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Time of India
26-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Think 10,000 steps is the magic number? It might not be the best goal for you
Everyone discusses 10,000 steps as if it were the holy grail of fitness. But where did the number come from? Experts now believe it is more about how you move and how long you remain active. The popular " 10,000 steps per day " goal is not a one-size-fits-all fitness guideline. According to experts, the number was derived from a marketing campaign and does not take into account intensity or individual needs. What truly matters is daily movement, increasing heart rate, and breaking long periods of sitting for a healthier, more balanced life. How many steps will keep you in shape, though? by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Never Throw Away the Water After Boiling Eggs - The Reason is Genius! Tips and Tricks Undo If you're looking for a great way to stay active and want to spend more time outside, a simple walk could be the answer. Walking has become a popular exercise because of viral trends like "hot girl walks" and "Japanese walking." This easy workout helps you get outside and has several health advantages, such as reducing blood pressure and enhancing your general balance, as per a report by Cnet. Why do we focus on 10,000 steps? Although the average person's daily activity level and objectives may differ, 10,000 steps is sufficient to be deemed active and healthy, according to professor Paul Gordon, an exercise physiologist and chairman of Baylor University's Department of Health, Human Performance and Recreation. Live Events Adding 30 minutes of exercise (roughly 3,000 steps) can increase an individual's daily 3,000–6,000 steps, which they take from shopping and commuting, to about 10,000 steps. Gordon adds that walking more is beneficial to one's health. ALSO READ: Your food packaging may be feeding you plastic — even that tea bag could be a culprit Strength training twice a week and at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity or 75 minutes of vigorous activity per week are recommended by the Department of Health and Human Services. Nevertheless, it might take longer than the typical 150 minutes to reach fitness or aesthetic goals. Determining the right amount of exercise for general health requires taking into account personal objectives and health issues, as per a report by CNet. Are 10,000 Steps even worth it? Although the 10,000-step recommendation has been widely accepted for a while, the term was first used as a marketing slogan by a Japanese walking club. Although a study found that participants who took more steps per day had a lower mortality rate than those who took fewer, a JAMA Internal Medicine article notes that there is "limited scientific basis" to support the idea that 10,000 steps per day is essential for good health. There are a plethora of benefits to walking: • Lowers blood pressure: In adults with or without hypertension, walking can reduce systolic, diastolic, and heart rates, according to a 2022 Cochrane review. • Enhances sleep: According to a 2020 Sleep Health study, taking daily steps enhances the quality of sleep, particularly for women. The risk of type 2 diabetes can be decreased by walking for at least half an hour every day. • Reduces risk of some cancers: According to a 2013 study, postmenopausal women who walked for at least seven hours a week demonstrated a 14% decreased risk of breast cancer. • Enhances balance: Walking strengthens the lower body, which enhances balance. What's a better goal for staying fit? It might seem arbitrary to aim for over 10,000 steps per day, but setting activity goals can have a big impact on your health. Even with daily activity, studies show that prolonged sitting is unhealthy. It is advantageous to spread out your activities throughout the day. Even if you are getting the recommended amount of exercise each day, the Mayo Clinic advises alternating periods of sitting with physical activity. Excessive sitting can affect your health and is linked to a higher risk of metabolic issues. FAQs Do I actually need 10,000 steps per day? Not necessarily, prioritize activity quality and consistency. Will taking 10,000 steps help me lose weight? It can, especially when combined with a well-balanced routine and high-intensity exercise.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Yahoo
These 5 Easy Amazon Alexa Tricks Make for a Smarter Smart Home This Summer
