Skip the instant oatmeal, cuddle at night and don't make this BBQ mistake — plus 8 more tips to improve your health

Yahoo

23-05-2025

Hello, health and wellness enthusiasts! My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I am here to share tips from around the internet that can help you live your best life.
Get sticker shock every time you hit the grocery store these days? You're not alone, according to a recent Yahoo News/YouGov poll. This week, Yahoo spoke to moms who feed their large families on a budget — and some are getting very creative. While installing your own restaurant-quality salad bar (like one mom did) may be out of reach, there are lots of cost-cutting secrets you can learn from them, like: shopping in bulk at warehouse stores like Costco and Sam's Club, strategic meal planning (including snack planning!) and skipping prepackaged convenience items.
Another hack to consider? Start your own veggie garden. With a little time in the dirt, you'll have fresh produce for a fraction of what it would cost to purchase at the store. And there's even evidence to show that gardening is good for your health — a win-win.
Peek at the local weather forecast and look at your horoscope if you're so inclined. Then see what small steps you can take to make the week ahead awesome.
There's a lot to like about oatmeal: It's hearty, and also packed with fiber, B vitamins and minerals. But we get it — when you're short on time in the morning, grabbing a packet of instant oats that you can quickly whip up makes a lot of sense. As Real Simple reports, however, instant oatmeal typically includes loads of added sugars and less of the nutrients you'll find in whole oats. 'This breakfast will likely be quickly absorbed and digested, and lead to some short-term energy, but leave you feeling hungry just an hour or two later,' dietitian Amy Davis tells the outlet.
Want to save time in the morning and get all that good stuff? Consider prepping some overnight oats the night before. Jazz up a scoop of rolled oats with some milk and top it with fruit like blueberries or raspberries for extra fiber and vitamins. A scoop of protein powder or Greek yogurt mixed in ups the protein content and keeps you feeling full for longer. Or, add seeds or nut butter, which contain healthy fats.
Cuddling up to your partner while sleeping can help lower stress and strengthen your bond, according to new research from Auburn University. The study, which looked at 143 heterosexual couples, found that more snuggled up sleeping positions — think spooning, sleeping intertwined or even just face-to-face connection before dozing off — led to these benefits. But researchers also noted that being up close and personal doesn't necessarily translate to a good night's sleep (just ask anyone who runs hot or likes their space), in which case you might just want to settle for a quick hug before you nod off ... on your side of the bed.
Hot dogs and hamburgers are warm-weather staples, but if you're firing up the grill for Memorial Day, don't clean it with a wire brush. Why? It turns out those metal bristles can break off and get into the food you're cooking, which is a major health risk. Not only can consuming one potentially harm your mouth and throat, but swallowing a bristle could cause a serious emergency. Data published in the journal Otolaryngology—Head & Neck Surgery found that 1,700 people visited the emergency room due to wire grill brush injuries from 2002 to 2014. Trust us: A punctured stomach or intestine is not how you want to end a three-day weekend.
While it's still important to clean your grill (you'll help prevent food buildup and reduce the risk of flare-ups, another potential hazard), you should opt for a non-wire brush instead.
Taking a trip this Memorial Day? It may not be at the top of your packing list, but a pillowcase can come in handy when you're traveling. It's got a ton of uses: You can stuff a hoodie inside of it for a makeshift travel pillow, use it as a laundry bag or even have it double as a packing cube to keep your suitcase organized. One thing you might want to avoid, however, is the viral social media hack of trying to sneak it on your flight as a carry-on stuffed with clothes. While most airlines don't consider pillows part of your luggage, flight attendants are catching on and you could end up having to pay a fee.
The Friday before Memorial Day is National Don't Fry Day, created by the National Council on Skin Cancer Prevention as a reminder to stay safe while spending time in the sun. Honor the holiday by wearing your sunscreen — yes, even if it's cloudy outside. Protective clothing, like rash guards that block UV rays or wide-brimmed hats, is also a great idea when enjoying time outside. And don't forget your sunglasses, which are more than just for the vibes: Pick sunglasses that offer 100% UV protection, block both UVA and UVB rays and are labeled 400nm or UV400 for full coverage.
Love making pepperoni pizza at home but struggle with the oil that comes with those little discs of flavor? To cut down on grease, precook your pepperoni before adding it to your pizza. Lay the slices in a single layer on a paper-towel-lined plate and microwave for 20 to 30 seconds, which renders the fat. Then, blot the tops with another paper towel before transferring to your pizza. This step reduces excess oil and helps the pepperoni crisp up for a way better mouthfeel, minus the grease puddles.
You know that nuts are good for you, but did you know that almonds can keep you regular in the bathroom? According to the experts over at EatingWell, this nut has a few things going for it: It's rich in magnesium, which helps relax the muscles in your digestive tract, and it has lots of fiber — about 3.5 grams per ounce — which adds bulk to your stool. Plus, almonds contain healthy fats, which help alleviate constipation. Eat almonds as a solo snack, mix them into trail mix or top your yogurt, salads or grain bowls with them for a digestive boost.
Want to boost your mood? Try positive expressive writing — like jotting down what you're grateful for or imagining your best possible future. A systematic review published in PLOS One found these writing exercises consistently improve well-being, happiness and life satisfaction. The strongest benefits came from gratitude and 'best possible self' prompts, though the researchers believe the results may vary depending on the person. Try it out: Start a gratitude list, send a thank-you note to a loved one or write a letter to the best version of your future self.
Taking a breather before you blurt out your next sentence can save your relationship during times of conflict, couples therapist Sinead Smyth tells Today. 'Don't fire off when you're in conflict,' Smyth says. 'Take a break, even if it's just a few seconds, and make a decision about whether it should be said or not and how you're going to say it.'
Smyth suggests giving yourself a pause to find something positive you can respond with, rather than a snappy retort that, while maybe even technically right, could hurt your partner. Why is this such a big deal? Well, chances are this isn't the first (or last) time you'll argue about the same issue; many long-term couples revisit the same core conflicts over time. And if you respond with criticism in the heat of the moment, that pattern can build resentment and chip away at the relationship. Choosing your words carefully, even if it means pausing to bite your tongue, protects the connection you've built and makes space for more constructive communication.
Forget cutting carbs — staying sharp in your 70s starts with adding high-quality ones to your plate, according to a study from the Jean Mayer USDA Human Nutrition Research Center on Aging at Tufts University. Per the research, women who ate more fiber and high-quality carbs — like whole grains, fruits, vegetables and legumes — had a 31% greater chance of aging in good physical and mental health. That meant they lived to age 70 free of 11 major chronic diseases (including cancer, diabetes, stroke, arthritis and osteoporosis), had no memory or physical impairment and were in good mental health.
An easy way to start? Instead of grabbing a candy bar as a midday snack, grab a banana. Not only will you get high-quality carbs and good-for-you fiber, but you'll also get a healthy boost of vitamins C and B6 as well as potassium.
Wake up wanting to hit the snooze button? Break that bad habit by keeping a big glass of water next to your bed to sip on when you open your eyes. Experts tell EatingWell that hydrating first thing can help you stay energized, rather than groggy, in the morning.
'When we're tired, we're more likely to be dehydrated, and our cells need a little extra help so they can do all the jobs they have to do to take care of us,' dietitian Jessica Cording tells the outlet. Sipping water before your morning coffee can also help offset caffeine's diuretic effect and prevent you from feeling thirsty later on.