healthy habits

10 Ways to Avoid Germs on Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Ashley Eneriz — Tue, 17 Jul 2018 08:00:10 +0000

Public transportation is unavoidable, especially if you're on vacation or have to travel for work often. What's also unavoidable is being exposed to the millions of germs from the thousands of passengers that use the same forms of transportation daily. Luckily, there are plenty of ways to protect yourself. (See also: How Being Healthy Saves You Money)

1. Always travel with hand sanitizer

Plane tap water can be full of contaminants, so washing with soap and water on board doesn't guarantee germ-free hands. Travel with a small hand sanitizer and sanitize your hands after using the restroom and as soon as you leave the transportation vehicle. Avoid touching your mouth, eyes, or nose until you have left the plane or train and washed your hands properly.

2. Be careful what you drink

Speaking of contaminated tap water on public transportation, avoid ordering tea or coffee, since these beverages are made with tap water. Avoid ice, too. Instead, ask for water out of a water bottle. (See also: 7 Ways to Avoid Getting Seriously Sick on Vacation)

3. Pack antibacterial wipes

A small pack of antibacterial wipes can also help minimize your exposure to germs on public transportation. Wipe down trays, arm rests, and other parts of the seat area you will touch during a flight or train ride. Use a tissue or wipe to open doors or hang on to poles instead of using your bare hands. In a rental car, wipe down handles, steering wheels, and seats weekly.

4. Avoid small talk

While it might seem rude not to strike up small talk with your seatmate, by keeping to yourself, you will guard yourself against germs that can be passed in cramped spaces. Even talking for a few minutes with someone who is ill can expose you to their germs. (See also: 7 Everyday Situations That Introverts Ace)

5. Practice healthy habits before you travel

The best way to avoid germs while traveling is to make your health a priority before your trip and really safeguard your immune system. Get plenty of rest, eat nutritional meals, stay hydrated, and up your vitamin C intake before leaving. (See also: Eat These 6 Foods to Stay Healthy While Traveling)

6. Pick the least crowded transportation option

If you can choose your seat on a plane or train, find one that is away from other people, if possible. This can mean sitting in unoccupied back rows or picking a plane seat where someone does not occupy the middle section. You'll avoid germs and small talk, all at once. Score!

7. Go with a window seat

A 2018 study conducted by The FlyHealthy Research Team and the University of Florida found that people who were in window seats on planes had less contact with other passengers than the middle seat and aisle seat, and as a result, were less exposed to germs. So if you can get into a window seat, it might just improve your health. (See also: How to Score an Empty Seat Next to You on Your Next Flight)

8. Get fresh air

In a car or on a train, open up a window to get fresh air, if possible. Closed cabin air spreads germs throughout the area, so even if you're just taking a road-trip with your family, be sure to crack the windows often.

9. Keep your nose lubricated

One of the reasons flight passengers get sick is because of the low air humidity, which dries out nasal passages and makes our bodies less effective in germ prevention. Travel with nasal spray to help prevent this problem.

10. Travel with a water purifier

Devices like a UV Water Purifier use UV light to kill bacteria and viruses in water. So even if you don't have already filtered water, or even tap water, you can use a tool like this to gather water from practically any source and stay hydrated without worrying about the water quality.

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This article is from Ashley Eneriz of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

9 Cheap Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure

Carrie Kirby — Thu, 28 Jun 2018 08:31:16 +0000

During a recent routine doctor visit, a loved one was warned that his blood pressure was on the high side. And if it doesn't improve by the next checkup, he might have to start taking medication.

This is happening to more and more Americans, since the American Heart Association and American College of Cardiology changed their guidelines for what is considered "high" blood pressure from 140/90 to 130/80. With the new guidelines, nearly half of U.S. adults are classified as having high blood pressure.

My loved one hates taking medication. He dreads the side effects, so he asked me to find out all the natural things he could do to get his blood pressure to a healthy place before his next visit. If the actions could be frugal and fun, all the better.

Note: If you have been prescribed medication for high blood pressure, follow your doctor's orders. Uncontrolled high blood pressure, or hypertension, can lead to a fatal or debilitating stroke, and I would never suggest that you can quit taking your meds and use natural methods to treat high blood pressure instead. But of course, you can take your meds and start living a healthier lifestyle.

1. Try a new approach to quit smoking

Smoking is one of the worst things you can do for your blood pressure. Obviously, it's not easy to quit smoking, or there wouldn't be so many people who have tried and failed to kick the habit.

There are several tactics proven to increase your chances of quitting for good, including free apps such as the LIVESTRONG MyQuit Coach, or Smoke Free. Counseling and anti-addiction medications are also proven to help, but if money is tight and your health insurance doesn't cover those, try the free apps first. (See also: 14 Smartphone Apps That Make Self-Care a Snap)

2. Put in your earbuds

A review of multiple studies from the U.S. National Library of Medicine and National Institutes of Health concluded that listening to music appears to lower blood pressure by reducing anxiety in patients, but it called for more controlled studies to pinpoint the optimal conditions for therapeutic music listening. But if you have a playlist of songs that tend to set your mind at ease, press play as often as you need to feel a little more Zen.

3. Eat at home

You may not think you eat that much salt, because you don't add salt to your food. But guess what? Most of the salt we eat comes from restaurant and processed foods, about 71 percent according to the CDC.

"Only a small amount of the sodium we consume each day comes from the salt shaker," reads the CDC report urging Americans to cut back.

So as convenient as it is to hit the drive thru, you can cut out a lot of blood-pressure-raising sodium by preparing meals at home. Home cooking is generally cheaper, too, and won't cost you your health. (See also: 25 Low-Cost Foods Packed With Nutrition)

4. Season your food

When you're cooking at home, you can cut sodium even more by reaching for non-sodium seasonings to add a kick, such as garlic, onion powder, and pepper. Some herbs may even lower blood pressure — basil, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, and garlic have all been credited with doing so. I save tons of money by ordering my spices online in bulk bags. (See also: 12 Foods Nutritionists Say You Should Splurge On)

5. Focus on your breathing

Deep breathing can improve many aspects of your overall health, and blood pressure is certainly one of them.

As Dr. Naomi Fisher of Harvard Medical School states, "Doctors often ask patients to breathe deeply before getting their blood pressure taken, for example. But it is also helpful to incorporate deep breathing in a daily routine, especially for "type A" or stress-prone personalities, with an added benefit on blood pressure."

And if you think you won't remember to add a deep breathing session to your daily routine, there are at least half a dozen apps that promise to guide you, ranging in cost from free to $3.99. (See also: 6 Meditation Alternatives for People With Busy Minds)

6. Find an exercise you don't hate

The American Heart Association says you should be exercising at least two and a half hours per week, in sessions at least 10 minutes long. You could schedule that time on a treadmill, or you could ask yourself, "what kind of activity would be a treat for me to engage in 30 minutes per day?"