With summer now very much around the corner, you've got better things to do than worry about your smart home. But with garden parties and the pool calling your name, there has never been a better time to make sure that your accessories are working for you, not against you. Smart home devices bring a lot of convenience to our day-to-day lives, but that doesn't mean they can't be improved. Amazon's Alexa" target="_self is one of the most popular choices, and you can tell it to turn the lights on or off, play your favorite music, set a timer for you while cooking in the kitchen and more. But you don't have to use the same Alexa as everyone else, and you can really upgrade your experience with just a few customizations. If you've got a smart speaker like the Echo Dot, an Echo Show 15, the powerful Echo Studio or the rotating Echo Show 10, there are plenty of ways to make Alexa feel more helpful and less like just another gadget. A few small changes can seriously improve your experience. From making hands-free calls to connecting Bluetooth and Wi-Fi or even using Alexa in the kitchen, there's a lot worth setting up. It might take a little effort to get everything just right, but once you do, your Alexa devices will feel like they're working for you instead of the other way around. Best Amazon Alexa Devices of 2025 See at Cnet When you ask Alexa to do something, such as play a song or turn on the lights, Alexa will say something like, "OK, turning on the lights." This is to help you determine why Alexa did something if it wasn't what you asked. If you don't want Alexa repeating what you just said, you can change that setting so that it plays a short sound instead of a voice response. To do so, open the Alexa app's More menu and select Settings > Talking with Alexa. Then toggle on the switch for Brief Mode. When you set up your Amazon Echo, the music service defaults to Amazon Music. If you use Spotify, Apple Music or another streamer, you may want to link your Echo to that instead. Go to Settings > Music & Podcasts, then link to a service. On the same page, tap Default Services and switch to your preferred music provider. Now the Echo will play from the music streaming service of your choice when you say, "Alexa, play music." Note that you can select defaults for family or personal listening. 'Alexa, Play Beyoncé': All the Alexa Music Commands You Need to Use See at Cnet If TV commercials keep triggering your Amazon Echo when they say "Alexa," you can change the wake word to something less likely to trigger the speaker. The other traditional options are Computer, Echo and Amazon, but there are several newer wake word additions you can use like Ziggy and Hey, Disney. If you want a change, just say, "Alexa, change the wake word" and make your selection. You can also open the Alexa app, go to Settings > Device Settings. Select your device, then tap the Settings icon and select Wake Word to make a choice. Unfortunately, you can't come up with your own name for the speaker, like "Tallulah" or "Digital Overlord." Best Smart Speakers for 2025 See at Cnet You don't always have time to search Amazon for something you're out of, like toilet paper. That's why it can be helpful to set up voice purchasing on your Amazon Echo, so Alexa can order products for you. To get started, you'll need to turn on voice ordering and 1-Click ordering. Open the Alexa app and navigate to Settings > Account Settings > Voice Purchasing > Purchasing controls > Select who can make purchases. For instance, you can set up a voice code or profile so that only you can make purchases when you type in a four-digit code. If you have multiple people in your house, you'll want to set up voice profiles for each member who uses the Echo speaker. This will help Alexa learn your voice and distinguish you from others in the house. To create voice profiles, go to Settings > Your Profile & Family > Voice ID and follow the onscreen prompts. You can make sure your voice profile is correctly set up by asking, "Alexa, who am I?" The voice assistant will say, "I'm talking to [your name]." If you have favorite customizations and settings, share them in the comments. Now that you've updated these six Echo settings, here are five creative uses for your Amazon Echo device, five essential tips for your new Echo device and CNET's roundup of every Alexa command you can give right now.
Yahoo
23-05-2025
- Lifestyle
- Yahoo
What Your Zodiac Sign Says About Your Eating Habits. We Asked an Astrologer
It's no secret that many people rely on daily horoscopes to dictate some of the most important aspects of their lives. Romance, careers, friendship, and financial matters are only a handful of areas where zodiac signs can offer insight into our inherent behaviors and personality traits (or at least be something to blame when the stars literally don't align and things go awry). Whether or not you believe in astrology, it can be a fun tool to help make decisions about anything that hordes too much brain space. And while some take the study of celestial bodies seriously for everyday decision-making, we thought it'd be fun to apply it to lighter choices -- like what or where to eat. The Best Meal Kit Services out of 25 I Tried See at Cnet Celebrity astrologist Kyle Thomas claims that while he can certainly ascribe meal, drink and dessert recommendations based on each sign, as influenced by the cosmic mood for that day, it's always open to interpretation. "This would mostly be a creative exercise rather than an ultimatum," he adds. While we have all accumulated a list of dietary preferences and aversions over the years, these can be impacted, from an astrological standpoint, in three ways: energy activated by planet alignment, zodiac seasons (i.e., we may be more courageous to try new