Most people have a love-hate relationship with cardiovascular exercise. On the one hand, they know that it benefits overall health, but on the other hand they do not want to do it because it isn’t as “enjoyable” as other exercises. When people think about it, they think of how long they can run, how quickly their heart rate returns to normal, and whether they can keep up in a high intensity interval class. It’s not often that people associate cardiovascular exercise with mental health. 

Cardiorespiratory fitness is often captured via a person’s VO2 max, which indicates how efficiently the body delivers and uses oxygen. This process does not just power workouts; rather, it touches nearly every system that plays a role in keeping you mentally sharp and emotionally stable. 

Rather than treating exercise as something that helps you maintain physical appearance, researchers are focusing on a new area of interest. Could the way the body handles oxygen have something to do with how the brain functions in the future?

Cardiovascular Fitness And Long-Term Brain Health

In order to explore this idea, researchers gathered data from 27 large cohort studies, which included more than four million people of different age groups and backgrounds. These were not short-term experiments. Researchers observed participants over time, tracking baseline cardiorespiratory fitness levels and then looked at who developed conditions like dementia, depression, or other mental health disorders. 

Study authors used standardized methods to measure cardiorespiratory fitness, often tied to VO2 max. That is the maximum rate of oxygen the body can take in, transport, and utilize during exercise. Following this, participants were grouped into lower and higher fitness categories, creating a clear way to compare outcomes over time. 

The scale of this analysis makes this information very useful. Researchers did not rely on a single study population; rather, it layered multiple datasets together to help smooth out individual variability. That gave researchers a clearer sense of patterns that varied across different groups. It also allowed researchers to to look at dose-response relationships, meaning how subtle changes in fitness could relate to changes in risk of developing mental health conditions. 

Higher Fitness Levels Linked To Lower Risk

What researchers found most compelling was how consistently fitness tracked with mental health outcomes. They noticed that people with higher cardiorespiratory fitness had a 36% lower risk of developing depression, and a 39% lower risk of dementia compared to participants with lower fitness levels. 

What is even more surprising is how little movement it took to reveal a difference. A small bump in fitness resulted in a lower risk of both dementia and depression. Participants did not have to go from walking around the neighborhood to running marathons. It was as simple as nudging up a person’s current baseline just a touch, and continuing to build on that endurance over time. 

A person does not need peak performance to influence long-term brain health. Small, incremental movements count and add up over time. There are several reasons that that makes sense from a biological standpoint. Better cardiorespiratory fitness supports efficient blood flow to the brain, which translates to more consistent oxygen and nutrient delivery. It also leads to lower inflammatory markers and improves how the body regulates stress hormones, such as cortisol. Those things shape brain structure and overall function, especially those tied to memory and emotional regulation. 

The Takeaway

Keep a few things in perspective regarding this research. Although it shows a strong association, it did not guarantee results. Lower fitness does not cause dementia or depression on its own, and higher fitness does not make someone immune to those conditions. Both mental health and neurodegenerative conditions are influenced by lifestyle patterns, environment, genetics, and other things that surpass exercise. 

You do not have to go all out in the gym every day; rather, it is more important to maintain regular exercise. Walking more often, adding in more intervals in your workout regimen, or slowly building endurance over time are the factors that contribute to change.

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Do you ever wonder which fruits and vegetables are most contaminated with pesticides? Or are you one of those shoppers that just hopes for the best when they buy produce? If you have concerns, fret not because the Environmental Working Group (EWG) publishes an annual Shopper’s Guide every year. In this guide, the EWG highlights the Dirty Dozen and Clean 15, two lists that help consumers reduce exposure to potentially harmful chemicals while helping them consume lots of produce.

The EWG suggests that even after you wash and peel certain fruits and vegetables, they can still contain pesticide residue. Nearly 75% of non-organic fresh produce sold in the United States contains pesticide residue. That underscores how widespread exposure has become, even for people who habitually and thoroughly wash fruits and vegetables. 

This information should not scare you away; rather, it should help you make smarter, healthier produce choices. If you are looking for the most up-to-date information from the EWG, it recently published both the 2026 Dirty Dozen and 2026 Clean 15 lists. 

