Sleep soundly: Score 20% off at Tuft & Needle's Presidents' Day mattress sale
Fact: Waking up with a backache isn't exactly the best way to start your day. If this has been happening to you regularly, it may be time to consider investing in a new mattress. After all, experts say you should replace yours every six to eight years. Lucky for you, the best Presidents' Day mattress sales include affordable options from popular mail-order company Tuft & Needle. All four of the brand's mattresses are an impressive 20% off — the well-loved Mint Hybrid is marked down by $400 for a queen and even the brand-new Original Hybrid is discounted. Sounds like a dream, but we promise it's real.
There are a lot of elements to consider when picking out the right mattress, including your go-to sleep position, firmness preferences and, of course, budget. 'Mattress firmness is the most studied and accepted factor that one should consider,' Dr. Michael Gerling, spine surgeon and founder of the Gerling Institute, tells Yahoo Life. In general, people with chronic back pain tend to do better with firmer beds, he says.
But your sleep style can influence the right mattress for you, too, Benjamin Devaud, DPT, a physical therapist and clinic director at ATI Physical Therapy in Everett, Washington, tells Yahoo Life. In general, back sleepers do well with medium to medium-firm mattresses, side sleepers are more comfortable with softer mattresses, and stomach sleepers are more comfortable on a firmer mattress, Devaud explains. Regardless of your sleep position, what you don't want to do is sleep on an old mattress. 'Studies on travelers have shown that newer, higher-quality mattresses can have an impact on the quality of one's sleep and satisfaction,' Gerling says. 'In other words, having an older mattress that has been 'worked in' is likely not to be the best sleep aid.'
That brings us back to Tuft's & Needle's Presidents' Day sale — below we've broken down everything you need to know about T&N's four mattresses, along with who they're best suited for. All of the options come with the brand's cooling and contouring adaptive foam that maximizes breathability and pressure relief. You can also bundle and save more by adding a mattress, mattress protector and down alternative pillow with the code MATTRESS15. No matter what you choose, you'll still get to enjoy Tuft & Needle's 100-day night trial, along with free shipping and returns — just at much lower prices than usual.
The reviews quoted above reflect the most recent versions at the time of publication.
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2 days ago
- Yahoo
Midea air conditioner recall sparks concern: How to clean mold from your AC safely
Midea is recalling about 1.7 million of the company's U and U+ Window Air Conditioners sold in the U.S. and Canada due to mold exposure concerns, according to a notice shared by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). The affected units were distributed under the popular brand names Midea, Comfort Aire, Danby, Frigidaire, Insignia, Keystone, LBG Products, Mr. Cool, Perfect Aire and Sea Breeze. Water in the recalled air conditioners may pool inside the units and have difficulty draining quickly enough, increasing the risk of mold growth. The company's issued notice states that mold exposure can raise the risk of developing respiratory issues or infections for some users. While this particular recall is focused on select Midea products, mold in air conditioners is a common issue all AC owners should be aware of, Omero Flores, CEO of American AC & Heating, a family-operated HVAC company in Harlingen, Texas, tells Yahoo Life. It's easy to view an air conditioner as a set-it-and-forget-it appliance, but these workhorse machines require regular cleanings to lower the risk of mold buildup. But if you're like most people, you probably don't know how to clean mold from your air conditioner (or how to identify if it needs cleaning in the first place). With that in mind, here's how to check and clean your unit and how to prevent AC mold in your home in the first place. There are a few reasons why mold can grow in air conditioners. For starters, "mold is present almost everywhere," Jamie Alan, an associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University, tells Yahoo Life. But air conditioners in particular create a mold-friendly environment that allow spores to thrive. "Mold is a common issue in AC units because the cooling process naturally creates moisture," Flores says. "When warm air passes over the evaporator coils, condensation forms." If the moisture doesn't drain properly from your AC — which is what happened with the Midea recall — or if the system stays humid due to poor ventilation or infrequent