The flu is one of the most common illnesses in the world, and it's an especially big threat during the winter months. Understanding how long the flu virus can live outside of the body is an important part of protecting yourself and others from the virus. While there are many myths and misconceptions about the flu, science can help us learn more about how long flu germs really live. The flu virus is a type of airborne virus, meaning it can be spread through the air by coughing, sneezing, and even talking. The virus can stay alive on surfaces for several hours and can be spread via contact when someone touches a surface or object and then touches their eyes, nose, or mouth. When it comes to the air, the flu virus can live for about 15 minutes, according to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH). This means that if someone with the flu sneezes or coughs in a room, the virus can remain in the air for a short time, potentially infecting anyone who is there. When it comes to surfaces, the flu virus can live for up to 48 hours, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This means that if someone with the flu touches a doorknob, a table, or another surface, the virus can remain on the surface for up to two days, potentially infecting anyone who touches the surface. The flu virus can also live on clothing, such as a scarf or hat, for up to 24 hours, according to the CDC. This means that if someone with the flu wears a hat or scarf, the virus can remain on the clothing for up to one day, potentially infecting anyone who comes into contact with the clothing. Overall, the flu virus is highly contagious, and it can remain alive for several hours on surfaces and clothing. This means that it's important to take steps to protect yourself and others from the virus. The best way to do this is by washing your hands often, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, and disinfecting surfaces regularly. It's also important to get a flu shot every year, as this is the best way to protect yourself from the virus. With the help of science, we can better understand how long flu germs really live, and we can take steps to protect ourselves and others from the virus.
One of the simplest but most effective ways to protect yourself and those around you from getting sick is to wipe off what you touch often. Whether you’re out in public or at home, it pays to take the extra step to wipe down surfaces. Doing this can help stop the spread of germs, bacteria, and viruses, ultimately leading to a healthier and safer environment for everyone. When it comes to wiping down surfaces, the most important areas are those that are touched often. This includes door handles, light switches, countertops, tables, computer keyboards and mice, and common areas such as bathrooms and kitchens. Each of these surfaces can carry germs, bacteria, and viruses that can cause a myriad of health problems. Wiping them down with a disinfectant or antibacterial solution can help reduce the amount of germs that are transferred from one person to another. One of the most important reasons for wiping down surfaces is to prevent the spread of viruses and other illnesses. Viruses are incredibly contagious and can be spread from person to person, even if there is no direct contact. By wiping down high-touch surfaces, you can reduce the risk of getting sick from a virus. This is especially important during cold and flu season, when viruses are more likely to be present. Another benefit of wiping down surfaces is to reduce the amount of allergens that can cause a reaction. Allergens can be found on door handles, furniture, and other surfaces, and can easily be transferred from person to person. By wiping down surfaces, you can help reduce the amount of allergens that can cause reactions, such as sneezing, coughing, and watery eyes. Finally, wiping down surfaces can help reduce the amount of dust and dirt in your home or office. Dust and dirt can accumulate on surfaces over time, and can be difficult to remove with regular cleaning. However, wiping them down with a damp cloth or disinfectant can help reduce the amount of dust and dirt in the area, resulting in a cleaner and healthier environment. In conclusion, wiping down what you touch often is an important step in keeping yourself and others healthy. Not only can it help reduce the spread of viruses and other illnesses, but it can also reduce the amount of allergens and dust in the area. Taking a few extra moments to wipe down surfaces can make a world of difference in terms of health and safety.