foods during Fire sign seasons), as well as individual natal charts that "reveal a lot about someone's pursuit of pleasure." Read more: Your Protein Intake Matters. This Visual Guide Shows How Much You Actually Need We tasked Thomas to name general astrological characteristics and what each of us can do to potentially enhance our cooking and/or dining experiences. Take these overviews and suggestions with a grain of salt… maybe even literally if you're an Aries who enjoys a little extra flavor. "Aries tend to be courageous and bold when it comes to their food choices. They're eager to spice it up and may be drawn to cuisine with a dramatic flair." Cuisine recommendation: Food from different regions of the world that will excite the taste buds and lean into their more adventurous palates. Japanese hibachi is always a wise choice for theatrics, of course. "Of all of the zodiac signs, Taurus has the most exquisite taste for cuisine, decadence, and drinks. This is because they are the most sensual zodiac sign of all and are known for their great pursuit of food in their lifetimes. Taurus also rules 'the throat' in astrology." Cuisine recommendation: Foods that are rich, indulgent and comforting. Think creamy sauces, lots of sugar and anything that feels like a splurge for the soul. "Geminis may take a more intellectual approach to food, especially if conversation can be held about it. They also may be more rapid eaters." Cuisine recommendation: Anything that is trending to spark quality discussion over whether or not the meal was "worth it" and its implications on society as a whole. There may also be a fascination with molecular gastronomy, as well as an understanding of how certain ingredients make it to your plate. "Cancers crave comfort foods, especially when it comes to making them feel their emotions. They are also the most domestic zodiac sign, as they rule the family and home. Because of this, they may focus on foods that have been passed down through their upbringing or comfort food for their families." Cuisine recommendation: Family recipes. If there's been yearning to try grandma's infamously complicated meatloaf, now is the time to put your kitchen skills to the ultimate test. The payoff is worth the process. "Leos can be drawn to very fiery, dramatic and exciting cuisine if it is offered to them. They'll want to 'feast like royalty' and will want it to be lavish and a spectacle." Cuisine recommendation: Something fancy and luxurious. Treat yourself to caviar, truffles, bluefin tuna and other posh foods at an expensive restaurant. "Virgos tend to be one of the most practical yet nurturing zodiac signs. They have a very domestic air to them, as well, which is why they may be more prone to traditional, comfort foods -- especially earthy and healthy choices." Cuisine recommendation: Vegan, vegetarian and/or organic options to appreciate the simplicity of nature's bounty. Virgos are ambassadors of the farm-to-table movement. "This zodiac sign loves to live it up with decadence when it comes to cuisine. They also may be more prone to sharing dishes with a sweetheart, since this zodiac sign rules partnership." Cuisine recommendation: Tried-and-true local haunts but only with someone you really love to either create a new memory or appreciate the nostalgia. Shared appetizers are a necessary starter. "Scorpios' emotions and moods change intensely, so their choices will also be aligned with where they're at energetically." Cuisine recommendation: Exotic, bold and often spicy dishes that tantalize the senses and keep Scorpios on their toes, as they prefer. "A Sagittarius may be more likely to choose cuisine that is of immediate desire and indulgence and are willing to be more rebellious and risk-takers." Cuisine recommendation: Ingredients that they've never heard of before. This can include unique proteins, seasonal produce or everyday items cooked and presented in new and innovative ways. "Capricorns are the most 'traditional' zodiac sign of all, especially when it comes to heritage. They are likely to follow a pattern in cuisine and may be less adventurous than other zodiac signs." Cuisine recommendation: High-rated restaurants that churn out consistently delicious, yet often predictable food. Culinary experimentation is not worth the risk in most circumstances. "An Aquarius may be the most 'outside of the box' eaters in the zodiac. Also, sharing with others may dictate their choices, as they are the zodiac sign that rules friendships and community." Cuisine recommendation: Whacky TikTok trends. Frankenstein foods, funky amalgamations and bizarre cooking methods are always enticing and exciting. "Pisces are prone to ordering food that is sensual, dreamy and has a touch of enchantment. However, they are very sensitive, so their mood will ultimately always dictate what they imbibe. They are also more susceptible to allergens and alcohol than most other zodiac signs." Cuisine recommendation: Environmentally sustainable options to ensure that they're not feeling an ounce of guilt over their meal choices. Visit a restaurant where transparency is at the forefront of the business's ethos.
