Prevention March 2022

DID YOU HEAR ABOUT all the people stuffng garlic up their noses to clear out their sinuses? It was a whole thing on TikTok, that social media platform full of kooky challenges and surprisingly delightful dance routines. But you should definitely not do that with garlic—it’s dangerous, and it doesn’t even work—nor should you get any ideas from another TikTok trend, filing down uneven teeth with a nail file. Eek! say approximately five out of five dentists. Now, dear reader, I know that you are not so foolish as to follow health advice from a bunch of teenagers on social media. But we wise grown-ups are not immune to the siren call of a wellness savior. That’s why we put together our report “Protect Yourself From Online Health Scams” (page 50).…

You’ve heard it time and again—taking a break from digital devices is good for your health. But putting down your phone or stepping away from your laptop is easier said than done. Well, here’s the perfect excuse for us all to actually do that: The first Friday in March is the National Day of Unplugging. Challenge yourself to stay away from your devices for a longer period of time than you normally do (designate all meals as free of devices, TV included, or power down your work computer as soon as you’re off the clock to avoid checking emails into the night). Taking a digital break can reduce stress and help us become more mindful and active—less of that sitting-on-our-butts screen time!…

When most of us talk to a baby, we automatically adopt an exaggerated, higher-pitched voice—but have you ever wondered why we do that and whether it’s the right approach? It turns out that your natural instinct to talk to a baby like, well, a baby, may actually be one of the best things you can do for them. By speaking more slowly and matching the naturally higher vocal tone of an infant, you may help them learn to speak, because that way they’re hearing how those words or vowels should sound coming out of their own mouth, say University of Florida researchers, who found that babies preferred higher tones over a deeper adult one. BABY: EMMA KIM/GETTY IMAGES;…

…keeps heart disease at bay? Maybe. Regular yogurt consumption was associated with lower blood pressure among hypertensive people, found a study by researchers from the University of Maine and the University of South Australia; in fact, those who ate yogurt as part of their regular diets had systolic blood pressure readings an average of seven points lower than those who never did. Researchers think a couple of factors are at play—yogurt contains minerals key to blood pressure regulation (calcium, magnesium, potassium) as well as probiotics, which promote the release of blood pressure–lowering proteins. Yogurt is a smart part of a healthful diet, but if you have heart issues, talk to your doctor about what type would be best for you before loading up on it.…

MAKE A LIST Write down areas of your home you want to hit. Sitting down and thinking about it can help you remember little tasks you may miss in the cleaning frenzy, such as washing those grimy reusable grocery bags, replacing a shower curtain, dusting ceiling fans, and reorganizing your junk drawer. DOUBLE UP ON DOORMATS Cut down on tracked-in dirt and other outdoor debris by buying one doormat for inside the front or back door (whichever gets the most use) and another for outside that door. SEEK OUT BLOOMS Gardening is a great way to get your body moving, and the end result is certainly a mood lifter, so spend some time deciding which flowers you want to plant this spring. If you don’t have room for a garden, grab an indoor plant to…

1 DISSECT YOUR BILL Until you verify that a bill is accurate, don’t pay it. “Millions of claims are processed every day, often using antiquated technology, and with each insurance plan having different and changing rules, errors are common,” Allen says. Ask for an itemized bill, then Google the medical codes to see what procedures they’re for—and make sure they’re the ones that were done on you. 2 DON’T BE AFRAIDTO PUSH BACK If your insurance company won’t cover care your doctor says you need, write a detailed letter of appeal. Allen advises laying out why it should be covered according to your insurance plan, avoiding anger and other emotion so you’ll be taken seriously. 3 CHOOSE THERIGHT CARE Not everything requires a trip to the ER. For instance, you’ll save time and money by…