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Want your partner to adopt a healthier lifestyle—such as doing more exercise or getting his or her blood pressure checked—without having to nag? Simply adopt these healthy habits first—your sweetie will likely follow, according to a recent study in the journal Health Services Research. In fact, this follow-me technique is so effective, the researchers found it works for even on hard-to-reach health goals, like quitting smoking and drinking.
[photo: thelastminute]
If you get a gut feeling about something—for instance, whether a salesperson is really offering you the best deal—pay extra attention. It’s not your imagination—your hunch is actually a combination of memories of outcomes from past experiences as well as facts that your subconscious has picked up that are bubbling to the surface to help you make the right choice, according to research from Linköping University in Sweden. And, it’s this kind of “insider” information can help you make the best decision.
[photo: rumpleteaser]
According to a study in the journal Molecular Biotechnology, popping at least 10 mg. of lycopene (an antioxidant-rich pigment that gives tomatoes their bright red color) daily shields your skin from the sun’s damaging rays as effectively as a low-level sunblock. And, because it protects you from both UVA and UVB rays, it also lowers your risk of skin cancer. Find lycopene in health food and vitamin stores for about $12 per 60 capsules.
[photo: hermanturnip]
Sneeze more in spring and summer? It may not be allergies—you may be among the approximately 35% of folks who inherited a gene that makes you sneeze in sunlight. Easy sneeze-stopper: sunglasses.
[photo: Marvin Kuo]
When you want to make a family member or friend happy on their birthday or simply thank someone for their love and support, which gift do you think they’d like more:
A) An iPod
B) Jewelry
C) A framed photo of you and the giftee
It’s the framed photo! When Stanford University researchers surveyed birthday gift recipients, they consistently preferred meaningful presents over pricy ones, proving that the thought really is what counts.
[photo: ralphunden]
If the weatherman calls for thunderstorms, leave your MP3 player at home. The metal on these devices is a powerful conductor of electricity, which means even a nearby lightning strike can send a surge of electricity straight up your headphone cables and zap you, causing serious injury, according to a report in The New England Journal of Medicine.
Tip: Turn off your cell phone in a thunderstorm. Holding it next to your ear when lightning strikes nearby can shock you, too.
[photo: Larry Johnson]
Bothered by fleas or bracing for the next infestation? Forget turning to smelly chemical-filled flea sprays. Ohio State University scientists say all it takes to wipe out fleas in your home is your vacuum cleaner. Turns out, vacuuming kills 96% of adult fleas and 100% of younger fleas. Surprised? So were the scientists who repeated the test several times to make sure they were right. And they were! So what makes a vacuum work as well as (and sometimes better) than sprays? Turns out, fleas are pretty fragile, so the brushes and suction in your vacuum cleaner are enough to destroy them. For best results, vacuum two to three times a week to make sure all life cycles, including eggs, young fleas and adult fleas, are gone.
[photo: Hanumann]
Think that if you lost your wallet you’d never see it again? Surprise—you’re likely to get it returned to you if you’ve got photos of smiling babies in it. The proof: When researchers from the UK’s University [more…]
Explaining how a clock works to your child? Proposing a new project to your boss? Or giving details to anyone else? Try using related gestures—for instance rotating your hands in circles like clock gears or drawing a slope in the air to indicate profits. In a recent study, volunteers caught on to new concepts more quickly when the talker used lots of hand movements that helped illustrate the ideas than when the same instructions were given with non-matching hand gestures, such as pointing or waving, reports the journal Association for Psychological Science.
[photo: Eddi_07]
Quick—which do you think would make folks want to be closer to you:
A) You do them a favor
B) You ask them to do you a favor
It’s B! Turns out, when someone gives you the time, loans you a cup of sugar, doles out advice or does another small favor for you, they think they’ve helped you because they like you. So, it automatically makes them like you more, according to a study in the journal Human Relations.
[photo: D. Sharon Pruitt]
Think it’s strange when a salesperson keeps you talking about your personal life instead of plugging the product you’re considering purchasing? He or she may simply be fishing to find something you share in common, such as the same birthdate, hometown or hobby. And for good reason! A study out of the University of British Columbia shows that we’re far more likely to purchase a product when we have something in common with the salesperson who’s selling it. That’s because we all have a fundamental desire to connect with others, and having something in common creates this connection, making you feel closer and more trusting of the other person instantly, the resesarchers explain.
[photo: Tennessee-Mary]
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