I like to exercise while running errands, which has the added benefit of saving on gas and parking. Today, I'll briskly walk to a craft store and the ATM; tomorrow, it will be a bike ride to the grocery store. For some people, making exercise a chance to be social helps, whether it's by scheduling multiple sports games per week, enrolling in a Zumba class, or scheduling a walking date with a friend.

Does sex count as a workout? It can qualify as moderate activity, though most acts of intercourse only take about six minutes, and the AHA recommends that exercise sessions last at least 10. So keep that in mind if you plan to make sex your workout for the day. (See also: These 7 Exercises Are Scientifically Proven to Increase Happiness)

7. Have dessert

OK, a hot fudge sundae isn't going to lower your blood pressure, but there are a couple of sweet treats that can help.

Potassium can lessen the effects of sodium, so in addition to reducing sodium in your diet, you can also try adding more potassium-rich foods such as bananas, yogurt, and avocados. Even better, the flavonols in chocolate, especially dark chocolate, have been shown to lower blood pressure. So why not make a smoothie of dark chocolate, banana, and yogurt? (See also: 15 Reasons You Should Eat More Chocolate)

8. Get a dog

Studies show that owning a pet — particularly a dog — can significantly lower your blood pressure. This is because owning a dog improves our emotional health, as well as requiring us to exercise more in order to care for them.

Even if you can't adopt a dog, being around one could still help you. Research shows that our blood pressure dips when we pet or talk to a dog. So volunteering at a local animal shelter or spending time with a friend or relative's pet could work. (See also: 5 Surprising Ways Your Dog Can Save You Money)

9. Sleep in

Lack of sleep (five hours of sleep or fewer a night) can cause us to have trouble regulating our stress hormones, which may in turn lead to higher blood pressure.

Sleep is free, and good for you in many other ways as well, so making sure to get eight hours a night is a free way to keep your blood pressure in check. (See also: How Getting More Sleep Helps Your Finances)

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This article is from Carrie Kirby of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Want Financial Education in Schools? Follow the Example of One Kansas Teen

Rod Griffin — Wed, 21 Mar 2018 19:06:30 +0000

I’m a native Kansan. I’m a proud Jayhawks fan. My roots are deep there, and much of my family still lives there. I’m going back home next month to celebrate my grandson becoming an Eagle Scout (the same one who got lost on his way to class the first day of college last fall).

I say all this because I want to brag about something innovative that my home state has done for its students — and to use the example as a guide for what we all need to do to encourage the same action for financial education.

Recently, spurred to action by a teenager who suffered cardiac arrest during a spelling bee, the Kansas Legislature passed a law requiring every high school student in the state to complete a cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) course to graduate from high school.

The American Heart Association reports that 350,000 people across the United States suffer cardiac arrest outside of a hospital each year. Only 46 percent of those victims receive CPR. Now, every high school graduate in Kansas will know how to perform CPR. That will unquestionably save lives over time.

Emma Baker was the 13-year-old student who collapsed during a spelling bee. Her life was saved because a school administrator knew CPR and a person in the audience recognized her medical distress.

That event drove a passion for her and her family to press for legislation to ensure that others in the future have someone there to perform CPR in the rare event that it’s needed.

We need to follow that example for financial education for our students across the country.

Every single student in our schools will:

Spend cash.
Take out installment loans for major purchases.
Swipe credit cards, or just point their phones at a reader to make a charge.
Need to purchase insurance.
Save for emergencies.
And, we hope, invest for their retirement.

Add to that the fact that there was more than $1.4 trillion in student loan debt in 2017 and more than $1 trillion in credit card debt in the United States, and it should be abundantly clear that understanding fundamental personal finance topics including credit, savings, and other basic financial concepts is a critical life skill every student needs.

Everywhere I go, everyone I talk to wants to know why we don’t include financial education in our schools’ curricula. The answer is simple. We don’t make it clear to our school boards, administrators, and legislators that it’s a priority for us as citizens and parents.

We need to follow Ms. Baker’s example. If we don’t share our passion and make our voices heard, we can’t bring change to our schools for our children. If our school boards, administrators, and legislators don’t know that financial education is a priority for their constituents, they can’t give it the attention it needs.

Financial Literacy Month

April is Financial Literacy Month. That would be a great time to speak with your school board members and legislators about the importance of requiring personal finance education in our classrooms.

Another way to get involved is through the Jump$tart Coalition for Personal Financial Literacy. Experian was one of the founders of the organization more than 20 years ago. Today, Jump$tart has about 150 partners from the private sector, public sector, and academia. It’s extraordinarily rare to find an organization where companies like Experian work together with government agencies like the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, colleges and universities, and nonprofit foundations. In this case, it’s because we all believe in the importance of personal finance education in the classroom.

Jump$tart isn’t an advocacy organization. It works to provide training, resources, and guidelines for effective classroom instruction. Jump$tart established national standards for financial education in grades K-12 and has built a clearinghouse of resources for teachers to use in their classes.

There are Jump$tart coalitions in all 50 states, Puerto Rico, and Washington, D.C. Visit the website to learn more about what Jump$tart does and how you can volunteer to support financial education initiatives in your state.

(Editor’s note: Wise Bread is also a proud supporter of Jump$tart. Check out the recent TweetChat we co-hosted with Jump$start on the topic of creating a financially literate future with our kids.)

Credit tips for Financial Literacy Month

Throughout April, there will be financial education initiatives and events to encourage people of all ages to increase their financial knowledge. A piece of that knowledge is about credit and how to use it wisely. Here are a few credit tips in advance of Financial Literacy Month.

Get your credit report at least once a year. It’s free from each of the national credit reporting companies at www.annualcreditreport.com. The first step to improving your credit is knowing what’s in your credit report.
Check your credit score when you get your report. You can purchase a score for a nominal fee, and you’ll get the risk factors that go with the score. Use those factors to address the issues in your credit report to improve your credit score.
The two most important factors for every credit score are your payment history and your credit utilization ratio. Pay your bills on time and keep your credit card balances low, and your scores will improve over time.
Check your credit report and score several months before applying for a major loan or mortgage. Doing so will ensure you have time to address any issues with your credit history and take steps to improve your score if necessary.
Join Experian’s #CreditChat on Twitter and Periscope to learn more about personal finance and credit. We want you to be part of the conversation not only during financial literacy month, but all year long.

Everywhere I go, parents and professionals tell me how important requiring financial education in our schools is and how concerned they are that it isn’t.

I’m the wrong person to tell.

Make your voice heard in your state. We want all our students across the country to graduate with fundamental personal financial skills.

Have a talk with your legislators, school boards, and administrators. Only when they understand how important it is to all of us will financial education become a priority. Financial Literacy Month would be a good time to start that conversation.