use, it creates an ideal environment for mold to grow, Flores says. There are a few things that can happen with a moldy air conditioner. "Mold will reduce efficiency and can also circulate spores throughout the home, which can cause health issues like allergies or respiratory irritation," Flores says. According to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI), mold and mold spores are incredibly common — you're going to breathe some of them in from the air around you. That said, some people are allergic to mold — their immune systems are overly sensitive to specific types of spores, which can lead to more significant reactions from exposure. Common reactions include sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose and nasal congestion. While there are hundreds of types of molds, the AAAAI notes that the most common ones that cause allergic reactions are Alternaria, Aspergillus, Cladosporium and Penicillium. As to what may happen if mold starts growing inside your AC, Alan says that really depends on the type of mold, as well as how your immune system typically responds to such spores. For instance, people who are immunocompromised or who have underlying respiratory issues are more prone to experience symptoms or health complications from mold exposure. Additionally, aerosolization of mold is a bigger potential issue than mold growing on a random surface, especially for people who are prone to mold issues, Alan says. If you're chronically exposed to mold by something like your AC blowing spores around, you could develop chronic allergy symptoms or other health concerns. "Patients could have lung infections, which could look like a fever, cough and trouble breathing," Alan says. Something else to consider: Certain types of molds, like black mold, can release toxins into the air that can make you sick, even if you don't have a mold allergy. "With things like black mold, there are more symptoms that patients may experience like fatigue, mood changes and brain fog," says Alan. There is also a specific immune reaction to mold spores called hypersensitivity pneumonitis where your lungs become inflamed due to mold exposure. "It leads to a flu-like illness with fever and fatigue, in addition to respiratory symptoms," says Dr. Robert Laumbach, associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice at the Rutgers School of Public Health. "Over time, this could lead to permanent lung damage, so we want to try to catch [it] early." A key sign that mold in your home may be making you sick is if you find that you're having asthma- or allergy-like symptoms in your home that seem to get better after you leave for the day. "Symptoms usually occur with exposure and then may resolve within hours," says Laumbach. (However, he says that it can take longer for symptoms to clear up for some people, so this isn't always a given.) Still, all of this doesn't mean you should panic if you happen to find mold in your AC — especially if you otherwise feel fine. "Not every type of mold causes health issues for humans," Alan points out. There are a few warning signs to look out for. "One of the most noticeable signs is a musty or earthy smell when the system kicks on," Flores says. "It is usually the strongest near vents." You may even spot mold on the vents or around the evaporator coils and drip pan, Flores says. "Unexplained moisture buildup around the unit or damp, stale air could also be red flags," he adds. But you may simply be tipped off to the presence of mold in your AC by how you feel when the AC starts running — pay attention for any telltale allergy symptoms mentioned earlier, like sneezing, a runny nose or coughing. While it's never a bad idea to call in the experts if cleaning your AC seems like an ordeal, in most cases, it's possible to tackle basic cleaning yourself. Flores offers these simple steps. Flores recommends protecting yourself first. That means wearing gloves, a face mask and goggles. "Disturbing mold can release spores," he says. Failing to protect yourself can increase the likelihood of experiencing allergy symptoms or irritation. While basic cleaning is fairly straightforward, it's important to familiarize yourself with your unit and to determine whether the company has specific suggestions for ongoing maintenance. You don't want to be poking around with the electricity still running. Removing these components allows you to clean in and around them more effectively, identifying any areas where mold may be growing. "Small amounts of mold in accessible areas like vent covers or drip pans can sometimes be cleaned with a mixture of water and a mild detergent or a diluted bleach solution," Flores says. But as you remove these parts, "be careful not to damage components," he