Wait… wait… and wait…

Dear readers,

Were you also out hunting for shooting stars on Tuesday night? I stayed up a little later just to watch the celestial spectacle. Because my greatest wish is to finally see a shooting star. Every time a meteor shower is forecast over Germany, I stand at the window in the dark and look up at the sky. It's quite dark where I live in the countryside, so it shouldn't be a problem to see the meteors with the naked eye.

A few minutes earlier, I had seen a post in the local Facebook group that gave me the courage to finally send a wish to the universe this time. "I've already seen four shooting stars within 10 minutes," wrote one user. Even more motivation to go to the window. And then I stood there. And waited... and waited... well, my eyes need 15 minutes to get used to the darkness, I told myself. So: keep waiting. And wait... and wait... and, well, what can I say: apart from a few blinking satellites, the brightly shining moon, and an airplane cutting through the darkness with its headlights, I didn't see anything. Unfortunately.

It would have been enough for me just to see a shooting star. I didn't even attempt to photograph it with a special aperture and exposure time. I know my limitations. But perhaps you, dear readers, have succeeded. Feel free to send us your shooting star photos to [email protected] . Perhaps they will then adorn our next newsletter. But for now, enjoy reading this issue.

Her

Laura Beigel

The guide for health, well-being, and the whole family – every other Thursday.

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Milk ice cream generally has more calories than fruit ice cream.

Source: Michael Brandt/dpa

Nothing sweetens the summer quite like ice cream. But is there a healthy version of it, my colleague Maren Schulze wondered. "Ice cream isn't necessarily something you can categorically describe as healthy or unhealthy," explained her nutritionist Rebecca Kunz. It depends on the type, flavor, and ingredients.

For example, fruit ice cream is generally lower in calories than dairy ice cream. If you want to avoid additives, you should check the color of the ice cream beforehand. Pistachio ice cream, for example, is more brownish than green. And if the ice cream piles up in mountains in the containers, that's a sign that it contains additives such as stabilizers. If you prefer fewer calories and fewer additives, you should make your own ice cream. My colleague has collected some tips and tricks for this, too, which you can read here (+) .

Every two minutes, people in Germany become victims of domestic violence. The number of victims was higher than ever last year, at 256,942, according to "Welt am Sonntag" based on data from the Federal Criminal Police Office . In most cases, women are the victims. There is likely a high number of unreported cases, as many victims keep quiet about the crimes out of fear or because they blame themselves for what is happening.

They should do the exact opposite: seek help. In this country, there are various support services specifically aimed at women who feel unsafe and/or urgently need help. These include, for example, the "Violence Against Women" helpline or the "White Ring." You can find an overview of the support services here .

Puberty means conflict – and parents need to stay calm.

Source: IMAGO/Zoonar

Puberty is a difficult time – for children and parents. My colleague Heidi Becker took a closer look at this phase – especially how peaceful children suddenly become rebellious teenagers. (+) Among other things, she spoke with neurologist Frank Erbguth, who told her about gonadotropin-releasing hormone. This triggers puberty in the brain. The expert is convinced that those who understand the neurological processes can better deal with adolescents.

Otherwise, the most important thing for parents is to stay calm. Insults or slamming doors are rarely interpreted as genuine rejection, said Matthias Jung, a qualified educator. "Teenagers are overwhelmed by themselves, testing their limits, struggling with hormones, insecurity, and self-discovery." It's also important, he says, to allow children privacy, for example, when they retreat to their room, while also maintaining shared rituals. This might include sharing dinner together. Those who can let go of their child without feeling rejected open up new avenues for connection.

Microplastics are now ubiquitous in our bodies. These microscopic particles have even been found in our brains, blood vessels, and reproductive organs. However, experts still don't fully understand the damage these particles can do to us. We've compiled what's known about the effects of microplastics in the human body and where research gaps still exist. Here are the results.

We sit around too much.

Source: Arne Dedert/dpa

You're probably sitting right now while reading this newsletter. That's not a bad thing, in principle, but Germany is increasingly becoming a country of sedentary people. This was revealed by last week's report "How Healthy Is Germany?" On average, we sit for more than ten hours on a typical workday. This increases our risk of back, neck, and shoulder pain, diabetes, obesity, cardiovascular problems, and even cancer.

There's only one thing that helps: exercise. So, get up! Maybe go for a walk as soon as you've finished reading this newsletter. Ride your bike, or—the weather's perfect for it—go swimming. You don't have to run marathon distances, but any exercise is better than none. I also recommend our somewhat older column by sports scientist Ingo Froböse, who explained how to more easily integrate exercise into your daily routine. His tips are still relevant.

With a little creativity, you can use iron-on beads for many different projects and decorations.

Source: Pixabay/BellaBalla

The small beads, which melt into colorful works of art under the heat of an iron, used to be a fun craft activity in many a child's room. Mine was no exception: I can still vividly remember the Dalmatian with black ears I made out of the beads as a child. Now, iron-on beads are experiencing a revival – and my colleague Vanessa Casper has taken a look at all the things you can create with them. How about a donut coaster, for example? Or a fox bookmark?

If you have any suggestions or criticism, please contact our editorial team directly at [email protected] . We look forward to hearing from you!

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