Innehållsförteckning för February 2025 från Prevention

TAKE OUT YOUR PENCIL! What comes to mind when you think of self-care? A spa day or a shopping spree fits the bill, but small acts like soaking in a bath and curling up with a book are equally rejuvenating and easy to fit into your routine—which should be a goal, as studies show that prioritizing yourself enhances overall health and quality of life. “Self-care gives your body, mind, and soul attention,” says Nancy Irwin, Psy.D., a clinical psychologist in Los Angeles. WRITE DOWN THREE WAYS YOU WILL (OR DID!) CARE FOR YOURSELF THIS MONTH:…

1 MYTH : If you pick up dropped food within five seconds, it’s safe to eat. MYTHBUSTER Uh, nope. “The five-second rule is very much not real,” says Donald Schaffner, Ph.D., a professor in the food science department at Rutgers University. In fact, it takes less than a second for bacteria to transfer onto dropped food, his research shows. Which bacteria can do so depends on whether you wear shoes indoors and what (poop? gum?) you stepped in, says Carolyn Forté, Home Care and Cleaning Lab executive director at Good Housekeeping. Then there’s road salt (in winter), mud, and dirty water, all of which are “laden with bacteria and other germs,” Forté says. The longer food sits on a germy surface, the more bacteria it picks up, and a small number…

BEST OVERALL Schwinn Airdyne AD6, $799, schwinnfitness.com ■ Using wind resistance, this traditional stationary bike ramps up the intensity as you pick up speed, revving up your burn. The LCD monitor displays time, distance, speed, calories burned, and rpm so you can keep track of your progress. BEST VALUE Sunny Health & Fitness Indoor Exercise Bike, around $230, Amazon ■ This top-rated spinstyle indoor exercise bike features secure foot cages and four-way seat adjustments for less than $300. Its flywheel is relatively light at 22 lbs, making it ideal for beginners. It also has a monitor that displays stats. BEST GYM-GRADE NordicTrack S22i Studio Bike, $1,699, nordictrack.com ■ NordicTrack’s commercial-grade bike includes a built-in 22-inch screen for streaming workouts. And with included dumbbells, you’ll have just about everything you need…

Friends told Laine Doss, who is 58 and a newspaper editor in Miami, that she and her husband had the perfect marriage. “He was a pilot, so we traveled to amazing places,” she says. “We loved to go running together. I was that person on Facebook who was always posting OMG I have the best husband in the entire world.” Then, six years ago, the relationship started getting tense and distant. Still, Doss was not prepared when she arrived home from work one Wednesday and found that her husband of 14 years had simply walked out. “He had cleaned out his closet and taken all his clothes,” she says. “No crying together. No tries at therapy. I was in complete shock, embarrassed and ashamed. This doesn’t happen in normal life.…

Say your friend posts a photo online of the gorgeous house she just bought. You want to be happy for her, but you can’t stop thinking about how you’re trying to make ends meet in your small rental. Does this make you a bad person? Nope, and social comparison is perfectly natural. But is it helpful? Probably not. “Comparing is not inherently harmful, but the context in which we do it often ends up doing more harm than good,” says Keith Payne, Ph.D., a professor in the department of psychology and neuroscience at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and the author of Good Reasonable People: The Psychology Behind America’s Dangerous Divide. Comparing yourself with someone who in your mind is doing either better than or less well…

If you’ve heard that heart disease is the leading cause of death for women, you’re ahead of the game—fewer women today know that than did a decade ago, data shows. Unfortunately, that knowledge gap prevents many women from taking the steps they need to live their best lives, says Sharonne N. Hayes, M.D., a cardiologist and the founder of the Women’s Heart Clinic at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN. “They may live with chronic chest pain or heart failure, or need lots of procedures and medications because of heart damage,” she says. And of course there’s the risk of death from a heart attack or a stroke. But here’s the empowering part: There’s a lot you can do to keep your heart strong for the rest of your life.…

ACTIVE 5 MIN. TOTAL 5 MIN. PLUS FREEZING SERVES 1 ¾ cup frozen mango chunks¼ cup frozen sweet peas1 cup baby spinach1 scoop unflavored whey protein powder1 Tbsp lightly salted cashewsPinch of gratedlime zest¾ cup coconut water 1. In freezer-safe jar, combine mango, peas, spinach, protein powder, cashews, and lime zest. Freeze up to 7 days. 2. When ready to serve, pour coconut water into blender, then add contents of jar. Puree until smooth and creamy. Pour back into same jar and serve right away. PER SERVING About 304 cal, 7 g fat (1 g sat), 0 mg chol, 351 mg sodium, 39 g carb, 3 g fiber, 25.5 g sugar (0 g added sugar), 25 g pro SECRET INGREDIENT Sweet peas offer fiber and protein for both digestive and stay-full…

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STELLAR SNACKS These gourmet pretzel sticks will level up any Super Bowl party. Made from wheat and barley flour, sea salt, vegan butter, and delicious seasonings, they offer up to 3 g of protein per serving. For gluten-free snackers, try Grain-Free Thins, which feature cassava and chickpea flour. Grab single bags or six-bag cases. (From $4.50, stellarsnacks.com) OWALA BOTTLE If you’re less motivated to stay on top of hydration during the colder days of winter, a fun new water bottle could be just the encouragement you need to drink up. Owala has options for adults and kids, in a range of sizes (from 16 oz to 40 oz) and cheerful colors that are sure to brighten up your day. (From $15, owalalife.com) PHILIPS SONICARE ELECTRIC TOOTHBRUSH The beginning of a…

