6 Dangerous Smells in the House You Shouldn’t Ignore
Nutrition 
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How Saunas May Help Us Cope With Heatwaves
Health Tech 
What Actually Helps an Itchy Bug Bite
Chomp: Bug bites are pretty much an unavoidable (yet annoying) part of summer. And the urge to scratch becomes incredibly hard to resist the second one shows up. We all know, however, that scratching always backfires by making the itch worse. That feeling comes from your immune system reacting to proteins in insect saliva, which triggers a histamine release that causes the swelling and redness. Scratching sets off more of that same immune response, so the itch keeps coming back stronger the more you give in. How to Do It: Instead of scratching, the best strategy is to press a cold, damp cloth or an ice pack against the bite instead. The cold temporarily numbs the itch and reduces the swelling. An over-the-counter antihistamine can help too (this one is tried and true for us). If the bite still feels irritated, an anti-inflammatory like ibuprofen or a dab of hydrocortisone or calamine can also help. The Benefits: Resisting the urge to scratch interrupts what dermatologists call the “itch-scratch cycle.” It also protects your skin from the physical damage scratching causes, which can make it more prone to infection. Most bites clear up fine on their own, but increasing pain accompanied […]
Mindfulness 
Your Exposure to Microplastics Might Influence Your Risk of Heart Attack
Heart to Heart: From brains to blood, scientists have found tiny plastic particles in nearly every part of the human body. Now, a new study suggests they may also be linked to heart attacks. While the findings don’t prove microplastics are to blame, they add to growing concerns about how everyday environmental exposures may affect our overall health. The Study: Researchers analyzed blood collected from the coronary arteries of 61 adults undergoing coronary angiography, a test used to assess blood flow through the heart’s arteries. Microplastics and nanoplastics (MNPs) were detected in 84% of patients who had experienced a major heart attack, compared with 40% of people with chronic heart disease and 32% of those with normal coronary arteries. Polyethylene — the most widely produced plastic globally — was the most frequently detected polymer. The researchers also found higher MNP levels among people who smoked or had greater long-term exposure to air pollution. Takeaway: There was a clear association between MNPs and heart attacks. Researchers suspect these particles may contribute to coronary artery disease, but much larger studies are needed before they can establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Keep In Mind: This was a small, observational study, so it cannot […]
Personal Growth 
Is Watermelon Low Calorie?
Nutrition 
The Best Foods for Liver Health, Backed by Research
A review of over 600,000 people found that overall diet quality, not any single food, is what's linked to lower liver disease risk. Here's what the research says to eat more of, and what to cut back on.
Nutrition 
The Produce That Carries the Least Pesticide Residue
Discover the 2026 Clean Fifteen, the non-organic produce with the lowest pesticide residue, thanks to thick skins, husks, and short harvest windows that naturally shield what you eat.
Nutrition
Fitness
Nutrition
Sleep
Struggling to Build Muscle? You May Need More of This Nutrient
Muscle Menu: Beginning around our 30s, we gradually lose muscle mass, which affects everything from strength and balance to metabolic health. Resistance training and adequate protein intake remain the foundation of healthy muscles, but other nutrients tend to get lost in the mix. New research reinforces that vitamin D status plays an important role in maintaining muscle as we age. The Study: Researchers analyzed health data from more than 11,000 U.S. adults ages 18 to 59 in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and paired those findings with genetic data from more than 417,000 people in the UK Biobank. People with higher blood levels of vitamin D tended to have more muscle mass in the arms and legs. This held true even when the researchers accounted for factors like race, age, physical activity level, and body weight. The Takeaway: If you’re trying to preserve muscle as you age, vitamin D deserves a place on your checklist alongside strength training and protein. If you’re at risk for deficiency, talk with your healthcare provider about having your vitamin D levels checked. Keep in Mind: If your vitamin D levels are low, supplementation may help you preserve muscle mass. (And it’s […]
Fitness 
Want to Bike to Work? Here’s How to Do It Safely (and Stay Fresh)
Wheels Up: With gas prices on the rise, more and more people are thinking about biking to work. Bike commuting isn’t anything new, but if it’s new to you, it may feel intimidating. Factors like weather, traffic, gear, and fitness — and, let’s be real, being stinky at work — may hold you back. These are valid concerns, but ones that can be overcome. How to Do It: First things first — wear a helmet! Know that you can commute on any bike, so long as it’s in working order. You don’t need to spend hundreds or thousands on a fancy new set of wheels. The same goes for clothes: just wear comfortable, athletic clothes you already own. Carry a flat tire kit and a bike lock. As for your work gear, a backpack or sling (our editor uses this one) tends to be the most comfortable way to carry it. Stash some toiletries (think body wipes, micellar cleanser, and deodorant) so you can freshen up in the office bathroom when you arrive, if needed. The Benefits: Biking is great for your health. It’s a low-impact form of cardiovascular exercise, so it supports heart health without putting undue stress on […]
Fitness 
How Many Push-Ups Should You Be Able to Do at Your Age?