The Key Findings

In the 2026 Dirty Dozen and Clean 15 lists, researchers note several insights of importance. Some of the key findings are detailed below:

• 96% of the Dirty Dozen samples contained pesticide residues
• Nearly 60% of Clean 15 produce had no detectable pesticides
• More than 54,000 produce samples were analyzed across 47 fruits and vegetables
• On average, some samples contained four or more pesticides 
• PFAS (or forever chemicals) were found in a large number of samples
• Nearly 75% of conventional produce contained pesticide residues, even after washing practices
• Researchers found 264 different pesticides overall

2026 Dirty Dozen List

Researchers note that there were no major items removed or added to the 2026 listThe 2026  Dirty Dozen list includes both fruits and vegetables with the highest pesticide contamination. Below, you will find the 12 most pesticide-laden produce items:

• Spinach
• Kale, collards, and mustard greens
• Strawberries
• Grapes
• Nectarines
• Peaches
• Cherries
• Apples
• Blackberries
• Pears
• Potatoes
• Blueberries

From samples on the Dirty Dozen list, researchers found 203 total pesticides, and pesticides were found on 96% of all samples on the list. PFAS were found on 63% of all Dirty Dozen foods. Potato samples had an average of two pesticides, while all other 11 produce items had four or more pesticides. All of the foods on this list tend to have thin skins that easily absorb pesticides. When available, buy organic versions of these items. 

2026 Clean 15 List

The Clean 15 list remained unchanged from 2025 to 2026, but the rankings may have shifted slightly. What is clear is that this list highlights the produce items with the lowest pesticide levels. Nearly 60% of the produce on the 2026 Clean 15 list had no detectable pesticides, and only 16% of the produce had residues of multiple pesticides. 

• Pineapple
• Sweet corn (frozen or fresh)
• Avocados
• Papaya
• Onions
• Sweet peas (frozen)
• Asparagus
• Cabbage
• Cauliflower
• Watermelon
• Mangos
• Bananas
• Carrots
• Mushrooms
• Kiwi

Many of the foods on this list have thick skins or natural resistances to pests. That ultimately reduces pesticide exposure, and they are generally safe to buy conventionally if you are on a budget and cannot afford organic varieties.

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The world is filled with never-ending distractions. From the supercomputer in your pocket to pings from the group chat and worries about world events, any little thing can break your concentration. A distraction-filled environment is merely one element that stands in the way of your ability to concentrate, but your feelings also influence your focusing abilities. 

In order to maintain focus, you have to take care of your mental space and physical body. If you want to power through your work day with ease, make an effort to institute healthy habits that help improve productivity. For example, listening to bodily cues can help you from becoming distracted. If you are hungry, stressed, anxious, or tired from the night before, you will have a difficult time focusing. Managing these causes of your inability to focus can often help you resolve the issue. If you need more assistance focusing, the following tips should be of great help. 

Meditate

Meditation is a mindfulness practice that can take years to master, but practice makes perfect. Meditation demands concentration, and scientific experiments agree that it may help improve cognition. One study found that people who meditated regularly were less likely to engage in “mind-wandering,” and they were generally happier. Another study found that students who meditated for 20 minutes per day performed better on cognitive tests.

Establish A To-Do List

To-do lists are not just for parents with five children; rather, everyone can benefit from them. They help prioritize what tasks you need to complete first, while also serving as a record of the loose ends. Incomplete work can eat away at your concentration, so having to complete your tasks can help you stay focused. Researchers note that this stems from the Zeigarnik Effect, which was explored in a 2011 study. Participants who could plan their work and complete tasks one by one were more likely to stay focused, compared to those who went from task to task without completing them. 

Schedule Short Breaks

Trying to work through the entire day without a break is a fool’s errand. Everyone experiences dips in focus or succumbs to distractions because the brain is always alert. Taking short breaks throughout your day can help you return to your tasks with more focus and efficiency. Therapists suggest taking time-limited springs, which involve focusing on a task for 25 minutes and breaking for five minutes. You can also try to focus for 90 minutes and take a break for 10 minutes. Try to see what benefits your work most!

Put A Lock On Social Media

For many people, the idea of taking a break from work involves checking social media. The thing about social media is that it ropes you in and keeps you coming back after break time has concluded. If you struggle with putting your phone down, consider putting an app that blocks social media. Several apps work for your phone, tablet, or computer. Some of these apps can also put blocks on other distracting programs like games, YouTube, Netflix, text messages, and more. 

