Health Tips Line

In Reader’s Digest ‘s new series “Is It Really Rude to…,” Charlotte Hilton Andersen tackles low-stakes etiquette questions from everyday life using a combination of her common sense and vast knowledge from writing 50-plus etiquette stories for this site. Have a situation you can’t stop ruminating on? Email us at advice@tmbi.com , or message Charlotte on Instagram at @charlottehiltonandersen . I was at a friend’s birthday party recently, holding my soda and minding my own business, when another guest—let’s call her Tipsy Tina, because she was several glasses of wine into the evening—loudly announced that she “won’t even talk to me” if I’m not drinking and that I’m “no fun.” In front of everyone. At a birthday party. She then informed the group that it was “really weird” that I’m an adult who doesn’t drink, not even a “tiny sip of champagne for a toast,” and demanded I give her a good reason why I don’t drink. I stood there, face burning, trying to decide if the appropriate response...

Chick-fil-A is turning 80 this year, and the Atlanta-based fast-food chain is marking the milestone in a very Willy Wonka way. Instead of golden tickets, the brand is hiding 3,000 Golden Fan Cups inside a nationwide run of collectible drink cups. Find one, and you’ll win a year’s worth of free Chick-fil-A . What are these cups, exactly, and how can you score a golden one? We’ve got all the juicy details, including whether there are any catches hidden in the fine print. Let’s dig in. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter for more food news, humor, travel, tech and fun facts all week long. How can you win free Chick-fil-A for a year? Think of this as a modern-day golden-ticket hunt—except the treasure comes in the form of chicken sandwiches and nuggets instead of Everlasting Gobstoppers. Chick-fil-A’s sweepstakes is tied to a limited run of collectible cups, with a small number concealing the ultimate prize. What to know The fast-food chain is rolling out four ret...

Whenever anyone in my family buys something new to wear, I nudge them to throw it right in the wash. My sons—and husband, honestly—roll their eyes at me. Am I being extra? Maybe? I report on places germs hide a lot, so I might be a bit microbe-obsessed. But I know I’m not the only one confused on this issue. You may have wondered: Do I rip off the tags and rock this amazing shirt right now … or is that gross? On the one hand, you’re not considering wearing underwear out of the package. (Um, you aren’t, right?) On the other hand, it probably came from a random store or Amazon warehouse, so maybe you should suds it up before letting it get close and personal with your skin. It’s time we got a definitive answer to this debate. To find out if prewashing new clothes is crucial or just a waste of water, I consulted two experts: a Cornell assistant professor of textiles and a microbiologist known professionally as “The Germ Guy.” Read on to find out whether you should wash new clothes ...

Few things bring a smile to my face faster than a visit to a Disney World theme park. The delicious Disney World food , incredible rides, themed parades and nighttime fireworks—truly, it’s a magical place for kids and adults alike. Not so magical: Discovering that you’ve planned your trip at not only the most expensive time but also when the parks are jammed mouse ear to mouse ear with crowds. It’s enough to make you say “hi-ho, hi-ho” … and head out of the parks altogether. Of course, Disney World is an amazing place to visit any time of year, but it’s important to time your visit to get the best value for your investment and not spend all of your time waiting in lines. Want the inside scoop on how to have the most fun at Disney World? I’ve been there more times than I can count, and I have tons of insider tips on the best time to visit to avoid the crowds and save money. Ready to plan your next Disney vacation? Get out those mouse ears and keep reading. Get  Reader’s Digest ’...

Shoveling snow is a task most of us approach on autopilot. The momentary ahh, pretty! of waking up to a fresh blanket of white powder fades quickly as you leap into action: You clear what needs clearing, push the snow aside and call it a job well done. But is it? As long as the sidewalk is clear, few of us pause to think about whether our shoveling could come back to haunt us. The problem is, one hasty decision can cross a line you didn’t even know existed. In some places, it can lead to fines, warnings or even bigger issues. We check in with Thomas Simeone, an attorney based in Washington, D.C., who not only knows the law, but he’s shoveled more than his fair share of snow. Before the next winter storm hits, it’s vital you understand a common cold-weather misstep that can cost you more than sore arms. Keep reading to learn what you’re supposed to do, and what you’re definitely not , so you can avoid running afoul of the law this winter. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read Up ...

Anna Batho started dining out alone as a solo world traveler at 19. But what started out of necessity ended up becoming one of her favorite pastimes, even now that she’s a clinical psychologist and loneliness researcher. In fact, this was part of the inspiration for her current book on how to combat loneliness because, as she points out, being lonely and being alone are two very different things. “I have friends I can eat with, but sometimes I just want to choose the restaurant I want, the time I want, the food I want and spend ages just thinking, watching and reading,” she says. “My favorite pastime is people-watching, and so even in my home city, I grab a book, choose a cafe and watch the world go by, pretending like I’m on holiday.” Sounds lovely, right? For her. A seasoned traveler ! A confident solo diner! A woman who is literally writing a book about being comfortably alone! Meanwhile, for the rest of us, the thought of saying, “Table for one, please,” feels roughly as appeali...