Stop making this handwashing mistake, eat shrimp and use the Pomodoro technique to clean up — plus 8 more tips to improve your health
Hello Yahoo Life readers! My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I am here to share the best health and wellness tips from around the internet.
This week, Kerry Justich spoke to American track and field Olympian Gabby Thomas, who spilled her wellness routine. This includes drinking coffee, which Thomas says is 'one of the first things I do every morning.'
The athlete may not be ditching coffee anytime soon, but plenty of people are, whether that's due to caffeine jitters or digestive woes. The good news? There are some excellent coffee alternatives on the market.
This week, I explored whether beanless brews and coffee blends — some of which are made with mushrooms or upcycled ingredients like date pits — are a good solution for when you're craving a pick-me-up that isn't a traditional cup of joe. While experts say there's no reason to ditch coffee if your body responds well to it, you could get some perks by sipping on these beverages, such as a brain boost from adaptogens like reishi.
Take a peek at the local weather forecast and, if so inclined, peruse your horoscope to see what the stars have in store. Then check out what small steps you can take to make the week ahead great.
The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases just released its State of Handwashing report, which revealed that 48% of Americans are not washing their hands at key times. But some may not be aware of what those times even are. For example, while most Americans sudsed up after going to the bathroom and handling food (phew!), the NFID says that we should also be washing our hands after visiting food-centric places — like a grocery store, restaurant or coffee shop — as well as the doctor's office, pharmacy or hospital. These places have the potential to be particularly germy, and those germs can go from your hands into your mouth, eyes or nose and get you sick.
An easy habit to stick with? Wash your hands every time you come home, and make sure you're doing it the right way: Scrub with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, making sure to get under your fingernails. Don't forget to properly dry your hands too; wet hands spread germs more easily.
May 10 is National Shrimp Day, but there are a lot of reasons to eat this crustacean year-round. One big benefit of shrimp is that it's very low in calories while also being high in protein — a three-ounce serving has about 20 grams of protein. Plus, it also contains minerals like potassium, phosphorus and magnesium.
Want to get the best-tasting shrimp? While it may make dinner take a little longer to prepare due to the de-shelling process, buying shrimp that are still in their shells will deepen that umami flavor.
It's already May, and you still haven't gotten around to spring cleaning? It's time to stop procrastinating. Yes, organizing your closets and filing 6 months' worth of random paperwork can feel overwhelming, but Apartment Therapy has a handy hack: Try cleaning with the Pomodoro technique, a method in which you work in focused 25-minute intervals followed by five-minute breaks. The goal? Staying motivated while also breaking down big tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks. Your house will get clean and you won't lose your mind in the process — a win-win!
Weird … but kind of genius? A writer at Salon found that her smoothies tasted even better when she started using roasted fruit. Think roasting peaches with honey and cinnamon, or creating an apple pie-inspired smoothie by baking apples, storing them in the fridge overnight and then blending them with rolled oats in the a.m. It's a great way to make a morning smoothie way more exciting with new flavors.
The latest fitness craze on social media? People doing 100 kettlebell swings a day. You don't need to do that many reps to enjoy the benefits of this exercise, however.
'Most of us spend a lot of time sitting — on our phones, at our computers, in our cars — which makes the front of our body super-tight and pulls us into that rounded, hunchback position,' personal trainer Nico Gonzalez tells Yahoo Life. 'When done correctly, kettlebell swings really activate the muscles along your spine, the backs of your arms and the backs of your legs, which helps bring your posture upright. So, it's actually a really great corrective exercise.'
Research says that working out with kettlebells can improve your grip and muscle strength overall, as well as lower inflammation. This week, make your gym workout all about kettlebells with this five-move kettlebell plan.
I recently hit up an infrared sauna on my longevity treatment journey and was so glad I did; there's nothing more relaxing than getting a good sweat in. But there's science behind the sweat too: Regularly using a sauna has been shown to reduce joint and muscle stiffness, improve your immune system and enhance sleep. Plus, spending time in a sauna has also been linked to a better mood. I, for one, am never happier.
