Hello, Yahoo Life readers! My name is Kaitlin and I’m sharing the internet’s best tips for staying healthy this week.

December is Seasonal Depression Awareness Month. While the lack of light during the day can affect anyone, some people have more mental health problems than others due to seasonal affective disorder. Watch for signs, such as feelings of depression, lack of energy, difficulty concentrating, and withdrawal from social activities, that might indicate it’s time to see a mental health professional.

And you also need to monitor your physical health. Reduce your risk of diseases like norovirus or the flu by wash your hands thoroughlyfor example after going to the toilet or every time you return from outside your house. Make sure you dry them well as well. bacteria grows on wet hands.

Be sure to check out the weather report in your area and, if you are astrologically inclined, your horoscope. So read these tips below to have a happy and healthy week.

Avoid Burnout With This Phrase

If you consider yourself a perfectionist, you risk suffering from burnout – a state in which mental and physical exhaustion from overwork leaves you unmotivated and exhausted. There is a sentence that can help youIona Holloway, coach specializing in burnout and founder of the Breathwork application Soulsaid to Self: “Is this good enough?” Asking yourself if that work presentation or wedding speech you’ve been worrying about is going to satisfy you — even if it’s not “perfect” — can help you move on without burning out, allowing you to be more happy and overall more productive. the long term.

Stop this bathroom practice

Do you pee “just in case” before leaving the house? You might want to stop, Riva Préila pelvic floor physical therapist, told Self. The practice trains your bladder to send signals even when it is not full, which disrupts its natural rhythm and makes you want to go to the toilet more often. Instead, try to only go when you really feel the need. (The exception is if at least two to three hours have passed since your last trip and you will soon not have access to the restroom.) You may be able to attend a full screening of Wicked without any bathroom breaks.

Boost your brain with exercise

Big work presentation in the morning? Exercise the day before. A study by researchers at University College London found that moderate to vigorous exercise can improve short-term memory overnight in adults aged 50 to 84. Exercise gives your brain a quick boost by improving blood flow and releasing chemicals that help with thinking and memory, and while these effects can last for hours, researchers now believe they could even persist. longer due to other changes triggered by exercise in the brain. Just make sure you don’t exercise too hard or too late in the eveningas it can disrupt your sleep and reverse the positive impacts.

Cook food with afryer

Research has recently revealed that air frying was the healthiest cooking method to avoid indoor air pollution, the pan being the worst. Using an air fryer kept particle levels so low that they were difficult to distinguish from ambient air. This isn’t the only reason to air fry, however, it helps reduce the amount of oil or other fats you need to cook with it, reducing calories and fat.

Replace your plastic cutting board

Microplastics are a concern – ingesting them is linked to health issues like inflammation and metabolism problems. While you can’t avoid microplastics completely, one way to reduce exposure is to ditch plastic cutting boards to materials such as bamboo or wood. You can keep these boards in their best condition by priming them with edible mineral oil occasionally.

Need more advice on how to reduce plastic in your life? Avoid plastic utensils when ordering takeout, bring a metal straw with you, and use reusable bags at the grocery store and for other errands.

Eat These Foods to Avoid Cancer Risk

A study from the University of South Florida and Tampa General Hospital found that an imbalance between omega-6 and omega-3 fatty acids can weaken the immune system’s ability to fight colon cancer. Omega-6 – found in nuts like walnuts and eggs, as well as vegetable oils like sunflower and safflower oils (the latter common in highly processed foods) – is necessary for our dietbut in large quantities, they can hinder the cancer-fighting properties of omega-3, which is found in fatty fish and plant sources like flaxseed and walnuts. Researchers recommend increasing omega-3 intake while reducing processed foods rich in omega-6 to balance things out and help improve the body’s defenses against cancer. To try garnish a sardine salad or by adding crushed nuts with Greek yogurt or oatmeal.

Add more beans to your diet and eat less meat

THE Scientific report of the Advisory Committee on the 2025 Dietary Guidelines is here, and it includes updates for Best Dietary Practices for Americans. This year, the committee’s nutrition experts recommend that Americans eat a diet richer in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts, whole grains and fish, as well as vegetable oils higher in unsaturated fats, such as coconut oil. ‘olive. They suggest reducing consumption of red and processed meats, sugary foods and drinks, refined grains and saturated fats.

Take a nap like a Navy Seal

You’re exhausted, but you only have 10 minutes to take a nap. Have no fear: this nap technique used by Navy Seals will leave you refreshed and ready to go about your business, according to a recent report from emergency room physician Dr. Joe Whittington. TikTok. Simply lie on the floor with your legs elevated and calves resting on a surface, such as the edge of your bed, creating a 90-degree angle. Keep your eyes closed and your hands on your chest. Whittington explains that lying in this position for 10 minutes reduces leg swelling, restores blood flow to the heart and promotes relaxation while ensuring you wake up refreshed by timing it with the light sleep phase.

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