warns. (This is where consulting the owner's manual may come in handy!) Giving your AC a chance to fully dry before turning it back on will reduce the chances for mold growth to return. If you suspect that mold is in deeper areas of your air conditioner, like the coils or blower motor, Flores says it's best to use professional-grade equipment and antimicrobials. "That's where trained HVAC pros come in, as we can safely clean and sanitize all affected areas without spreading the mold further," he says. Getting rid of mold from your AC unit is helpful, but it can come back again if you're not careful. As always, it's best to read the instruction manual for your unit and follow regular maintenance, as recommended. "Proper routine maintenance can address most of these issues before they become a problem for the home," Sean Goddard, product manager of indoor air quality and coils at HVAC company Trane Technologies, tells Yahoo Life. Beyond that, Goddard says it can be helpful to keep tabs on your indoor humidity. "Indoor humidity should be kept between 30% to 50% for comfort and to prevent mold," he says. "Mold tends to grow when indoor humidity is higher than this range." If humidity is a big issue in your home, Goddard suggests investing in a dehumidifier to try to help lower those levels. You may even want to consider using UV light, Goddard says. "UVC light installed over your coil and drain pan can prevent microbial growth and mold," he says. Laumbach suggests wiping down the inside and outside of your air conditioner regularly to remove dust, and to regularly clean and change your filter. "Dust can be enough food for mold to grow," he says. "You want to keep those coils and the filter clean." You may even want to consider using an additional air purifier with a HEPA filter, or seeing if your AC unit can use a HEPA filter to tamp down on mold spores circulating in your air, Tony Abate, a certified mold inspector and vice president and chief technology officer at AtmosAir Solutions, tells Yahoo Life. (Check out our favorite air purifiers here.) The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) also recommends keeping your air conditioning drip pans clean and the drain lines unobstructed and flowing properly. Again, mold can be an issue in any air conditioner — not just the models recalled by Midea. Mold exposure can raise the risk of a range of health issues, from allergy symptoms to full-blown infections, making it important to stay on top of the spores in your home. Doing routine air conditioner maintenance and cleanings will help to lower the risk of mold issues happening in the first place. Omero Flores, CEO of American AC & Heating in Harlingen, Texas Jamie Alan, RPH, PharmD, PhD, associate professor of pharmacology and toxicology at Michigan State University Robert Laumbach, MD, MPH, CIH, associate professor in the Department of Environmental and Occupational Health and Justice at the Rutgers School of Public Health Sean Goddard, product manager of indoor air quality and coils at Trane Technologies Tony Abate, a certified mold inspector and chief technology officer at AtmosAir Solutions Our health content is for informational purposes only and is not intended as professional medical advice. Consult a medical professional on questions about your health.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
Chipotle, Chick-fil-A and cottage cheese: The foods helping GLP-1 users hit their protein goals
Joie Armstrong knows that a home-cooked meal featuring whole foods is the best way to get her daily nutrients. She takes cues from her grandmother, who lived to be 104, because she never owned a car, walked everywhere and grew her own food, Armstrong says. Since starting a GLP-1 medication last year, Armstrong has been more focused than ever on getting the nutrition she needs. Priority No. 1? Protein, to keep her muscles fueled, her appetite satisfied and, as she puts it, to turn her body into a 'constant fat burner.' But Armstrong is also a modern mother, which means she's busy shuttling her kids from school to ballet and back, on top of everything else parenting demands. Thanks to the weight loss medication she's taking, her appetite isn't what it once was. So these days, it's about eating what she can when she can to get the most nutritional bang for the buck. 'I love a good fast food hack,' she tells Yahoo Life. 