Health Tips Line

I’m sure this has happened to you. You walk into the kitchen, catch a glimpse of the fruit bowl on the counter and feel betrayed by the bananas you just bought. A few days ago, they were firm, sunny and full of promise. So why are they already covered in those ominous brown spots?! You do the mental math: There’s no way you’ll be able to eat all the bananas in that bunch before they cross the invisible line from snack item to recipe ingredient. And though banana bread is delightful, there are limits to how many loaves one household can reasonably consume (or so I hear). If it feels like bananas go from “perfect for cereal” to “future smoothie component” overnight, you’re not imagining it. Bananas are an unusually sensitive fruit, and their ripening process is surprisingly dramatic. Curious about what’s really happening inside those peels—and whether there’s any way to slow things down—I turned to the experts: food science consultant Ed McCormick and certified culinary scientist Jes...

After a jam-packed workweek that leaves you stressed out and exhausted, it can feel like luck to make it to Friday. The word comes with a built-in exclamation point ( Friday! ), not a mounting sense of dread (ahem, Sunday scaries). But this year, you might find yourself approaching the last day of the week with a little more caution: There are multiple Friday the 13ths in 2026. Cue the horror music. In many Western cultures, including in the U.S., the date represents bad luck . (It doesn’t help that the Friday the 13th franchise has been popular for decades.) And whether you’ve seen one too many slasher flicks or take your superstitions seriously, it can feel like a bad omen. For some of us (OK, a lot of us), Friday the 13th induces a big case of goosebumps. Frankly, after a tough 2025, we deserve a little luck. (The Year of the Horse even promises a bold and uplifting year!) But this year’s eerie Friday lineup already seems stacked against us. Should we quickly knock on wood or ...

A few months ago, I had a serious bout of post-vacation blues after a trip to Italy . I mean, who wouldn’t? I’d been surrounded by food, beauty and history at every turn for a week and a half—so much so that it either made me gasp out loud or (more than once) made me cry. There’s a word for what I was feeling seeing the Pietà and the Sistine Chapel, exploring the ruins of Pompeii and winding through mazes of white-washed buildings in Puglia: awe. As it turns out, that awe was actually good for me. Studies show that awe improves our mental and physical health by reducing inflammation, increasing the feel-good neurotransmitter oxytocin, improving mood and fostering a sense of connection. And you don’t have to travel to Italy to experience awe and reap the benefits (though I highly recommend doing so). A 2025 study from researchers at King’s College London has identified a simple activity that can help us feel awe and lower our stress at the same time—in 20 minutes or less. And no, it ...

With hybrid work schedules and fully remote positions now the norm in many industries, gone are the days of having to reside where you work. Yup, now lots of us can pick and choose where we want to be , which means livability factors are more critical than ever before. And to help with this weighty decision, the team at the apartment-search website RentCafe has just released its 2026 report of the top 10 most livable metro areas in the United States. When you’re looking for the best place to live, work and raise a family, affordability is often top of mind. That’s true whether you’re renting or buying your own home (that’s right, the RentCafe report is not just for renters!). But determining livability goes beyond dollars and cents: It also includes finding a strong sense of community and a high quality of life. Whether you’re pondering a new job or just looking for a change of scene , we’ve got all the details from the report coming up. Keep reading to learn which city earned the t...

Here at  Reader’s Digest , we believe in the power of play—and not just for kids. In fact, the popularity of “kidult” brands like Jellycat and Warmies proves that if there’s one thing both Millennials and Gen Z can agree on, it’s that toys no longer have an age limit. For folks proudly collecting and enjoying these little pieces of fun, nothing is more alluring than the joy of cracking open a blind box. However, these sweet surprises aren’t cheap. Take the cuddly cult phenomenon Labubu, for instance, which can cost upwards of $40 based on rarity. Even something like Sonny Angel—a cherub-like character available in cute poses and outfits, for those out of the loop—is priced at $30 or more, depending on the series. I like adorable little treats just as much as the next person. Sometimes splurging on a fun little toy is all it takes to flip my mood. But I also have a mortgage to pay, and these purchases add up fast. That’s why, when I get the itch to indulge, I opt for the detaile...

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times—Costco is the modern-day Shangri-La. Despite the hordes of shoppers and lengthy checkout lines , the place has everything. And as soon as you step through those giant doors, you’re greeted with the opportunity to purchase a $1.50 hot dog combo. What’s not to love? (Not much!) But as much as we adore Costco, there are a couple of things that would make it even better. For starters, they should bring back Kirkland Chocolate Chips (it’s been a year, and I’m still bitter). And, second, how about getting out of the Stone Age and making certain aspects of shopping ahead of time a little easier? Well, Costco may just be moving in the right direction. That’s right, Costco fans: The warehouse giant finally listened to us. They just announced an exciting new change that will definitely make your next Costco run even better. No more fighting the crowds! Easy pre-ordering! Keep reading to see what’s coming soon to your local Costco. Get ...

When it comes to the weather, there are two types of people: those who routinely check their weather app and tune into TV forecasts, and those who wing it. And most of the time, skipping the weather report doesn’t come with major consequences. Sure, you might leave your umbrella at home on a day with afternoon rain, or wear a heavy jacket on a warm spring day, but usually only your comfort is at stake. Sometimes, however, things take a more serious turn, and there’s the potential for severe weather . To alert the public to possible threats, meteorologists use specific phrases that are designed to perk up your ears and demand your attention. But cutting through the technical jargon and media hype can be difficult, and it’s not always clear what action you should take. In fact, the lingo can be so confusing that you may find yourself tuning it out altogether. Don’t. The terms meteorologists and other public safety experts use are part of a critical system designed to let the public—ev...