Can a Mediterranean diet help you live longer? Should night owls go to bed earlier? The top health tips from this week’s headlines.

Hello health and wellness enthusiasts. I’m Natalie Rahhal, your guest guide to this week’s health headlines and what they could mean for you. Read on to learn how to incorporate some good-for-you habits into your everyday life (and maybe cut out a few things).

Here’s what our team learned this week:

• Another dairy farm worker was infected with bird flu; this marks the third this year and only the fourth in the United States. Health authorities still say the risk to the average person is low, but the government is preparing in case the situation worsens. In the meantime, it’s a good idea to stay away from wild birds and livestock, and definitely not drink raw milk.

• Guess what else is coming to the United States this summer? Trillions of cicadas. If that doesn’t scare you, you can try eating one — as long as you first read health editor Rachel Grumman Bender’s guide to consuming them safely.

• A new study reveals that young people drink less alcohol compared to older generations, reports Korin Miller. Experts have some ideas about why and suggestions for what the rest of us can learn from kids these days when it comes to reducing our alcohol consumption.

• Is it time to invest in a shower filter? TikTokers claim it’s the secret to avoiding skin and hair problems caused by hard water and chlorine in the water supply. Here’s what experts told reporter Kerry Justich about the trend.

• Want some reasons to feel hopeful about the future? So do we, and we have them. Columnist Marcia Kester Doyle spoke to older brides about what makes later-in-life relationships work and why it’s never too late for love. And I convinced three aging experts to tell me their secrets for living a good life longer.

• Went to the beach? More than just fun, it’s also good for your mental health, writes freelancer Amelia Edelman, especially if you implement these expert-approved tips.

Here are more suggestions for improving your well-being this week:

Ladies, maybe it’s time to try a Mediterranean diet

Many doctors agree that the Mediterranean diet is among the healthiest. It has been linked to a lower risk of heart attack, stroke, obesity and high blood pressure, as well as certain types of cancer. Now, a new study that followed women over a 25-year period found that those who followed the diet most closely were 23% less likely to die from any cause. The researchers also found that the diet, which was plant-based and rich in healthy fats, helped reduce inflammation and insulin resistance while improving metabolism.

Go to bed. Yes, even you night owls.

There’s still a lot of mystery surrounding the basics of sleep—why we need it, how much we need it, and how to get it. And some studies suggest that you shouldn’t fight your natural inclinations about when to sleep. But the latest research finds that everyone’s mental health is better when they go to bed early – even people who consider themselves night owls. Those who stayed up late had higher rates of mental and behavioral disorders.

Want a new work best friend? Stop bragging about being busy.

It’s tempting to try to bond with colleagues by venting about work stress and how busy you are. But trust us, your coworkers really Don’t want to hear about it, according to a new report published in the journal Psicologia Pessoal. Not only did so-called stress flaunting turn off coworkers, but stress was contagious, leading to higher levels of burnout. So let’s try a different icebreaker, shall we?

Smartphones can improve teenagers’ mood

Many experts (and parents) consider smartphones to be a prime suspect in rising rates of depression and anxiety among teens. But the devices may not be all bad, new search suggests. Teens’ moods improved slightly on average while using their phones, according to the study of 253 teens ages 12 to 17. second study suggest that smartphone use does not make depression worse over time in young adults (although those who were depressed tended to use social media more and vice versa).

Is giving peanut butter to babies the secret to having an allergy-free child?

Nearly 2.5% of children in the U.S. are allergic to peanuts, and rates have increased at least 21% since 2010, according to national data published in 2017. But new research suggests that giving a child peanut butter from the start can help prevent allergies. problems. The National Institutes of Health study found that 71% fewer children developed peanut allergies if they were fed products made from the nut between infancy and age 5, compared to children who avoided peanuts. Of course, it’s always best to consult your child’s pediatrician first.