Lower cholesterol

with a campfire

Unwinding around a crackling fire in your backyard firepit (s’mores optional!) can lower your systolic blood pressure (top number) by 6 points and your diastolic blood pressure (bottom number) by 3 points in just 15 minutes, University of Alabama scientists say. Gazing at a roaring fire increases the body’s production of brain chemicals that ease the anxiety that ticks up your blood pressure. Rainy day? Researchers report you can get the same benefit by watching an online video of a campfire instead!