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This article is from Rod Griffin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Ways to Stay Healthy While Working the Night Shift

Kentin Waits — Fri, 02 Mar 2018 10:00:06 +0000

Though I don't work the night shift, I'm an avowed night owl. Some of my best writing happens between the hours of 1 a.m. and 4 a.m. (when most folks are in full REM mode). But indulging my nocturnal tendencies without risking my health takes a little bit of strategy. Whether you're working the graveyard shift, or just a stubborn night owl like me, here are six ways to stay healthy when you're staying up all night.

1. Stick to a regular sleep cycle

It's tempting to want to be awake when the rest of the world is awake. But if you work the night shift, that's simply not possible. To maintain your physical and mental well-being, establish a regular daytime sleep schedule and stick to it even during your days off. Also, use naps strategically to "power-up" right before each shift. Remember, your routine is your friend. (See also: 5 Bedtime Routines of Famous Financial Gurus)

2. Create a restful environment at home

When it's time to sleep, you want to be able to sleep. Turn your bedroom into a slumber-ready refuge. Invest in blackout curtains to prevent even the thinnest sliver of sunshine from disturbing your dreams. Mask traffic noise with a white noise machine or buy a few dozen pair of those disposable foam earplugs to deaden everything that goes bump in the day. (See also: How to Fall Asleep When You Can't)

3. Unplug

Sure, friends and family may know you work the night shift, but that doesn't stop the endless stream of daytime text messages, emails, and robocalls. To protect your sleep, consider going dark during daylight hours. Silence your phone and turn off all audible notifications.

4. Eat right

Don't treat your late night meals like midnight snacks. Eat small, nutritionally dense meals comprised of lean meats, leafy green vegetables, and a few fruits. Avoid fatty, carb-heavy foods. They may fill your stomach and give you a short boost of energy, but the inevitable crash will make the rest of your shift feel like torture. (See also: 10 Foods That Can Help You Sleep)

5. Limit sugar and caffeine

Caffeine and sugar — Wonder Twin powers activate! This winning combination has been fueling American workers for generations. But if you're working the night shift, know when to say "no." About four or five hours before the end of every shift, begin phasing out caffeine and sugar. That window will give your body time to recover from the effects of both stimulants and help you fall asleep easier when you get home. (See also: 12 Reasons to Stop Eating Sugar Forever)

6. Stay active

I totally get it; after working all night, working out is the last thing on your mind. Still, try to fit in 15-20 minutes of moderate exercise before wrapping up your day. Keep things logistically simple. Instead of heading to the gym, stay home and speed walk on the treadmill or practice a few minutes of mindful yoga. Besides boosting your metabolism, it'll help you relax and improve the quality of your sleep. (See also: 6 Simple Ways to Get More Exercise Without Working Out)

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This article is from Kentin Waits of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: 70+ Healthy Habits That Make You Feel Good

Amy Lu — Thu, 22 Feb 2018 09:30:09 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found articles on healthy habits that make you feel good, ways to improve your life with apple cider vinegar, and how to protect yourself from fake social media accounts.

5 Everyday Routines of Wealthy People

Emily Guy Birken — Fri, 16 Feb 2018 09:00:06 +0000

Whether you end each day binge-watching TV until the wee hours, or you drink a kale smoothie before hitting the hay promptly at 10 p.m., your daily routine will certainly affect your ability to achieve your goals.

In fact, many famous and wealthy individuals claim that their daily routines are the driving force behind their success. That's why it's a great idea to learn how trailblazers and top-earners structure their days so you can figure out which of their routines will help set you up for success. (See also: 7 Money Lessons We Can Learn From Beyoncé)

1. Wake up early

While hitting the snooze button until 20 minutes before you absolutely have to leave for work may feel a little more comfortable than jumping out of bed at 5:30 a.m., this habitual procrastination may be costing you. Not only are you more likely to forget something important in your rush out the door, but you start your day already feeling like you're behind and out of control. It's difficult to start tackling work when you're still rubbing sleep out of your eyes, am I right?

This is why nearly 50 percent of wealthy individuals get up at least three hours before their workday starts, according to Tom Corley, author of Change Your Habits, Change Your Life. Having that extra time in the morning gives you the opportunity to plan your day, exercise, or work on a side project — all of which will help you get in the right frame of mind to get to work once you get to the office.

2. Exercise

We all know that we should be exercising, but just because we know that breaking a sweat is necessary for good health doesn't mean we do it. However, Corley found that 76 percent of wealthy people make sure they spend 30 minutes or more every day on aerobic exercise.

These successful individuals recognize that their physical health is the cornerstone of all of their success. You cannot work toward your goals if you're sick. In addition, according to Harvard Medical School, aerobic exercise such as walking, running, biking, or swimming improves both thinking and memory. This means that making sure daily exercise is part of your routine can help you to work smarter. (See also: 7 Ways to Sneak More Exercise Into Your Busy Schedule)

3. Eliminate choices

How many times have you stood in front of your bulging closet wondering what to wear to work that day? While it may seem like a luxury to have lots of choices, it can often lead to decision fatigue, which is when you use up your brain's limited bandwidth on several smaller daily decisions, making it that much harder for you to figure out the right choice on bigger decisions.

This is why many wealthy individuals have voluntarily chosen to eliminate decisions in their day. For instance, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg admits to owning 20 identical gray T-shirts so that he doesn't have to think about what to wear each morning. Similarly, Apple's Steve Jobs was famous for his uniform of black turtleneck and jeans. Adhering to these personal uniforms allowed these extremely influential men to focus their attention where it belongs — on the growth of their products.

Similarly, many successful people choose to eat the same foods each day so they aren't tempted to stray from a healthy or inexpensive diet. This lack of choice means there is no chance of agonizing over whether or not to have pizza for lunch, since the decision has already been made. (See also: Here's How Too Many Decisions Costs You Money)

4. Meditate

Zoning out while playing Candy Crush may feel like a sort of Zen state while you're in the midst of a game, but it's hardly going to offer you the kind of stress-reducing relaxation that meditation can.

For one thing, you'll never fall prey to an in-app purchase in a moment of weakness while meditating. For another, meditation offers everything from improved cognitive functioning, creative thinking, and productivity, to better physical health — none of which you'll get from a rousing round of smartphone gaming.

This is why hugely successful individuals like Oprah Winfrey and Bridgewater Associates founder Ray Dalio make sure to include meditation in their daily routines. The daily mindfulness practice helps these wealthy individuals to keep their minds clear and focused. (See also: 6 Ways Meditation Can Make You a Money Master)

5. Read

Reading has a number of excellent brain benefits, and incorporating a routine of reading a book at bedtime is far better for your sleep health than scrolling through Facebook or Instagram on your phone.

But before you pick up the latest crime thriller or romance novel, consider what kind of reading is going to do the most to help improve your life. According to Corley, 85 percent of wealthy individuals read at least 30 minutes each day for self-improvement. That means they pick up books that will help them to achieve more or help them overcome bad habits, rather than reading solely for entertainment. (See also: 10 Books to Read for a Better Money Mindset)

Create a wealthy life

Having a beneficial daily routine is not a shortcut to riches. Instead, it helps foster the proper circumstances you need in your life to reach your goals and live the life you want.

