LOWERS BLOOD PRESSURE A crackling fire

Relaxing in front of a crackling fire for 20 minutes can trim six points off your blood pressure, say scientists at the University of Alabama. Thanks goes to the mesmerizing sight and sound of cozy fires, which instantly calm the central nervous system, relaxing and opening arteries and reducing blood pressure as effectively as meditation does. No fireplace? You’ll find plenty of free fireplace videos on YouTube.