How to protect yourself from wildfire smoke
Wildfire smoke contains hazardous pollutants that include toxic gases and particulate matter — solid particles and liquid droplets that are produced when these fires burn through trees, buildings and other materials. While some particulate matter can be easily seen in the form of soot, smoke also carries smaller particles that can infiltrate the human body and affect health. Experts say this pollution could affect your health whether you're indoors or outdoors.
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Over 40? These Daily Mobility Drills Will Help You Move Like You're 30 Again
Over 40? These Daily Mobility Drills Will Help You Move Like You're 30 Again originally appeared on Men's Fitness. Entering your 40s comes with an entire new set of rules for self-care. Protecting your mobility should be at the top of the list in order to support an active, pain-free, and independent lifestyle. Movement already begins to decline at this stage due to natural changes in your joints, muscles, and connective tissues. Incorporating just the right exercises in your workout regimen will help you remain flexible, avoid stiffness, and limit injuries. We spoke to the experts and are here with eight daily mobility drills to help you move like you're 10 years Mobility is Important 'Aging is inevitable, even when you are active,' says Amani Taylor, physical therapist, DPT at FYZICAL Affton. 'Some reasons for a decline in mobility include stiffening of tendons and joint capsules and changes in muscle, collagen, cartilage, and connective tissue. A decline in mobility can make it difficult to maintain strength, balance, and endurance needed to carry out daily activities leading to loss of independence, decreased quality of life, and hospitalization.' Even active individuals—weightlifters and runners alike—can experience mobility decline if they're not regularly weaving mobility, strength, and recovery drills into their routine. 'Over time, that tightness can sneak into everyday movement, really taking a toll on the ego, making things like bending down, twisting, or reaching overhead feel more restricted or uncomfortable,' says Phillip Solomon, C.P.T, Barry's Bootcamp coach, and breakout star from NBC's Deal or No Deal Island. According to Solomon, the spine, shoulders, and hips are typically the first parts of the body to stiffen as you age. This is especially true if you lead a more sedentary lifestyle. 'Daily mobility drills keep those joints functional, help muscles stay elastic, and teach the body to move well through full ranges of motion so stiffness is not the 'new normal,'' Solomon adds. This is why we asked Taylor and Solomon to share essential mobility drills that will help you move like you're 30 at 40. Keep in mind that just 10 to 15 minutes of mobility training can make a major difference in your efforts, Solomon notes. Consistency is key. Simply sprinkle in some of these movements before or after working out. You can even do them while relaxing in front of the TV! Every little bit counts. The Best Mobility Drills for Guys Over 40 1. Shoulder Flossing Shoulder flossing can be incredibly beneficial to stretch and relax your shoulders. This movement also alleviates tension in the pecs and reduces compression in the neck. Start standing tall with your core engaged and feet shoulder-width apart. Hold a long towel or yoga strap with both hands, shoulder-width apart. Take a deep breath in as you lift both hands overhead. Exhale and slowly lower your hands to the back of your neck, keeping solid tension in the strap/towel. Inhale and lift your arms overhead. Exhale as you lower your arms to the start position. Complete 10 reps. 2. Cat-Cow Spine Roll '[This drill] restores spinal fluidity and gently wakes up the whole back,' says Solomon. Begin in a tabletop position. Take a deep breath in as you arch your back and lift your chest for cow pose. Breathe out as you round your spine and tuck your chin for cat pose. Keep the movement smooth, flowing with your breath for 8 to 10 reps. 3. World's Greatest Stretch (Lunge With Reach) The world's greatest stretch fires up the spine, shoulders, hips, and hamstrings. Begin standing tall. Step one foot forward into a long lunge. Place both hands inside your front foot. Lower your back knee, if necessary. Reach the same-side hand as your front leg up toward the sky while smoothly rotating through your spine. Hold the position for a moment. Switch sides. Perform 5 reps on each side. 4. Deep Squat Hold '[The deep squat hold] restores ankle, hip, and low back mobility while calming the nervous system,' Solomon notes. Stand tall with your feet planted shoulder-width apart. Bend your knees and hinge at the hips to lower into a deep squat. Make sure your heels stay down and your chest remains tall. Hold the deep squat for 30 to 60 seconds, using your elbows to press your knees apart if it feels comfortable. 