with an older person. The next time you talk to a friend or relative who has a couple of decades on you, ask them what they were doing at your age.
Often, we only see people like our parents in one role: the one they've played in our lives, like caregiver. But by asking them about their past, we can see them from a new perspective. 'We get very caught up in what's different between us and other generations rather than what is the same,' family therapist and University of Exeter professor Hannah Sherbersky tells the outlet.
But with this conversation, the older person is 'invited to step back into another aspect of themselves that perhaps they've lost touch with: a time they may have felt stronger or had more sense of agency in the world, or perhaps life was more complicated and they can reflect on how they feel more content now,' she says. You'll strengthen your bond and maybe learn a little about life in the process.
Life is busy, but you still want a neat, tidy home. According to HuffPost, though, you can officially let yourself off the hook when it comes to tasks that are way more about busywork than the mental clarity that comes with organization. Those tasks include folding your underwear (it's not like they're ever on display!) and putting foods in different containers from their original packaging to make your kitchen cabinets look Pinterest-pretty. Instead, focus on things that will actually help you function throughout the day. Organizing your closet so you can more easily find your favorite top? Doing laundry so you have a fresh towel when you come out of the shower? That's what's going to keep you calm.
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