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Showing posts with the label Health Secrets

Here’s Why It Gets So Quiet After It Snows, According to a Scientist

Like any child growing up in the snowbelt of northeastern Ohio, I was glued to the local news shows on snowy winter mornings . Even if we only got a dusting, we still believed in our hearts that a snow day was possible and couldn’t look away from the news crawl at the bottom of the screen. On those glorious days when school was actually canceled, I’d get bundled up in my coat and snow pants to play outside. Whether it was a late-fall snow squall or an early-spring blizzard, as soon as I stepped foot outside I was always struck by one thing: the quiet stillness of the snowfall. It was as if everything was tucked in under a blanket, not making a peep. As it turns out, there’s a scientific explanation for snow’s quieting effect. I spoke to meteorologist Matt Sitkowski, PhD, the science editor-in-chief at the Weather Channel, to find out why this happens, so put on some layers and keep reading. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read Up newsletter for more knowledge, humor, travel, tec...

Everyone’s Talking About the Super Bowl Halftime Show with Bad Bunny, but It’s Not the First Time the NFL’s Courted Controversy—Here’s the History Behind It

The details of Super Bowl matchups can blur over the years, especially for die-hard football fans whose team didn’t make the cut (a sincere apology to non–Seattle Seahawks and New England Patriots fans this year). But there’s one part of the biggest game of the year that tends to stick in spectators’ collective memory long after the final whistle: the 12- to 15-minute halftime show. Who could forget Rihanna revealing her pregnancy during her 2023 performance? Or The Weeknd’s elaborate, maze-like stage production two years earlier? Katy Perry’s 2015 beach-themed spectacle—complete with fireworks, palm trees and a now-infamous, meme-able backup dancer in a shark costume—still feels like it happened yesterday. And then there was one of the game’s most iconic shows ever: Prince, back in 2007, singing “Purple Rain” in an actual downpour in Miami. Love or hate the chosen artists, their performances are almost always unforgettable—and usually attract more eyeballs than the big game itself....

New Report: These Are the Most Popular Super Bowl Snacks in Each State

It’s Super Bowl season, so if you can explain intentional grounding, forward progress and the two-toe sideline tap, then hats off! But if your football interest leans more toward how spicy the wings are and whether there’s enough ranch dressing for dipping, you’ll really dig this Super Bowl news: Instacart has just released its 2026 Snacktime Report detailing the yummy things we’re devouring this year. To be fair, this year’s matchup between the New England Patriots and the Seattle Seahawks is predicted to be very competitive. But for many, the food is the best part of Super Bowl Sunday , along with the TV ads and halftime show (Bad Bunny!). We caught up with Instacart’s trends analyst Alex Orellana to get key insights from the report, so if you’re already salivating at the thought of a big game-time spread on Feb. 8, read on to learn which snacks surge this time of year. Then, get your own snacks, grab some extra napkins and cheer your team! Get  Reader’s Digest ’s  Read ...

AirDoctor 3500 Air Purifier Review: This Powerful Unit Keeps My Home Fresh

As someone highly sensitive to indoor allergens, I love that my house uses radiant heat. No ductwork exists to harbor and blow around dust. However, the downside is that there’s less overall air circulation—especially when it’s too cold to keep windows open. Luckily, I’ve found a solution that improves my air quality and minimizes those pesky dust mites: the AirDoctor 3500 air purifier . This appliance is bulky and pricey—but it does make a noticeable improvement in my daily life. Here’s my honest review after four months of use. KATIE BANDURSKI FOR READER'S DIGEST AirDoctor 3500 Air Purifier This top-of-the-line air purifier does a great job improving air quality and minimizing allergy symptoms. Shop on AirDoctor $ 559 at Amazon What is the AirDoctor 3500 air purifier? AirDoctor makes some of the highest-rated (and priciest) home air purifiers on the market. The 3500 model is designed for medium-large rooms, offering circulation for up to 630 square feet....

Lull Mattress Review: Our Honest Take After Five Months of Sleep

At Reader’s Digest , we take sleep seriously because we know that a better night’s rest makes a real difference during the day. From the best mattresses and sheets to toppers and bed-cooling systems , we’ve tested it all to tell you what’s truly worth it. Our editors and product testers have slept on everything from luxury favorites like Saatva to non-toxic standouts like Avocado Green . As for what’s trending right now? Hybrid, medium-firm mattresses with cooling features. So, when buzz started building around the Lull Luxe Hybrid Mattress , we had to put it to the test. Here’s our honest review after months of nightly use. VIA MERCHANT We Tried It Lull Luxe Hybrid Mattress An affordable hybrid mattress suited for a variety of sleepers and sleeping positions Shop at Lull What is a Lull mattress? The Lull Luxe Hybrid Mattress pairs memory foam with individually wrapped coils in a six-layer design for comfort, support and durability—no matter how you sleep....

EXCLUSIVE! The Housemaid Author Freida McFadden on Big Risks, Her Latest Bestseller and the Mystery of Her Real Identity

Freida McFadden is an introverted person by nature. “I didn’t start writing because I’m, like, really outgoing and wanted do a lot of appearances,” she says. “I like sitting alone in a room and working.” But the bestselling author admits she’s had to come out of her shell in the past few months—for a very excellent reason. The big-screen adaptation of her twisty 2022 novel, T he Housemaid , was a surprise smash, grossing more than $250 million at the global box office. “I went to the premiere in New York and did the red carpet,” she adds. “It was nerve-racking! But the movie turned out exactly how I wanted it to be.” McFadden also continues to deliver great thrills on the page. In her new novel, Dear Debbie , a perfectly friendly suburban wife, mother and newspaper advice columnist channels her sinister side as her life spirals out of control. And in her October 2025 release, The Intruder , a woman invites an in-distress girl to stay with her in a cabin on a dark and stormy night, b...