5. Ankle Rocks '[This drill] restores ankle mobility, which improves squatting, walking, and balance,' Solomon explains. Assume a half-kneeling position with your front foot flat. Smoothly drive your front knee forward over your toes without allowing your heel to lift off the ground. Rock in and out of the stretch, completing 10 to 15 reps on each side. 6. Scapular Wall Slides '[Scapular wall slides] help your shoulders move freely and build stability around the shoulder blades,' says Solomon. Stand tall with your back pressed against a wall and your arms assuming a goal post position. Slide both arms overhead as far as you're able to while keeping your back and arms in contact with the surface. Slowly return to the goal post position. Complete 10 to 12 controlled reps. 7. Thread the Needle Thread the needle helps alleviate tension in the neck, back, and shoulders while boosting mobility in the spine and ribs. Begin on all fours with your wrists below your shoulders and knees under your hips. Inhale, shift your weight onto your right hand, and lift your left hand to the ceiling. Breathe out and reach your left hand through the space between your right knee and right arm. Lower your left shoulder to the floor. Engage your core and inhale as you raise your left shoulder. Raise your left hand toward the sky again and exhale. Perform 5 reps per side. 8. Forward Fold to Yogi Squat This combo drill improves mobility by strengthening and stretching your core and lower body. Stand tall with your feet outside hip-width, pointing outward. Inhale as you reach your hands overhead and activate your core. Exhale, hinge at the hips, and reach your hands toward the floor or your thighs while keeping your back flat. Inhale in the forward fold position. Exhale as you bend at the hips and knees until you're in a deep yogi squat. Inhale in the squat position. Exhale as you press through your feet to extend your legs and return to the forward fold. Complete 5 40? These Daily Mobility Drills Will Help You Move Like You're 30 Again first appeared on Men's Fitness on Jul 15, 2025 This story was originally reported by Men's Fitness on Jul 15, 2025, where it first appeared. Solve the daily Crossword
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UnitedHealth Group's (UNH) Healthcare Dominance: A Key Player in the Dogs of the Dow
UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) is included among the 11 Dogs of the Dow Dividend Stocks to Buy Now. A senior healthcare professional giving advice to a patient in a clinic. The stock has dropped over 44% so far this year after reporting weaker-than-expected earnings in the first quarter. The company first reduced its full-year outlook and later chose to withdraw it entirely. Even with the underwhelming Q1 performance, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) still posted a 9.8% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching $109.6 billion. It earned a profit of around $6.3 billion during the quarter and maintained a solid financial position, holding close to $34.3 billion in cash and cash equivalents, along with a debt level that remains manageable. The company has added 780,000 new members so far this year. Meanwhile, Optum Health still expects to provide value-based care to an additional 650,000 patients in 2025. In addition, UnitedHealth Group Incorporated (NYSE:UNH) generated $5.5 billion in operating cash flow during the quarter and returned $5 billion to investors through dividends and share repurchases. The company has been rewarding shareholders with growing dividends since 2011 and currently offers a quarterly dividend of $2.21 per share. The stock supports a dividend yield of 3.15%, as of July 26. While we acknowledge the potential of UNH as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater upside potential and carry less downside risk. If you're looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that also stands to benefit significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, see our free report on the best short-term AI stock. READ NEXT: and Disclosure: None. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
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The #1 Whole Grain for Better Gut Health, According to a Gastroenterologist
Reviewed by Dietitian Alyssa Pike, RDN Whole grains are the MVP of the carbohydrate family. They pack important nutrients like dietary fiber, protein, vitamins and minerals that play an important role in a healthy diet. Whole grains are well known for their heart-health benefits, but they provide a host of benefits for our gut, too. Gastroenterologist Michael Schopis, M.D., shares more, including his top pick for better gut health: 'Whole grains like rye, wheat and oats have all been shown to be very beneficial for gut health—improving the diversity of gut microbiota, stool frequency and increasing short-chain fatty acid production. Based on this data, I would say all whole grains are a great choice, but if I had to choose one, I would choose oats.' Read on to find out why oats top the charts as the No. 1 whole grain to include in your diet for better gut health. Why Oats Are the #1 Whole Grain They Support Good Gut Bugs One of the top reasons oats are such a phenomenal food for gut health, according to Schopis—they function as a prebiotic. Prebiotics are nonliving organisms that provide food for probiotics, those good bugs that