Health Tips Line

Planes are fascinating, aren’t they? A big metal tube hurtling through the air—it’s like something out of a science fiction movie, and we’ve been at it for more than 100 years! Even if you’re not a frequent flier like I am, there are just so many quirky details to discover about airplanes, like what that maple-syrup smell during takeoff is, and why on earth they have those little triangles above certain airplane windows . Now there’s another surprising fun fact to add to the list—and it might just be the strangest one yet. Are you ready for this? Pilots use fizzy drinks, like club soda and sparkling water, to clean their windshield! (The plane’s windshield, that is.) I had never heard of this until recently, when I saw it happen in a viral Instagram video . A pilot was hanging out the cockpit window, dousing the windshield with a canned drink, most likely a lime-flavored La Croix. Yes, really. I had so many questions: Do pilots do this all the time? Could it hurt the plane somehow? A...

If you’ve never heard a dog belt out a tune with the confidence of a rock star, you haven’t met Millie. This incredibly vocal pup, a 2-year-old border collie–English shepherd mix, doesn’t just bark—she sings, and only to one song: “All the Gold in California” by Brother Marshall and the Choir of Fire. The first time she performed on the ride home from the shelter, her new parents, Dallas and Jake Van Pelt, were caught completely off guard, in the best possible way. Millie also explodes into rooms with a whirlwind of fur and energy. She darts after tennis balls, sometimes juggling two at a time, before pausing just long enough to nuzzle a hand or press her head into a lap for a quick cuddle. But no matter what she’s doing, she has a way of turning ordinary moments into unforgettable ones. Reader’s Digest fell for Millie instantly—but that’s only one of the reasons she landed on the cover of our February/March 2026 issue. This  irresistibly adorable rescue pup perfectly reflects ...

Drivers, start your engines! The NASCAR Cup Series roars to life each February with the iconic Daytona 500 at Daytona International Speedway in Florida, setting the tone for months of high-speed drama. And for old and new fans alike, digging into some fascinating NASCAR facts can add a whole new layer of appreciation to what happens once the green flag drops. Beyond the checkered flags and photo finishes, NASCAR is full of surprising details. From how the sport got its start to the physical strain drivers endure at 200 miles per hour, these facts reveal what makes stock-car racing so intense and unique. You’ll also learn lesser-known insights about racetrack lengths, layouts and other behind-the-scenes elements that will make you a whiz at your next trivia night. Whether you’re trackside or watching from home, read on to explore NASCAR facts that give every lap even more meaning. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter for more fun facts, humor, cleaning, travel and ...

Rental scams are big business. With rental prices soaring across the country, people are looking for deals—and scammers know it. But as the saying goes: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Since 2020, Americans have reported 65,000 rental scams to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), with losses topping $65 million. Even worse, the FTC says those numbers are grossly underinflated: Less than 5% of people report any kind of scam to authorities at all. Rental scams are particularly devastating because housing is such a basic need, which is why renters need to be extremely savvy when searching for a place to live. “Rental scams are becoming more sophisticated because scammers know renters are often trying to act fast, especially in tight markets, and they exploit that urgency with increasingly believable listings and messaging,” says Lynette Owens, vice president of global consumer education and marketing at Trend Micro, a cybersecurity company. If you have a pet or ...

The “great wealth transfer”—that massive wave of nearly $124 trillion in assets expected to flow from Baby Boomers to their heirs over the next couple of decades—can sound like winning the lottery. But while it may be the largest generational handoff of money in American history, here’s what the financial headlines aren’t telling you: Along with the stocks, bonds and real estate, Millennials and Gen Xers are also inheriting something far more complicated to deal with. We’re talking about stuff. Piles of it. Mountains. “Older adults do tend to have a lot of possessions. This is because there was a point in our older adults’ lives, as they were becoming successful, [that] the more items you had, the more successful you were,” explains Laura Olivares, co-founder and president of Silver Solutions, a company that helps families navigate the emotional and logistical minefield of clearing out parents’ homes. After more than 20 years helping families through this process, she’s seen it all:...