Everyday Questions

Over time, the same handful of questions keeps landing in our inbox. Rather than answer each one separately, we have gathered the most common ones here. If yours is not on the list, our Reach Us page explains how to get in touch.

I want to change lots of things at once. Which one comes first?

Pick one thing, ideally the one that bothers you most often. A single new habit that sticks is worth more than five that fade by the end of the month. If mornings are chaotic, a filling breakfast might be the best first step; our guide to smoothies that keep you going is a gentle way in. If the house feels cluttered, start with one closet rather than every room.

How do I fit new habits into a busy week?

Link each habit to something you already do every day. Stretch after brushing your teeth, prep tomorrow's lunch while dinner cooks, put the sunscreen next to your toothbrush. Habits that piggyback on an existing routine need far less willpower than ones that need their own slot on the calendar.

Do your articles replace advice from a professional?

No. Our pieces are general reading, written by people without medical or fitness qualifications. They can help you understand a topic and prepare better questions, but decisions about your health belong with someone who can assess you. Our health content notice goes into more detail.

Do you recommend specific brands or products?

We do not sell anything ourselves. When an article talks about a type of product, such as a roller cover or a fragrance-free eye cream, it explains what to look for, and any brand that appears is a starting point for your own comparison. Always read labels and follow the maker's instructions.

Is it safe to do home projects like painting on my own?

Many simple jobs are well within reach of a careful beginner, and our guide on painting a room walks through the steps and safety basics. Anything involving electrics, gas, structural changes or suspected old lead paint or asbestos should be left to qualified professionals.

How do you decide what to write about next?

Mostly from questions: our own, those of friends and those readers send us. A topic gets written when we believe we can give a practical, honest answer without overstepping. The full process is described on The Making of This Site.

Can I share or reprint an article?

Sharing a link is always welcome. Quoting a short passage with a credit and a link back is fine too. For anything more, such as reprinting a full article, please ask first; the details are in our Terms of Use.

I tried something from an article and it did not work. What now?

Tell us. Results vary between people and homes, and your experience may show us where a guide needs more detail. If the issue looks like an error in the text, our corrections page explains what to include.