How many push-ups should you be able to do? It depends on more than your age. See benchmarks by age and sex, plus tips to build your max over time.
Fitness 
Ravenous After Exercise? It Might Be Your Workout Timing
Timing Is Everything: You’ve heard that before, but did you know it may apply to your workouts, too? If you exercise to support a healthy weight, timing may play a big role in your success. New research investigates whether the time of day — and whether you’ve eaten beforehand — also affects how hungry you become and how much you eat afterward. The Study: Researchers recruited 35 healthy young adults for a randomized crossover trial. Participants completed 30-minute treadmill runs under different conditions: in the morning after an overnight fast or in the evening after either a 12- or 6-hour fast. A subgroup completed the same workout in the morning or evening after eating. After each workout, researchers measured appetite, calories consumed at a meal, and total food intake over the next 24 hours. Evening fasted exercise led participants to eat about 400 more calories immediately afterward and roughly 550 more calories over the next day compared with morning fasted exercise. Those who exercised in the evening, fasted or not, experienced greater hunger and appetite. The Takeaway: Morning workouts may be less likely to trigger “compensatory eating” than evening sessions, though there are other factors to consider, too: for instance, […]
Fitness 
Is Sugar Really Toxic? No, but You Should Probably Cut Back Anyway.
Social media says sugar is toxic, but the science tells a different story. Learn why nuance, not fear, is the key to understanding sugar's role in your diet.
Nutrition 
Your Overall Diet May Matter More Than Processed Labels
Take It With a Grain of Salt: You’ve probably already heard the concerns about ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and their potential impact on your health. Headlines connect UPFs to just about every chronic disease out there, so it’s easy to start viewing anything that comes from a package as automatically bad. However, a new Harvard study suggests that your overall diet quality may matter more than whether the foods you eat are ultra-processed. The Study: Researchers followed more than 200,000 adults for decades, tracking their diets alongside chronic disease and death. They sorted participants into four groups based on diet quality and processing level, then compared health outcomes across all four. People in the healthy groups had lower risk no matter how processed their food was. People in the unhealthy groups had higher risk, again regardless of processing level. The Takeaway: Your risk isn’t determined by whether something came from a package, as foods like fortified cereal or plant-based yogurt can still fit into a healthy diet even though they may count as ultra-processed. So don’t worry about granola bars so much; instead, pay attention to how nutrient-dense your diet is as a whole. Keep in Mind: Most foods that would […]
Nutrition The Produce That Carries the Least Pesticide Residue
Discover the 2026 Clean Fifteen, the non-organic produce with the lowest pesticide residue, thanks to thick skins, husks, and short harvest windows that naturally shield what you eat.
Nutrition 
High-Protein Lunch Ideas That Pack 25 Grams or More
Eight easy lunches that each deliver 25 grams of protein or more, including meal-prep, no-cook, vegetarian, and meat-based options to keep you full all afternoon.
