Healthy Living, Simplified

Doctor performing a leg ultrasound to check for signs of a blood clot

Signs of a Blood Clot: What to Watch For and When It’s an Emergency

Blood clots can escalate quickly, and not every clot announces itself. Learn the signs of a blood clot, from leg swelling and discoloration to shortness of breath, and when it’s time to call 911.

Longevity

Bowl of crispy Brussels sprouts with golden cut sides, topped with grated Parmesan and chopped parsley, next to a lemon half, a wedge of Parmesan, and olive oil on a wooden board

Crispy Brussels Sprouts (The Cold-Pan Skillet Method)

These crispy Brussels sprouts taste like they came off a restaurant menu, and they take just 22 minutes on the stovetop. The trick is starting everything in a cold skillet with plenty of olive oil and a lid, so the sprouts steam tender while their cut sides turn golden. Lemon, fresh parsley, and Parmesan finish this easy Thanksgiving side.

Recipes

a woman eating a salad, representing high protein lunch ideas

High-Protein Lunch Ideas That Pack 25 Grams or More

a doctor reviewing stage liver cancer chart, part of foods for liver health research on diet and disease prevention

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.

Supplements You Shouldn’t Take With Your Coffee

Your morning cup can affect how well certain supplements absorb. Here’s what the research says about taking supplements with coffee, which ones to space out (hint: iron), and which ones you don’t need to worry about.

Fitness

Nutrition

Sleep

Quick Ways to Undo a Day of Sitting

Break Up With Your Office Chair: Your desk job shouldn’t leave you feeling like you’ve aged 30 years by 5 p.m., but many of us end a workday feeling that way. Hours of sitting can contribute to back pain, stiff hips, achy shoulders, and tired eyes. The fix isn’t necessarily a fancy ergonomic chair or an elaborate stretching routine. A few small changes throughout the day can help. How to Do It: Start by taking a five-minute walking break every hour. If your back feels stiff, try a spinal rotation: Stand with your right foot crossed behind your left, raise your right arm overhead and extend your left arm behind you. Sweep both arms down as you twist toward your right foot, then return to the starting position. Stretch your neck by performing a few neck circles in each direction. Give your eyes a break, too. Every half hour or so, take a moment to look out the window, or better yet, actually go outside to get some fresh air. The Benefits: Active breaks that incorporate movement and posture changes can reduce the discomfort that comes with prolonged sitting. Adjusting your screen height can reduce unnecessary neck strain, and looking […]

Is Yoga Becoming a Competitive Sport?

The Trend: Historically, Yoga is about reflection, self-awareness, and letting go. Now, some are turning it into a spectator sport — and others are not happy about it. In June, India hosted the inaugural World Yogasana Championship, where athletes from 79 countries performed judged routines showcasing strength, flexibility, balance, and stillness. Competitors earn points for posture, technique, and difficulty, with music and elaborate costumes adding to the spectacle. India is pushing to bring yogasana to the 2036 Olympics. What People Are Saying: The president of Yogasana Bharat, whose vision brought the World Championship to fruition, is quick to point out that asanas (physical postures) are only one part of the overarching Yoga practice. The intent isn’t to take away from the other “limbs,” like meditation and enlightenment — but to bring greater awareness to the sport aspect of asanas. Supporters say competition can motivate athletes, build community, and introduce younger generations to Yoga. Critics argue that the concept clashes with yoga’s emphasis on humility, non-attachment and self-awareness. As one yoga teacher told The Guardian, competition can undermine the idea that yoga isn’t about comparison. What to Know: Competitive Yogasana focuses on physical postures, not the full breadth of Yoga’s spiritual […]

How to Become a Better Runner

Runner’s High: Do you want to love running, but find yourself breathing like this camel every time you jog a few strides? Good news: That’s fixable! You, too, can become a better runner with the right tips and tricks. How to Do It: Start slower than you think you should, and don’t jump right in: complete a proper warmup to get blood flowing and loosen up your joints. Alternate jogging with walking, and build your distance and pace gradually. Find a running buddy or join a local group to make showing up more fun (and harder to bail on). And don’t skip strength training: Squats, lunges, and calf raises can build the muscles that help power your stride and minimize risk of injury. The Benefits: Running comes with a seemingly endless list of mental and physical benefits. For one, the elusive runner’s high feels like magic. Regular running also builds cardiovascular fitness and endurance. Strength training can improve running economy and performance, while gradually increasing your workload helps you avoid doing too much too soon. You might not fall in love with every mile, but you can make the next one feel a little easier.