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This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Ways to Age Well for $0

Mikey Rox — Fri, 06 Oct 2017 09:00:06 +0000

Aging isn't easy — I'll be the first person to admit that — and to make matters worse, it also isn't cheap. To keep the years off your face and body like your favorite celebrities, you have to shell out a substantial amount of cash for trainers, nutritionists, supplements, surgeons, makeup, and more.

Or do you?

Certainly there are plenty of quick fixes you can buy to make you look and feel better, but there are also ways to retain your youth and keep a healthy body, mind, and spirit for free. Take a look.

1. Get enough rest

You hear all the time how getting enough sleep is essential to your well-being. It's also critical to preserving your youth; as studies suggest that sleep deprivation is linked to aging skin. A good night's sleep is so powerful, in fact, that scientists from a UC Berkeley study found that deep sleep patterns can help prevent mental and physical disorders as you get older.

On the surface, says Sleep Train sleep and wellness expert Parinaz Samimi, "Recent studies demonstrated a correlation between inadequate sleep and accelerated aging of the skin where sleep-deprived participants displayed fine lines, uneven skin pigmentation, and diminished skin elasticity. For the sake of aging gracefully and not wasting thousands of dollars on products that don't work, investing in at least seven hours of shut eye could make all the difference — in your skin and your wallet." (See also: 3 Ways Good Sleep Makes You Wealthier)

2. Sleep on your back

Despite that about 41 percent of the population prefers the fetal position when sleeping (because, duh, it's the most comfortable), sleeping on your back is the best way to go if you want to keep your face tight.

"If you sleep on your face or your side, you will be more likely to get positional wrinkles that become harder and harder to get rid of over time," according to Dr. Lara Devgan, a New York City-based board-certified plastic and reconstructive surgeon. "In my plastic surgery practice, I can always tell which side of the face a person sleeps on because that side has more volume loss, deeper furrows, and poorer skin quality."

3. Sleep in the buff

Google the benefits of sleeping naked and you'll find plenty of results that'll have you slipping out of your skivvies before you sink into bed tonight. For instance, crawling under the covers nude helps decrease cortisol, increase hormone growth and balance melatonin — because your body is able to cool off more efficiently when disrobed — which leads to healthier, more restorative sleep and is proven to reduce anxiety, stress, and food cravings. So let it all out.

4. Talk with your hands and voice, not your face

I personally love people with faces full of expression, but all that grinning and wide-eyed wonder will eventually show on your skin.

"Minimizing gratuitous use of facial expressions, like frowning, furrowing the brows, and scrunching up the nose, will help keep years off your face," Dr. Devgan says. "Wrinkles and deep facial furrows are caused by repeated use of facial muscles, so a serene and placid resting expression are great ways to keep the years off your face."

I imagine it's difficult to train yourself not to express yourself with your eyes if that's part of your personality, and in that case, you should just accept your fate as a wrinkly old person who has told a million fantastic and enthusiastic stories.

5. Exercise regularly

You don't need a gym membership to get in a good workout (the world around you can be your fitness center), and studies have suggested that exercise helps slow the aging of skin, among other health benefits, like increasing your libido, making your heart more efficient, and improving blood flow. If you need more motivation to break a sweat without paying a membership fee, go for a jog outside, download a free exercise app, or try free videos on YouTube. (See also: 7 Online Workout Videos for Free or Cheap)

6. Avoid smoking

It costs zero dollars to abstain from smoking, which is an awesome thing since not smoking can't kill you. There are so many negative effects of puffing on cigs regularly, the most visible of which include loose skin under the eyes, uneven skin tone from oxygen deprivation, deep lines around the lips, age spots, damaged teeth and gums, stained fingers, hair loss (smoking can accelerate this genetic defect), and a greater risk of psoriasis. (See also: Here's How Rich You'd Be If You Stopped Smoking)

7. Seek the shade

Sun exposure is responsible for most of the visible aging on your skin, so it's important to limit yourself without the use of sunscreen. That costs money, of course, so in the spirit of this zero-dollar goal, I also recommend wearing hats and eyewear, sitting in the shade, and using umbrellas while at the beach.

8. Decrease sugar consumption

Sugar is my weakness. Well, one of them. And I try my darndest to limit my candy and cake intake because I don't want to be unhealthy. I'm not gettin' any younger, after all.

"Sugar can be considered to be the scourge of our declining health, contributing to obesity, cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and, yes, even accelerated aging," Samimi explains. "More often than not, people are encouraged to quit sugar for the purpose of whittling their waistline, unaware of the effects it has on our skin. Over-consuming sugar can result in wrinkles, damaging the collagen and elastin fibers that contribute to our skin's firmness and elasticity. The British Journal of Dermatology demonstrated an increase in wrinkles and sagging skin, which became evident in people age 35 who consumed more than the recommended amount of sugar."

On a more positive note, it's never too late to make healthy changes. It may not undo the damage, but you'll slow down the progression.

9. Treat your hands and neck the way you treat your face

We all have grooming routines with our products of choice, but you can use those products in areas you might be neglecting.

"The neck and backs of the hands tend to show age much faster than the rest of the body, so treating these areas with your skin creams and SPFs is a helpful way to mitigate that effect," Dr. Devgan says.

10. Keep your mind sharp

I thought that playing brain games contributed to mental sharpness (and they do, though they target very specific cognitive abilities), but your best bet for keeping your mind in tiptop shape for the long haul requires social interaction, learning a new language, and visits to "intellectually invigorating places" like museums and cultural centers, according to Dr. Karen Li, head of Concordia University. Lucky for us, all of this is mostly available for free no matter where you live.

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This article is from Mikey Rox of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

7 Ways to Avoid Getting Seriously Sick on Vacation

Nick Wharton — Tue, 27 Jun 2017 08:30:14 +0000

Heading off on vacation is often the culmination of months of planning and saving for your travel budget. It's the one time of year when we really get to relax, let our hair down, and enjoy the freedom of being away from work. So why risk wasting all that effort by allowing an unexpected bout of sickness to ruin it?

Health dangers are part of nearly every trip, but with proper precautions before and during your travels, it's entirely possible to avoid getting sick on vacation.

1. Get your shots

Your number one priority when heading off on an international vacation should be making sure that you are protected from diseases. First, double check that you are up to date on your routine vaccinations, such as those for Tetanus-Diphtheria-Pertussis (Tdap) and Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR), which may require a booster. Then you need to figure out what jabs are necessary for whichever country or countries you are planning to visit.

The best way to do this is to make an appointment with your health care provider or a specialized travel clinic, which should be able to advise you on exactly what you need. It's important to leave yourself plenty of time, as some of the shots, such as the vaccination against cholera, require two doses. Also make sure you check if there is any medication you need to take while you are traveling, such as anti-malaria tablets. It's far better to be safe than sorry.

