Being a little skeptical can feel smart. After all, cynics pride themselves on “seeing things as they really are”—not getting fooled, not trusting too easily. But is that actually true? Or does cynicism quietly distort the way you see other people and the world? (more…)

What if you followed people for 80 years—tracking their health, happiness, and relationships over a lifetime? That’s exactly what one of the longest-running studies ever has done, and what it reveals about how to live a good life may not be what you expect. ⁠https://www.adultdevelopmentstudy.org/⁠ (more…)

When you buy fruits and vegetables, how much pesticide residue is actually on them? Is it something you should worry about—or not? And does buying organic really make a meaningful difference? Recent findings offer some answers that may surprise you. ⁠https://www.consumerreports.org/health/food-contaminants/produce-without-pesticides-a5260230325/⁠ (more…)

Cravings can feel almost impossible to resist—whether it’s something sweet, salty, or just tempting in the moment. Yet, there is a simple and somehow satisfying way to stop yourself or at least eat less of what you are craving than you might otherwise. ⁠https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Habituation⁠ (more…)

You probably laugh every day—at something someone says, a scene in a show, or a random moment that just hits you the right way. But have you ever stopped to wonder why something is funny? Why one person bursts out laughing while another barely cracks a smile? (more…)