Smiling older couple walking outdoors in a sunny park, showing how regular exercise can lower risk of death, heart disease, and dementia

The Case for Exercise: Lower Your Risk of Death, Heart Disease, and Dementia

You don’t need hours in the gym to see real health benefits. Research shows that about 90 minutes of resistance training and 30 minutes of cardio each week, roughly 1% of your week, can lower your risk of early death, heart disease, and dementia.

Supplements You Shouldn’t Take With Your Coffee

a woman eating a leafy green salad, one of the foods that lower blood pressure, beside fresh fruit

Foods That Lower Blood Pressure, Backed by Research

The best foods that lower blood pressure are rich in potassium, like leafy greens, beets, beans, berries, and fatty fish. Here’s what the research shows about the DASH diet and how to make it a habit that lasts.

A hand adds a teaspoon of pumpkin spice to a mixing bowl of pumpkin purée and milk, the start of o

Pumpkin Spice and Apple: Healthy Fall Desserts Worth Making

Pumpkin and apple add flavor, fiber, and a little real nutrition to dessert. Here are six healthy fall desserts worth making, from muffins to apple crisp.

a smiling woman at a table eating easy healthy breakfast ideas: a fried egg, toast with greens, and a yellow mug of coffee.

Easy Healthy Breakfast Ideas for Busy Mornings

Mornings don’t need to be complicated. Here are eight easy healthy breakfast ideas built on protein and fiber, most ready in five minutes or less.

a woman resting peacefully in bed at night beside a bedside lamp and mug, with a crescent moon in the window, showing a calm bedtime routine for how to get more deep sleep

How to Get More Deep Sleep, According to Sleep Science

Wondering how to get more deep sleep? Here’s what sleep science says about slow-wave sleep: why it matters, what disrupts it, and the simple habits that help. These include regular exercise, smarter caffeine timing, and a cool, dark, quiet bedroom. You’ll also see why you may not need to worry about your tracker’s deep sleep numbers.

Here’s How Your Dreams Can Help You Solve Problems

Let Your Mind Wander: Stuck on a problem you can’t seem to crack? Your sleeping brain might offer a fresh perspective. Dream incubation — the practice of focusing on a question before bed in hopes it shows up in your dreams — isn’t a guaranteed route to an epiphany, but it’s a low-stakes (and arguably fun) way to explore your situation. How to Do It: For NPR, Health & Science Correspondent Allison Aubrey outlines a simple approach to giving your dreams a nudge. Before bed, choose a specific problem you’re wrestling with, and ask yourself a good question about it (avoiding yes-or-no questions). Spend a few minutes reflecting on it: picture the problem, write it down, or repeat it to yourself as you settle in. Keep a notebook nearby. When you wake up, jot down any dreams, images, feelings, or ideas you remember before they fade. Later, revisit your notes with a curious mind. A dream may not hand you an answer, but it could spark a new angle. The Benefits: Research into dreaming and problem-solving suggests sleep may help us make unexpected connections, but dream incubation is far from settled science. Any insight should be viewed as inspiration, not […]

Can’t Fall Asleep? This Nut May Help

A new study found that adults with poor sleep who ate about 50 almonds a day reported fewer sleep disturbances and had higher melatonin levels. Here’s what to know before you start snacking.

How to Find the Ideal Amount of Sleep for You (It May Not Be 8 Hours)

Sleepy Head: At this point, eight hours is practically synonymous with a good night’s sleep, so constantly falling short can feel like a personal failure. But new research suggests that the standard recommendation isn’t right for everyone. A year-long study of 462 adults found that a personal sleep threshold more accurately predicted how people felt the next day. Finding your sweet spot starts with figuring out your own normal, and it might not be the typical 8 hours. How to Do It: For a couple of weeks, track when you fall asleep and wake up, either by wearing a wearable or a simple log using pen and paper. Also take note of your mood and how you feel. Then find the amount of sleep you get most often (not the number you “should” be getting), and notice how your mood and focus feel the next day. That feedback reveals more than the number on your sleep tracker, and logging your headspace allows you to see patterns develop over time. The Benefits: It’s no secret that good sleep — in both quantity and quality — makes a world of difference in how we feel. But it’s about more than that. Prolonged […]