2. Prepare for the plane journey

You don't want to ruin your vacation before it's even begun by arriving at your destination feeling out of sorts, so it's important to make sure you're properly prepared. Long plane journeys are renowned for having a detrimental impact on your health, but even short flights could be hazardous. The effects of air travel on the body range from dehydration and restlessness, to the potentially fatal deep vein thrombosis.

Do your best to make sure that you are fully rested in the days leading up to your flight. Consider boosting your immune system by taking some multivitamins, eating healthily the week beforehand, and ensuring that you are fully hydrated when you board the plane. However tempting it may be, particularly if you're a nervous flyer, stay away from the airport bar, as the combination of alcohol and altitude may undo all of your preparation.

3. Avoid tap water

Regardless of your destination, avoiding the local tap water is always a good idea when you go on vacation. There are many locations around the world where it's unsafe to drink the tap water, but even in the countries where it is technically safe, the water may still upset your stomach. This is due to the different balance of minerals and chemicals in the local water, as well as the different purification methods used.

The easiest way to avoid any issues arising is to stick to bottled water, but that's both potentially expensive and bad for the environment. If you want a practical and ecological way to steer clear of single use plastic bottles, there are plenty of other options you can consider. There is a huge variety of filtration bottles available on the market that get rid of almost 100 percent of microbiological contaminants as well as chlorine, fluoride and heavy metals. (See also: Eat These 6 Foods to Stay Healthy While Traveling)

4. Wash your hands and use antibacterial gel

Washing your hands thoroughly with soap and water is the most effective way to clean them. This is because it gets rid of dirt that may be harboring germs, and kills the germs themselves. But there isn't always a ready supply of water and soap for this to be a practical option. In these cases, hand sanitizing gel or antibacterial spray is the secret weapon of the savvy vacationer. When used properly, these products kill over 99 percent of bacteria.

Always carrying a small bottle of antibacterial liquid around with you is a simple and convenient way to ward off any germs that may have been transferred onto your hands. Don't wait until you arrive at your destination to start. Planes are notoriously unclean environments, so it pays to spray before and after boarding your flight, as well as when you're going to the bathroom. Always wash up before eating, but don't be afraid to use hand sanitizer at regular intervals throughout the day, too. (See also: 10 Items You'll Never Regret Packing on a Trip)

5. Watch what you eat

Food, and specifically the different bacterias found within it, are one of the main causes of people getting sick while they're away. The number one rule to follow when you're eating on vacation is to be cautious. Of course you want to sample the delicious local delicacies — it's one of the pleasures of traveling. But try to ease your stomach into exotic foods rather than immediately bombarding it with all of these new and exciting flavors. (See also: How to Eat Street Food Safely While Traveling)

Be aware of where you eat and the establishment's hygiene standards, whether it's a hotel restaurant, or a local street food stall. Food poisoning indiscriminately affects anywhere that has poor practices. To steer clear of food that will make you ill, always make sure it's freshly prepared and piping hot, avoid raw food, and don't eat anything prepared with tap water that isn't boiled. A great way to get the lowdown is to ask around for recommendations on which places are good, or do some research online.

6. Beat the mosquitoes

Despite their diminutive size, mosquitoes are some of the most dangerous creatures on the planet. At best, they'll give you an annoying bite that will lead to a lot of itching and discomfort, or even a fever, which in itself could ruin your vacation. At worst, depending on where you're going, you could end up with any one of a long list of nasty diseases that could be threatening to your health.

The only way to completely stop any risk is to not get bitten, so if you're going to a mosquito-heavy area, take plenty of tried and tested repellent, cover up areas of exposed skin, and always sleep under a mosquito net.

7. Take care in the sun

One of the pleasures for many travelers heading overseas is the opportunity to spend some time catching a few rays. But too much fun in the sun can have seriously negative effects on your health. The most common of these is sunburn, but more serious illnesses such as heat exhaustion and heat stroke aren't to be taken lightly. In extreme instances, they can even lead to death.

If you overdo it in the sun, you could end up spending days on your sickbed recovering, so it's best to know your limits and take it easy. Use a suitable strength of sunscreen, don't spend too much time directly in the sun, avoid strenuous activity at midday and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. (See also: 8 Health and Fitness Tricks for Travelers)

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This article is from Nick Wharton of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

6 Surprising Health Benefits of Growing a Garden

Marla Walters — Wed, 17 May 2017 09:00:09 +0000

We all know by now that we should be increasing the vegetables in our diet. We also know that we can save a ton of money at the grocery store if we grow our own herbs, fruits, and vegetables. But what other benefits are there to gardening, beyond eating what you grow? Here are six surprising reasons to get out into the dirt and perfect your green thumb. (See also: 13 Simple Gardening Skills Anybody Can Master)

1. Fight depression

Gardening may be the key thing to lifting your spirits and battling depression. According to Psychology Today, tending plants can give you a sense of responsibility, provide you with something to nurture, keep you connected to other living things, and help you relax. What's more, when you exercise by working in the garden, your endorphins rise and your stress levels fall.

2. Cut your risk of Alzheimer's disease

In a study released by the Journal of Alzheimer's disease in 2016, researchers found that your risk of Alzheimer's could be reduced by various physical activities. The study measured the changes in the brain using MRI scans in correlation to increased exercise. It concluded that even low-intensity activities such as walking improved cognitive function by increasing gray matter in the brain. So even though gardening might not be as strenuous as attending a kickboxing class at the gym, this activity will help safeguard your brain as you age.

3. A chance to socialize

Have you been feeling a little lonesome? Explore getting a plot in a community garden. There, you can happily toil along with others as you maintain your growing fruits and veggies. You can also exchange produce, compare techniques, and swap seeds.

Those interactions have real health benefits. Researchers at Brigham Young University who analyzed existing studies found that while loneliness is associated with early death as much as obesity, socializing with others can help you live longer. So even on days when you're not up for small talk, head to the community garden and you might just add years to your life.

4. Soak up some vitamin D

Does your doctor think you are getting enough vitamin D? If not, remember that regular sun exposure will provide vitamin D — which regulates your calcium levels and helps you maintain healthy bones and teeth. Be sure to use sunscreen, of course, but soak up those rays when you can.

5. Meditate

For a long time, I watched my neighbor, May, squat and pull weeds from her lawn. Why didn't she use a chemical to do the work for her, I wondered. As it turns out, it's meditative. She enjoys the birds, the sunrise, and the satisfaction of getting rid of weeds. She finds it therapeutic to work repetitively, one weed at a time.

6. Absorb some healthy bacteria

Mycobacterium vaccae is the scientific name for a healthy bacteria that naturally lives in soil. Amazingly, it has been found to trigger the release of serotonin in humans and mice, and that can elevate your mood and decrease anxiety. How cool is that?

More studies are being done to determine how effective M. vaccae is at treating mental health disorders via pill, vaccination, or inhalation, but until you can purchase this in the vitamin section of your local grocery store, you might be able to soak up the benefits by getting your hands dirty in the garden.

