health – Page 3 – Topical Fruit

Most People Only Get 20 Minutes a Day to Themselves

Remember “me time”? It’s that magical stretch of peace where no one’s asking you to find a missing sock, answer an email, or attend a Zoom meeting. For most Americans, that concept now lives in the same fantasy realm as flying cars and affordable rent.

A new report from Talker Research finds that the average American gets just 9.5 hours of alone time per month.

That’s about 20 minutes per day, or roughly enough time to scroll through your phone, realize you’re out of snacks, and question all your life choices.

What’s eating up all our time? The usual suspects: family obligations, work demands, financial stress, social responsibilities, and the ever-persistent feeling of guilt. Apparently, setting boundaries is hard when your to-do list includes making dinner, paying bills, and pretending you didn’t see that group text.

But here’s how badly people want a break. On average, Americans say they’d pay $2,521 for one completely uninterrupted day to themselves. Parents say they’d pay even more, $3,668. And let’s be honest, if you’ve ever hidden in the bathroom just to breathe, this sounds like a bargain.

Sleep is also a hot commodity. The average person would pay $340 for just one extra hour of shut-eye.

In total, 53% of people say they aren’t getting enough time to themselves. And nearly 38% admit they’ve lied to their partners, friends, or family just to get some space.

Classic excuses include “I’m not feeling well,” “I’ve got a lot of work,” “I have an appointment,” and the old reliable: “My phone’s about to die.”

So if someone tells you they’re taking a personal day, don’t judge… they’re probably just trying to reclaim their precious 20 minutes of peace.

Why You Shouldn’t Use the Bathroom “Just in Case”

You’ve done it. You’ve maybe even told your kids to do it before walking out the door. But according to health experts, the precautionary act of going to the bathroom “just in case” might be doing more harm than good.

The term for it is “proactive voiding.”

A recent article in The New York Times dove into the science behind a habit called proactive voiding—that is, going to the bathroom before you actually feel the need. While it may seem harmless, urologists say it could mess with your body’s natural signals if done too often.

Your bladder is a muscle. And just like any other muscle, it adapts to routines. If you consistently go before your bladder is full, it may start telling your brain you need to pee sooner than you really do. And over time, this can condition your body to feel like it’s constantly time for a bathroom break, even when your bladder is only half full or less.

How much pee can my bladder hold?

To put it in perspective, a healthy adult bladder typically holds about two to three cups of urine—closer to two for women and three for men. But even under normal conditioning, we feel the urge to go at just half that volume.

Add habitual “just in case” trips to the mix, and you might find yourself sprinting to the restroom way more often than necessary.

Another reason to not do it: incontinence

Sure, using the bathroom 20 times a day would be annoying in and of itself. But peeing when you don’t need to can also cause some real physical consequences. Namely, you might eventually not be able to hold it.

Trying to pee when there’s not much in there can cause straining, which may weaken your pelvic floor muscles over time. And that, ironically, can lead to even more urinary issues.

What if I’ve already trained by bladder to pee too often?

The good news is if you’ve developed a “go now just in case” reflex, it’s not too late to undo it. Experts say retraining your brain is possible, and cognitive techniques can help.

Think things like simple distractions, deep breathing, and self-talk. (Yes, literally talk to your bladder and say, “I’m the one in control here, not you!”) As one expert put it, it’s not just mind over matter, it’s “mind over bladder.”

TL;DR

In short: go ahead and take that preemptive pee before your next road trip. You’ll probably be fine as long as you don’t make it a daily habit.

But unless you’re dealing with limited bathroom access, or a medical issue, it’s better to wait until you actually have to go.

Dads Are Important Mentors, in Life and Body Odor

With Father’s Day just around the corner, many people are gearing up to celebrate the father figures in their lives. And for a lot of us, that appreciation goes far beyond the classic necktie or grill set.

A new poll reveals that 70% of adults who grew up with a father figure consider their dad to be one of the most important mentors in their life. While “one of” may leave room for others, the sentiment is clear: Dad’s advice still carries weight.

In fact, nearly one in five (17%) say their father is the person they most often turn to when they need guidance. A quarter of respondents (25%) also said they’re most likely to call Dad first in a stressful moment, whether it’s for practical help or emotional support.

Beyond moral and life advice, fathers are also getting credit for setting examples in self-care and personal grooming.

