If you feel like you haven’t had a decent night sleep in a while, you’re not alone – two-thirds of adults say they haven’t had a complete, uninterrupted night sleep since they were a teenager!

A new study shows that most of us get about five hours of sleep per night – far less than the 7 to 9 hours recommended for adults by the National Sleep Foundation.

But even though we like to say we’ll “catch up” on our sleep over the weekend, most of us find our ability to sleep in drops off around age 25.

It may be a challenge, but prioritizing sleep is one of the best things we can do to help prevent illness, boost memory, and improve mood. But despite knowing this, it’s still a challenge to actually do.

There are supplements when we need help that have sleep-enhancing ingredients, like magnesium which help the body’s production of melatonin, or Valerian Root and Lemon Balm Leaf, which have antioxidants to support a calm and relaxed mood and you should be able to sleep like when you didn’t have real responsibilities!

Image Credit: AndreyPopov / iStock / Getty Images Plus

If you’re worried about the calories you’ll be consuming this holiday season, you may be considering a new diet that best fits you – whether it’s simply weight loss, or how easy it is to follow, or how healthy they are overall.

But if you’re simply looking to lose weight, the Flexitarian diet may be for you.

You’ll eat lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and plant-based protein. But if you’re craving meat, you can have that too!

It’s similar to the popular Mediterranean Diet – that’s where you’ll eat lots of produce and seafood, but dairy and meat are limited.

No matter what direction you want to go in, make sure you consult with a health care provider first, but if you’re looking to make some healthy choices, the right diet is out there for you!

Image Credit: Ekaterina-84 / iStock / Getty Images Plus

If you like your morning coffee sweetened, instead of grabbing sugar, grab something else – maple syrup!

A new study shows that there are lot of health benefits to using syrup – you get antioxidants that boost immunity and help with inflammation that you don’t get from refined sugar.

You’ll also find better blood sugar levels, which can help avoid diabetes. Plus, the study found that when people switched from sugar to maple syrup, their blood pressure dropped, they lost weight and had less harmful bacteria, so their digestion improved.

But the only catch is that it needs to be real maple syrup – Log Cabin won’t cut it.

Image Credit: creighton359 / iStock / Getty Images Plus

When you go for fresh fruit, it’s usually because you want a quick and healthier snack option. But did you know there’s a fruit that can help you with your bones? Next time you’re in the produce aisle, grab some prunes.

Prunes are rich in minerals, vitamin K, phenolic compounds, and dietary fiber—all which may be able to help counter some of the effects of osteoporosis.

However, while prunes may be known for their superfruit status, they can be high in sugar. Always pay attention to serving sizes and try a combination of prunes with a fat or protein to prevent a spike in blood sugar.

Since they’re so portable it’s convenient to snack on any time of day. But you can mix them trail mix, salad, or your favorite yogurt.

You can also put them on top of pizza – they mix well with arugula and balsamic vinegar.

Image Credit: Julio Ricco / iStock / Getty Images Plus