Try sitting in a sauna for 15 to 20 minutes, Dr. Jaclyn Tolentino, a primary care physician at Love.Life, tells Women's Health. If you feel dizzy or sick, step out. "Sauna use should feel like a supportive ritual, not a challenge to power through,' Tolentino explains. "The key is to listen to your body — it should feel nourishing, not punishing."
Gossiping has an admittedly bad reputation. But there's actually some good that can come from talking about others. 'Human connection through shared information and communication is core to who we are and connects us to each other,' Thea Gallagher, director of wellness programs at NYU Langone Health, tells Fox News. 'We might feel closer to someone when we know they are confiding in us with information and vice versa.'
And gossiping can also build empathy. For example, if you get wind that someone else is dealing with something (divorce, a sick parent, etc.) you can relate to, you may feel more connected to that person and be even more likely to open up to them in the future.
The key to making sure gossip never becomes malicious or catty is to ensure it's coming from a place of curiosity, rather than to harm someone's reputation through the spread of mean-spirited comments.
May 11 is National Foam Rolling Day, which should be your reminder to break out your roller after an intense exercise session. Foam rolling is a practice in which you use a foam cylinder (or sometimes even something spherical, like a hard rubber ball) to apply pressure to sore or tight muscles. This targets fascia, aka the connective tissue surrounding muscles and organs. It helps increase blood flow, reduce muscle tension and improve flexibility, making it an excellent way to aid in recovery, not to mention prevent injury next time you work out.
Need help getting started? Try these two easy exercises from Men's Fitness. And make sure to skip foam rolling your neck, joint areas or anywhere that you're already injured; you could do more harm than good.
In the mood to try a new tea? Try dandelion tea — especially if you deal with digestive discomfort. Dandelion tea can help relieve bloating, which can potentially come from eating a high-sodium diet, thanks to its natural diuretic properties, helping to flush excess fluid from the body.
But that's not the only reason to try this herbal tea: Dandelion tea is packed with antioxidants, including beta-carotene, in addition to being a good source of vitamin A.
You may have seen the 'okra water' trend making its rounds on TikTok, with some claiming that this drink — which is made by soaking sliced raw okra pods overnight and straining out the solids — helps with blood sugar control. While there haven't been studies confirming this, there is still a good reason to eat okra, which is packed with fiber, minerals and antioxidants. It's specifically a great source of magnesium and folate, which support muscle and heart health. Try pickling it, using shorter pods and patting them dry before brining to avoid a slimy texture.
Resistance training is so important for maintaining muscle mass and bone health. This week, change things up by picking up a medicine ball. Training with a medicine ball helps build 'explosive power, increases body strength, increases speed and provides more versatile movement in different planes,' fitness coach Tatiana Lampa tells Women's Health.
You can slam a medicine ball, toss it or twist with it beyond what you could do with a traditional weight. Plus, the shape and feel of a medicine ball means it mimics real-world activities — like, say, lifting a toddler or carrying a bag of groceries — which helps build functional strength.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Trump's new budget bill hides an assault on hospice
President Trump's 'big beautiful bill,' which passed the House with almost unanimous Republican support on May 22, mandates $500 billion in cuts to Medicare. This is a cruel assault on some of the most vulnerable Americans that will strip them of vital health care services. It will also take an axe to hospice, which relies on Medicare reimbursement to function. Since 1982, when Medicare first began covering hospice, Americans have turned to it for essential end-of-life services that address the specialized needs of the dying and allow for death with dignity. Our current system doesn't always run perfectly and would benefit from greater funding and support. I know this because when my mother was 99.5 years of age and less than six months away from her death, medical staff at our local hospice agency determined she was not, in fact, dying soon enough. Presumably adhering to Medicare guidelines, they callously discontinued our hospice services. The abrupt