Fruits are an important part of any balanced diet, and there are many seasonal fruits that are often overlooked. Eating seasonally is not only more affordable but can be more nutritious, as the fruits are harvested when they are at the peak of ripeness. Here are some of the seasonal fruits you’re not eating but should:1. PersimmonsPersimmons are a delicious and unique fruit that are in season from late October to early December. They have a sweet, but slightly tart flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. Persimmons are an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, and are also high in antioxidants. Eating persimmons can help improve digestion and boost your immune system. 2. PomegranatePomegranates are in season from late August to early winter, and they are packed with nutrition. Pomegranates are a great source of vitamin C and are high in antioxidants. Studies have shown that pomegranates can help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow, while also helping to protect against diseases such as cancer and heart disease. 3. CranberriesCranberries are in season from late September to mid-December. They are tart and slightly sweet, and are a great addition to salads, smoothies, desserts, and more. Cranberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, and they are also high in antioxidants. Eating cranberries can help improve digestion and reduce inflammation. 4. FigsFigs are in season from mid-August to mid-October. They have a sweet and unique flavor and are best eaten fresh. Figs are an excellent source of dietary fiber and are high in antioxidants. Eating figs can help improve digestion and provide your body with vitamins and minerals. 5. ApplesApples are in season from late August to early October. They are sweet, crunchy, and delicious, and are one of the most popular fruits. Apples are an excellent source of dietary fiber and are high in antioxidants. Eating apples can help improve digestion and reduce inflammation. Eating seasonally is not only more affordable but can be more nutritious, as the fruits are harvested when they are at the peak of ripeness. So next time you’re at the grocery store, don’t forget to pick up some of these delicious and nutritious seasonal fruits. Your body will thank you! Know your types of persimmons Persimmons are one of the most delicious and nutritious fruits of the fall season. With their sweet, unique flavor, they are a favorite of many autumn-lovers. But there are different types of persimmons, and it’s important to know which ones are which. Understanding the differences between the types of persimmons can help you choose the right one for the right dish. The most common type of persimmon is the Fuyu. This variety is round and squat, and has a bright orange-red color when ripe. Fuyu persimmons are firm and crunchy, with a sweet flavor. They are usually eaten raw, as they are too firm for baking. They can be sliced and added to salads, or made into a delicious treat when dipped in melted chocolate. The second type of persimmon is the Hachiya. This variety is oblong and pointed, and is bright orange-red when ripe. Hachiyas are very soft and sweet when fully ripe, so they are best used in baking. The soft flesh of a Hachiya makes it ideal for making persimmon pudding, pies, and other desserts. The last type of persimmon is the Ichikikei. This variety is round and flat, and is yellow-orange when ripe. Ichiki persimmons are sweeter than Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons, and are usually eaten raw. They can be added to salads and salsas, or made into a delicate jam. Knowing the differences between the types of persimmons can help you choose the right one for the right dish. Fuyu persimmons are great for eating raw, Hachiya persimmons are best for baking, and Ichikikei persimmons are best for jams and salsas. So, the next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to know your persimmons! Recommended Discover Delicious and Nutritious Fruits to Add to Your Diet This Season! Saying Goodbye to Red Meat: Discover the Positive Changes You Can Experience! Unlock the Secret to Attraction: Well-Groomed Eyebrows Make Men More Appealing to Women NEXT UP 5 Mistakes You Might Be Making in the Shower & How to Avoid Them Shutterstock Wed Jan 25 2023 11:18AM Showering is a daily routine for many people. But, if you’re not careful, you could be making mistakes in the shower that you didn’t realize. From using the wrong products to not taking the proper safety precautions, these mistakes can be detrimental to your health and hygiene. Below, we take a look at five mistakes you may be making in the shower and how to avoid them. 1. Using the Wrong Shower ProductsWhen it comes to shower products, it’s important to make sure you’re not using products that are too harsh for your skin. Many people make the mistake of using products that are too abrasive, leading to skin dryness and irritation. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to opt for products specifically designed for sensitive skin. Additionally, it’s important to make sure you’re using the correct product for the area of your body you’re showering. For example, using a shampoo designed for your hair on your body could lead to skin irritation. 2. Not Cleaning the Shower RegularlyMany people make the mistake of not cleaning the shower regularly. Without regular cleaning, dirt, soap scum, and bacteria can build up in the shower, leading to an unclean and unhealthy environment. To ensure your shower is clean and hygienic, it’s important to clean it at least once a week. This can include using a scrub brush to remove any dirt or soap scum and then rinsing the shower with a cleaner. 