'I probably eat out once a week, and I know it's not the healthiest, but it's [my family's] reality because we're in transit far more often than we're sitting at the kitchen table.' Armstrong is one of millions of Americans taking GLP-1 weight loss medications. Many of these people refer to themselves, collectively, as a 'community.' And that community has developed countless 'hacks' to support their weight loss journeys. As a reporter, I've talked to dozens of people taking these medications, and it's kind of astounding how clearly certain foods have emerged as go-to ways for them to meet their oft-cited 'protein goals' quickly, conveniently and affordably. What are their favorite foods? Read on. GLP-1 medications — including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound — work by simulating certain hormones in the body that tell you when you're hungry and when you're full. These effects on satiety signals mean that people on GLP-1s have smaller appetites and they feel fuller more quickly. That makes the drugs highly effective for weight loss, but it can pose a challenge, Dr. Spencer Nadolsky, an obesity medicine physician, tells Yahoo Life. 'Because the satiety from the medicine is so strong, some people can only tolerate smaller, easier-to-eat portions that still taste good,' he says. But people taking GLP-1s still need all the essential nutrients in their diets, and they especially need to consume plenty of protein to prevent muscle loss, promote weight loss and reduce nausea, says Nadolsky. Avoiding fat is also important, so eating grilled or sautéed meat is better than choosing breaded or fried options; the frying process for the latter adds calories and fat, which is counter-productive to people's weight loss goals. And for those on a GLP-1, 'higher fat, greasy, heavy foods tend to cause more of the nausea, upset stomach and potential vomiting in these patients,' Nadolsky says. Fattier foods, he adds, 'are just sitting there in your gut' because they take longer to digest. GLP-1s slow gastric emptying, the process of digestion in which food moves from the stomach into the rest of the digestive tract. The slowdown is particularly dramatic when someone first starts on a GLP-1, which is why they may be particularly sensitive to nausea from high-fat foods during this period. Although this sensitivity wanes over time, GLP-1 patients have to walk a fine line: Getting sufficient, nutritious food that's appetizing to them, without overconsuming stomach-roiling fat and grease. Luckily, GLP-1ers (as many call themselves) have pooled plenty of out-to-eat and at-home hacks. 12-piece grilled chicken nuggets: 200 calories, 4.5 grams of fat, 2 grams of carbs, 38 grams of protein Grilled chicken sandwich: 390 calories, 11 grams of fat, 45 grams of carbs, 28 grams of protein Small mac and cheese: 270 calories, 17 grams of fat, 17 grams of carbs, 12 grams of protein With a menu built around chicken, it's perhaps no surprise that this fast food restaurant is one of the best bets for someone taking a GLP-1. A commonly cited favorite order is Chick-fil-A's grilled chicken nuggets. Armstrong likes to order a 12-piece grilled chicken nugget meal and stretch it across a few meals (nuggets make great salad toppings, she notes). Or, she'll choose a grilled chicken sandwich, which comes on a multigrain bun, 'so it's got good carbs and whole grains,' she says. Many people acclimate and can incorporate some nutritional splurges (pizza, bagels and breaded chicken) after a few months on a GLP-1. Haley Sipes, a stay-at-home mom in Kentucky, has been taking Zepbound for about eight months now. 'I love, love, love Chick-fil-A — that's my biggest go-to,' she says. Sipes has found she can tolerate the breaded chicken nuggets, which she orders along with a small side of mac and cheese. 'That way, it's something I enjoy, but I'm still getting protein,' she says. Salad with chicken, no rice, black beans, fajita vegetables and chipotle-honey vinaigrette: 555 calories, 25 grams of fat, 46 grams of carbs, and 42 grams of protein Kids meal with chicken, rice, fajita veggies and soft flour tortillas: 380 calories, 10 grams of fat, 52 grams of carbs, 23 grams of protein Chipotle makes dietitians' and Nadolsky's lists of fast food restaurants with healthy options. 'I love the Chipotle chicken salad with no sour cream, no cheese and very light on the vinaigrette,' says Nadolsky. Since the salads and bowls are customizable, it's easy to order a Chipotle option that suits GLP-1 users' needs. And for some people, that allows them to return to an old favorite restaurant without having to eat more than they need or risk stomach upset. Branneisha Cooper, who started taking Zepbound in 2022 and previously spoke to Yahoo Life for our On My Weigh series, used to order a Chipotle bowl with extra protein. But since starting her weight loss medication, she's switched to ordering a kids quesadilla, which comes with meat and the sides of your choosing. She says it's about half the serving of food she would have previously ordered. 