Health Tips Line

Most people know exactly what kind of shower person they are. For some, a morning shower is just as necessary as a cup of coffee to get going . Others refuse to get into bed until they’ve washed off the day’s sweat, sunscreen, pollen and general outside-world grossness. Still others shower whenever their hair, workout schedule or mood tells them it’s time—day or night. But could one of those times actually be right or wrong? It sounds like a debate that belongs in the same category as “ should you hang toilet paper over or under? ” and “is it acceptable to wear shoes in the house?” And yet, there is actually some science behind the morning-versus-night shower question. A shower can wake you up, help you unwind, support better sleep, rinse away allergens and protect your skin and scalp. But when you take that shower could make the difference between getting those benefits and missing out on them. Interestingly, Americans do seem to have a ...

Aries: Han Solo March 20–April 19 Because you were born under Aries, the cardinal fire sign, you move through life with a tough, reluctant, impulsive and daring personality like Han Solo, who’s equal parts charming and self-focused. A master of survival who doesn’t shy away from being in the heat of the most adrenaline-pumping action, Han Solo acts first and thinks later. His confidence and directness—like when he replies “I know” to Leia’s “I love you” in The Empire Strikes Back —as well as his sense of loyalty and protectiveness, exudes the energy of the first sign of the zodiac. His cool exterior also mirrors your tendency to want to be seen as ahead of the curve, even in moments when you might not be 100% sure of the path forward. (Also, for the record, Han shot first, no matter what George Lucas remastered later on.) Taurus: Chewbacca April 20–May 20 As a Taurus, you’re known for being steadfast, grounded, del...

Growing up near historic Morristown, New Jersey, I often felt very close to the early American era. I worked for a summer at the local Museum of Early Trades and Crafts, where I handled, categorized and labeled artifacts from the daily lives of Colonial Americans . My sister worked as a docent just up the road in Jockey Hollow, now a national historic park, where George Washington and his troops spent a bitter winter in 1789 and 1790. At Jockey Hollow’s Wick House, the home of the farmer on whose land Washington camped his troops, my sister would don an old-timey outfit and tell visitors about the Wicks while performing daily activities of Colonial life. Some of her responsibilities? “We used a Dutch oven to cook in the fireplace, and I made cornbread, soup, biscuits and cookies,” she says. “I would wash the dishes by pumping water into two basins: one with soap to scrub, one to rinse them off. We made candles by dipping string into melted wax. There was a kitche...

If you’re anything like me, your summer travel wish list is always longer than the number of trips you actually have booked. Every year, I tell myself I’m done planning vacations—then I spot a cheap flight, a solo destination I’ve been meaning to visit or a long beachy escape that suddenly looks wide open on the calendar. Before I know it, I’m searching for airfare again. The good news? If you haven’t locked in your summer travel plans yet, or you’re hoping to squeeze in one more international getaway , there’s still plenty of time to save. Expedia analyzed millions of flight searches, bookings and data from the past year to identify two of the cheapest days to travel this summer—and they just so happen to be in August. Ahead, Melanie Fish, Expedia’s travel expert, gives us the scoop on the newest report so you can plan your trips strategically and keep more money in your travel budget. Get  Reader’s Digest ’s...

Ice cream is one of those rare treats that never really goes out of season. In fact, Americans love it so much that the average person eats about 4 gallons every year. While a scoop hits differently on a sweltering summer day, there’s no shame in digging into a bowl while wrapped in a blanket in the middle of winter. Personally, I’m partial to chocolate, cookies and cream, and dulce de leche, but that’s the beauty of ice cream—there’s a flavor for everyone. And people can get surprisingly passionate about their favorites. That’s what makes Innerbody’s recent study on the most popular ice cream flavor in every state so much fun. Some states stick with the classics, while others favor flavors you might never expect. Before you decide what to order at your local ice cream parlor , read on to see if your state’s favorite scoop matches your own. You might find yourself feeling validated or shocked by what your neighbors have been putting on th...