Between 25% and 40% of respondents said their dads helped shape habits related to physical and mental well-being—everything from healthy routines to simply looking put-together.

For many, those lessons started early. Among men who grew up with a father, 32% say they learned to tie a tie from their dad. 29% admit to borrowing their father’s shaving cream as kids.

Another 26% report that it was Dad who bought them their very first stick of deodorant. Nice of him to not force you to buy your own with that lawn-mowing money. It’s those small things that make a Dad special. 🙃

Nearly a third (29%) of those polled said they had reached out to their father for help in just the past week.

Which means that hands-on parenting doesn’t fade with time.

These numbers underscore a broader trend: while modern parenting roles continue to evolve, the influence of fathers remains deeply personal and long-lasting. From emotional resilience to body odor tips, the lessons stick—and so does the appreciation.

New Trend: Adult Tummy Time

“Adult tummy time” sounds like a joke, but on TikTok, it’s apparently a full-blown wellness trend. Inspired by the same concept pediatricians recommend for infants, the idea is to lie flat on your stomach for at least 10 minutes a day. Why? To counteract the physical strain of modern life, particularly the so-called “tech neck” caused by hunching over screens for hours on end.

At best, it’s a DIY physical therapy move that’s easy to do at home. Just prop yourself up on your forearms or stay flat, and go about whatever you were doing—scrolling your phone, watching TV, or reading a book. Content creators claim it helps stretch out tight neck and shoulder muscles, improve posture, and reduce back strain.

The premise is rooted in real concerns.

“Tech neck” isn’t just a cute nickname; it’s a catch-all for the headaches, soreness, and reduced mobility that can result from constant downward gazing.

And unlike a trip to the chiropractor or massage therapist, this solution is free and accessible. But there’s a right way and a wrong way to do it.

Physical therapists and some TikTokers warn that poor form can make things worse. If you’re craning your neck upward, say, to watch TV or check your phone, that head tilt compresses your spine in the same problematic way as slouching, negating any benefits.

The better approach is to keep your spine and neck aligned. Reading a book placed flat on the floor or using a small cushion to prop your chest up slightly can help maintain good posture.

Like many viral wellness hacks, this one may not be a cure-all, but it could be a step in the right direction for people trying to be more mindful of their body mechanics.

@painacademy
The Vital Role of the Prone Position in Developmental Muscular Growth and Stability Spending time in a prone position, also known as ‘tummy time’ is a key developmental stage in infants for a crucial reason – it plays a significant role in developing the necessary stabilizing and postural muscles required to stand upright and move around eventually. The relevance of tummy time for babies is well-documented. As a study in the journal Early Human Development (2016) highlights this position being fundamental to the development of muscles and motor skills, contributing substantially to their physical growth. Without adequate tummy time, babies can experience a delay in developing crucial skills, such as rolling over, sitting up, crawling, and eventually walking. However, this position is not only vital for infants. The principles that make tummy time beneficial for babies also apply to adults, particularly when it comes to remedying postural issues and restoring functional capabilities. When adults spend time in a prone position, they can stimulate the development and conditioning of neglected muscle groups. The prone position facilitates the engagement of core stabilizing muscles, posterior chain muscles, and shoulder girdle muscles. These muscle groups are often neglected in day-to-day activities, leading to imbalance and postural complications. A study published in the Journal of Back and Musculoskeletal Rehabilitation (2018) highlighted the positive impact of prone position exercises on back pain patients. The research showed that such exercises significantly improved functional disability, pain intensity, and lumbar mobility. Give this position a try, but ease into it. For prone position to occur, your hips, pelvis, and spine must all be able to extend together, which is a challenging function for bodies that have adapted to sedentary lifestyles and spend most of their time flexed in chairs. Softly approach this, 5 min might not feel like much until it’s time to get out of it. If you want a more specific training plan of corrective exercises to do at home to restore your ability to move, check out the online movement program – link in bio 🙂
♬ original sound – Pain Academy

@mindfulmovementandliving
Don’t get me wrong, I LOVE tummy time! But if you’re working on your forward head posture, make sure to make this adjustment so you’re not reinforcing the forward head position #mindfulmovementandliving #forwardheadposture #neckhump #tummytime
♬ original sound – Rachel🪷Personal Trainer+Reiki

Sleep? Not in These Cities. See Who’s Losing the Most Zzzs

If you’ve been hitting snooze a little too often lately, you’re not alone—especially if you live in Norfolk, Virginia. A new study analyzing data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has identified the most sleep-deprived cities in the U.S., and Norfolk claims the dubious honor of landing at the top of the list.

