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The health benefits of a ‘fart walk’ |
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It can jumpstart your digestion.Walking after eating can relieve gas and help get more fiber and other undigested nutrients to the microbes that live in our lower gut. Those microbes use fiber to produce molecules that help keep our brains, immune systems and even our metabolisms healthy, according to Godoy’s reporting.
It can regulate your blood sugar.
Walking after eating can help blunt that spike in blood sugar you usually get after a big meal. You want to keep your blood sugar levels balanced for a number of reasons, says Godoy. Blood sugar levels can influence our energy levels and if you have chronically high blood sugar, that can damage your blood vessels and lead to complications with your heart, kidneys and even your eyes.
It may improve sleep.
You’re more likely to sleep better if you aren’t going to bed too full, says Godoy. Plus, blood sugar spikes and crashes can lead to a bad night’s sleep. So walking after a big meal can help promote more stable energy levels. |
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How to take a ‘fart walk’ |
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You don’t have to go very fast ...A nice, casual walk after dinner will help you digest and regulate your blood sugar, says Godoy. Walk about “the speed you might walk your dog,” she says. If you also want to boost your cardiovascular health, pick up the pace.
… or walk for very long.
“Research shows just two to five minutes can help regulate your blood sugar after a meal,” says Godoy. Though, she recommends walking for a bit longer if you can. “One study found that taking a 15-minute walk at a moderate pace after eating helps regulate blood sugar levels even many hours later.” If you don’t have 15 minutes, don’t let that stop you from taking a five-minute walk because that can still be good for you.
Make sure to get outside within a half hour of putting your fork down.
That’s because your body will have started breaking down your food into glucose, says Godoy. “You want to be moving as that glucose hits your bloodstream so your muscles can use it up right away.”
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More Life Kit on healthy movement |
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How to make exercise a habit that sticks. Falling off the exercise wagon more than you'd like? These strategies, based on economics and the science of habit formation, can help. Plus, you get to binge-watch TV. Read the story here.
Want to try weightlifting? Don't let intimidation get in your way. Strength training is a great way to exercise efficiently while preventing injury. But it can be nerve-wracking if you're worried about what other people think of you at the gym. Read the story here. When it comes to exercise, all movement counts. Feeling blocked with it comes to starting an exercise habit? You can actually get the health benefits of exercise with just 22 minutes of exercise a day — and you might be surprised what "counts" as exercise. Kiss your excuses goodbye! Read the story here. |
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Creative things to do with your hands |
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Need a break from your phone? Consider working with your hands. Whether it's sewing or sculpting teeny cupcakes out of bright purple clay, making art is good for your mind and body.
The act of creation can reduce stress and anxiety and improve your mood, says Girija Kaimal, a professor at Drexel University and a leading researcher in art therapy. And flexing our creative side can give us a stronger sense of agency — the ability to solve problems by imagining possible solutions.
Here are some episodes to get you started on your own creative handwork.
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Photo illustration by Becky Harlan/NPR |
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Sewing your own clothes can be empowering. Learning how to sew opens up a world of options for making your own clothes — or transforming old ones. This guide can help you get started. Read the story here.
If you want to fix your own clothes, try this easy style of mending. There's no need to give up on a sweater with a hole in the elbow or a shirt with a tear in the collar. Visible mending is beginner friendly, highly creative and helps extend the life of your clothes. Read the story here.
A step-by-step guide to planting an edible garden. Even though it’s December, it isn’t too early to start planning for your spring garden. Find out which plants to grow, what kind of soil you'll need and whether to start from seeds or transplants. Read the story here.
Making art is good for your health. Here's how to start a habit. Professional artists aren't the only people who can make art. Whether you're doodling, making pottery or embroidering, creativity is good for you and your health. Read the story here. |
| Think you can't dance? Get up and try these tips in our comic. We dare you! Anyone can dance. As you read this comic, follow each step — and you'll be moving and grooving in no time. Read the comic here.
Life Kit's most-read stories of 2024: Sleep myths, tipping etiquette, home design tricks. Comics, social etiquette and myth-busting stories ruled Life Kit in 2024. That includes guidance on what to do if a partner cheats — and how to tip at fast food joints. Read the story here.
7 tiny hacks that can improve your to-do list. Is your to-do list helping you reach your goals? Or is it holding you back? Productivity experts explain how to level up your list so it prioritizes what matters. Read the story here. Should I buy that thing? A framework to help you decide. Sometimes we buy things that we later regret spending on: a new sweater that's already falling apart, or a thrifted "vintage" vase that turns out to be a mass-produced dupe. In the moment, it's difficult to resist the temptation of making a purchase. But with a few pointed questions, you can make sure you've done your due diligence and buy something guilt-free. Listen to the episode here.
How to optimize your circadian rhythm. New research shows that too much light at night and not enough daylight is taking years off our lives. NPR health correspondent Will Stone has tips to tune up your body's internal clock. Listen to the episode here. |
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