cessation of care prompted my debilitated mom's eviction from an assisted living facility. The chaotic aftermath necessitated medicine, schedule and equipment adjustments for her and delivered a massive blow to me, her primary caregiver. Fewer resources means this financially draining and emotionally wrenching situation will become more common — perhaps even the norm. The shifting demographics make the picture even bleaker. The U.S. is a rapidly aging population, with the number of Americans ages 65 and older expected to more than double over the next 40 years. At a time when we should be buttressing hospice services, our government is threatening to starve them. According to the Office of the Inspector General, 'About 1.7 million Medicare beneficiaries receive hospice care each year, and Medicare pays about $23 billion annually for this care.' Hospice is an interdisciplinary service that provides everything from pain relief to spiritual support to medication management to dietary consulting to mobility equipment to bereavement counseling. While the price tag may sound hefty and our current administration would like us to believe that public services are an unbearable financial burden, an investigation published in the Journal of American Medical Association Health Forum found that hospice saves Medicare money. Research shows that hospice significantly benefits dementia and cancer patients at the end of their lives. On May 19, 2025, the Journal of the American Geriatrics Society published a study of 51,300 assisted living residents that concluded, 'Higher frequency of hospice staff visits was associated with better perceived hospice quality. Policies supporting greater hospice staff engagement, including nonclinical staff, may enhance end-of-life care experiences for assisted living residents.' The report matters because the findings illuminate the humane need for both clinical and nonclinical treatment that provides for medical and emotional support as life ends. We all heard President Trump campaign on promises to protect Medicare, but Richard Fiesta, executive director of the advocacy group Alliance for Retired Americans, describes the ongoing national budget scene as 'an all-out assault on Medicare and Medicaid that will hurt older Americans in every community across the country.' And Shannon Benton, the executive director of the Senior Citizens League, another advocacy group, now warns that the potential Medicare cuts could lead to lower reimbursement rates. This would be disastrous for millions of Americans and would threaten to eradicate end-of-life care as we know common belief, hospices are not run by volunteers. Volunteers might become part-time visitors or assistants for a variety of tasks, but hospice administrations are led by professionals who are evaluated on financial performance and organizational viability. Palliative care is free to recipients and families and available at all income levels, but hospices are businesses, and they must raise sufficient funds through donations, gifts, bequests and reimbursements to compensate employees, repay loans, cover operating costs, and plan for exigencies. Simply put, much of that money comes from Medicare. Specialized care for the dying was introduced to the U.S. in 1963, when Yale University's then dean Florence Wald invited Dame Cicely Saunders of the U.K. to participate in a visiting lecture at Yale. At that time Saunders said, 'We will do all we can not only to help you die peacefully, but also to live until you die.' Four years later, in 1967, Saunders created St. Christopher's Hospice in the U.K. Later, in 1974, Florence Wald founded Connecticut Hospice in Branford, Connecticut — America's first hospice. Within five years and after several national conferences, the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare acknowledged that hospices provided alternative care programs for Americans losing their lives to terminal illnesses. Federal hospice regulations were drafted. In 1982, Medicare added hospice care to its benefits, and in 1985, Medicare hospice coverage became permanent. With that, the U.S. recognized the right of its citizens to die with dignity. Forty years later, our government has signaled that a rollback of that right may be on the horizon. Eventually, my mother died in a highly regarded long-term care complex without hospice support and with no prescribed opioids. It was an unnecessarily excruciating death that exacerbated my and my family's grief. The trauma we suffered was destabilizing and healing from it was slow and difficult. If Trump's Orwellian-named 'big beautiful bill' passes the Senate, I fear our experience will have been an ugly preview of what is to come.
