Prevention April 2022

WALK YOUR WAY CALM Our lovely, useful new book and journal features a walking tracker and 101 guided walks developed by Jennifer Walsh, a walking advocate and an inspiring human. “I hope people find new ways to get outside, explore, and discover—and use this book to help relieve stress and anxiety,” she says. Get a taste on page 32, and order at prevention.com/walkcalmjournal. THE VIRTUAL WALK Registration for our April 30 event is open! It’s free to sign up, but I’m a big fan of our gray tech T-shirt, which you can get (along with a bib number and an “I Did It!” sign) for $35. Even better, this year we’re also offering a limited-edition package with tons of other goodies, including a special weight-loss issue of Prevention that we’ll mail…

Some of our favorite blooms can do more than pretty up the yard or a windowsill: Their scent can lift your mood and help you find some calm, says Ginger Ravencroft, an aromatherapy expert and the owner of Ravenscroft Escentials. Jasmine may reduce tension by stimulating the brain region that controls emotions and the body’s stress response. Rose has been shown to have potential antidepressant and antianxiety effects, likely because dopamine spikes when you smell it. Frankincense has a lemony, woodsy scent and may calm you by lowering blood pressure and heart rate. And then there’s lavender, a stress-relief favorite with much research behind it, Ravencroft says. No room for a garden, or lacking a green thumb? Reap the sensory benefits through essential oils: Use a diffuser to fill the…

Prevention BRAIN HEALTH Don’t quit exercising as you get older, says a study in Alzheimer’s & Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer’s Association. Postmortem brain scans of active elderly people showed that they had more of a class of proteins associated with healthy cognition, even in brains riddled with the toxic ones linked to Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, which may indicate protective effects of exercise. Try walking some extra steps starting today, and if you’d like a challenge, there’s still time to sign up for our spring Virtual Walk. Flip to page 41 to learn how to register! 12 GRAMS TEENS WHO SLEPT 61/HOURS EVERY NIGHT FOR A WEEK CONSUMED THIS MUCH EXTRA ADDED SUGAR A DAY (ABOUT THE AMOUNT IN A SERVING OF PACKAGED COOKIES) COMPARED WITH WHEN THEY SLEPT…

Self-compassion may be good for your ticker as well as your psyche, says new research. Women who practiced mindfulness and scored higher on the self-compassion scale had healthier arteries and less plaque buildup than those who felt inadequate; this was true even after controlling for factors like smoking and exercise status, found the University of Pittsburgh study. Self-compassion and mindfulness help us cope with stress, which benefits our physical health too. Another reason to treat yourself as you would your BFF.…

How do you look at “environmentalism” today? Being an environmentalist is more than recycling and drinking from reusable straws; it’s more than an abstract idea of “saving the planet.” Being an envi-ronmentalist in 2022 means advocating for communities impacted by pollution, toxic waste, and lack of access to healthy foods and understanding which people are impacted the most. Where does change need to happen? Environmental hazards are more prevalent in lower-income and Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities; the goal is to end that. Everyone deserves access to a safe and healthy environment. Clean air, water, and communities are a human right. This is environmental justice, the intersection between social justice and environmentalism. How can one person help? Research nearby environmental and climate justice organizations to learn what actions they are taking and which community issues…

CaPao Instead of being thrown out, cacaofruit pulp is mixed with nuts, seeds, and other fruits to create delicious upcycled bites. Production is powered by wind, and the packaging is 100% recyclable. Rind Snacks Did you know you can eat the entire kiwi or orange slice, peel too? Most of us don’t, which is one reason so much produce ends up as food waste each year. The rind holds precious nutrients, so this company saved more than 300,000 pounds of it in 2021 and turned it into snacks. Lundberg Family Farms This supplier of pantry staples prioritizes soil health to cut back on greenhouse gas emissions, utilizes solar energy, and was recognized by the EPA in 2020 for its efforts. All that means you’ll feel even better cooking up the brand’s grains or crunching on…