Get Sufficient Sleep

Surveys indicate that most American adults do not get enough sleep every night. A few nights of minimal sleep is completely normal, but insufficient sleep most nights of the week can negatively impact your short- and long-term memory. Waking up tired can affect your ability to concentrate as well. Ideally, adults between the ages of 18 and 60 should sleep seven or more hours per night. To help encourage healthier sleep, try to avoid caffeinated beverages after lunch, switch off electronic devices one hour before bedtime, keep the bedroom cool and quiet, and take time to wind down. 

Eat Foods That Boost Cognitive Function

What you put in your body can influence your ability to focus, as various nutrients can improve brain and body functions. For example, many people eat sugary treats in hopes of boosting focus, but they end up crashing shortly after. Simple carbs and refined sugars lead to a quick burst of energy, followed by serious fatigue. Although caffeine from a cup of coffee has been shown to help mental function and concentration, too much coffee can lead to anxious or jittery feelings, which get in the way of your focusing abilities. To improve your focus, include more fruits and vegetables at meals and snacks, and choose nuts, seeds, whole grains, and lean protein sources for major meals. 

Create A Distraction-Free Environment

Your work zone is unique to you. Some people require a neatly organized space, while others prefer clutter and background music. Some people can only get in the right headspace if their desks have photos of loved ones or personal mementos. There is no right way to set up a space for a get-things-done environment. Find what works best for your productivity and create that space, even if it means investing time and energy into it. Consider sights, sounds, and temperature of your environment and then build what’s suitable for you.

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Considering that you spend one-third of your life sleeping, make it a point to ensure that it is quality sleep as much as you can. Unfortunately, many people find it difficult to fall and stay asleep. If you find yourself staring at your ceiling at two in the morning on a regular basis, certain nighttime habits may be preventing you from getting quality sleep. 

What Is Sleep Hygiene?

There is oral hygiene, personal hygiene, and now there’s sleep hygiene? Yes, exactly correct. Sleep hygiene refers to a set of habits that encourage a good night’s sleep. Adopting certain habits can help regulate the body’s circadian rhythm, or internal “clock” that controls sleep and wakefulness. Sleep hygiene plays a crucial role in maintaining mental and physical health, in addition to overall quality of life. You may engage in certain practices or behaviors, either during the day or at night, to help promote better sleep. Continue reading to learn sleep hygiene tips that may lead to more restful sleep. 

Exercise Regularly

Studies show that as little as 10 minutes of walking per day can improve sleep quality. Exercising outside further enhances the benefits by exposing you to natural light, which works to regulate your sleep cycle. If you cannot exercise outside, do not stress yourself into an anxiety spiral. Indoor exercise is also beneficial, but avoid exercising three hours before bedtime, as physical activity can increase wakefulness, making it more difficult to fall asleep. Should you want to engage in movement closer to bedtime, consider yoga, stretching, or Tai Chi. 

Make Your Sleep Environment Work For You

Your sleep environment can either make it easier or harder to fall asleep. Typically, a bedroom that is between 65 and 68 degrees Fahrenheit is ideal for restful sleep. Additionally, make sure you have a comfortable mattress, pillows, and bed sheets. The more comfortable you are, the easier it is to fall and stay asleep. Too much light in the bedroom can also make it harder to fall asleep, so consider investing in blackout curtains or an eye mask to ensure darkness. 

Use Your Bed For Sleep

It can be very tempting to read, work, watch TV, or have phone calls in your bed if it is very comfortable. Try to reserve your bed for sleeping and sexual intercourse. That may actually strengthen your brain’s association between your bed and sleep, so you can fall asleep more easily. Even though reading can help you fall asleep, you may want to try reading on the couch before moving to your bed in case your mind is excited by the book and you cannot fall asleep. 

Manage Stress Before You Go To Sleep

You should never go to bed worrying about things that can keep you awake. To help alleviate some of that stress and worry, consider the following habits: 

• Write down your tasks or worries to get them out of your head. Prioritize what you have to do tomorrow, or the rest of the week, and then try your best to relax. Perhaps outline a plan to get these things done because seeing it on paper helps you see it through. 
• Experiment with meditation, be it in silence or guided via an online video or app on your phone. Meditation can help calm the mind, even if the practice only lasts for five to 10 minutes. 
• Consider sleeping with a weighted blanket, as it can help people with anxiety and insomnia fall and stay asleep. 

