SCIENTISTS RECOMMEND that we should also be washing our hands after visiting food-centric places — like a grocery store, restaurant or coffee shop — as well as the doctor’s office, pharmacy or hospital. These places have the potential to be particularly full of germs, and those germs can go from your hands into your mouth, eyes or nose and get you sick.
Based on research, here are five things you need to do:
Try the Pomodoro technique for cleaning the house or yard
The Pomodoro technique is a method in which you work in focused 25-minute intervals followed by five-minute breaks. The goal? Staying motivated while also breaking down big tasks into smaller, more manageable chunks. Your house will get clean and you won’t lose your mind in the process — a win-win!
Do kettlebell swings
The latest fitness craze on social media? My sons are crazy about it. People do 100 kettlebell swings a day. I don’t think you need to do that many reps to enjoy the benefits of this exercise.
Most of us spend a lot of time sitting which makes the front of our body super-tight and pulls us into that rounded, hunchback position. When done correctly, kettlebell swings really activate the muscles along your spine, the backs of your arms and the backs of your legs, which helps bring your posture upright. So, it’s actually a really great corrective exercise.
Research says that working out with kettlebells can improve your grip and muscle strength overall, as well as lower inflammation.
Gossip
Gossiping has an admittedly bad reputation. But there’s actually some good that can come from talking about others. Human connection through shared information and communication is core to who we are and connects us to each other. We might feel closer to someone when we know they are confiding in us with information and vice versa.
The key to making sure gossip never becomes malicious or catty is to ensure it’s coming from a place of curiosity, rather than to harm someone’s reputation through the spread of mean-spirited comments.
Eat okra
There is a good reason to eat okra since it is full of fiber, minerals and antioxidants. It’s specifically a great source of magnesium and folate, which support muscle and heart health.
Exercise with a medicine ball
Training with a medicine ball helps build explosive power, increases body strength, increases speed and provides more versatile movement in different planes.
You can slam a medicine ball, toss it or twist with it beyond what you could do with a traditional weight. Plus, the shape and feel of a medicine ball means it mimics real-world activities — like, say, lifting a toddler or carrying a bag of groceries — which helps build functional strength. By Manny Palomar, PhD (EV Mail JULY 7-13, 2025 Issue)