Vox
an hour ago
- Vox
Ketamine is suddenly everywhere
covers health for Vox, guiding readers through the emerging opportunities and challenges in improving our health. He has reported on health policy for more than 10 years, writing for Governing magazine, Talking Points Memo, and STAT before joining Vox in 2017. Ketamine seems to be everywhere — from the nightclub to the psychiatric clinic. Among its growing number of users is Elon Musk, who says he takes ketamine every two weeks for depression as prescribed by a doctor. He's far from alone: More and more Americans are turning to ketamine for relief for their mental health struggles. But the New York Times reported recently that Musk was taking so much ketamine during last year's presidential campaign, sometimes daily, that he reportedly told people it was causing him bladder problems, a known symptom of chronic ketamine use. Musk's reported experience with the drug — from medical to possibly abusive — provides a window into ketamine's growing popularity in the United States, and the paradox that popularity presents. Ketamine, both an anesthetic and a hallucinogen, was first synthesized in the 1960s and has long been used for surgery and veterinary medicine. More recently, it has shown remarkable effectiveness in alleviating symptoms of depression, particularly in treatment-resistant populations. Clinics administering the drug — which legally must be licensed by the government to provide intravenous infusions — are becoming more popular. The Food and Drug Administration approved the first ketamine-derived nasal spray for depression in 2019. On the other hand, as highlighted in the Times' report alleging that Musk was mixing ketamine with other drugs, more Americans appear to be using ketamine recreationally and outside of medical supervision. Chronic misuse can put people at risk of serious physical and mental health consequences, from kidney and liver damage to memory loss and paranoia. 'There is absolutely a role for ketamine to help people with depression and suicidal ideation,' said Dr. Kevin Yang, a resident physician in psychiatry at the University of California-San Diego. 'At the same time, that doesn't mean it's going to be safe and effective for everyone.' According to a study co-authored by Yang and published earlier this year, the percentage of Americans who reported using ketamine within the past year grew by 82 percent from 2015 to 2019, took a brief dip in 2020 — possibly because of the pandemic complicating people's access to the drug — and then rose another 40 percent from 2021 to 2022. The increases were similar for both people with depression and people without, suggesting that the growth is being driven by both more people seeking ketamine for clinical purposes and more people using it recreationally. The overall number of people taking ketamine is still tiny: About 0.28 percent of the population as of 2022, though this might be an undercount, as people don't always tell the truth in surveys about drug use. There is other evidence to suggest more people are taking ketamine recreationally. Yang's study found that ketamine use was rising most among white people and people with college degrees, and users reported taking it more often in combination with other recreational drugs such as ecstasy and cocaine. Ketamine drug seizures nationwide increased from 55 in 2017 to 247 in 2022, according to a 2023 study led by Joseph Palamar at New York University. Experts think most recreational ketamine is produced illicitly, but the number of legitimate ketamine prescriptions that are being diverted — i.e., lost or stolen — has been going up, a 2024 analysis by Palamar and his colleagues found, which is another possible indicator of a blossoming black market. The buzz about ketamine's popularity in Silicon Valley and its persistence in certain club cultures that first emerged in the '80s confirms its place in the counterculture. We can't know the reality behind Musk's public statements and the anonymous reporting about his ketamine use. The Times reports that people close to Musk worried that his therapeutic use of ketamine had become recreational; Musk quickly dismissed the Times's reporting. But the drug does coexist as a therapeutic and a narcotic, and the line between the two can be blurry. People should not try to self-medicate with ketamine, Yang said. Its risks need to be taken seriously. Here's what you need to know. How to think about ketamine as its popularity grows Ketamine is edging into the mainstream after years at its fringes. It has been around for decades, enjoying a boom as a party drug in the '80s and '90s. For the most part, ketamine had been viewed warily by mainstream scientists. But in 2000, the first major research was published demonstrating its value in treating depression. And increasingly over the past decade, however, ketamine has started to gain more acceptance because of its consistently impressive study results. Studies have found that for some patients, ketamine