3. Taking Too Long of a ShowerTaking too long of a shower is not only a waste of water, but it can also lead to dry skin and irritation. Additionally, if you’re taking too long of a shower, you may be exposing yourself to unsafe levels of chlorine and other chemicals in the water. To avoid these issues, it’s important to limit your shower time to 10 minutes or less. 4. Not Using GogglesIf you’re planning on taking a shower or bath, it’s important to wear goggles to protect your eyes. Without goggles, you could be exposing your eyes to chlorine and other chemicals in the water. Additionally, if you’re using any products in the shower, they could get in your eyes, leading to irritation. 5. Not Taking Care of Your Hair Finally, many people make the mistake of not taking proper care of their hair in the shower. This can include not using conditioner after shampooing, using the wrong type of shampoo, not using a shower filter, and not rinsing out all the product. To ensure you’re taking proper care of your hair, it’s important to use a shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for your hair type. Additionally, if you’re using any hair products, be sure to rinse them out completely to avoid any irritation or damage. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure you’re taking the proper safety precautions and providing your body with the best care possible in the shower. Whether you’re using the right products or taking the proper safety precautions, these tips can help you ensure you’re showering safely and effectively. You are showering too often Showering too often can be a serious problem. It can lead to dry skin, an imbalance of your body’s natural oils, and an increase in the risk of infection. Not to mention, it can be an enormous waste of water. While it’s important to stay clean and healthy, there are much better ways to do it than showering too often. First, let’s consider the environmental impact of showering too often. The average shower uses 25 gallons of water and can take up to 8 minutes. That’s a lot of water going down the drain, which can add up quickly in the long run. It’s also an inefficient use of water, as most of the water that goes down the drain is wasted. Furthermore, the energy needed to heat the water is wasted too. All of these factors add up to create an unnecessary burden on the environment. Next, let’s talk about the effects on your skin. Showering too often can strip away your skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. This can lead to a variety of skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. It can also make your skin more prone to infection, as the natural oils are an important part of the skin’s defense system. Finally, showering too often can be a waste of time. It takes up valuable minutes that could be spent doing something more productive. Also, if you shower too often, you’ll have to use more soap and shampoo, which can become quite expensive over time. So, what’s the solution? Instead of showering too often, try some of these tips:• Try to shower every other day, or even every third day. This will help save water and energy, while still keeping you clean. • When you do shower, use lukewarm water and gentle soaps. This will help to keep your skin’s natural oils intact. • Avoid long, hot showers. These can be too drying on your skin. • Use a body wash or scrub to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. This will help to keep your skin clean and healthy. • After showering, apply a moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated. By following these tips, you can keep yourself clean and healthy without showering too often. Not only will this help to save water and energy, but it will also help to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. So, the next time you’re thinking about showering, think twice and try one of these tips instead. Recommended 5 Mistakes You Might Be Making in the Shower & How to Avoid Them 5 Profound Benefits of Cutting Out Red Meat from Your Diet The Declining Health of Married People NEXT UP How to Find the Perfect Length for Your HIIT Intervals Shutterstock Tue Jan 24 2023 18:33PM High-intensity interval training (HIIT) has become a popular workout method in recent years. HIIT involves alternating short bursts of high-intensity exercise with periods of rest. