Tossing thoughts in the trash. The one leg balance effect. Playing piano and vocabulary. The perils of late night eating

John Tesh Podcast

For a mood boost, go somewhere that's at least 15 miles away from home. Research from University College London found that people who regularly traveled 15 miles outside of their local area felt healthier than those who stayed close to home. And that was especially true for people over age 50! Why? Because people who travel outside their comfort zone tend to visit more places and meet more people! And those are key factors that improve mental and physical health.

Eating at night leads to weight gain... even if you're not eating any more than you normally do! So why is that? According to the Autonomous University of Chile, it's because our bodies burn more energy during the day... so as the sun sets, our metabolism naturally slows down, helping us prepare for sleep. That means we're not processing food as efficiently. And in a study of 5,000 people, those who ate after 8 p.m. had waists that were two inches bigger—even though they ate the same calories and had the same activity levels as those who eat earlier in the day.

The next time you're obsessively worrying about something, write it down on a piece of paper, rip it up, and toss it in the trash. According to a study in the journal Psychological Science, doing that can reduce your anxiety in 15 minutes. That's because our brain handles thoughts as if they were objects. And by taking the thought out of your brain and putting it on paper, you release it. Then, by destroying it and throwing it away, it enables your brain to do the same—so you can move on.

Do you get overwhelmed when you wake up and realize you've got a super-busy day ahead of you? Instead of freaking out about your to-do list, try this: While you're brushing your teeth, stand on one leg... And think about what you need to tackle. Studies show that balancing on one leg increases blood flow to the area of the brain that controls planning... And you'll find yourself better able to focus on one item at a time, and map out your day's schedule.

Sales of electric vehicles have slowed. So what can get more people to buy them? Manufacturers think NOISE is the answer! Companies are making them sound more like traditional cars. Typically, fake engine noise is played through a vehicle's speakers. Manufacturers like BMW, Ford, and Porsche all do it. And if an electric car feels too easy to drive, Toyota is building a simulated stick shift that will let drivers pretend to “change gears,” and the system may even pretend to stall if the driver incorrectly shifts.

Sales of “dumb phones” are increasing! Those are phones without apps. The company that manufactures Nokia phones saw its sales of flip phones double last year.

How can playing the piano make you a better person? By enhancing your listening skills and emotional intelligence! According to research from Yale University, people who play the piano are generally good listeners. And studies show that musicians are more perceptive when it comes to interpreting and acknowledging other people’s emotions. That skill also makes a person more compassionate about others. And the part of your brain that governs your ability to listen also makes it easier for you to understand and retain what people say, remember new vocabulary words, and even learn a foreign language.

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(00:04) Mood Boost and Evening Eating Impact
(08:51) Letting Go Through Psychological Science
(11:43) Brain Activation and Electric Vehicle Balance
(22:19) The Power of Playing Piano

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