can begin to relieve their depression symptoms in a matter of hours after therapy and other medications have failed. The testimonials of patients whose depression improved quickly, such as this one published in Vox, are convincing. The benefits identified in clinical research have opened up a larger market for the substance. Johnson & Johnson developed its own ketamine-derived treatment for depression (esketamine, sold as a nasal spray called Spravato) that received FDA approval in 2019, the first of its kind. The number of monthly prescriptions for Spravato doubled from the beginning of 2023 to October 2024. People can also visit clinics to receive an IV of conventional ketamine for treatment, and that business is booming too: In 2015, there were about 60 clinics in the US dedicated to administering ketamine; today, there are between 1,200 and 1,500. For the 21 million Americans who experience major depression, this widening access could help: ketamine and esketamine do appear to have strong anti-depressive effects — as long as it is used in consultation with a doctor and under their supervision. A 2023 meta-analysis of the relevant studies found that across many clinical trials, most patients reported significant improvements in their symptoms within 24 hours. It is recommended primarily for people whose depression has not gotten better after trying other treatments or for people with severe suicide ideation, who need a rapid improvement in their symptoms to avoid a life-threatening emergency. But providers also screen potential patients for any current substance use problems for a very important reason: The risks for ketamine abuse are real. When taken outside of a clinical setting, ketamine is often consumed as a pill or a powder, either snorted or mixed with a drink, and it's easy to take too much. One recent survey found that more than half of patients who attempted to take ketamine at home for depression either intentionally or accidentally took more than the prescribed amount. Users can also develop a tolerance over time, which raises the risk that people will take stronger and stronger doses to feel the same effects. Packs of illegal ketamine are seen before a destruction ceremony to mark the 'International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking' in Yangon on June 26, 2023. Sai Aung Main/AFP via Getty Images Scientists have found that people who use ketamine can develop a dependency on it, especially with frequent and high-dosage use. They become irritable or anxious without the drug and experience other withdrawal symptoms. Its addictive quality, while less potent than that of nicotine or opioids, is an important difference from some other hallucinogens, such as psilocybin, that are also being used in experimental settings for mental health needs and are less likely to be habit-forming. Maintenance doses can also be necessary for ketamine therapy, and regulating any long-term use to prevent dependency is another reason medical supervision is so crucial. There is limited evidence that most people who use ketamine in a clinical setting do not end up abusing it, which is a promising sign that properly managing its use reduces the risk of therapeutic use turning into a disorder. But because ketamine's use for depression is still so new and still growing, it's an important risk to watch out for. Johnson & Johnson urges patients to be mindful of Spravato's potential for misuse. The line between genuine therapeutic use and abuse becomes clearer when a biweekly treatment at a clinic turns into a regular at-home habit, especially if that involves obtaining the drug from illicit sources whose purity is not guaranteed. Street ketamine is typically just the drug itself, produced and sold illegally. But Dr. Nabarun Dasgupta, who oversees the University of North Carolina's Street Drug Analysis Lab, told me they've noticed a recent rise in samples where ketamine is combined with other substances. On its own, ketamine overuse in the short term can cause nausea and high blood pressure, with all of the attendant risks, as well as hallucinations and 'bad trips.' Longer-term abuse can lead to problems with a person's bladder and urinary tract, which can create difficulty urinating — the kind of issues Musk described to people in private, according to the Times. People who chronically abuse ketamine can also experience paranoia, memory loss, and a shortened attention span. The potential for ketamine in a clinical environment is exciting. But its use does come with risks, and not enough people are aware of them: A recent survey from the United Kingdom found that many people there who were taking ketamine did not know that it could be addictive. It can be. Ketamine is not something to experiment with on your own. Clinics have all sorts of safety checks for their patients, Yang told me. Ketamine 'absolutely has been shown to be very effective,' he said, before adding the all-important qualifier: 'under the supervision of a clinical physician.'