Nutrition 
How to Get a Good Night’s Sleep on Hot Summer Nights
It’s a Hot One: The summer of 2026 is on track to be one of the hottest summers on record, per the NOAA. Most of the U.S. has a heat index forecast for August of at least 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Some parts of the U.S. are expected to fall into “extreme caution” and “danger” zones. If you live in an area where air conditioning isn’t the norm (hi, SoCal) you may have noticed that it’s hard to sleep in this heat. We’ve got a few tricks to help. How to Sleep Well in the Heat: Invest in sun-blocking drapes and keep them drawn in the afternoon to prevent your home from warming up too much before bedtime. Use fabrics like bamboo or linen for bedding — same for pajamas (we really like this brand). Consider stashing your pillowcase in the freezer for 15-20 minutes before bed (yes, it works!). And if you find yourself getting frustrated, don’t lie in bed and suffer. Try reading, coloring, or another low-stim activity until you feel sleepy again. The Benefits: Sleep deprivation, even a mild case, can lead to brain fog, low mood, irritability, memory problems, weakened immunity, and more. When you sleep well, […]
Sleep 
What Cannabis Really Does to Your Sleep
THC gummies can help you drift off faster, but sleep experts warn that regular cannabis use suppresses REM sleep, builds tolerance, and may leave you more tired than when you started. Here's what the research says about cannabis as a sleep aid — and what actually works better long-term.
Sleep 
Just 78 Minutes Less Sleep a Night Could Lead to Weight Gain
Tip the Scales: Good sleep is essential for keeping nearly every system in our body working properly, including our hormones, brain, and heart. Need more incentive to catch more zzz’s? A new study has found that losing even a modest amount of sleep could contribute to weight gain. The Study: Researchers studied 95 people who were already at risk for heart or metabolic disease and normally slept between seven and eight hours a night. Each participant experienced two different sleep conditions over a six-week period. During the “adequate sleep” window, they slept their normal seven hours or more. During “sleep restriction,” they went to bed 1.5 hours later than normal, losing 90 minutes of sleep time. Participants wore wrist trackers to monitor sleep and activity levels. Their hormones, BMI, body composition, and waist circumference were measured multiple times. The Takeaway: Participants who slept an average of 78 minutes less per night gained nearly one pound of weight compared to when they got adequate sleep. They also gained an average of a half-centimeter around their waist and had 17 more minutes a day of sedentary time. Keep in Mind: Because the study was small and lasted only six weeks, it can’t […]
Sleep 
Why Do I Wake Up Groggy? The REM and Deep Sleep Connection
You logged a full eight hours and still feel foggy. If you've wondered why you wake up groggy, the answer is usually about sleep quality, not quantity — here's what's going on and how to fix it.
Sleep
Mindfulness
Beauty
Personal Growth
What Too Much TV Could Be Doing to Your Brain
Tube Tap-Out: Remember those old clichés about watching too much TV, that it will rot your brain or turn you into a couch potato? Excessive TV consumption won’t literally do either of those things, but it could make your brain smaller. A new study links heavy TV-watching by middle-aged adults to smaller brain structures and a potentially higher risk of dementia later in life. The Study: Researchers from the University of Southern California pulled data from 1,712 adults who participated in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study. Participants had self-reported their sedentary time — watching TV and sitting at work — on their first visit between 1987 and 1989. During their fifth visit (2011–2013), they had MRI brain scans. The Takeaway: Frequent TV watching was associated with structural changes to the brain. Researchers found smaller frontal and occipital lobes, reduced volume in the memory parts of the brain, and damage to parts of the brain’s white matter that are associated with aging, stroke risk, cognitive decline, and dementia. Keep in Mind: Sedentary behavior was self-reported, and participants’ recall might not be totally accurate. Plus, the study was observational, so it didn’t find a causal link — only a correlation.
Mindfulness 
Psychology Might Explain Your Netflix Paralysis
Spoiled For Choice: Netflix has been having a rough year. A look at its top shows found that audiences declined by 30% to 70% after their second seasons. Some of that comes down to cancellations and a shrinking content pipeline, of course. But part of it may also be connected to choice overload, which is what psychologists call the exhausting experience of facing an endless wall of options. The Study: In 2000, researchers Sheena Iyengar and Mark Lepper set up a tasting booth at a grocery store. One day they displayed 24 flavors of jam. Another day, they displayed just six. More people stopped to sample the bigger selection, but customers who saw only six flavors were far more likely to make a purchase. The same pattern showed up when students were offered extra credit essay topics, where fewer options led to more completed assignments and better writing. The Takeaway: Too many choices can make us freeze instead of act. So if you find yourself getting stuck scrolling quite often, pick two or three options ahead of time and choose between just those. Keep in Mind: Choice isn’t always a bad thing. People with strong preferences or expertise often do […]
Mindfulness 
Is There Really a Global Loneliness Epidemic?