As a fashion designer who transitioned from dressing rock stars to making jeans for aging women, I thought aging meant reinventing yourself—finding new ways to feel confident and beautiful. That is, until I was diagnosed with breast cancer at 71 and beat it three years later at 74. UNEXPECTED EPIPHANY While I was receiving treatment, I experienced a truly pivotal moment. About halfway through my treatment protocol, I remember the nurses clamoring over a patient named Sheila, excitedly telling her how they had saved her a few of her favorite sandwiches. I was a little envious! Because of the fuss they were making, I assumed she was a soap opera star, a news anchor, or someone with a big name. No one had thought to bring me lunch—not that I…

Fired up. Bursting with energy. Ready to take on the world! Sound like you? If it doesn’t—well, you’re pretty normal. Roughly one in five adults worldwide experiences recurring fatigue for up to six months though they have no underlying condition that’s causing it, revealed a 2023 meta-analysis of studies on energy levels. Luckily, you have a lot of control over how much get-up-and-go you have. Lifestyle factors play a major role in whether we’re dragging or filled with zip, so a tweak here and there can transform your energy profile while also benefiting your overall health. If nothing seems to improve your feelings of lethargy, it’s probably time to speak to a physician to make sure no underlying issues are to blame. “We all have times when we experience fatigue…

I always wanted to be a doctor. One of my first favorite toys as a child was the Fisher-Price doctor set with the stethoscope and the thermometer,” says Tochi Iroku-Malize, M.D., a board-certified family physician. Her father was a surgeon and her mother a nurse practitioner, so medicine is practically in her DNA. “Now I take care of patients of all ages, from newborns to seniors, and I’m trained to diagnose, treat, and manage a vast spectrum of health conditions including mental health–related issues, reproductive health, and geriatric care,” says Dr. Iroku-Malize. “I make it a point to learn a family’s dynamics, medical histories, and genetic predispositions, which gives me a more holistic viewpoint.” Here, her must-knows for good health. Is there a big difference between an internist and a…

1 Which of these foods help boost immunity? A Yogurt B Oatmeal C Brazil nuts D Chicken soup E All of the above. 2 You should starve a fever.  A True B False 3 Avoid exercise if you’re fighting a cold. A True—you need a lot of rest with even a minor cold. B False—stick to your fitness routine if you can. 4 Most of your immune system is housed in your: A Brain B Gut  C Lymph nodes 5 Which of these doesn’t fight off viruses like colds and the flu? A Getting regular exercise  B Taking antibiotics as soon as you feel sick C Being vigilant about handwashing ANSWERS 1 A WHOLE-SOME DIET helps prevent you from getting sick and also aids in your recovery. For instance, lactobacillus…

This move will help you strengthen and improve mobility through your back, arms, and shoulders—which can lead to better posture and lung capacity as well as help reduce the risk of injury and loosen you up during winter sitting season. Add it to your regular routine. The Goal Aim to do this move every day for a week. 1 Sit in a straight-backed chair or stand about a foot from a wall. Place a small ball or pillow behind the middle of your back, between your shoulder blades. Reach your arms out in front of you. 2 Bracing your core and your spine, drive your shoulder blades and elbows back as if trying to crush the ball with your shoulder blades. 3 Hold for 5 to 10 seconds. Repeat 2…

At-home LED red-light masks and handheld devices are convenient, sure—but keep in mind that they’re less powerful than treatments done at a dermatologist’s office, says LoGerfo, and any results will be milder. They come in a range of prices and intensities, so you may want to ask your doc for a recommendation. Sabina Wizemann, director of the Good Housekeeping Institute’s Beauty, Health and Sustainability Lab, suggests considering these key points when looking for an at-home device: EFFICACY AND SAFETY TESTING: Check for “FDA-approved” or “FDA-cleared” certification on the device or the manufacturer’s website; this indicates that the technology has been tested for safety and efficacy. WAVELENGTH: Look for wavelengths of between 630 nm and 660 nm. These wavelengths penetrate deeper layers of skin to improve collagen production and issues like…

WHETHER YOU CALL IT eye boogies, crusties, or sleep, that dried goo that accumulates in the corners of your eyelids overnight is annoying but usually harmless. The technical name for the sandy stuff is rheum. “It’s composed of normal biological material found around the eye, including mucus, dried tears, and sloughed skin cells,” says Ashley Hayden, M.D., a board-certified eye surgeon based in Portland, OR. It can look crusty or watery and appear yellow or clear, adds Sonia Kelley, O.D., an optometrist based in Texas. When we’re awake, we blink the stuff away, but at night that cleaning system isn’t active, so the material tends to accumulate. WHY DO I HAVE EXCESS CRUST? Common causes include: ■ DRY EYE SYNDROME: When your eyes don’t make enough tears or the correct…

GO AHEAD, EMBRACE your chocolate habit. This beloved confection is made from cacao fruit, which is packed with nutrients like potassium and antioxidants, but not all chocolate is equally beneficial. For a treat that can be both satisfying and health-promoting, reach for the types that contain more cacao or cocoa powder than sugar and milk solids. “Chocolate falls into the category of ‘good-for-you foods that taste incredibly delicious and can give you extra health perks,’ ” says Joy Bauer, M.S., R.D.N., author of Joy Bauer’s Superfood! Keep Bauer’s chocolate-lover tips in mind: Aim for 70% (or higher) dark chocolate for the greatest potential benefit, and try to avoid chocolate and cocoa that is Dutch- or alkali-processed, as “this method of production significantly lowers antioxidant levels,” explains Bauer. Ready to feed…