Keep A Consistent Sleep Schedule

Going to bed and waking up at the same (or thereabouts) every day, even on the weekends, can help reinforce the body’s sleep cycle. That makes it easier for you to fall asleep and wake up every day. When you stick to a consistent schedule, you can also reduce daytime sleepiness. Just make sure that the bedtime you choose allows you to get between seven to nine hours of sleep every night. 

Create A Relaxing Bedtime Routine

Help yourself unwind by developing a routine that gets you ready for bed. Allow one hour for your bedtime routine because that allows you enough time to do a few different things that relax you. Here are a few examples:

• Meditate, even for five to 10 minutes, to help calm the body and mind. You can set an intention during your practice to make it more effective and help you focus. 
• Listen to soothing or relaxing music while focusing on your breath. There are many playlists on streaming platforms that help induce sleep. 
• Reading a book can be a great way to relax, but avoid using electronic devices that emit blue light, as that can keep you awake. 
• Engage in some gentle stretching to relax the muscles and release tension. You can also try restorative yoga, which works to relax the mind and body.

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Think about how often your yoga mat touches the floor, especially if that floor is in a public yoga studio. Now think about all of the sweat, oils, and bacteria that accumulate on the mat during your yoga session. It’s safe to say that your yoga mat needs to be cleaned regularly, but does that happen? We are not here to judge; rather, we are here to provide a natural cleaner that helps remove all of that dirt and grime. 

What Is A DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner?

Think of this as a general cleaning spray, only without all of the harsh chemicals. This homemade solution contains vinegar or witch hazel, and essential oils, all of which help to remove sweat, germs, dirt, and oils from your yoga mat. That helps make your mat not only cleaner, but wonderfully scented. 

Using a DIY yoga mat cleaner also helps save you money and reduces waste. Not to mention, it gives you control over what touches your skin. Plus, making your own cleaner can feel both rewarding and creative, almost as if crafting your own wellness ritual. Keeping your yoga mat clean can help avoid skin irritation, in addition to the following benefits: 

• Helping prevent breakouts and skin rashes
• Removing odors caused by sweat
• Keeping the yoga mat free of bacteria and germs
• Extending the yoga mat’s life
• Enhancing the overall yoga experience 

Why Use Vinegar?

Vinegar is a staple household ingredient that is highly useful when it comes to cleaning certain items and surfaces. Regarding cleaning, vinegar’s most useful asset is its acidity. It is mild enough not to damage fabrics and surfaces, while being strong enough to get rid of stubborn stains and deposits. It can have a pH as low as 2.2 to 10 times as acidic as the average soft drink. 

One of the advantages of vinegar is that it exhibits antimicrobial activity. Some highly evolved bacteria can survive in acidic environments, but most find it difficult to thrive and replicate in these conditions. According to research, cleaning with vinegar can kill a range of pathogens, including E. coli. It has also proven to be an effective cleaning agent for dentures or a disinfectant for fruits and vegetables. 

What About Witch Hazel?

Yet another medicine cabinet hero! Witch hazel is typically for beauty applications, but it can be a powerful addition to your natural cleaning arsenal. Witch hazel is typically used as an astringent to help clean minor cuts or soothe bug bites. The astringent and antibacterial properties make it a fantastic cleaning agent. It is great for light cleaning tasks, especially when you want to avoid harsh chemicals. 

Not only can witch hazel improve your at-home cleaning game, but it can also help neutralize odors. Just keep in mind that witch hazel is not an approved disinfectant by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). You should not rely on witch hazel to eliminate viruses or bacteria; rather, use it as a complementary cleaner for light tasks. 

DIY Yoga Mat Cleaner

Ingredients:

• 1 cup distilled water
• 1/2 cup distilled white vinegar or witch hazel (whichever you prefer)
• 10 drops tea tree oil
• 10 drops lavender essential oil

Instructions:

• Pour the distilled water into a spray bottle and then add the vinegar or witch hazel. 
• Drop in the essential oils and then screw on the top. Shake gently before each use to thoroughly mix up the ingredients. 
• To use, lightly spray on your yoga mat and wipe with a soft cloth.