live in your gut. Beta-glucan, a type of soluble fiber found in oats, contributes to the prebiotic function of oats. When fiber in oats is digested, it provides food for the probiotics in the microbiome, in turn supporting the functions they carry out. They Improve Gut-Brain Communication Your mood is highly connected to the health of the microbiome, thanks to the gut-brain axis. Feeling off? The pickup you need could be found through feeding your gut. In fact, research suggests that the increase in short-chain fatty acids that are produced through the breakdown of dietary fiber may play a role in improving mood and disorders of the central nervous system. When SCFAs are produced, they support the intricately connected nervous, immune and endocrine systems that work together to keep you healthy, especially when exposed to stressors. Through this action, SCFAs also provide support for the blood-brain barrier, protecting the brain from harmful substances while simultaneously influencing mood. Natalie Rizzo, M.S., RDN, shares, 'An important step in supporting a better mood is focusing on feeding your gut. Simple foods, like whole-grain oats, are an easy way to improve your mood and energy levels, in turn supporting a healthier you.' They Offer Support for Immune Health A large portion of your immune system is housed within the microbiome, which means supporting gut health may be your ticket to fewer sick days. A recent scientific review explored the research on oats and immune health and found the wide variety of compounds found in oats— including dietary fiber, copper, iron, selenium and zinc—offered pretty impressive benefits when it came to immune health. Additionally, the phytonutrients found in oats have antioxidant properties that help scavenge free radicals (those bad guys that can make you sick over time). Rizzo writes, 'Eating oats supports a healthy microbiome that can adapt to changes (like the annual cold and flu season) and keep you functioning at your prime.' They Help Increase Satiety Fiber is a key factor that influences satiety, or the fullness factor that comes with eating. Foods like oats that are high in fiber take longer to digest, meaning they offer more staying power and keep you fuller for longer. Hannah Ackermann, RD, writes, 'Unlike refined carbs, the fiber in whole grains isn't broken down in your small intestine. Hours later, it reaches your large intestine, where beneficial gut bacteria ferment it. This delayed release of hormones several hours after eating whole grains is known as the 'second meal effect.' Fiber in whole grains provides a lasting sense of satisfaction, helping you manage hunger more effectively throughout the day.' Strategies for Better Gut Health While diet certainly plays an important role in your gut health, so does how you move your body, your stress levels and more. Consider these tips to support better gut health, too: Eat a . Schopis' best advice: 'Consume a diet high in different fibers, which includes whole grains, veggies, fruits, nuts and legumes. Diverse, high-fiber diets have been shown to increase the amount of beneficial gut bacteria and improve metabolic health.' If you're not sure where to begin, start with the Mediterranean diet, he suggests. Limit highly processed foods. Not all foods are created equally, even those with fancy marketing slogans. 'Focus on eating a variety of foods that are rich in fiber first and foremost, and limited in added sugars, salt and preservatives,' writes Rizzo. This doesn't mean you can't rely on convenience foods, like flash-frozen fruits and vegetables or canned beans. Those are A-listers on a diet to support better gut health. Incorporate regular movement. Movement is a star player in keeping your gut happy, healthy and regular. Rizzo encourages clients to find a form of movement they enjoy and fit it in routinely. She writes, 'Daily movement is key to keeping your gut healthy and mood balanced. Whether it's a run, walk or yoga class, find what you love and do it daily.' Focus on . High stress levels can negatively impact your gut health. Finding a moment to unwind daily is key to managing your cortisol levels and improving your gut health. Rizzo shares, 'Stress management shouldn't stress you out. Find something that feels natural and doable and fit it in daily. For many of my runners, this is even a 10-minute mobility break where they can stretch and breathe all at once.' Our Expert Take A healthy gut is key to a healthy life. Your gastrointestinal system plays an integral role in total body health, not only through helping your digestive system run smoothly but also in keeping your mood stabilized and immunity strong. That's why gastroenterologists and dietitians recommend focusing on adding whole grains to your diet, due to the supportive role they play in better gut health. While all whole grains are great and experts encourage you to eat a wide variety of them, oats are the No. 1 pick based on the research to date. If you're not adding oats into your diet yet, get started today with a box of oats and one of these 12 recipes EatingWell readers love in their kitchens too! Read the original article on EATINGWELL