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This article is from Marla Walters of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

10 Healthy Habits to Take to Work

Kat Tretina — Tue, 16 Aug 2016 09:30:31 +0000

From weight gain to carpal tunnel syndrome, working a desk job takes its toll. According to the Mayo Clinic, sitting all day can cause high blood pressure, abnormal cholesterol, and even increase your risk of developing cancer. But by being proactive and taking some precautions, you can minimize the impact of sitting all day and keep yourself healthy and happy.

1. Drink Water

Many people are so busy at work that they forget to eat, or drink water, and all those cups of coffee can dehydrate you. As your body craves water, you can feel hungry, irritable, or listless, just because you're thirsty. Keep dehydration at bay by keeping a large water bottle at your desk. If you need a boost of flavor, add some fresh fruit to it to give it some extra zing. Having it within reach will encourage you to drink throughout the day and stay hydrated. You might be amazed by how much more alert you feel with enough water in your system.

2. Avoid Sugary Snacks

The best part of any workday when surprise bagels or doughnuts show up at a meeting. But those extra sweets and carbohydrates add up. Not only can they cause a sugar crash, leaving you feeling exhausted, but the extra calories can cause you to gain weight. Instead, plan ahead to have healthy snacks instead. Hard boiled eggs, string cheese, nuts, and peanut butter and crackers are healthy treats packed with protein, so you feel full and satisfied. (See also: 11 Smoothie Bowls You Want Right Now)

3. Walk Whenever You Can

Sitting at your desk not only contributes to obesity, but also to hypertension and other health issues. Get up and walk several times throughout the day to keep your muscles moving. If possible, step out at lunch for a brisk 20-minute walk. Better yet, schedule walking meetings to catch up on status reports and new updates. You'll find yourself more energized after your meeting than if you sat in a conference room.

4. Eat Lunch

With so much going on at work, you may skip lunch or forget about it until you're ravenous at 3:00 p.m. That makes it even more tempting to grab a candy bar from the vending machine. Instead, make eating a healthful lunch a priority. A salad made with vegetables and chicken can give you energy, while a sandwich made with lean meats, tomatoes and kale can make you feel full for the rest of the afternoon.

5. Protect Your Neck

Whether you look down at the computer, or hold the phone against your shoulder to keep your hands free, your job can be hard on your neck. And all of that strain can cause your muscles to tense and tighten up, causing pain later on. Raise your computer to a comfortable height so you can see it looking straight ahead. You don't need expensive equipment; a few reams of copy paper can do the job. And a simple phone headset can allow you to use the phone while typing, without hurting your neck.

6. Prevent Eye Strain

All of that time in front of the computer screen can hurt your eyes, causing headaches, sensitivity to light, and dry eyes. Keep your computer screen about an arm's length away from you. If you can't clearly see the text on the screen, just increase your font size. There are also screen covers you can use to minimize the glare from the monitor to decrease the strain on your eyes.

7. Fidget

Fidgeting and moving can help minimize the effects of a sedentary work life. Whether you use an exercise ball as a chair or have a minibike under your desk, even occasionally moving around can help increase blood flow and circulation. A recent study showed that fidgeting, or just doing small movements every day, could counteract the negative effects of sitting at your desk. (See also: 10 Exercises You Can Do at Work)

8. Invest in Lighting

Fluorescent lights can be brutal on your eyes. If possible, ask maintenance to disable the lights in your office or directly over your cubicle, and bring in a floor or desk lamp of your own with softer light. If that's not possible, a small desk shade can help shield you from the fluorescent light's rays.

9. Focus on Posture

When you're on a tight deadline and typing away, it's all too easy to end up hunched over your computer. But that position can be harmful to your back and joints. At the end of the work day, you can end up feeling sore and stiff due to your work habits. Invest in a good office chair or cushion to help encourage good posture. Apps like PostureMinder send you reminders throughout the day to sit up straight, helping you break a bad habit.

10. Take Vacation

Most importantly, if you have vacation days, use them! Vacations are physically and mentally important for you to unwind, de-stress, and spend time with loved ones.

While office jobs can be hard on your body, you can counteract the effects with some ingenuity and preplanning. By preparing healthy meals and snacks and by reminding yourself to get moving, you can keep yourself energized all day long.

What other healthy habits can you do at your desk? Share with us!

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This article is from Kat Tretina of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

5 Ways to Make Retail Therapy Good for You

Emily Guy Birken — Fri, 22 Apr 2016 10:00:04 +0000

After a long and frustrating day, nothing feels better than heading to your favorite store. When you emerge an hour later with heavily laden bags and a lighter wallet, you have forgotten all about the argument with your coworker, and you head home feeling much more cheerful.

The only problem with this scenario is the lighter wallet.

But what if you could have your retail therapy and balance your budget at the same time? As it turns out, researchers have discovered that shopping really does give you a needed pick-me-up, and used in moderation, retail therapy offers several psychological rewards.

Here is what you need to know about the psychological soundness of retail therapy — and some suggestions for how to make your therapeutic shopping profitable.

Why We Like to Shop When We're Down

In general, people get down or irritable because they feel out of control. When you are in a sour mood, it is often related to a sense of anxiety that you do not have control over your circumstances or environment.

And that is why retail therapy is so effective. You get a chance to have complete control over where you go, what you look for, and what you purchase. Add in the fact that most retail therapy also involves treating yourself in some way, and it's no wonder that shopping is such a common method for improving a bad mood.

In addition, according to Kit Yarrow of Psychology Today, "shopping can be a rich source of mental preparation. As people shop, they're naturally visualizing how they'll use the products they're considering, and in doing so, they're also visualizing their new life." Part of what makes retail therapy feel so good is getting a chance to imagine how great things will be with your new wardrobe/gadget/library of books.

If you're not a regular user of retail therapy, just keeping some money set aside for your occasional pick-me-ups should be sufficient. But if you often indulge in therapeutic shopping, then you might want to revise your shopping strategy to make sure your mood lifter doesn't get you into financial trouble.

Using Retail Therapy Strategically

Here are five different strategies for making sure your shopping habit actually helps your bottom line.

1. Shop for Gifts

While retail therapy traditionally means buying some sort of treat for yourself, it can also feel great to buy gifts for loved ones. The next time you go shopping to relieve stress after a bad day, decide to buy a present for someone on your Christmas list, no matter what time of year it is. Since you would spend the money on a gift anyway, your shopping trip will save you money in the future while still giving you the mood-boosting sense of the control you crave. Also, you can have fun visualizing how much the recipients will enjoy the gifts you are picking out.

If you make a habit of using retail therapy to shop ahead for holiday gifts, you will save money and stress at Christmas since you won't be shopping at the height of retail season.

2. Keep a List of Items You Need or Want

Living in the digital age means that it is possible to buy something for yourself as soon as you think of it. However, we don't necessarily need that level of convenience, and you receive no psychological benefits from it.

