Blog Posts by Redbook

As if you needed another reason to get more rest, there are actually very frightening health hazards that can result from lack of sleep. Learn what they are and how to avoid them with our tips for a more restful night's sleep.

Also, find out how much sleep you really need (hint: it's not eight hours!) and seven reasons why you might be sleep deprived.

FAT. Research shows that people who get fewer than seven hours of sleep a night are 30 percent more likely to be obese. Lack of sleep alters the flow of hormones that regulate hunger and satiety, which can cause you to eat more. And when you're sleepy, you're more likely to reach for high-fat, high-calorie foods to keep you going, says Jodi A. Mindell, Ph.D., author of Sleep Deprived No More.

Related: How to Feel Rested on Too Little Sleep

PRONE TO HEART DISEASE. Women who regularly get fewer than five hours of sleep per night are significantly more likely to suffer from hypertension -- a leading heart disease risk factor, according to

Humidity, heat, and sun can work for or against your looks, depending on how you deal with them. But don't worry - we've got you covered. With these tips, gadgets, and toucher-uppers, you'll be gorgeous through it all (and with less makeup).


SEAMLESS SKIN
When the sun's rays shine down on you, they should highlight your glowing complexion - not shine a spotlight on where your blush ends or your foundation begins. Gently wipe a tissue over your makeup to smooth any lines of demarcation. Even better: A lamb's-wool paddle will soften every edge without removing your makeup. Try this one from Laura Geller Beauty Ingenuity, $17.

Do this to get a gorgeous glow.






SOFTER SOLES
In a season of sexy sandals and cute flip-flops, dry, scaly feet need some serious sloughing. A long walk on the beach will get you soft heels, but if you're landlocked, try the Perfect Formula Crystal Pedi-Buff, $32. It has a crystal buffing surface, which smooths away calluses and rough spots (use it on elbows too)

You know that the whole "vampire thing" is huge, but you're too embarrassed to admit you don't know why. Don't worry, we were too. That's why we secretly asked our friends at Seventeen.com (repository of all things Twilight) if they could give the clueless (ahem) among us a tutorial so we can catch up. The third movie in the Twilight Saga, Eclipse, was released this week. If you want to see it, here's what you need to know before going in:

What You Need to Know About the Plot:
Twilight, the first film in the Twilight Saga film series, chronicles the burgeoning relationship between shy, awkward teenager Bella Swan and mysterious yet beautiful vampire Edward Cullen. Edward's adopted (and rather unorthodox) family is unique to their kind, opting to drink only the blood of animals over that of humans. But when a string of puzzling murders plagues their tiny town of Forks, Washington, it's up to Edward to save Bella from what would be a certain death. In the sequel, New Moon, an unfortunate

You can't even begin to negotiate on an item until you know its lowest possible going rate. Why pay $200 for a microwave when a quick online search can tell you it's available elsewhere for $89? Even women who are bad with money will find it easy to use these comparison-shopping sites to get the best deal possible.

PriceGrabber.com is the granddaddy of the comparison-shopping sites: It searches millions of products - groceries, computer software, you name it - from hundreds of vendors to get you the best price.

StreetPrices.com charts price changes for popular items over time to help you determine if now is a good time to buy that new flat-screen TV. With one click you can check eBay or Craigslist as well as online retailers.

Make the most of the recession.

Bing.com/shopping offers up the best prices from tons of retailers - plus, it offers a rewards program that gives a percentage of cash back when you link through their site to online stores, such as Macy's and Office Depot, to make

Summer getaways should be all about rest and relaxation. Unfortunately, decadent meals, late nights out, and fun in the wild outdoors can leave you feeling worse than you did before you left. But with a little planning, you can return home healthy and happy and even hold on to that feeling. Stay-well strategies to add to your itinerary:

Before You Leave...
Shore up your immune system. Digestive problems, from gas and indigestion to diarrhea, are all too common when you're on the road. "Eating out means you have less control over food preparation, exposing you to bacteria like E. coli and salmonella," says Patricia Raymond, M.D., an assistant professor of clinical internal medicine at Eastern Virginia Medical School in Norfolk. Prevent tummy troubles by popping probiotics - supplements that help keep your GI tract healthy - for three days before a trip. "Aim to take 1 billion CFUs [colony-forming units] a day," Raymond suggests. (Look for pills containing S. boulardi to ward off

She can still rock a runway, but at 43, Cindy Crawford knows that home is where her heart is. Her new home collection, Cindy Crawford Style for JCPenney, channels her knack for comfortable, versatile fashion. We caught up with Crawford to find out what makes her house a home.

What makes a house a home?
The most important thing is comfort. I want my home to look good, feel good, and smell good. I want it to be inclusive, to reflect the people who live there.

Try these easy ideas to add some comfort to your home.


How do you achieve that?
Each year I frame one of the kids' drawings or paintings. It's amazing that when you put it in a frame - it doesn't have to be expensive one - it becomes art. In the kids' playroom, I have all of those pieces, one for each year, together on one wall. When you put them all together, they tell a story.

Crawford's line is full of simple touches, like this serving tray ($50) that adds a comfortable elegance to the home.


How do you entertain?
We have

Did you just have a wicked fight with your guy? Don't wait until you're together to resolve the spat: It might seem counter-intuitive, but solving your issue via text or email has advantages over face-to-face time.



RELATED: 16 Instant Fight Stoppers

"In person, body language gets in the way," says couples counselor Ziba Graham. "If he crosses his arms or rolls his eyes, it can derail the discussion and escalate the fight."

With email or text, you're more likely to stay focused. So send your "sorry" before you reunite - and when you do, you'll feel nothing but love.

RELATED: 10-Second Relationship Repair

Once you've patched things up via text, take things a step further, and try using your cell to communicate your sexiest thoughts! Sexy texting isn't just for teens. If you're too shy to dirty talk in person, texting can be a great outlet to be more daring and direct. The authors of Flirtexting suggest giving your guy a little daytime titillation. Try: "Wait until you see my new lace

Is it the way you comb your hair? The stylish clothes you wear? Our guy columnist reveals what men find attractive.

You may think they dig you because you have a great sense of humor, look hot, or can make a mean macaroni salad - and those are certainly lovable qualities. But they aren't really what men love most about you. Here a pastor, a U.S. Marshal, a rabbi, a lawyer, and a guy who writes a column for a women's magazine share a list of the things they really love about their wives.

WE LOVE IT WHEN YOU TAKE CONTROL.
It might seem like we hate it when you're bossy, but really, we only hate it when you boss us around. When you get badass with other people, it's totally hot. My wife was working from home the other day, and while she was on a conference call, I listened to her chew someone out for screwing up. She didn't yell or get nasty, but she made sure the person knew how displeased she was, and then completely shut down any excuses they tried to make; by the end of the call she