Mindfulness 
Why Everyone Wants to Smell Like a Tomato This Summer
The Trend: Tomatoes aren’t just in season for caprese salads or gazpacho this summer — they’re also the latest fragrance trend. Loewe kicked off the tomato candle craze more than six years ago, but this year the whole beauty industry seems to be putting that garden-fresh scent into perfumes and sprays. Bath & Body Works and Le Monde Gourmand have released tomato-based scents, and Jo Malone has rolled out an entire veggie-inspired line, featuring beetroot and carrot scents. What People Are Saying: Fragrance insiders think vegetables might be the next big food-inspired scent category, on the heels of vanilla and dessert scents. Garden vegetables also feel fresh and natural during these warmer months but without the heaviness and sweetness inherent in fruit-based aromas. Tomato, in particular, reads as grounded and simple, which aligns with the general public currently leaning toward more understated options when it comes to beauty. What to Know: The earthiness of tomato’s scent can feel a little intense on its own, but blends that mix it with citrus or florals tend to soften that quality. And if a new tomato perfume is too much of a commitment, candles and home sprays are a low-pressure way to test […]
Beauty 
Green Light Therapy Is the New Red Light Therapy — But Does It Work?
The Trend: Red light therapy has a new competitor: green light therapy. Beauty influencers popularized red light therapy for its purported abilities to improve skin texture and elasticity, promote post-workout muscle recovery, and more. Green light is now gaining traction as creators and skincare companies claim it can target dark spots and reduce inflammation. What People Are Saying: Green light therapy uses shorter wavelengths (roughly 495 to 590 nanometers compared to red light’s 590 to 700), allowing it to primarily target the epidermis, the skin’s outermost layer. Experts think this may help regulate melanin production — which could make it useful for treating certain types of hyperpigmentation — and early studies also suggest it may reduce inflammation. What to Know: Researchers remind us that red light therapy became widely popular “despite limited scientific understanding of the long-term effects and safety, especially for home use” — and the evidence for green light therapy is even more limited. More research is needed, and experts caution that in some people, particularly those with darker skin tones, green light exposure could potentially worsen pigmentation rather than improve it.
Beauty 
What Makes a Sunscreen ‘Safe’? EWG Says Just 1 in 5 Makes the Cut
Beauty 
Singing In the Shower Could Help You Live Longer
You Should Know: If you’re the type to belt out your favorite songs in the shower or while deep-cleaning your house, keep it up. Research suggests singing may benefit your health in ways that could support healthy aging. Studies have linked regular singing to lower stress, boosted mood, and improved respiratory function and heart health. Going Deeper: Scientists think singing works because it engages your body and brain at the same time. Controlled breathing activates the parasympathetic nervous system, helping lower stress hormones like cortisol. Singing also triggers the release of endorphins and oxytocin, which is associated with pleasure, bonding, and pain relief. Group singing appears especially powerful, combining these biological effects with the well-established health benefits of social connection. Takeaway: You don’t need a perfect voice to reap the rewards of singing. Whether you’re singing in the shower, car, or choir, the act itself, not your talent, is what seems to matter. Bottom Line: Singing won’t guarantee you a longer life, but by reducing stress, strengthening social bonds, and supporting mental well-being, it may help make your years healthier and happier.
Personal Growth 
At What Age Are People Most Satisfied With Life?
You Should Know: When do people feel most satisfied with life? The answer, according to a new survey of 6,442 Americans ages 65 and older, is age 52. Looking back on their lives, respondents said their early 50s were when they felt most fulfilled overall — a period that tends to be associated with greater stability, stronger relationships, and a clearer sense of purpose. Going Deeper: More than any career milestone or financial achievement, survey participants pointed to friendships and relationships as their greatest source of life satisfaction. Health ranked second, followed by romantic partners, careers, and home. Three out of four participants even said they’d choose love over wealth if forced to pick. These findings also fit with a broader body of research suggesting happiness often follows a “U-shaped curve“: life satisfaction tends to dip during the pressures of early adulthood and midlife before rising again. Takeaway: The survey suggests that fulfillment isn’t something you suddenly “arrive at,” but something built over decades through meaningful relationships, good health, and a growing sense of what truly matters. Bottom Line: If there’s a secret to life satisfaction, it may be less about chasing success and more about investing in the people […]
Personal Growth 
Why More People Are Turning to Fitness Clubs to Stay Sober
Personal Growth