Yahoo
03-05-2025
- Yahoo
How to Wipe Your Home Address Off the Internet with 9 Quick Tips
Your home address is only a Google search away for most people -- and we understand if that gives you the privacy ick. People who have moved homes for safety issues or just don't want to give lots of junk mail probably don't want their address so easily scanned and updated. The problem is that selling your address and especially when your address changes can mean big bucks for everyone from your bank to the US Postal Service, which is how advertisers get their hands on your mailbox and fill it with junk. That also makes it easy for burglars to spoof an address as part of identity theft. Fortunately, there are effective ways to scrub your address off the web, and we've found them all. Here's what you need to do if you're worried. Best DIY Home Security Systems of 2025 See at Cnet The street view features on map apps can be very helpful if you're a little lost, but they can also feel like a privacy irritation when anyone can type in your address and get a view of your home. That's why Google and others have provided ways to blur your home on street views and image capture so users can't get too good of a look. As you'll find in our complete guide, you can visit Google Maps on your desktop computer and enter your address. Then just use the Report a Problem link and you can manually choose what parts of the street view to blur so you and your home are protected. Apple Maps, with its Look Around tool, offers a similar privacy function, but you'll have to request it specifically. Send an email to mapsimagecollection@ and provide it with your home address and a detailed description of your home in the Look Around feature. Apple will then blur it for your privacy. Googling your contact info is always a good idea if you're concerned about privacy. If you spot your address showing up in a Google Search result -- especially when Googling your name or other general information -- you can make a specific request to Google to remove it. To do this, go to your Google Account, where you can find the icon option to Manage Your Google Account. Then you can select Data & Privacy > History Settings > My Activity. Choose Other Activity in the left side menu, scroll all the way down until you find the Results About You section, and select Get Started. This option allows you to create an alert whenever Google notices your address in a search. From the alert section of the Results About You menu, you can request to have that information scrubbed from the internet with the Remove Result option. Google won't always do this: It will leave up addresses found on government sites, news pieces and some businesses, but it's a quick way to remove your address if it's popping up in annoying places. Now is the perfect time to check your social media accounts and see if your address is included in your profile information. You may have added it a long time ago without really thinking about it, but social profiles don't need your address -- or for that matter, pictures of your home and street. Visit your account information, the "about you" pages and other spots to ensure your address doesn't appear there. Whitepages (as opposed to the business-oriented Yellow Pages) is one of the largest collections of home addresses online and often the first stop for someone trying to look up a specific address. The good news is that while your address is probably in Whitepages, getting it removed takes only a few seconds. Just visit the Whitepages Suppression Request webpage and paste in the URL of your Whitepages profile, then request that it be removed. Chances are good you input your home address when signing up for a variety of websites and services. Some of those accounts are important -- you probably want Amazon to keep your home address if you get a lot of shipments, for example. But others are unnecessary, especially if you don't use that account much anymore. In these cases, we recommend deleting your account or contacting customer service and requesting that your profile be removed. You can also sift through your promotion emails to get some reminders of the services you may have signed up for with your address. Common targets for cleaning up include: Shopping website logins Old apps you no longer use Political organizations Nonprofits and religious organizations Old subscription services for goods or online content Sports website profiles Contest websites If you've never signed up for a post office box, you may be surprised how easy it is. You can apply online at USPS, pick from five different sizes of local boxes and get a box number for your local post office. Prices vary by size and location, but they tend to cost around $30 for a box large enough to get packages in, down to around $15 for an envelope box. A post office box also allows you to save a signature for important delivery and a few other tricks. When you have a post office box, you can substitute it for nearly any account that wants a shipping address, keeping your home address info offline and out of the hands of advertisers. If you're willing to pay, it's one of the most effective privacy options. Some people also prefer to give out the address of a local third-party shipping store so that packages can be delivered to and picked up there. This may work, but it's important that you contact your local shipping store and ask if it allows it, or it could create a delay fiasco. Virtual mailbox services are common for some businesses, frequent travelers and those highly protective of their address. A virtual mailbox receives your mail, tosses the junk and scans the important pieces of mail, then forwards them to your account so you can view them online wherever you are. Virtual mailboxes typically cost around $10 to $20 per month. You'll need to find a virtual mailbox company that offers services in your area and jump through a few legal hoops to authorize it to handle your mail -- steps the service should walk you through. Common options include Anytime Mailbox, PostScan Mail, LegalZoom Virtual Mail (previously Earth Class) and IPostal1. A number of smart home devices, including powerful security cameras and doorbells, will ask for or require your home address. They do this to enable more advanced mapping features, settings like Ring's Bird's Eye view, weather reports, climate information and other capabilities. However, if you want to protect your home address from outside eyes and potential sales, try to avoid smart home technology that requires a location. You can usually find alternatives to devices that want your address, such as local storage-only security cameras with simplified account setup. However, signing up for any kind of professional monitoring or subscription service may require address info: You may be able to get away with entering a post office box or similar alternative, but security systems will generally want your real address. Best Outdoor Home Security Cameras of 2025 See at Cnet Internet service providers don't just know your IP address, they can also find out your physical address or at least its proximity. If you'd like to keep that information to yourself, one of the best options is a VPN, or virtual private network. These services encrypt all your online data and allow you to hide your location in many different ways. Some are free, but the best VPNs typically come with a monthly subscription that starts at just a few dollars. Take a look at our list of the best VPNs, or look up your browsers to see if they offer built-in VPN capabilities. This step helps all the other tips work: Keep your home address protected by giving it out only when you absolutely have to. For most people, that includes opening a bank account, signing up to vote and other important life tasks. But in many other cases you can provide an alternative address that doesn't give away the exact location of your home but still gives you the access and mail destination you need. You can provide this address when you want shipments or mail or when other organizations like a gym, health clinic or local sign-up sheet ask. Start this habit when you implement any address protection measures. With your home address more private online, consider adding protection with the best cameras without subscriptions, tips on deterring burglars and the top home security mistakes we're all making.
