When was the last time you sighed? Probably not that long ago. We tend to think of sighing as something we do when we’re frustrated, tired, or relieved. But scientists have discovered that sighing plays a much deeper role in keeping your body functioning properly — and your brain actually has a built-in mechanism that triggers it. ⁠https://newsroom.ucla.edu/releases/ucla-and-stanford-researchers-pinpoint-origin-of-sighing-reflex-in-the-brain⁠
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A simple trip to get your hair cut can instantly make you look years younger — and it may have little to do with the haircut itself. There’s a subtle psychological shift that happens in that moment that changes how people see you… and how you see yourself. ⁠https://www.youbeauty.com/beauty/psychology-of-hair/⁠ (more…)

How you think about getting older might be more powerful than you realize. Scientists have uncovered an unexpected connection between people’s beliefs about aging and what happens to them as the years go by. ⁠https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/12150226/⁠ (more…)

We spend a surprising amount of mental energy agonizing over decisions that ultimately don’t matter very much — what to order at a restaurant, which email to answer first, or which option might be “slightly better.” Meanwhile, the truly important decisions in life often don’t get the thoughtful attention they deserve. Annie Duke says that’s because most people misunderstand how good decision making actually works. Annie is a former professional poker champion who now advises organizations and leaders on how to make smarter choices under uncertainty. She is also the author of ⁠How to Decide: Simple Tools for Making Better Choices (https://amzn.to/3OQgGIF). ⁠
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The average American unknowingly throws away up to $1,500 a year — and it’s happening right in your own kitchen. It’s not obvious. It doesn’t feel wasteful in the moment. But small, everyday habits quietly drain real money from your grocery budget. There are a few surprisingly simple shifts that can stop the leak. ⁠https://www.usda.gov/foodlossandwaste/consumers⁠ (more…)