wellness

Bad wellness advice is all over social media. These creators are pushing back

5:40pm February 20, 2025

by Jude Joffe-Block

A growing group of content creators are trying to counteract misleading and false wellness claims online from influencers hawking supplements and unproven remedies.

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Walking, biking or even riding a scooter to get from place to place ups your non-exercise activity thermogenesis, or NEAT. Small movements can make a positive difference to your overall health.

Health & Safety

9 ways to get healthier in 2024 without trying very hard

6:42pm January 02, 2024

Last year, NPR's health reporters dug into the science of healthy living. Here are nine things they learned that can help you embrace small shifts with big payoffs in the year ahead.

Illustration of a person standing in front of a pegboard of home exercise equipment including hand weights, a tennis racket, a jump-rope, baseballs and a mat.

Arts

22 tips for 2022: You don't need an intense workout. Small moves make a difference

6:00am January 21, 2022

by Maria Godoy

Making exercise a daily habit can feel daunting if it feels like it counts only when you go all in. Instead, remember that every small movement counts.

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Photo of people sitting on a blanket at the beach, surrounded by palm trees and enjoying the sunny day.

Arts

22 tips for 2022: To avoid Sunday scaries, end your weekend on a high note

6:01am January 15, 2022

by Sam Sanders

A lot of us fall into the trap of saving up work we have to complete over the weekend for Sunday evening. Get catch-up work done earlier, so the last thing you do before Monday is something fun.

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Sleep trackers have become increasingly popular, but for some people, perfecting their sleep score becomes an end unto itself.

Health & Safety

Losing Sleep Over The Quest For A Perfect Night's Rest

7:41am February 18, 2020

by Shannon Bond

A boom in technology promising to improve sleep has an ironic side effect: orthosomnia. Thanks to sleep trackers, people get so obsessed with perfect sleep that they are losing sleep over it.

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Klute-Nelson takes a break with her dogs Kona (left) and Max.

As Insurers Offer Discounts For Fitness Trackers, Wearers Should Step With Caution

10:44am November 19, 2018

by Stephanie O'Neill

Millions of Americans use wearable devices to monitor their diet and fitness. Some insurance companies offer incentives to use them, but privacy advocates caution customers not to share too much data.

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Clare Kelley practices "forest bathing" along the edge of an urban forest on Roosevelt Island, in the middle of the Potomac River. In contrast to hiking, forest bathing is less directed, melding mindfulness and nature immersion to improve health.

Forest Bathing: A Retreat To Nature Can Boost Immunity And Mood

3:22pm July 17, 2017

by Allison Aubrey

If hiking is about a destination, forest bathing is about an immersion of the senses into the natural world. It's a wellness trend, and studies suggest several health benefits.

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Employers are gathering detailed health and wellness information about their workers. Are confidentiality safeguards up to the task?

Health & Safety

7 Questions To Ask Your Boss About Wellness Privacy

5:40pm October 05, 2015

More employers than ever are nudging workers toward plans that screen them for risks, monitor their activity and encourage them to make healthful choices. Can you trust the boss to keep the data safe?

Smokers More Likely To Quit If Their Own Cash Is On The Line

3:25pm May 14, 2015

by Richard Harris

A carrot isn't enough — bring on the stick. A study finds smokers are more likely to quit tobacco if they lose some of their own money after a relapse, than if they get a bonus for quitting the habit.

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The "My Life Check" calculator gives a personalized readout on heart-healthy behaviors.

Is That Corporate Wellness Program Doing Your Heart Any Good?

2:13pm April 15, 2015

by Nancy Shute

Most employers have a wellness program, but who knows if it's actually improving your health. The American Heart Association is proposing its own standards for improving cardiovascular health at work.