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to the question of how long HIIT intervals should be. The length of your intervals will depend on your fitness level, the type of exercise you are doing, and your goals. If you are new to HIIT, start with shorter intervals and gradually increase the length as you become more comfortable with the workout. A good rule of thumb is to start with 30-second intervals and work your way up to 60-second intervals. Once you have a good understanding of HIIT and how your body responds to it, you can experiment with longer intervals. Some people find that they can handle 90-second intervals, while others may need to stick with 60-second intervals. The important thing is to listen to your body and find what works for you. HIIT is a great way to get a quick and effective workout, so don't be afraid to experiment with different interval lengths to find what works best for you. A new study found 60-second intervals are best if you're looking to maximize your HIIT workout When it comes to HIIT workouts, a new study has found that 60-second intervals are the way to go if you're looking to maximize your results. HIIT, or high-intensity interval training, is a type of exercise that alternates between short bursts of intensive activity and periods of rest or recovery. This type of workout has been shown to be incredibly effective in terms of burning calories and improving cardiovascular health. The new study, which was published in the Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness, looked at a group of 26 men who were all relatively fit. The men were divided into two groups, with one group doing HIIT workouts that consisted of 30-second intervals, and the other group doing HIIT workouts with 60-second intervals. After eight weeks of training, the researchers found that the group doing HIIT with 60-second intervals had significantly lower levels of body fat than the group doing HIIT with 30-second intervals. In addition, the group doing HIIT with 60-second intervals also had better VO2 max scores, which is a measure of cardiovascular fitness. So, if you're looking to maximize your HIIT workout, the new study suggests that 60-second intervals are the way to go. However, it's important to keep in mind that HIIT is a very intense type of exercise, so be sure to consult with your doctor before starting any HIIT program. Shutterstock You are showering too often When it comes to shower products, it’s important to make sure you’re not using products that are too harsh for your skin. Many people make the mistake of using products that are too abrasive, leading to skin dryness and irritation. If you have sensitive skin, be sure to opt for products specifically designed for sensitive skin. Additionally, it’s important to make sure you’re using the correct product for the area of your body you’re showering. For example, using a shampoo designed for your hair on your body could lead to skin irritation. 2. Not Cleaning the Shower RegularlyMany people make the mistake of not cleaning the shower regularly. Without regular cleaning, dirt, soap scum, and bacteria can build up in the shower, leading to an unclean and unhealthy environment. To ensure your shower is clean and hygienic, it’s important to clean it at least once a week. This can include using a scrub brush to remove any dirt or soap scum and then rinsing the shower with a cleaner. 3. Taking Too Long of a ShowerTaking too long of a shower is not only a waste of water, but it can also lead to dry skin and irritation. Additionally, if you’re taking too long of a shower, you may be exposing yourself to unsafe levels of chlorine and other chemicals in the water. To avoid these issues, it’s important to limit your shower time to 10 minutes or less. 4. Not Using GogglesIf you’re planning on taking a shower or bath, it’s important to wear goggles to protect your eyes. Without goggles, you could be exposing your eyes to chlorine and other chemicals in the water. Additionally, if you’re using any products in the shower, they could get in your eyes, leading to irritation. 5. Not Taking Care of Your Hair Finally, many people make the mistake of not taking proper care of their hair in the shower. This can include not using conditioner after shampooing, using the wrong type of shampoo, not using a shower filter, and not rinsing out all the product. To ensure you’re taking proper care of your hair, it’s important to use a shampoo and conditioner specifically designed for your hair type. Additionally, if you’re using any hair products, be sure to rinse them out completely to avoid any irritation or damage. By avoiding these common mistakes, you can ensure you’re taking the proper safety precautions and providing your body with the best care possible in the shower. Whether you’re using the right products or taking the proper safety precautions, these tips can help you ensure you’re showering safely and effectively. You are showering too often Showering too often can be a serious problem. It can lead to dry skin, an imbalance of your body’s natural oils, and an increase in the risk of infection. Not to mention, it can be an enormous waste of water. While it’s important to stay clean and healthy, there are much better ways to do it than showering too often. First, let’s consider the environmental impact of showering too often. The average shower uses 25 gallons of water and can take up to 8 minutes. That’s a lot of water going down the drain, which can add up quickly in the long run. It’s also an inefficient use of water, as most of the water that goes down the drain is wasted. Furthermore, the energy needed to heat the water is wasted too. All of these factors add up to create an unnecessary