'I try to make sure whatever I'm getting, it's protein-focused, and I try to make sure I get at least some vegetables,' she previously told Yahoo Life. 'Protein-style' Dave's Single burger (no bun, extra lettuce): 420 calories, 34 grams of fat, 6 grams of carbs, 24 grams of protein 10-piece crispy chicken nuggets: 450 calories, 29 grams of fat, 23 grams of carbs, 25 grams of protein Continuing the chicken theme, Wendy's is another reliable choice for Armstrong. But now that she's taking Zepbound, she skips the fries and orders her chicken sandwich or burger 'protein-style,' meaning it's served on lettuce instead of a bun. But you won't find the protein-style meal on the drive-through menu, Armstrong notes. It's almost like a secret menu (if you know, you know). By choosing to get a chicken sandwich or a Dave's Single on lettuce, Armstrong can significantly cut down on carbs without sacrificing protein. One serving of low-fat cottage cheese: 90 calories, 2.5 grams of fat, 5 grams of carbs, 12 grams of protein When it comes to eating on GLP-1s, much of 'what's old is new again,' says Nadolsky. That's where cottage cheese comes in. This snack has seen a huge resurgence in popularity amid the protein craze. And GLP-1 users are here for it. Cooper likes to make a cottage cheese and egg scramble (eggs are a favorite in the GLP-1 community too) because it's a quick, easy and high-protein breakfast. 'I try to eat colorfully, so sometimes I add spinach,' she previously told Yahoo Life. Michael Donnelly-Boylen has been on Mounjaro since March 2024. For months, he was afraid to eat his former favorite food, pizza, because he felt angry about its role in his obesity. But these days, he's started making cottage cheese pizza bowls. 'It's like a great pizza dip,' he says. Balanced Break box with white cheddar cheese, almonds and dried cranberries: 190 calories, 13 grams of fat, 12 grams of carbs, 8 grams of protein What's square, preportioned and high-protein? A Lunchable. More specifically, healthier 'adult' versions of the classic (but highly processed) kids meal. Sipes likes to buy several of Sargento's take on the snack pack to nibble on throughout the week. There are several variations, but she usually chooses one containing cheese, bite-size meat sticks, nuts and chocolate. 'When you realize it's 2 p.m. and you haven't had any sustenance, it's an easy way to give your brain some energy and not have to make a decision about what you want to eat,' she says. Aside from prioritizing protein, that's the busy mom's primary eating strategy: Make it easy, tasty and grazeable. 'Time is money, and I'm all about convenience in this season in my life,' Sipes says.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Yahoo
15% of women under 40 say they would likely try Botox. Is the 'preventative' messaging working?
Botox has traditionally been sought out by older women looking to do something about the wrinkles they already have. But that's changing. Now younger women are turning to the cosmetic treatment to avoid getting those fine lines in the first place. That's the idea behind preventative Botox, which Houston plastic surgeon Dr. Kristy Hamilton has seen explode in popularity over the past five years. 'The summer of 2020 was when I started seeing younger patients coming in and asking about starting Botox to prevent lines,' Hamilton tells Yahoo Life. 'What I tell them is that when you start to see lines linger when you're not moving your face, that's a good indicator that it's a good time to do so.' Data from the 2023 American Society of Plastic Surgeons report indicated that while patients between the ages of 40 and 54 account for the largest percentage of those getting Botox, treatments among patients from 18 to 39 years old have been increasing. 'Many in Gen Z are starting preventative Botox, known by some as 'Baby Botox,' to stop wrinkles before they form,' the report reads. Results from a recent Yahoo News/YouGov poll align with those findings. Among 1,677 U.S. adults surveyed in late March, 15% of women ages 18 to 39 said they would likely try Botox, compared with just 10% of women age 40 and older. This, experts say, indicates that the messaging behind preventative Botox — that when it comes to wrinkles, the best defense is a good offense — is not only spreading but also successfully convincing more people to start Botox sooner rather than later. But not everybody is buying in. Christine Cambus, a 36-year-old makeup artist living in New York, is someone who hopped on the Baby Botox train before it was a bigger trend. In her mid-20s, she started noticing expression lines in her forehead that weren't going away. 'When I turned 26, I decided to start doing Botox because I was like, I want to get ahead of this problem before it gets more intense,' she tells Yahoo Life. 