Health officials recommend at least 150 minutes of aerobic exercise per week

Adults need two days of muscle strengthening activity weekly—yet most of us aren't doing that

That recommendation—muscle-strengthening activities on two or more days a week working all major muscle groups—is in addition to 150 minutes weekly of moderate-intensity physical activity. Those resistance and aerobic training numbers from the US government are echoed by other medical groups. But nearly 80% of adults aren't checking the box on those goals. This failure is linked to about $117B in annual health costs and some 10% of premature mortality.

One minute of exercise correlates to five extra minutes of life (on average)

Doctors increasingly view exercise as the single most powerful medical intervention available. Observational studies suggest one minute of exercise correlates to an additional five minutes of life as humans age. Stanford researcher Euan Ashley discusses our current understanding of how exercise provides benefits at the cellular level.

The exercise sweet spot is shorter than you'd think—and longer workouts aren't generally better

A meta-analysis concluded that resistance training for about 60 minutes per week provided the best health benefit—decreasing the likelihood of death for individuals within a specific timeframe around 27%.

Even brief physical activity can trigger the release of neurotransmitters that provide mental health boosts

A couple of minutes of light walking or stretching can increase feelings of energy and reduce fatigue, not just through the release of endorphins. Exercise can also provide self-regulation and improve task engagement and focus in those with certain mental health disorders, like ADHD.

Optimal human functioning requires movement

There is now ample evidence to back the centuries-old hypothesis that exercise is critical to human health. This review article explores the latest discoveries in exercise science, including how exercise is intrinsic to maintaining our organ systems throughout life.

Astronauts exercise on the International Space Station

Astronauts maintain bone, muscle, and cardiovascular health with physical activity. It's crucial astronauts make time to exercise for approximately two hours per day. This resource offers a behind-the-scenes look at how high-intensity workouts help prevent muscle atrophy, bone density loss, and aerobic decline during months-long space missions.

Estimates suggest inactivity contributes to 6% of deaths worldwide

The World Health Organization identifies physical inactivity as the fourth leading modifiable risk factor for global mortality, just behind hypertension, tobacco use, and high blood glucose. Latest estimates are that inactivity contributes to 6% of deaths and significantly increases the burden of chronic diseases like heart disease, diabetes, and cancer.

Doctors are prescribing social activities—and seeing good results

Physicians, especially in the UK, are asking patients what they enjoy and then prescribing a consistent regimen of doing that type of activity to improve fitness and overall health, including community exercise classes, volunteering, and spending time in nature. This approach may provide better incentives to stick with an activity.

Exercise helps make your arteries more elastic

Regular aerobic exercise releases nitric oxide, a key molecule that relaxes blood vessel walls and improves vascular function. These exercise-induced adaptations make the heart work more efficiently and blood vessels become more elastic, leading to improved circulation and lowered cardiovascular risk.

Over the years, the USDA has changed its definitions of healthy eating

The US Department of Agriculture began offering eating advice in 1894 and has updated its guidance as both science and politics have evolved. In the early 20th century, its guidance emphasized recommended minimum servings of important foods; in later decades, its visual guides became more nuanced, illustrating the composition of a healthy diet and encouraging exercise.

Most things you would get tested for at the doctor’s office are influenced by circadian rhythm

In this video, a Salk Institute Researcher offers daily habit tips focused on aligning with your circadian rhythms. She notes heart rate and blood pressure are highest in the afternoon, for example, and there’s a triglyceride peak in the morning. Generally, she says, it’s a good idea to schedule your doctor’s checkups at the same time of day each year so there’s consistency across your data.

Up to 400 milligrams of caffeine a day is considered safe

Small, frequent doses can be more effective than large amounts, though caffeine can raise blood pressure and heart rate, especially in people with hypertension. While low doses of caffeine may help with depression by stimulating dopamine, excessive caffeine, particularly from energy drinks, can lead to anxiety and heart issues.

Sitting 10+ hours per day increases dementia risk

People who sit for at least 10 hours per day are more likely to develop dementia, according to a study published in 2023. This article details the study on the murky relationship between brain health and prolonged sitting. This study involved...

How much water do humans really need to drink every day, and how food helps meet the quota

Because water is lost through breathing, sweating, urination, and bowel movements, consuming 2.0 to 3.7 liters (about 4.2 to 7.8 pint glasses) of water daily is recommended, depending on various factors, such as health conditions and exercise habits. Fruits and vegetables that are almost entirely water by weight, such as strawberries, cucumbers, and broccoli, can help increase water intake.

How much sleep do you need?

When it comes to how much sleep you need, age matters—and, for your health, it's important to be well rested. Young children between the ages of one and three need the most sleep: It’s recommended that toddlers get between 11 and 14 hours of...

Heat-related complications are of greater concern for distance runners than cardiac threats

Analysis of more than 130,000 runners in Tel Aviv events during a seven-year period indicated that the runners were 10 times more likely to experience heatstroke than serious cardiac problems. Scientists suggest that runners should take 10 to 14 days to acclimate to a hot climate before tackling a serious run.