burden on the environment. Next, let’s talk about the effects on your skin. Showering too often can strip away your skin’s natural oils, leaving it dry and irritated. This can lead to a variety of skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis. It can also make your skin more prone to infection, as the natural oils are an important part of the skin’s defense system. Finally, showering too often can be a waste of time. It takes up valuable minutes that could be spent doing something more productive. Also, if you shower too often, you’ll have to use more soap and shampoo, which can become quite expensive over time. So, what’s the solution? Instead of showering too often, try some of these tips:• Try to shower every other day, or even every third day. This will help save water and energy, while still keeping you clean. • When you do shower, use lukewarm water and gentle soaps. This will help to keep your skin’s natural oils intact. • Avoid long, hot showers. These can be too drying on your skin. • Use a body wash or scrub to exfoliate and remove dead skin cells. This will help to keep your skin clean and healthy. • After showering, apply a moisturizer to help keep your skin hydrated. By following these tips, you can keep yourself clean and healthy without showering too often. Not only will this help to save water and energy, but it will also help to keep your skin healthy and hydrated. So, the next time you’re thinking about showering, think twice and try one of these tips instead. Shutterstock
1. PersimmonsPersimmons are a delicious and unique fruit that are in season from late October to early December. They have a sweet, but slightly tart flavor and can be eaten raw or cooked. Persimmons are an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, and are also high in antioxidants. Eating persimmons can help improve digestion and boost your immune system. 2. PomegranatePomegranates are in season from late August to early winter, and they are packed with nutrition. Pomegranates are a great source of vitamin C and are high in antioxidants. Studies have shown that pomegranates can help reduce inflammation and improve blood flow, while also helping to protect against diseases such as cancer and heart disease. 3. CranberriesCranberries are in season from late September to mid-December. They are tart and slightly sweet, and are a great addition to salads, smoothies, desserts, and more. Cranberries are an excellent source of vitamin C and dietary fiber, and they are also high in antioxidants. Eating cranberries can help improve digestion and reduce inflammation. 4. FigsFigs are in season from mid-August to mid-October. They have a sweet and unique flavor and are best eaten fresh. Figs are an excellent source of dietary fiber and are high in antioxidants. Eating figs can help improve digestion and provide your body with vitamins and minerals. 5. ApplesApples are in season from late August to early October. They are sweet, crunchy, and delicious, and are one of the most popular fruits. Apples are an excellent source of dietary fiber and are high in antioxidants. Eating apples can help improve digestion and reduce inflammation. Eating seasonally is not only more affordable but can be more nutritious, as the fruits are harvested when they are at the peak of ripeness. So next time you’re at the grocery store, don’t forget to pick up some of these delicious and nutritious seasonal fruits. Your body will thank you! Know your types of persimmons Persimmons are one of the most delicious and nutritious fruits of the fall season. With their sweet, unique flavor, they are a favorite of many autumn-lovers. But there are different types of persimmons, and it’s important to know which ones are which. Understanding the differences between the types of persimmons can help you choose the right one for the right dish. The most common type of persimmon is the Fuyu. This variety is round and squat, and has a bright orange-red color when ripe. Fuyu persimmons are firm and crunchy, with a sweet flavor. They are usually eaten raw, as they are too firm for baking. They can be sliced and added to salads, or made into a delicious treat when dipped in melted chocolate. The second type of persimmon is the Hachiya. This variety is oblong and pointed, and is bright orange-red when ripe. Hachiyas are very soft and sweet when fully ripe, so they are best used in baking. The soft flesh of a Hachiya makes it ideal for making persimmon pudding, pies, and other desserts. The last type of persimmon is the Ichikikei. This variety is round and flat, and is yellow-orange when ripe. Ichiki persimmons are sweeter than Fuyu and Hachiya persimmons, and are usually eaten raw. They can be added to salads and salsas, or made into a delicate jam. Knowing the differences between the types of persimmons can help you choose the right one for the right dish. Fuyu persimmons are great for eating raw, Hachiya persimmons are best for baking, and Ichikikei persimmons are best for jams and salsas. So, the next time you’re at the grocery store, be sure to know your persimmons!