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Whether you are young or old, it’s easy to get into the Halloween spirit. It is fun and exciting to dress up and embrace all things scary, but this day is really all about the candy. A child loves the opportunity to walk door-to-door in costume and retrieve candy from those eager enough to pass it out. Adults will walk by a bowl of candy in the office, sneakily grabbing a couple every now and again. Parents may even take some select treats out of the Halloween night’s big haul!

A good bag full of treats is hard to resist. Although the various candies can taste amazing, they often come with a cost: dental problems. A new report found that 35% of Americans have experienced candy-related dental issues. Dentists encourage people to make smarter choices when it comes to which candy they choose to enjoy. Daily or frequent consumption of candy will result in negative consequences for the teeth. According to that new report, the following dental issues may be caused by candy.

Tooth Pain

If candy causes damage to your teeth, fillings, or crowns, you can experience general tooth pain. If you bite into some candy and crack your tooth, it can be extremely painful. A cracked tooth that cracks all the way to the root or nerve can be excruciating and typically requires immediate dental work. 

Chipped Or Cracked Tooth

Not all chips or cracks go all the way down to the tooth’s root. Some people easily chip their teeth on lollipops or other hard candies and don’t fix the chip for months! It is very difficult to chip a tooth and not notice! That said, you can chip part of a tooth while eating and not notice it because it may not hurt. If you don’t address the problem and don’t see a dentist soon after chipping or cracking a tooth, you run the risk of nerve exposure or infection. A cracked tooth loses the outer layer, the enamel, and a cavity can progress at a quicker rate. 

Jaw Discomfort

When you chew hard or sticky candies, you put unnecessary stress on the temporomandibular joints (TMJ). These are the two joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull. If you repeatedly chew hard or sticky candies, you may lead to TMJ pain. Plus, hyperextending for opening the jaw wide to eat larger candies can increase general jaw discomfort. 

Teeth Sensitivity

Bacteria in the mouth can metabolize into simple carbohydrates (sugar) and lower the overall pH in the mouth. An acidic environment can erode the enamel on your teeth, which makes them more sensitive to tooth decay. Even if the bacteria doesn’t metabolize into sugar, it can cause sensitivity to other areas without enamel. Your teeth “feel” via tiny tubules in the dentin layer of the mouth. These tubules have fluid in them, and that fluid can expand or contract in response to cold or hot liquids, sweets, or other food items. People with gum recession are typically more susceptible to tooth sensitivity. 

Gum Infection

Although the report didn’t mention gum infection as a dental issue caused by candy consumption, it is a possible outcome. Little pieces of candy can get trapped between the teeth in the gums or in gum pockets, where floss cannot reach and remove the candy. If candy remains wedged under the gums or between the teeth, you can experience cavities or a periodontal abscess, which is a localized gum infection. 

Damaged Fillings Or Crowns

If you eat sticky candy and you have a filling or crown, you run the risk of pulling out a piece of the filling or crown. If the candy does pull out the filling or crown, the sugar from candy can become trapped in the tooth, which can lead to tooth decay. Candy doesn’t directly harm filling or crown material in that way because decay develops differently. Candy typically infects the tooth at the margin of the filling or crown (where the tooth meets the crown or filling).

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A new study investigated the release of microplastics from natural and synthetic chewing gums. According to researchers, chewing a single piece of gum could release hundreds to thousands of microplastic particles into saliva. Those particles originate from the gum’s base, which tends to contain synthetic polymers. The study suggests that regular gum chewers may be ingesting significant amounts of microplastics without knowing it.

What Are Microplastics?

As the name suggests, microplastics are small pieces of plastic that range from one micrometer to five millimeters long. These synthetic solid polymeric matrices are insoluble in water. They cause pollution by entering natural ecosystems through a network of different sources, including clothing, cosmetics, food packaging, renovation, and construction. The actual term “microplastics” differentiates larger, non-microscopic plastic waste from the micro fragments. 

What Did The Study Show?

The pilot study was presented at the American Chemical Society’s spring 2025 meeting, revealing the dangers of microplastics entering saliva via chewing gum. The microplastics in saliva are potentially ingested, posing a larger risk to overall health. Researchers at UCLA conducted experiments involving a single participant who chewed seven pieces each of 10 different gum brands. The gums were both natural and synthetic varieties. Researchers took saliva samples after chewing and analyzed them using filtration and chemical analysis techniques, including microscopy, to quantify and identify microplastics. 

