Sleep on your left side, try 'May Not Drink' month and add sardines to your salad — plus 7 more tips to improve your health

Hello, Yahoo Life readers! My name is Kaitlin Reilly, and I am here to share the week’s best health and wellness tips.

Yahoo Life’s Rachel Grumman Bender spotlighted the phenomenon of “marry me chicken” and “engagement chicken,” two poultry-based dishes that are supposedly so delicious, people can’t help but pop the question afterward.

While that may or may not be true, finding any recipe you’re passionate about is a good thing: It can stop you from ordering takeout, which typically has more fat and sugar than a home-cooked meal.

Plus, cooking a dish like “marry me chicken” — or, say, the perfect cacio e pepe, which scientists taught us all about this week — means you’re sharing a meal with someone. Not only does research show that dining together can strengthen your bond with loved ones, it also means you’re practicing mindful eating, instead of, say, scarfing down a salad in front of your work laptop and barely even tasting it. Making mealtime more intentional, even when you’re flying solo, can help you get greater satisfaction from your food, as well as keep better track of your hunger cues.

Now take a look at your local weather forecast and peek at your horoscope — it’s Taurus season! Then check out the small steps you can take to make the days ahead awesome.

😴 Sleep on your left side

Dozing off? Sleeping on your left side comes with major health benefits. Longevity expert Dr. Helen Messier tells Parade that this sleep position “may reduce the risk of neurological conditions by aiding glymphatic clearance,” which is your brain’s way of clearing out waste while you snooze. Plus, it’s also the best position for circulation and can help reduce heartburn and acid reflux.

Need help getting comfy in this position? Try plopping a pillow between your legs, which can better align your spine as you sleep.

🍹 Try “May Not Drink” month

TikToker Kevin Harrington took to the social media platform this week to share that he cuts back on alcohol in May — or, as he calls it, May Not Drink month — as opposed to participating in the far more common Dry January. His reasoning? By going sober-curious in May, you’re skipping alcohol during a time when you can get natural dopamine and serotonin from spending time in the sun, as opposed to during the first month of the year when the weather is gloomier. Plus, he says, it’s a nice way to take a break before what could be a more social, and potentially booze-filled, summer season.

Experts previously told Yahoo Life that any break from alcohol can help you reevaluate your relationship with it, not to mention perks like better sleep and mood. Want to try “May Not Drink” but want to sip something more exciting than water? Pick up an adaptogen drink instead — or just sip a pretty mocktail.

🐟 Add sardines to your salad

The health benefits of small fish are enormous. Thanks to their omega-3 content, they’re a great protector of your bone health and heart health and can even help reduce inflammation in your body overall. They’re also a protein-rich addition to a lazy dinner. Try topping a salad (or even a frozen pizza!) with sardines; these tiny fish come in pantry-friendly tins, meaning you can always have some on hand.

🪴 Get a plant

Plants can make your space more visually interesting, but there are also health benefits to adding some indoor greenery, Yahoo Life contributor Jennifer Walsh writes this week. Certain plants can help purify the air by removing toxins. No green thumb? Place a low-maintenance spider plant on your windowsill, or hang a similarly easy “devil’s ivy” plant in your kitchen; the latter can help remove benzene and xylene.

🌾 Manage your blood sugar with barley

If you’re looking to avoid blood sugar spikes and crashes, eat barley. Dietitian Deborah Murphy tells EatingWell that this whole grain, which is packed with soluble fiber, can slow digestion and help stabilize glucose levels throughout the day. It’s not the only reason to choose this affordable alternative to rice or quinoa; it’s also rich in antioxidants, which can help quell chronic inflammation.

One way to use barley is by adding it to vegetable soups or salads to make them heartier. You can also get creative and use it as a base for veggie burgers in lieu of breadcrumbs or turn it into a creamy risotto-inspired dish.

😓 Avoid neck pain by moving more

Have a tendency to use your downtime to plop on the couch and scroll on your phone? Ditch the device and try moving more. A review published in the journal BMC Public Health found that sitting six hours a day or more is a risk factor for neck pain. Another major culprit is staring at your phone: Research found looking down at your mobile device increased the likelihood of neck pain by 82%.

Save your neck by finding interests that get you up and off of screens. If you tend to use phones to connect with friends over text, call one up while taking a walk instead — or, better yet, invite a pal to join you.

🌿 Flavor dishes with oregano oil

You know olive and avocado oils are good for you, but there’s an herby oil you should give a try. Studies show oregano oil — which has long been used as a natural remedy — can support dental health, help you manage bacteria in your gut and may even reduce inflammation. Oregano oil “contains carvacrol and thymol, two powerful compounds that help fight bacteria, viruses and fungi,” dietitian Amy Kimberlain tells EatingWell. Bonus: It can also jazz up your pizza, pasta or salad.

🔑 Set a routine to avoid cognitive load

If you’re concerned about memory slips, consider sticking to daily routines. When your schedule or environment constantly changes, your brain uses more energy to relearn tasks, which creates “cognitive load.” But when we automate habits, we reduce that load, freeing up our mind for other things. You don’t have to do the same exact thing day in, day out. Instead, simplify tasks whenever you can, like putting your keys in the same spot every day. (Yes, this is your excuse to get a cute key catchall!)

🚶 Take a walk after lunch

There are so many benefits to getting great sleep, from better brain function to a healthier metabolism. If you’re struggling to snooze, however, consider taking a walk after lunch. Doing so exposes you to natural sunlight, which helps regulate your circadian rhythm and makes you more likely to fall and stay asleep at night. Plus, getting exercise reduces stress and boosts melatonin production, both of which support better sleep.

🌰 Snack on nuts

What you snack on can help you lower inflammation. Go for nuts, which dietitian Maddie Pasquariello tells Martha Stewart have “many micronutrients — like proanthocyanidins, flavonoids and stilbenes — as well as omega-3 fatty acids, all of which can help reduce inflammation.” Your best options, she adds, are almonds, pistachios, macadamia nuts and pine nuts. Consider tossing a handful of pistachios into a salad, blending pine nuts into a pesto sauce or tossing macadamia nuts or almonds into a trail mix for a midday pick-me-up.