Hello Health News readers, my name is Caitlin and I’m here to share the best health tips on the web. The holiday weekend is coming to an end, but summer is in full swing and so is the scorching heat. Stay cool and use the summer sun as an excuse to eat lots of watermelon and gazpacho.
Of course, be sure to check your local weather forecast before heading out (and your horoscope, if that’s your thing), and read on for tips on how to improve your health and overall well-being this week.
🥓 Omit the bacon
A new study finds that cutting back on processed meats like bacon, ham, and hot dogs by just 30% could help prevent diabetes, colon cancer, and even heart disease. Want a healthier alternative to your BLT? Try a hummus and veggie wrap instead to get some much-needed fiber for most Americans.
👫 Expand your social circle
According to the Surgeon General, chronic loneliness is an epidemic in the United States, and new research suggests it may increase the risk of stroke by up to 56%. If you’re struggling to find social connections, try volunteering in your community, chatting with neighbors, or attending local events like art exhibits and educational workshops.
🦞 Can eating lobster help you live longer?
Living to 100 is a rare feat, which is why 104-year-old lobster fisherman Virginia Oliver shares her secrets to a long life, including abstaining from smoking and drinking, enjoying time in nature, and, of course, eating lots of lobster, a great source of zinc, selenium and vitamin B12.
🦟 Apply insect repellent spray
Bad bug news: Mosquito-borne diseases are on the rise, and officials have confirmed that some of these bugs have tested positive for West Nile fever. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is also warning people about an increase in dengue fever, which is spread by mosquitoes and is endemic in places like Puerto Rico. Fight back by spraying with bug repellent and avoiding standing water, which is a breeding ground for these pesky blood-sucking bugs.
⏳ Cultivate Patience
Do you get annoyed easily? You’re not alone. Some of us are lucky enough to be born with patience, but if you’re not, there’s good news: patience can be trained. Oprah Daily has some tips for increasing your patience, which of course includes limiting screen time. (Sorry!)
🍦 Ride the ice cream truck
You and I, we’re all screaming for ice cream. But nutritionists say ice cream might actually be a better summer treat for you than you think, and it could be a better option for managing your blood sugar than some of the other desserts on the menu.
😊 Surrender to happiness
An Ivy League education on happiness? Yahoo! creator Sean Kernan took a free eight-week happiness course from Yale University called “The Science of Happiness” and shares the top four things he learned, including “savoring” an activity you just enjoyed by consciously thinking about it and taking a moment to enjoy it.
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