In order to ensure accuracy, microplastics that were present in initial rinse samples were subtracted from the ones researchers found in chewing gum saliva samples. The researchers tested 10 popular chewing gum brands of synthetic and natural gums. For clarification, synthetic gums are made from plastic-based polymers, while natural gums are derived from plant-based materials, such as chicle.

The participant chewed each type of gum, and this person’s saliva was analyzed after chewing each piece. The goal was to quantify the number of microplastics released while chewing each type of gum. Study authors focused on the initial minutes of chewing, the time during which most microplastic release was expected to take place. 

The Study’s Key Findings

Researchers observed that, on average, one gram of gum released approximately 100 microplastic particles. Some brands even released up to 600 particles per gram! That means that a large piece of gum could potentially release more than 3,000 microplastic particles. The majority of the identified microplastics were released within the first eight minutes of chewing. 

Both synthetic and natural gums released similar amounts of microplastics, averaging 100 particles per gram. The particles that researchers identified included polymers, such as polyolefins, polyacrylamides, polystyrenes, and polyterephthalates. These materials are commonly found in consumer plastics. For people who chew around 180 pieces of gum annually, that could result in ingesting over 30,000 microplastic particles per year. 

Dangers Of Microplastics

It should be noted that the study did not identify a direct link between microplastic ingestion from gum and certain health conditions. That said, other studies have found microplastics detected in various human tissues, including the lungs, placenta, bloodstream, and brain. The presence of microplastics in the body is linked to inflammation, organ dysfunction, and DNA damage. 

More research is still necessary about the specific risks from gum-derived microplastics. Health experts suggest that you avoid regular gum chewing due to the potential health risks associated with microplastic consumption. Some of those risks include:

• Chemical toxicity: Microplastic particles can carry environmental toxins, including heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, which can be released into the body after ingestion.
• Gastrointestinal issues: It’s possible for microplastics to irritate the gastrointestinal tract, leading to general discomfort and inflammation. 
• Endocrine disruption: There are certain chemicals leached from microplastics that can interfere with hormone functions. That could lead to metabolic disorders and reproductive health issues. 
• Cellular damage: There are several studies that suggest that microplastics can cause DNA damage and oxidative stress.

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Do you feel a bit of brain fog in these hotter months? It’s logical to think that your sleep pattern may be to blame, but the heat may have a bigger influence on brain health than you realize. A few summers ago, researchers in Boston studied young adults living in college dorm rooms during a heat wave. Some of the participants had central air conditioning (AC) and slept in a 71-degree Fahrenheit (F) environment. Other participants did not have AC and the room averaged 80 degrees F.

For nearly two weeks of the study, students took a few tests every morning administered via their cell phones. The students who had to sleep in the hotter environment performed measurably worse on the tests than the students who slept in the cooler environment. One of the tests involved math, requiring simple addition and subtraction. A second test, the Stroop test, jumbled words and colors. If the participants saw the word “red” in a blue circle, they had to respond “blue,” according to the study authors. 

If your reaction time is slower, then you may get tripped up more easily on certain questions. Researchers behind the study found that heat slows your reaction time. In fact, they saw reductions in the order of 10% in response times and accuracy. Part of that may stem from interrupted sleep, or lack of sleep. When the sleeping environment is hotter and you are not accustomed to heat, it is much more difficult to get quality sleep. That said, a body of research suggests that the heat itself interferes with cognition. 

What Does Other Research Say?

A similar study from 2021 documented reduced cognitive performance at temperatures of 79 degrees F. As the temperatures rose during the study, researchers observed lower activity in the parasympathetic nervous system, which is the anti-stress system that can help you remain calm. Additionally, researchers noticed that oxygen saturation levels in the blood were much lower at higher temperatures. That most likely explained the reduction in cognitive performance. 

Other studies found that higher temperatures in an office setting made office workers score lower on standardized tests. One of those studies found that productivity in the workplace was higher when the air temperature averaged 72 degrees F. Productivity began to decrease once temperatures reached the mid-70s. Additional research found that high school students performed more poorly on standardized tests when the days were hotter. Hotter days also made students more irritable or moodier, which may result from elevated cortisol levels. Too much cortisol in the body can induce frequent stress responses. 