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Your Blood Type Affects Your Heart Health. Here's How
Do you remember your blood type? Many Americans don't have this important medical information. Along with being necessary info in a crisis, your blood type is also linked to certain medical conditions. You may be at a higher risk for heart disease, along with being more vulnerable to conditions like Type 2 diabetes. Your blood type and its connection to your heart health may matter more than you give it credit for. Like most things in life, context and the big picture are important factors to consider. Your lifestyle, diet, stress management and much more contribute to your overall well-being, including your heart health. Read more: Don't Know Your Blood Type? You Should, and Here's How to Figure It Out Best Blood Pressure Monitors See at Cnet The letters A, B and O represent various forms of the ABO gene, which program our blood cells differently to form the different blood groups. If you have type AB blood, for example, your body is programmed to produce A and B antigens on red blood cells. A person with type O blood doesn't produce any antigens. Blood is said to be "positive" or "negative" based on whether there are proteins on the red blood cells. If your blood has proteins, you're Rhesus, or Rh, positive. People with type O-negative blood are considered "universal donors" because their blood doesn't have any antigens or proteins, meaning anyone's body will be able to accept it in an emergency. But why are there different blood types? Researchers don't fully know, but factors such as where someone's ancestors are from and past infections which spurred protective mutations in the blood may have contributed to the diversity, according to Dr. Douglas Guggenheim, a hematologist with Penn Medicine. People with type O blood may get sicker with cholera, for example, while people with type A or B blood may be more likely to experience blood clotting issues. While our blood can't keep up with the different biological or viral threats going around in real time, it may reflect what's happened in the past. "In short, it's almost like the body has evolved around its environment in order to protect it as best as possible," Guggenheim said. Strengthen Your Heart Health With These Workouts See at Cnet People with type A, type B or type AB blood are more likely than people with type O to have a heart attack or experience heart failure, according to the American Heart Association. While the increased risk is small (types A or B had a combined 8% higher risk of heart attack and 10% increased risk of heart failure, according to one large study) the difference in blood clotting rates is much higher, per the AHA. People in the same study with type A and B blood were 51% more likely to develop deep vein thrombosis and 47% more likely to develop a pulmonary embolism, which are severe blood clotting disorders that can also increase the risk of heart failure. A reason for this increased risk, according to Guggenheim, might have to do with inflammation that happens in the bodies of people with type A, type B or type AB blood. The proteins present in type A and type B blood may cause more "blockage" or "thickening" in the veins and arteries, leading to an increased risk of clotting and heart disease. Guggenheim also thinks this may describe the anecdotal decrease in risk of severe COVID-19 disease in people with type O blood. (Note: Since this article was first published, more research has added to the notion people with type A blood may have a higher risk of infection. This because the COVID-19 virus binds to cells slightly differently based on blood type.) People with type O blood enjoy a slightly lower risk of heart disease and blood clotting, but they may be more susceptible to hemorrhaging or bleeding disorders. This may be especially true after childbirth, according to a study on postpartum blood loss, which found an increased risk in women with type O blood. People with type O blood may also fare worse after a traumatic injury due to increased blood loss, according to a study published in Critical Care. Other research has found people with type AB blood might be at an increased risk for cognitive impairment when compared to people with type O. Cognitive impairment includes things like trouble remembering, focusing or making decisions. Read more: Mediterranean Diet for Heart Health: Foods to Eat and How to Get Started While research available now shows that blood type can tip the scale in terms of someone's risk of developing heart disease, big factors such as diet, exercise or even the level of pollution you're exposed to in your community are the major players in determining heart health. Guggenheim says that for patients trying to keep their heart healthy, there's no special recommendation that he'd make other than a good heart-healthy diet that lowers inflammation, regardless of someone's blood type. But, he notes, future research could offer more definitive ways doctors treat patients based on their blood type. All factors considered equally, a patient with healthy cholesterol levels and type A blood may benefit from taking aspirin each day whereas it might not be necessary for a person in the same boat with type O blood. "A well-balanced, heart-healthy diet in general is going to be what any physician is going to recommend, and I would say that ABO doesn't change that," Guggenheim said. "I don't think there's a protective benefit from just having type O blood that contributes to being scot-free," he added. Read more: Should You Eat Based On Your Blood Type?