'Now here we are 10 years later and — not to toot my own horn — but people routinely think I'm still in my early to mid-20s.' Baby Botox, aka micro-toxing, refers to using smaller doses of the neurotoxin (which isn't always Botox brand) to temporarily paralyze muscles in the face. According to Hamilton, these dosage amounts vary. 'It's still customized on the patient because I'm assessing the intensity of their muscle movement, which is going to be different person to person just based on anatomy, age, all of that,' she says. 'What we're talking about is just less than a full [Botox] treatment … usually less than half of what is recommended by the pharmaceutical companies.' Cambus receives 30 units for the injections across her forehead. 'I get it up into my hairline,' she says. 'I get my 11's and the very outward edges of my eyebrows because I want my brows to kind of tick up a bit at the end.' She believes that the injections she's had over the years are the reason she hasn't developed lines elsewhere, like crow's-feet. Hamilton backs this up. 'It's preventing the lines that are caused by movement, so if she's getting a little bit around the corners of the eyes, that's what is preventing her crow's-feet wrinkles,' she says. But if Cambus were only injecting the 11's between her eyebrows, for example, it wouldn't have that same preventative effect on the outside of the eyes. Jess Peachy, a 26-year-old from Charlotte, N.C., on the other hand, has been interested in getting injected since first hearing about preventative Botox on Bravo shows like Vanderpump Rules. But she has decided against it after doing further research. 'I looked into it, looked at other people's TikTok videos about their experiences and everything seemed fine and seemed good and normal. Everyone was like, 'My face isn't moving, I'm not getting wrinkles,'' she tells Yahoo Life. 'But what changed my mind about getting it was when people had masseter Botox and started discussing that after a while, they got the jowls.' Peachy is referring to people having Botox injections in their masseter muscle along the jaw — not an area prone to wrinkling — and experiencing jowl-like drooping. Peachy worries that sort of effect could happen elsewhere on her face if she tried Botox. 'At the end of the day, it is weakening your muscles, so I'm afraid of putting it in my face and the long-term effects of it,' she says. 'I don't want any muscle atrophy and to end up with loose and saggy skin.' Dr. Sean McNally, a plastic surgeon in Oregon, tells Yahoo Life that there is a slight possibility of experiencing significant weakening. But he says it's rare for people to be getting so much Botox so frequently to get to that point. 'If people are very consistently, very aggressively high-dosing Botox in certain muscles, and if they do that for years, those muscles can actually look weak and anemic, kind of pink instead of red. They do weaken with time,' he says. But McNally adds: 'For most people, they are not redosing their Botox before their Botox has completely worn off. So they're going to have this break in between where the muscle is functioning and you're actually using it for a while and then redosing it. It's not a long-term concern because if somebody is dosing you appropriately, they're going to be weakening the muscles but not completely freezing them out.' McNally himself has been getting injections for 12 years, starting when he was 31. If he hadn't gone the preventative route, he says, 'I would now have permanent creases that even with Botox wouldn't go away.' The messaging of preventative botox is working when it comes to getting younger people interested and considering it. What was previously a part of beauty regimens and culture for older women is now 'just something that Gen Z talks about,' says Hamilton. But that doesn't necessarily mean that every young person is running to get it. For some, it's concerns about the long-term effects holding them back; for others, it's the price tag. For those who are eager to begin, McNally encourages patients to wait until they're 25. 'I don't think you're going to get a ton of benefit out of it until you're in your late 20s, early 30s,' he says, unless there's an otherwise significant indication (like a skin or collagen condition) that someone younger should be starting. Hamilton recommends that people of all ages be particular when selecting who is doing the injection. That's especially important for young patients who don't want to overdo it. 'It's about going to someone that matches your aesthetic or understands your aesthetic,' she says. 'So if you walk into the office and everyone is completely frozen and people don't have any movement, that's probably not the office for you.'