Studies suggest when you sleep is as important as how much you get, and syncing with your circadian rhythms may lead to less fatigue and improved long-term health outcomes

American Psychological Association issues recommendations for teen social media use

Listen to this three-minute podcast to learn more about the American Psychological Association's recommendations for teenagers' use of social media. The first report of its kind, it advises parents to closely monitor teens' social feeds during early adolescence, continually screen for signs of problematic use (such as sleep interference), minimize the amount of dangerous content their child is exposed to (such as disordered eating), and limit their teen's use of social media around appearance-related content.

Tips for reducing the risk of antimicrobial resistance

Antimicrobial resistance is bad news. But there are lots of things you can do to both protect yourself from superbugs and help keep the problem of antimicrobial resistance from getting worse. This page from the CDC offers clear, straightforward guidelines that can help keep you—and your loved ones—healthy.

Ranking America's healthiest and unhealthiest cities

Compiling data from the 180 most populated cities in the US, WalletHub evaluated which of those metros are the healthiest using 43 health indicators, from the average cost of a medical visit to total vaccination rates.

Find out how prevalent the flu is at this current moment

Updated weekly, this USAFacts resource shares current data from the CDC detailing how many cases of influenza and other flu-like illnesses accounted for doctor's visits. Monitor the spread of respiratory illness during flu season with this handy resource and prepare accordingly.

PIckleball's popularity with seniors is partially due to its health benefits

Pickleball has always been a game for all ages, but it has been particularly popular among seniors, in part because of its many health benefits, including enhancing hand-eye coordination and burning more calories than walking.

A step-by-step guide to the Martha Graham Technique

This BBC explainer walks you through Martha Graham's famous approach to dance, offering you six moves you can work into your exercise regiment—or Graham-inspired routine.

What's your ACE score, and what does that mean for your health?

An ACE score is a way of measuring adverse childhood experiences, which can negatively impact health outcomes. Take this quiz to determine your score and what that means for your health. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Kaiser...

Is workaholism real?

Though work addiction is not officially recognized as a medical condition, it mirrors many patterns of other behavioral disorders. This exploration from BBC News examines the issue through Workaholics Anonymous, with a special focus on firsthand accounts from support group members.

The average TikTok user spends 95 minutes on the app per day

According to HubSpot, the average TikTok user spends 95 minutes per day using the app, and an estimated 90% of users access TikTok daily. TikTok also has the highest average session length among social media platforms: Its users spend almost 11 minutes per session.

Watch the cumbersome, but necessary, precautions healthcare workers must take to care for and protect themselves while caring for Ebola patients.

About 12.5% of US adults experience a phobia in their lifetime, a diagnosis that hinges on the intense fear interfering with daily life and persisting for at least six months.

Bone marrow (soft tissue found inside certain bones) generates roughly 500 billion new blood cells each day

Alzheimer's can lead to brain shrinkage, with an average of around 2% of volume reduction per year

Human-to-human transmission of hantavirus remains extremely rare, so the 2026 hantavirus cruise ship outbreak doesn't mean we're facing a COVID-style pandemic risk.

The first steps to rebuilding your credit score include getting to know exactly what's on your credit report and figuring out how far you are from the '700 club,' or 'good score' range.

Between 10 million and 50 million people in the US develop rashes from poison ivy, poison sumac, and poison oak each year.

Firework or sparkler burns, even if they cover a relatively small area of skin, can significantly affect our range of motion.

Listen to an in-depth conversation on the links between Parkinson's disease and herbicide exposure and the challenging pace of scientific investigation.

Take a 3D tour of the Hajj, Islam's annual pilgrimage to Mecca, undertaken by more than 1.5 million Muslims each year.

Telehealth demand for GLP-1s for weight loss is booming as consumers seek easier access.

Calculate how much of your tax dollars go to each federal program based on your income, filing status, and number of children

At the beginning of the 20th century, a group of young men ate standard American food—replete with food additives like borax and formaldehyde—as part of government research to better understand food safety.

NBA superstar Victor Wembanyama spent the 2025 summer training with monks in central China to enhance his body and mind.

In 2026, Finland was named the world's happiest country for the ninth consecutive year based on its wealth, social safety network, and high life expectancy, among other factors.

When you complete a CAPTCHA on a website to prove you are human, you may be unknowingly training algorithms for self-driving cars, whose systems require training data to help identify crosswalks, bicycles, and other outdoor objects.

70 years ago today, city officials in Santa Cruz, California, banned rock 'n' roll to protect its youth from corruption after witnessing a 'provocative' concert the night before.

See how Budweiser's famous Clydesdales spend their days at Warm Springs Ranch, where roughly 70 to 80 of the beer brand's giant horses can be found at any given time.

Power lines are dotted with large, brightly colored balls to improve the visibility of these thin wires to helicopters and small planes and help prevent potential crashes.

Children are now three times more likely to say they want to be a YouTuber when they grow up than an astronaut, with some even attending 'YouTube camps' that teach kids how to create content for the platform.

Despite being favored by 87% of Americans, Congress does not have term limits.

SpongeBob exemplifies Aristotle's philosophy for living well because he understands that happiness doesn't come from external factors like money, recognition, or power.

For centuries, Niagara Falls has been a magnet for daredevils seeking to conquer one of nature's most powerful wonders, with its 200-foot drop and water rushing at 32 feet per second with 280 tons of force.

Fish populations in the Great Barrier Reef have increased after installing waterproof speakers on the ocean floor that played recordings of sounds from healthy coral reefs.