Cooperation counts for humans and bird-brains
In the cloud forests of Ecuador live the plain-tailed wren. These chubby little birds are, as it turns out, a model of sophisticated cooperation that can duet better than Donnie and Marie. Bigwigs from John Hopkins University have studied the way these wrens create their birdsongs. Each song requires one female and male bird alternating syllables to create [...]
Time to connect with friends
I’ve mentioned it here before: social connection – as in hanging out with friends — isn’t only essential to our quality of life, but it’s critical to our health. Friendships and support boost our immune function, stave off depression, and ease a bunch of other nasty things that make us feel, well, icky. Still, we’ve [...]
Social networks not a substitute for real social networking
I have become a fan of Facebook. Much to my surprise I like the light and often thought-provoking, cyber banter. I learn new things and think about familiar things differently thanks to the different perspectives that show up there. I’ve reconnected with old friends and even developed some solid, real-life, even-met-in-person friendships on-line. But this [...]
Small acts mean big changes in the world
Never worry about numbers. Help one person at a time, and always start with the person nearest you. ~Mother Teresa One person, then the next, then the next. Making a difference in the world seems doable this way. So often we get overwhelmed by the problems facing the world. We feel like we can’t do [...]
Making even a short break powerful
It takes more than a change of location to access the benefits that come with a vacation like better sleep, (even when you return), a healthier heart, better immune function, lower stress, and more joy. To maximize those feel-good qualities, you’ve got to shift your focus from the stress-producing routine to something that lightens and [...]
What You Give, Not What You Get Affects Longevity
There are dozens of things including regular exercise and good nutrition that Bigwigs say can help us live longer and better. But a couple of other behaviors are proving equally as important when it comes to fostering well being and longevity: optimism and social connection. That’s no surprise. Just think about how good you feel [...]
How to live better longer
Lots of data is emerging about factors that contribute to our longevity. Turns out many of them are also things that contribute to our well being. But, living long and well doesn’t mean you’ll be cheerful the whole time. In one report,The Longevity Project, psychologists Howard Friedman and Leslie Martin looked at a study that [...]
How curiosity adds fun to familiar relationships
Remember in the beginning when you were so connected you could finish each other’s sentences? You knew just what your partner was thinking and you hung on every breath thinking he or she was the smartest, bestest thing out there? Now though, after years together, all that feels familiar and just plain boring. One of [...]
Get curious about your relationship and reignite the passion
I know he doesn’t like strawberries. He knows I love Asian food. I’ve heard the Boy Scout story a billion times. He’s heard every detail of my book publishing experience –more than once. And, after 12 years together it’s easy to see why the marriage could sometimes feel stagnant or routine. But, just when I [...]
Freedom allows you to create the life you desire
Freedom shows up in all kinds of ways. It can be concrete — the freedom to choose the kind of milk you want to drink, or the college you want to go to, or the car you want to buy. It can be ambiguous as in freedom of thought; or the freedom to feel and [...]
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