Health Line
an hour ago
- Health Line
What to Know About High Functioning Schizophrenia
When a person's schizophrenia symptoms do not appear to interfere with their daily life, their condition may be referred to as high functioning schizophrenia. But this is not an official diagnosis. Schizophrenia is a complex and varied psychiatric disorder that affects each person differently. Some people have relatively mild symptoms that come and go. Others experience more severe, persistent symptoms that interfere with their daily lives. When a person with schizophrenia is able to live a mostly independent life, hold a job, and maintain relationships, their condition is often referred to as 'high functioning.' Language matters The term 'high functioning' doesn't have a clear medical definition. Some clinicians use it to refer to people who require a lower level of assistance for daily activities. But terms like 'high functioning' and 'low functioning' don't account for people's unique life circumstances, abilities, and strengths. It's best to avoid using this kind of language outside of a conversation with your healthcare professional. What is high functioning schizophrenia? High functioning schizophrenia is a term used when people with schizophrenia are able to function well in daily life despite their diagnosis. They may have milder symptoms, or they may have developed good coping mechanisms despite having more severe symptoms. It's important to note that 'high functioning' is a subjective term and not a clinical diagnosis. And the label doesn't necessarily reflect the severity of a person's symptoms. People with high functioning schizophrenia may still experience significant challenges and need continuous treatment and support. A person's level of functioning can be influenced by a range of factors, including: Symptom severity: People with fewer or less severe symptoms may be able to function better in daily life than those with more severe symptoms. Treatment response: Those who get timely, appropriate treatment are more likely to maintain good functioning. Research from 2020 suggests that early intervention may be linked to better long-term outcomes. Personal coping strategies: Some people develop strong coping strategies that allow them to effectively manage their symptoms and prevent those symptoms from having a major effect on their daily life. Strong support network: Those with very supportive family and friends may be able to function better in daily life than those who don't have this support. Lack of other mental or physical health conditions: Many people with schizophrenia have other mental or physical health conditions that make it more difficult to function in daily life. People who don't have another condition may appear higher functioning. Symptoms of high functioning schizophrenia Any person with schizophrenia, whether it's considered 'high' or low' functioning, can experience the same types of symptoms. Schizophrenia symptoms are divided into positive, negative, and cognitive symptoms. Positive symptoms are those that 'add' to your personality (in other words, they weren't there before the condition). These symptoms include those of psychosis, such as: hallucinations delusions disorganized thoughts and speech atypical motor behavior (e.g., catatonia) Negative symptoms 'take away' from your personality and involve five key areas: alogia (reduction in the number of words spoken) anhedonia (reduced experience of pleasure) asociality (reduced social activity) avolition (reduced goal-directed activity, due to decreased motivation) blunted affect (difficulty expressing emotions, such as diminished facial expressions) Cognitive symptoms may include issues with: focus and attention span working memory executive functioning The negative symptoms of schizophrenia are often more challenging to treat than the positive symptoms. For some people with schizophrenia, these negative symptoms persist, even when positive symptoms are well managed. Research from 2020 suggests that negative symptoms are associated with poorer outlook and long-term disability. While many people with high functioning schizophrenia do have negative symptoms, these symptoms may be less severe. Diagnosing high functioning schizophrenia In the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, 5th ed. text revision (DSM-5-TR), schizophrenia is now listed as a spectrum disorder. This more accurately represents the condition's wide range of symptoms that can change over time. It's important to note that high functioning schizophrenia is not a clinical diagnosis. So, whether a person exhibits a higher or lower level of functioning, they still have to meet the same diagnostic criteria. A diagnosis of schizophrenia must include at least two of the following symptoms, with one of these symptoms being among the first three: delusions hallucinations disorganized speech severely disorganized or catatonic behavior negative symptoms The symptoms must occur frequently for at least 1 month, with some symptoms lasting for more than 6 months. In addition, you'll need to have experienced reduced functioning in one or more important areas of life, such as personal relationships, work, or self-care. Treating schizophrenia Schizophrenia is typically treated with antipsychotic medication as well as various types of therapies and skills training. Schizophrenia may be treated with the following: Atypical antipsychotics: Atypical, or second-generation, antipsychotics are the first-line treatment for schizophrenia. These medications lower dopamine levels in the brain, which helps target symptoms of psychosis. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT): CBT helps people with schizophrenia identify and fix unhelpful thought processes and behaviors. Social skills training: Social skills interventions help people with schizophrenia learn social and independent living skills. These may include classes covering interpersonal skills and medication management. Cognitive remediation: This intervention focuses on skills such as attention, memory, and flexible thinking. Social cognition training: This intervention targets skills such as social perception (understanding social cues or body language), emotion perception (identifying others' emotions), and theory of mind (identifying and understanding another person's mental state). Some people with high functioning schizophrenia may have achieved symptom remission after responding well to treatment. Symptom remission means that your symptoms are mild enough to not significantly interfere with your life. Research from 2018 suggests that symptom remission is possible in 20% to 60% of people with schizophrenia, but this depends on many complex factors.