Instead, make a list of items that you need or want that you could get anytime. For example, there are currently two t-shirts and a DVD that I would like to own, but I am waiting to purchase any of them until a day when I need a serious cheer-up. (I liken this to keeping an emergency bar of chocolate hidden in my desk drawer. I'll wait to enjoy it until it's going to give me the biggest mood-boosting bang for my buck.)

By limiting your retail therapy to items that you have already decided to purchase, you keep the hit on your wallet to a minimum.

3. Use Gift Cards

Retail therapy is most dangerous when you engage in it mindlessly. But it is possible to get the same psychological benefit while being a thoughtful consumer.

For instance, purchasing a discounted gift card from a store that is your go-to retail therapy destination is a good way to feel better without spending too much. Get this gift card ahead of time and keep it in your wallet. On a day when you need to indulge in retail therapy, you can lock the rest of your wallet in your glove box and shop your bad mood away without hurting your budget. (See also: 5 Ways to Stop Your Mindless Spending)

4. Become a Mystery Shopper

If retail therapy is a regular habit, consider making it a part-time job by becoming a mystery shopper. Generally, mystery shoppers can receive between $5 and $20 per shopping trip, as well as reimbursement for their purchases, although there is often a limit to the purchase amount. While mystery shopping will not necessarily be as flexible as a normal session of retail therapy, once you have been hired by a company, you can select jobs when and where you want, saving your mystery shopping for the weeks you need to feel better.

It is important to make sure you go through a reputable mystery shopping company. You will never be asked to pay to become a mystery shopper for a legitimate company. It's also a good idea to check that the mystery shopping organization that hires you is a member of the MSPA, the official organization that regulates mystery shopping.

5. Indulge in Window Shopping

A recent study asked subjects to watch a depressing video clip, and then randomly assigned the subjects to one of two simulated shopping scenarios. The participants whose simulated shopping experience gave them more of an opportunity to choose the products they liked were found to be happier after the experience.

What's important about this study is the fact that the "shoppers" weren't actually buying anything, but they still experienced an improved mood. The authors of the study determined that it is the act of choosing between products that helps alleviate sadness, even if those choices are hypothetical.

This means that you will feel just as cheered up by trying on clothes without buying them than you would from purchasing a new wardrobe — all without spending a penny.

Making Retail Therapy Truly Therapeutic

It's very easy to feel guilty about the things that make us feel good, whether that's the hidden chocolate bar in the desk drawer, or indulging in retail therapy after a bad day. But there is no reason to deny ourselves the psychological benefits of these alternative "therapies," as long as we can find a way to do so strategically.

Do you frequently partake in retail therapy? How do you keep it under control? Share with us in the comments!

This article is from Emily Guy Birken of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Best Money Tips: Health Hacks for Crazy Busy People

Amy Lu — Tue, 09 Dec 2014 20:00:07 +0000

Welcome to Wise Bread's Best Money Tips Roundup! Today we found some helpful articles on health hacks for crazy busy people, tips to avoid being late, and questions you can to ask to overcome your fears.

Sex, Drugs, Rock 'n Roll — And Other Surprisingly Healthy Activities

Ashley Marcin — Mon, 23 Jun 2014 13:00:05 +0000

So much of what we read about health revolves around the stuff we should be doing, ways to change our diet and exercise routines, and similar tips and tricks. Well, I'm here to give us all a big pat on the back for those activities we're already engaging in on a daily basis that contribute to overall wellness. Here are some things you're already doing to improve your health. (Related: 13 Bad Habits That Are Actually Good For You)

Reading

By taking the time to read online or offline, you're exercising your mind in many ways. Reading — especially longer works, like novels — "requires several different regions of the brain to work together" and this heightened state of thinking can continue beyond the page and into everyday life.

Laughing

We've all heard it before, but did you know laughter really may be the best medicine? A good laugh can regulate blood flow, improve your immune system, lower blood sugar, aid with sleep, and even burn calories. Time to stream that comedy in your queue!

Sleeping

While experts seem split on exactly how much shut-eye adults need each night, what they seem to agree upon are the benefits. Think of your bedtime as a pit-stop for your body, where you'll service your "molecular, energy balance, as well as intellectual function, alertness, and mood" all at one time.

Hanging Out

If you spend time with friends and family, you enjoy a host of good vibes and support. Beyond that, spending time with friends can improve confidence while reducing stress levels. And quality really does trump quantity when it comes to companions, so foster those close connections for a full, rich life.

Yawning

Although I was once told that yawning was the brain's way of getting more oxygen, recent information shows that just isn't the case. However, yawning may actually regulate brain temperature to keep things cool and clear in your head. Apparently my brain is currently overheated, as I can't get through writing another sentence about this subject without, yes, yawning.

Stretching

Stretching your arms and legs or gently twisting your spine might feel great, but it's also a healthy habit that helps you stand up straight. If you exercise, a little stretch can go a long way toward improving flexibility and range of motion, both keys to preventing injuries. (Related: Get — and Keep — Amazing Posture By Doing These 10 Stretches Today)

Blinking

I always thought blinking was simply how our eyes kept clean and moist. Turns out, blinking serves a much more important function: wakeful rest. On average, our eyes are closed 10% of the daytime hours through blinking, allowing our minds to regularly reset and renew.

Burping

And farting are much more than smelly, loud embarrassments. The body produces a staggering 6.6 gallons of gas each day, with most being conveniently recycled in the gut. What remains needs somewhere to go, so it's OK to let it rip. And don't avoid those healthy foods (fibrous fruits and veggies) that produce gas — they nourish your whole digestive system.

Drinking

In a study that included 38,000 men over a 12-year period, moderate drinking appeared to lower the risk of cardiovascular distress (heart attacks) by as much as 30% to 35%. And the beverage you choose doesn't seem to matter as much as the regularity with which you drink it. So, sip that glass of wine or pint of beer with confidence. Cheers!

Making Love

That's right! Sex is good or you — very good, in fact. Love making in a stable, monogamous relationship has the power to reduce stress, relieve chronic pain, improve cardiovascular function, fight prostate cancer, heal wounds faster, and even slow the aging process. And the benefits increase with the more sex you have.

Rocking Out

Listening to your favorite tunes is a fun way to relax, and it's also heart healthy. In a study of cardiac disease patients, those who cranked music while exercising saw 10% better heart function overall than those who exercised alone. No one genre was shown to yield better results than another, so it's cool if you're into Bach or Bowie or The Black Keys.

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This article is from Ashley Marcin of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

What You Can Learn From People Who Take Vitamins (It's Not What You Think)

Philip Brewer — Wed, 23 Apr 2014 09:36:21 +0000

For decades, in study after study, people who take vitamin supplements have been shown to be healthier than people who don't. And yet, for just as long, in every good randomized trial where some people were given a supplement and others a placebo, taking the supplement gave no benefit. New published reports mean we finally have enough data to draw some definite conclusions. (See also: Know What You're Getting With Herbal Supplements)

The studies that suggested there might be a benefit were associational studies. Take a large population and divide them into the people who take supplements and the people who don't. Then, look at rates of various diseases for each group. In study after study, people who take supplements are healthier.

