Life Hacks

Before you get upset with your partner over something – like not remembering a chore you asked them to do – ask yourself this question: Will I care about this a year from now?

The journal Social Psychological and Personality Science calls that “future thinking”……and a study found that this “future thinking” trick made people less likely to blame their partners during an argument, and more likely to forgive them after a fight.

The researchers explain that taking a minute to think about where you might be with your partner in the future – and considering your overall life together – can help you gain perspective on the situation when you’re upset. And it can prevent the heat of the moment from clouding your thinking and making you say things you can’t take back.

Also, if the future you envision with your partner is positive, with your bond getting stronger over time, it can become a self-fulfilling prophecy.

So before you start getting upset with your spouse over something, think about whether it’ll matter in the grand scheme of your relationship a year from now. If not, let it go. 

You may have heard that playing classical music will boost the growth of a baby’s brain. It’s called the “Mozart Effect.” Well, the Mozart Effect has been debunked in children – BUT it does work on plants!

When researchers played Bach sonatas alongside fields planted with wheat, the yield was 66% higher than in fields where music wasn’t playing.

Researchers say that plants react the best to sound frequencies between 100 and 600 hertz – which is the frequency of most classical music. But when researchers played loud rock music – which includes much higher sound frequencies – the plants tended to wither and die.

So, if you want your vegetable garden or your houseplants to flourish, play any Baroque music – from Mozart to Bach – within “earshot” for at least 15 minutes every day. 

Couples: When it comes to household chores, do you divide them between you – or do you share them, say, by taking turns washing the dishes……or folding the laundry TOGETHER?

Well, according to new research from the University of Utah, couples who SHARE at least three household chores a week tend to have happier, more satisfying relationships than those who divvy up all their chores and do them separately. And that conclusion is based on data collected on thousands of families across North America for more than a decade.

So, why is chore-sharing better for a relationship than dividing them up? Researchers found one obvious reason is that not all chores are equal. For example: There’s a big difference between buying the family groceries and being responsible for scrubbing the toilet each week. And no matter how much you try to divide chores fairly, someone’s always going to feel like they’re getting a bad deal.

But when you SHARE chores – either by taking turns or doing them together, researchers say you use communication, planning and decision-making skills, which are essential for having a high-quality relationship. And by collaborating, you foster a sense of togetherness that makes you and your partner feel like a team.

So, for a stronger relationship, the research is clear – pick at least three chores and start sharing them every week.

If you’re looking for a new hobby……one that can improve your life – socially, mentally and physically? Try SINGING!

Robin Dunbar is an evolutionary psychologist……and he says singing with others, in a choir, an acapella group or band, will reduce stress and worry.  That’s because it’s so incredibly social – and you’re literally in harmony with others. That’s why singing produces a massive hit of endorphins, which makes you feel closely bonded to the people you’re singing with.

But even if you sing alone – in the car or shower – it still has benefits. It can improve your respiratory health – whether you have COPD, Parkinson’s, asthma or cancer. In fact, because singing provides such a great workout for the respiratory system, it’s even being used to help people suffering from long COVID!

And psychologically, singing reduces stress because it involves the body and mind. You can’t be rehashing a fight in your head while you’re singing because the vocals over-take the communication center in your brain. Plus, it encourages what psychologists call “flow state.” That’s the feeling that you’ve lost track of time because you’re so deeply engaged in an activity. Bottom line: If you’re looking for a hobby that can improve your life, socially, mentally and physically – sing!

1 in 4 people suffer from arthritis and joint pain. And 60% of people who have arthritis are between the ages of 18 and 64. 

That’s a lot of people! So what can you do about it? Adopt a VEGAN diet! That’s according to new research in the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.

For this new study, arthritis patients were asked to rate the severity of their joint pain – on a scale from “no pain” to “as bad as it could possibly be.” Then, half the participants were put on a strict vegan diet for 4 months, while the other half stuck to their normal diet. And throughout the study, everyone was tested for C-reactive proteins, which are a common marker for the inflammation associated with joint pain.

The result? Without fail, those on a vegan diet reported significantly less severe pain over time. And the number of times their joints swelled to painful levels was cut IN HALF!

Researchers say it’s because plant-based diets lower the levels of C-reactive proteins, which are commonly produced by animal products, sugary foods, and refined grains. And C-reactive proteins are like “jet fuel” when it comes to triggering the inflammation that causes pain and swelling!

Bottom line: If you’re looking for a drug-free way to treat arthritis pain, with NO side effects, researchers say your new “prescription” is a vegan diet.