The research examined sleep patterns across 100 major metropolitan areas and ranked cities by how often residents report getting insufficient sleep. Norfolk leads the nation in sleepless nights, followed by New Orleans, and Detroit. Rounding out the top ten are Toledo, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Philadelphia, Laredo, Cleveland, and Memphis.

While the rankings may raise eyebrows, the geography of sleeplessness is telling.

Most of the top 10 are located in the eastern half of the country, and Ohio stands out with three cities on the list—an indicator that sleep issues may be more regional than random. Whether it’s work schedules, stress, or late-night football heartbreaks (looking at you, Browns fans), some cities clearly aren’t catching enough Zs.

On the flip side, if you’re hoping for better shuteye, you might want to head west. The ten least sleep-deprived cities include Minneapolis, Seattle, and San Jose. Also making the well-rested list are Madison, Boise, St. Paul, Denver, Lincoln, Oakland, and San Francisco.

Notably, California and Minnesota each have multiple cities among the best sleepers list, suggesting that lifestyle, environment, or perhaps even local policy might play a role in promoting better rest.

With sleep deprivation linked to serious health concerns—including heart disease, obesity, and depression—this isn’t just a ranking to laugh off. Experts recommend that adults aim for at least seven hours of sleep per night, though a third of Americans regularly fall short.

So whether you’re sleepless in Norfolk or a snoozer in Seattle, it may be time to rethink those late-night scrolling habits. Your body—and maybe your city’s reputation—will thank you.

Mom’s Clever Takeout Trick Has Parents Cheering

Parents know the battle: getting kids to eat homemade meals can sometimes feel like an Olympic sport. But one mom found a hilariously brilliant workaround—by convincing her kids that her home-cooked food was actually restaurant takeout.

Alex MacLaren, a mom and talented home cook, started plating her meals in to-go containers and presenting them as takeout. The result? Her kids gobbled it up—both the food and the story.

In a now-viral TikTok, MacLaren is seen unpacking a brown paper bag filled with homemade dishes like tortellini minestrone soup and a chicken-and-rice entrée, all neatly tucked into legit-looking takeout trays.

@mac.larena
🚨 NEW SERIES 🚨 Takeout but made at home 🤭 #easyweeknightmeals #momlife Make plates with me, dishing up dinner ideas, cheap meals on a budget
♬ original sound – Alex ✨ we use what we have ✨

“We ordered in food, this is an Italian place. They sent us a lot of food, you guys!” she announces with theatrical flair.

The kids, none the wiser, eagerly dig in.

The idea struck MacLaren after she ordered takeout containers from Amazon to pack her daughter’s school lunches. Seeing how well it worked for lunch, she expanded the ruse to dinnertime—and it’s been an undeniable success. Although she’s only used the tactic a few times, it’s worked without fail.

In another video, MacLaren ups the ante by claiming the food is from a Greek restaurant, complete with garlic pita bread. Even when one child gets suspicious, noting the containers look familiar, MacLaren stays in character: “All the restaurants use the same containers,” she quips.

The reaction online has been overwhelmingly supportive.

Fellow parents praised the ingenuity, with comments like, “It’s all about the rebrand” and “Mommy marketing wins again.”

One viewer even joked, “Those kids are masters at being gaslit. As a human, be ashamed. As a mom, you’re my hero!!!!”

Interestingly, MacLaren isn’t the only parent tapping into the power of presentation. One commenter admitted to doing the same with homemade Chinese food, saying their child had no clue they’d swapped the restaurant for mom’s kitchen.

When asked how she avoids getting caught cooking, MacLaren revealed she uses a hidden crockpot setup in the basement—proving that a little stealth goes a long way.

As for the ethics of her creative fibs, MacLaren told Today that “gaslighting is a pretty big part of my parenting strategy,” humorously adding, “Why are we overthinking everything?” When it comes to picky eaters, maybe a few white lies are just part of getting the job done.

Because let’s be honest: even most adults would agree—takeout just hits different.