Given that extreme heat waves are more common nowadays, health experts are more interested in understanding how heat can influence mechanisms that influence anxiety-related problems and mood. A study from 2022 found that hospital visits for mental health-related issues rose during extremely hot weather. That is consistent with what a lot of physicians explain. 

How Do You Combat The Effects Of Heat?

First and foremost, you need to hydrate as much as possible when the weather is hot. In hotter weather, you lose more sweat, so you have to replenish those fluids. In addition to water, drink electrolyte beverages (preferably not sugary sports drinks) that help replenish lost nutrients. In regards to the first study we discussed at the beginning of the article, students that slept in hot rooms drank less than six glasses of liquid per day. Prior research showed that being slightly dehydrated led to impaired cognitive performance. Drink plenty of water to keep your physical and mental health working optimally!

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Sleep hygiene refers to a set of sleep practices or habits that promote more restful sleep. These practices aim to improve the overall quality and duration of your sleep, so you can wake up feeling well-rested. They may also reduce the likelihood of sleep disturbances, sleep-related disorders, and other sleep issues. By maintaining optimal sleep hygiene, you can improve your overall well-being, since restorative sleep is necessary for physical and mental health.

Unlike a watermelon fast or something else you saw on TikTok, sleep hygiene is a wellness trend you should get behind. Practicing good sleep hygiene means adopting habits that cultivate consistent, quality sleep. These habits help promote a healthy circadian rhythm, but please note that sleep hygiene is not a one-size-fits-all recommendation. Some practices may work for some, while other practices work for others. Find your healthy sleep routine by considering the following recommendations that promote a good night’s sleep.

Create A Bedtime Routine

When you have a consistent bedtime routine, the brain and body know that it is time to shut down. A bedtime routine can include activities like taking a warm bath, practicing breathing techniques, meditating, or reading a book. Do not spend hours on your phone and don’t watch TV until the second you go to sleep. The blue light can cue your brain to remain awake. You want to do things that reduce brain activity and stress hormones. A calming bedtime routine signals the transition from wakefulness to sleep, so you’ll drift off to sleep more easily. 

Limit Screen Time Before Bed

As we previously mentioned, the blue light from screens gets in the way of healthy sleep. Smartphones, tablets, laptops, and TVs should be avoided at least an hour before you go to bed. Researchers note that blue light suppresses melatonin, the hormone that indicates when it is time to go to sleep. Turn off screens one or two hours before sleep to aid the natural production of melatonin. That will make falling asleep easier and result in better sleep quality.

Create A Comfortable Sleep Environment

If you cannot relax and get comfortable, falling asleep will prove difficult. Ensure that your bedroom is dark, cool, and quiet. Consider getting a white noise machine, blackout curtains, or even earplugs to foster a great sleep environment. A neutral, dark, and sound-free room reduces any external stimuli that can interfere with the various stages of sleep. When your bedroom has all of these ideal conditions, you can experience more restful, continuous sleep, which is beneficial if you experience fragmented sleep due to night wakings. Additionally, get a quality mattress, as your physical comfort also plays a big role in your sleep quality.

Limit Daytime Naps

Sometimes, a quality nap on the couch or on a lounge chair in the backyard is just what the doctor ordered. As long as your naps are short and powerful (30 minutes or less) and you don’t take many of them, you can still sleep without issue at night. Long and irregular daytime naps, especially those that you take later in the day, can interfere with nighttime sleep. Short naps can boost alertness without affecting your sleep at night while late-afternoon naps can make it more difficult to get a restful night’s sleep.

Don’t Drink Too Much Before Bedtime

If you drink a lot of fluids before bedtime, you will more than likely wake up at least once, if not twice, to urinate in the middle of the night. Health experts refer to this as nocturia (waking up to pee), which breaks sleep continuity. By minimizing your fluid intake one to two hours before bed, you can maintain uninterrupted rest cycles. 

Stick To A Consistent Sleep Schedule

Ideally, you should go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on the weekends. In doing so, you help regulate the body’s internal clock, which ultimately promotes better sleep. Consistency actually improves the body’s sleep-wake cycle, which can make falling asleep and waking up a lot easier. Disrupting that schedule, such as oversleeping, can confuse the brain’s sleep signals and cause grogginess or unrest. 

