Friday's Top 5 Tips and Trends

Happy Friday! To celebrate the end of the work week, we round up the latest tips, trends, and expert advice.

1. Preservative found in baby wipes can cause rashes, allergy reactions

Experts are warning parents of a preservative in baby wipes that can cause painful allergic rashes on the buttocks, hands, and face (wherever the wipes are used). The preservative, known as methylisothiazolinone or MI, is quite common in baby wipes by major brands.

Skip wipes altogether by using paper towels with a gentle cleanser, or stop by your natural health retailer to scout out wipes without the preservative. To learn more about gentle skin care for babies and children, check out our recent article “Skin Care Tips for Children of All Ages.”

2. Stay away from the booze, men, to protect your cognitive abilities

A new study has linked drinking with a sharper mental decline come middle age. The study researchers followed 5,000 men for a decade and concluded that heavy drinkers’ mental abilities such as reasoning made them an equivalent of two years older than moderate drinkers or abstainers, and an equivalent of six years older in terms of memory.

Men are more likely to use alcohol as a stress reliever, compared to women. If you think you (or a man in your life) has a problem with excess drinking, learn more in our article “Men-tal Health.”

3. Kids teased during gym class less likely to continue with exercise

Were you ever picked last for a team in gym class? Do you remember how it felt? I have to confess that while I was very active in dance and gymnastics outside of school, I was terrible at ball sports and therefore hated gym class. Now a new study is showing that kids who were teased in gym class (or other forms of exercise) exercise less a year later. It didn’t matter if the kids were overweight or normal weight.

Gym class at school is notorious for prioritizing ball sports. To fuel a love of physical activity in your children that will last a lifetime, you may have to branch out and try new activities. Try winter sports, yoga, indoor rock climbing, and even playing in nature.

4. Give your willpower a boost!

If you start your day with the best intentions for healthy eating, but find yourself heading to the drive-thru after working late and feeling stressed, you’re not alone. Researchers have long believed that we have a finite supply of willpower each day, and the more taxing our day is, the more likely we’ll give into temptation.

But now a new study is suggesting that if we reframe tasks from “have-to’s” into “want-to’s,” (as in, telling yourself you’re excited about making a healthy dinner) we can find that extra willpower without much effort at all. It’s all about finding pleasure in productive activities. Want more tips to keep those resolutions going strong? Read our new article “The Real New You.”

5. Densely populated areas decrease risk of diabetes and obesity

It may sound counterintuitive at first glance, but new research is showing that the more densely populated an area is, the lower the citizens’ risk of diabetes and obesity. Why? Walkability! More people typically means more stores, restaurants, and leisure activities nearby, which in turn means less driving is required. Try walking to more errands when you can, or “Dust Off Your Wheels” and cycle!