Scientists know that sort of study has limitations, so the next step would always be a proper randomized trial. Take a group of people and give them all a pill to take — with half the pills being a supplement and half the pills being a placebo. In those studies, in study after study, the people given the supplements did no better than the people given the placebo.

Vitamins Don't Improve Health — Habits Do

There's a reason why the sort of people who take supplements are healthier — they're different from the people who don't. They tend to be people who care more about their health. They eat more vegetables and less cured meats. They're less likely to smoke or to use alcohol to excess. They exercise more. They're more affluent. They get medical care when they have a health problem, and they get regular checkups. (See also: 6 Most Important Health Appointments)

Taking supplements is a marker for those behaviors — behaviors that actually improve your health.

Actually taking supplements, however, turns out to be a big waste of money. Worse, in many cases they actually do harm. (See also: Healthy Habits That Can Hurt You)

Three trials of multivitamins, and twenty-four studies of single or paired vitamins randomly assigned for 400,000 people showed no beneficial effects on mortality, heart disease, or cancer.
A large, long-term study showed a daily multivitamin did nothing to prevent cognitive decline among men age 65 or older. Similarly, multivitamins, B vitamins, E and C, and omega-3 fatty acids did nothing to improve cognitive function in people with mild to moderate dementia.
High-dose multivitamins given to people who'd had a heart attack did nothing to prevent a recurrence.
Antioxidants don't prevent chronic diseases, nor do folic acid or B vitamins.
Taking β-carotene makes people with lung cancer die sooner.
Taking high doses of vitamin E seems to make everybody die sooner.

For details and links to references, see Enough Is Enough: Stop Wasting Money on Vitamin and Mineral Supplements in Annals of Internal Medicine. (Most of the references are behind paywalls, but the summary is free.)

There's one possible exception: Vitamin D. If you live somewhere with long, dark winters — and especially if you always wear sunscreen when you're out in the sun — then maybe vitamin D supplements will do you some good. It doesn't take much sunshine to make your own vitamin D, though, if you've got pale skin. A ten-minute mid-day walk would be great. Just walking across the parking lot and back a couple of times a day will do the trick, if your arms and face are exposed to the sun. If you've got dark skin, it will take longer. (See also: Surprising Benefits of a 10-Minute Walk)

Also, the study specifically didn't try to look at prenatal vitamins. There's good evidence that folic acid supplements taken early in pregnancy prevent spina bifida. Go with whatever your doctor says, when it comes to prenatal care.

Eat better. Exercise more. Get regular checkups. Get your flu shot. Do all the things that the sort of person who takes supplements does. But you can quit spending money on supplements.

If you take multivitamins, will you continue to now that the science seems to be clear? Please share in comments!

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This article is from Philip Brewer of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

Ask the Readers: What Healthy Habits Do You Live By?

Ashley Jacobs — Tue, 01 Oct 2013 10:36:03 +0000

Editor's Note: Congratulations to Kristine, Bethany, and Ria for winning this week's contest!

Our health is one of the most important things we can have. Many of us try to eat healthily and exercise regularly, but a healthy lifestyle can be difficult to maintain when there are other very important things going on in our lives — like work, family, and the existence of the cronut.

What healthy habits do you live by? What do you do to make sure you keep up these habits? What other healthy habits do you want to take on in the future?

Tell us about your healthy habits and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

Win 1 of 3 $20 Amazon Gift Cards

We're doing three giveaways — here's how you can win!

Mandatory Entry:

Post your answer in the comments below. One commenter will win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

For extra entries:

You can tweet about our giveaway for an extra entry. Also, our Facebook fans can get an extra entry too! Use our Rafflecopter widget for your chance to win one of the other two Amazon Gift Cards:
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If you're inspired to write a whole blog post OR you have a photo on flickr to share, please link to it in the comments or tweet it.

Giveaway Rules:
- Contest ends Monday, October 7th at 11:59 pm Pacific. Winners will be announced after October 7th on the original post. Winners will also be contacted via email.
- You can enter all three drawings — once by leaving a comment, once by liking our Facebook update, and once by tweeting.
- This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered, or associated with Facebook.
- You must be 18 and US resident to enter. Void where prohibited.

Good Luck!

Tell us about your healthy habits and we'll enter you in a drawing to win a $20 Amazon Gift Card!

This article is from Ashley Jacobs of Wise Bread, an award-winning personal finance and credit card comparison website. Read more great articles from Wise Bread:

healthy habits

10 Ways to Avoid Germs on Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

1. Always travel with hand sanitizer

2. Be careful what you drink

3. Pack antibacterial wipes

4. Avoid small talk

5. Practice healthy habits before you travel

6. Pick the least crowded transportation option

7. Go with a window seat

8. Get fresh air

9. Keep your nose lubricated

10. Travel with a water purifier

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9 Cheap Ways to Lower Your Blood Pressure

1. Try a new approach to quit smoking

2. Put in your earbuds

3. Eat at home

4. Season your food

5. Focus on your breathing

6. Find an exercise you don't hate

7. Have dessert

8. Get a dog

9. Sleep in

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Want Financial Education in Schools? Follow the Example of One Kansas Teen

Financial Literacy Month

Credit tips for Financial Literacy Month

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6 Ways to Stay Healthy While Working the Night Shift

1. Stick to a regular sleep cycle

2. Create a restful environment at home

3. Unplug

4. Eat right

5. Limit sugar and caffeine

6. Stay active

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Best Money Tips: 70+ Healthy Habits That Make You Feel Good

Top 5 Articles

Other Essential Reading

5 Everyday Routines of Wealthy People

1. Wake up early

2. Exercise

3. Eliminate choices

4. Meditate

5. Read

Create a wealthy life

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10 Ways to Age Well for $0

1. Get enough rest

2. Sleep on your back

3. Sleep in the buff

4. Talk with your hands and voice, not your face

5. Exercise regularly

6. Avoid smoking

7. Seek the shade

8. Decrease sugar consumption

9. Treat your hands and neck the way you treat your face

10. Keep your mind sharp

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7 Ways to Avoid Getting Seriously Sick on Vacation

1. Get your shots

2. Prepare for the plane journey

3. Avoid tap water

4. Wash your hands and use antibacterial gel

5. Watch what you eat

6. Beat the mosquitoes

7. Take care in the sun

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6 Surprising Health Benefits of Growing a Garden

1. Fight depression

2. Cut your risk of Alzheimer's disease

3. A chance to socialize

4. Soak up some vitamin D

5. Meditate

6. Absorb some healthy bacteria

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10 Healthy Habits to Take to Work

1. Drink Water

2. Avoid Sugary Snacks

3. Walk Whenever You Can