Try any number of these suggestions and consider keeping a sleep diary to figure out which things work for you. Tracking your sleep habits can help you identify patterns, triggers, and areas that need improvement. Review your diary on a weekly basis to help you figure out things or behaviors that interfere with sleep. That can enable you to make proper adjustments to build a healthier sleep routine. 

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When that summer sun blazes down on you, it is very easy to get a sunburn, especially if you do not apply sunscreen. Maybe you apply sunscreen, but it isn’t good enough or not the right one for you. Sunscreens work to protect your skin from ultraviolet (UV) radiation, reduce the risk of skin cancer, and help prevent sunburn and premature aging. When you have a better understanding of sunscreen factors, including SPF, water resistance, and broad-spectrum protection, you can make a more educated choice about which product works best for your skin type. 

Is Lotion Better Than Spray?

A lot of people buy sunscreen sprays because they are easy to apply. The best type of sunscreen, be it a spray, gel, ointment, wax, lotion, or cream, is ultimately up to your personal preference. Just make sure that you choose an option that you will wear daily. Additionally, different formulas work better for different skin types. Some cream-based sunscreens may be better for dry skin, while a gel-based sunscreen caters to oily skin. A stick or wax may be easier to use on the face, while spray sunscreens can be great to apply on kids. Just try to avoid spray sunscreens that contain insect repellents, as insect repellents should be used sparingly. 

Look For Broad-Spectrum Protection

The American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) recommends that you use broad-spectrum sunscreens because they provide protection from ultraviolet A (UVA) and ultraviolet B (UVB) rays. UVA rays, or “aging rays,” can increase the risk of premature aging, wrinkles, and age spots. They can penetrate glass windows, so you can be at risk of sun damage even if you are inside. UVB rays, or “burning rays,” are the primary cause of sunburn. They can’t pass through glass windows, but you should still protect the skin from them. 

Choose SPF 30 Or Higher

Sun protection factor (SPF) is the number that represents how much UV radiation exposure the skin can take without burning. This number does not indicate the amount of time you can spend in the sun. Your skin type, how often you reapply, and the time of day can influence your risk of sunburn. Experts suggest that you reapply sunscreen every two hours, or more frequently if you sweat a lot or go in the water. The AAD recommends using a sunscreen with SPF 30 or higher, which blocks 97% of the sun’s UVB rays. No sunscreen will block 100% of UVB rays, though. 

Are Mineral Sunscreens Better Than Chemical Sunscreens?

First and foremost, both are effective, but they contain different active ingredients. Mineral sunscreens typically contain titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, or both. They tend to leave a white residue on the skin, and dermatologists recommend them for people with sensitive skin, as they do not contain harsh chemicals. Chemical sunscreens do not contain titanium dioxide or zinc oxide; rather, they have a lighter formula that doesn’t leave a white residue on the skin. That said, chemical sunscreens do contain ingredients that can irritate the skin or pose threats to marine life and coral reefs. No matter which ones you choose, make sure to read the list of active ingredients. 

What Chemicals To Look Out For

There are certain ingredients in chemical sunscreens that can cause side effects, especially if you have sensitive skin, allergies, or a health condition. Some factors to consider:

• Environmental impact: Some chemicals in sunscreens can be harmful to coral reefs and marine life. A 2022 report from the National Academy of Sciences (NAS) urged the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to dig deeper into the impact of sunscreens on marine ecosystems. 
• Potential allergens: Avobenzone and octocrylene, among other ingredients, can cause allergic reactions like contact dermatitis. Fragrances, alcohols, and other preservatives can also cause reactions. Consider trying the sunscreen on a small patch of skin to see how your skin responds before lathering it all over your body. 
• Potential chemical absorption: Some sunscreen ingredients can actually linger in the bloodstream for extended periods. One study found that six ingredients, including oxybenzone, octocrylene, avobenzone, homosalate, octinoxate, and octisalate, were absorbed in the bloodstream after one use. The study noted that they reached levels in the blood that surpassed the FDA’s threshold. 

Match It To Your Skin Type

Some sunscreens are made specifically for certain skin types. If you thoroughly read a product’s label, you can determine if it is the right fit for your skin. If you have dry skin, you may want a sunscreen that contains moisturizers. Non-comedogenic and oil-free sunscreens may benefit those with acne-prone or oily skin. Fragrance-free and hypoallergenic sunscreens are excellent for sensitive skin.

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