Harvard Health

Talk to your doctor before quitting prescription and over‑the‑counter drugs that you take regularly. #HarvardHealth buff.ly/puIfNhN

Higher SPF doesn’t equal better protection: Higher SPF doesn’t necessarily mean more sun protection. Sunscreens with an SPF over 30 don’t offer much additional benefit. But applying it often does. #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay

The Sinclair Method uses medication to reduce harmful alcohol overuse without requiring complete abstinence. #HarvardHealth buff.ly/a5fHCHe

Recent guidelines recommend broader screening for elevated levels of aldosterone, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. #HarvardHealth buff.ly/Fx4srUR

Effective hand washing lasts at least 20 seconds: It takes at least 20 seconds to properly wash your hands. That’s about as long as it takes to quickly sing one chorus of “Happy Birthday.” #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay

Sleep apnea in kids is linked to a greater chance of them being hyperactive, aggressive, anxious, or depressed. Tell your pediatrician if you notice that your child regularly snores. #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay

Breakfast and weight loss: Eating a big breakfast and a small dinner may be a better weight loss strategy than eating a small breakfast and a large dinner. #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay buff.ly/9bTDEHA

Distract your mind: One effective way to drive out intrusive or negative thoughts is with distraction. Go for a walk or dig in your garden. Lose yourself in a riveting book or a challenging puzzle. Turn on a favorite song and escape into the melody. A 10-minute break from your stress can feel like a mini mental vacation. buff.ly/1cfqKeW

Safe storage of medication: Store household products and medicines in their original containers. They are usually labeled with important first aid information. #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay

Treat and love yourself: Save one night a week for date night—with yourself. Take yourself out to dinner. Watch that movie you’ve been wanting to see. Curl up on the couch with a book. It does not matter what you do, only that you enjoy whatever it is you are doing. #HarvardHealth buff.ly/TPEtut0

Emotions sometimes compel us to reach for food. But there are ways to combat the urge. #HarvardHealth buff.ly/oabvOVp

Wash skin after contact with poisonous plants: If you think you may have come in contact with poisonous plants, wash the area with soap and water as soon as you can. #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay

Stress-busting somatic exercises tap into the mind-body connection. #HarvardHealth buff.ly/2jI5lDf

Spray tans don’t protect against UV rays: Spray tans provide little protection against skin cancer. Anyone sporting a faux glow still needs sunscreen. #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay

Foster your connections: Try to show appreciation to those in your social circle.  Let people know how much you value them. When people feel appreciated, they want to maintain or even strengthen the relationship. #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay

Caffeine and sleep: If you have trouble sleeping, try eliminating caffeine altogether, even your morning coffee. Caffeine's effects can last for many hours. #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay

Infants should sleep on their backs: Healthy babies should sleep on their backs for their first year of life to help prevent sudden infant death syndrome. #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay

People with atrial fibrillation (afib) are often advised to limit or avoid coffee, based on the assumption that caffeine may trigger an episode of afib. But a new study found that a daily cup of coffee had the opposite effect. #HarvardHealth health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/…

Smile science: Smile at the first ten people you encounter today. The facial expression will make you feel happier and is likely to spread from you to those around you. #HarvardHealth buff.ly/E2H7dJG

Early treatment can prevent HIV: If you think you may have been exposed to HIV, call your doctor right away. Early preventive treatment can lower your chances of becoming infected. #HarvardHealth #TipoftheDay