Unfortunately, a 2021 study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that this uptick in sweet indulgences may be negatively impacting the mood, sleep cycle, and both physical and mental health of the average American more than we’d necessarily prefer to acknowledge. “Research shows that consuming too much added sugar can lead to chronic health issues like type 2 diabetes and heart disease, yes, but it’s also highly correlated with mood imbalances and can even lead to depression in the long run,” Cardwell says....

How to Hang Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper Before you begin, note that peel-and-stick wallpaper typically adheres best to walls with a smooth texture and an eggshell, satin, or semi-gloss finish. Check the wallpaper manufacturer’s instructions to ensure the product will stick to your type of walls. To ensure you purchase the correct amount of removable wallpaper, carefully measure the space, you plan to cover. Buy slightly more wallpaper than you think you’ll need to accommodate mistakes and tricky areas such as windows, doors, or tight nooks....

We tapped the nation’s top dermatologists for need-to-know sunscreen wisdom and products they swear by for themselves and their families. Here’s how to save your skin from sun damage (and that red lobster glow), straight from the pros. Application Advice Double (or Triple) Up “I apply two coats of mineral sunscreen to my face, ears, and neck. I apply one coat, wait five minutes, and then apply a second coat....

How to Clean a Dishwasher Cleaning your smelly dishwasher doesn’t take much and doesn’t need to be done very often. In fact, monthly cleaning can keep your dishwasher looking like new and running well. How to Clean a Dishwasher Door What You Need Warm, sudsy water1/4 cup baking soda (optional)Soft clothRubbing alcoholSmall toothbrushSpongeAbrasive cleanser (optional) Step 1: Clean the Dishwasher Exterior Keep the dishwasher door fingerprint-free by wiping the outside with warm, sudsy water....

Prep the Fan Start by turning the fan off. Always use a sturdy step stool or ladder placed under the fan—no wobbly chairs! It’s a good idea to have a spotter, just in case you fall. Open window coverings or add additional light sources so you have plenty of light while you work. Pick a day that you also have time to dust and vacuum the room. Even if you spread a bed sheet or tarp on the floor, some dust will escape....

Before You Start: As with any cleaning project, it’s always a good idea to begin with the mildest cleaning solution. Highly caustic or acidic cleaners, like bleach or vinegar, will corrode and slowly destroy grout, as well as tile finishes. You might be surprised how clean you can get your grout with just some hot water and a brush. With that said, if grout is deeply stained, there are other effective grout cleaners that you’re likely to already have on hand....

Just when I was starting to feel a little embarrassed to offer a drink to guests, I discovered how to clean water spots off glasses once and for all. The solution is a thorough dishwasher cleaning with an editor-approved dishwasher cleaning detergent and then a regular wash cycle using a dish detergent booster. Here’s how it went. How to Deep Clean the Dishwasher Recommended Product In the past, whenever my dishwasher needed to be cleaned and deodorized, I would turn to the age-old trick of home editors everywhere: adding a cup of white vinegar to the top shelf....

It’s one thing to recognize a lemon’s potential, but it’s another thing entirely to put the ingredient into action. The next time you need to clean your shower door or a cutting board, grab a lemon before you reach for the harsh, chemical-filled cleaning sprays. Here are several other ways to use lemon as a cleaner in your home. Cleaning With Lemons To remove stains from plastic or wood cutting boards, cut a lemon in half and squeeze the juice onto the board....

This veggie’s loaded with vitamin C, potassium, and fiber, so there are countless easy, healthy acorn squash recipes you can cook. It can be prepared in several delicious ways, too (find plenty of fun recipe options below), but our favorite might be the simplest: roasted (or baked) acorn squash. Cooking acorn squash on a sheet pan in the oven is an incredibly low-maintenance, comfort-food favorite that takes less than five minutes to prepare....

Certain egg dishes seem too fussy for everyday meals. For example, frittatas are a hands-off egg dish that allows you to get rid of leftover veggie stir-fry and deli meat, yet they’re often made only for special occasion brunches. Poached eggs are reserved for diner orders of eggs Benedict, and soft-boiled eggs seem more trouble than they’re worth (even though you can boil eggs in an Instant Pot). All of this is to say that we’ve heard (and made) every excuse for not properly cooking eggs or being afraid to try something new....

If this sounds annoyingly familiar, chances are you’re experiencing the all-to-common phenomenon of racing thoughts. When you have racing thoughts, it feels like your mind is going 100 miles per minute—and there’s no way to pump the brakes. (In many cases, racing thoughts can lead to insomnia.) While racing thoughts can be a byproduct of clinical mental conditions like ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, or depression, it’s often a symptom of anxiety....

While a steady hand and the proper brush can yield a charming hand-painted look, we recommend using painters tape to create crisp lines. Before you begin, grab some of your favorite paint samples, and test them out before painting stripes. Plan to keep stripe colors similar in value. For a high-end look, use closely related hues of the same color—two shades of tan or three shades of blue, for example....

But there are many ways to deal with grief, and some are healthier than others. We spoke with multiple experts to learn more about the grieving process and some of the best and healthiest coping strategies for handling grief. What is grief? “Grief” is one of those words that we all know, but may find difficult to describe because as a society, we’ve been conditioned not to talk about death and other losses outside the confines of a funeral or memorial service....

When dehydrated properly, apples can last about six months in small-batch airtight containers, and they can be frozen for up to an entire year—just enough time for the next harvest to roll around. Best of all, they can be rehydrated easily for like-fresh use. Just steep your dehydrated apple slices in hot apple juice or even just water, same as you would tea, and they’re ready for snacking. Just as easy as reconstituting your apples is drying them out in the first place....

Doing a proper plank is also a test of muscle control. Once you’re in a plank, you shouldn’t shift an inch (except to keep breathing!). Yes, superficially, planks are key for a toned middle, but inside, they’re the key to a strong core, safe spine, and pain-free back. “Strong abs keep your spine supported,” Coopersmith says. “Think of doing planks as midsection multitasking.” How to Do a Plank Learn to do a plank correctly and safely every time to maximize this multipurpose move....

How to Prevent Smoke Smells in the First Place Be sure the fireplace damper is open before starting a fire and remove the ashes after every use. Have the chimney flue inspected and cleaned yearly. Do not leave cooking food unattended in the oven or on the stovetop. Do not allow cigarette or cigar smoking indoors. To help confine cigarette smoke to one room, close doors to the rest of the house....

Until now, at least. We’ve polled the pros for the best tips for buying, hanging, and storing Christmas lights with minimal stress and strain, so you can focus on coming up with the best Christmas card sayings and shopping for Christmas gifts. Follow these tips, and you’ll be sipping eggnog and staring at your very own Christmas lights in no time. How to Buy Christmas Lights Before shopping, do a little prep work to make sure you get everything you need in one go....

1. Have a goal for your sale. “The first thing people want to think about is the why,” Porter says. “You need to know if you are holding it to recoup money, to generate income, or to pay it forward and make sure the items you are selling are going to a new family to live on again.” Knowing why you’re holding a garage sale can help you stay focused and motivated....

Hosting Thanksgiving Outside The weather may be a factor in whether your Thanksgiving plans are successful. But unless the day is downright terrible, you might still be able to gather for a short time to enjoy a little turkey and stuffing with friends and family. (And if the weather is horrible, consider penciling in a rain date a day or two later so you can still enjoy your time together.)...

How to Make Paper Tassels We’ve all opened a gift that’s stuffed to the brim with tissue paper. Instead of throwing the paper away, put it to use with this cute tassel craft. All you need is tissue paper, scissors, wire, and some twine. Different shades of pink were used for this tassel garland to create an ombre effect, but feel free to get creative with colors. Use black and white, the colors of the rainbow, holiday hues, or whatever shades of tissue paper you have on hand....