We bring you the latest science news for today! These are hand-picked articles filled with practical insights you can apply to your life right away.
In this roundup, you’ll realize the power of music on your brain, how to use deadlines to prevent procrastination, understand the science of haggling, see the downside of significant life changes, and why you should do a quick run.
Listening to Favorite Music Improves Brain’s Plasticity
Researchers have found that playing autobiographically salient music (music that holds special meaning for a person, like a song they danced to at their wedding) can help your brain stay healthy.
After all, music can unlock memories and transport you to past emotional states.
“It’s simple — keep listening to the music that you’ve loved all your life. Your all-time favorite songs, those pieces that are especially meaningful to you — make that your brain gym,” said Dr. Michael Thaut, senior author of the study and professor at U of T’s Faculty of Music and Temerty Faculty of Medicine.
Set Short Deadlines to Beat Procrastination
New research has found that people are more likely to help you out if you don’t set a deadline at all, but if you do set one, make it short.
Specifying a more extended deadline removes the urgency to act instead of a short deadline or no deadline. People, therefore, put off undertaking the task.
The results apply to many circumstances where someone asks another person for help. This could be asking a coworker for help at work or asking your partner to do something for you.
A Ten-minute Run Can Boost Your Mood
It appears that as little as 10 minutes of moderate-intensity running can provide mental benefits, which is excellent news for people with busy lifestyles.
This quick exercise increases blood flow to your brain in certain parts, like the bilateral prefrontal cortex. This part of the brain has essential functions like controlling mood and thoughts.
Major Life Events May Impact Heart Health Negatively
Important life events (e.g., starting school, starting work for the first time, or having children) can affect your physical activity levels. Unfortunately, some of these life changes may lead to periods of less physical activity and more sedentary lifestyle behaviors.
According to this study, these nine events might lower your activity levels, so better watch out:
- Beginning a new school (elementary, middle, high school, or college) – each distinct life events
- First job or career change
- Marriage or civil union
- Pregnancy
- Parenting
- Retirement
- Moving into a long-term care facility
First Offer Matters In Negotiations
When negotiating, the first offer is the most important. New research found that it can substantially impact what you eventually agree to. If you try to haggle too harshly, it could hurt your deal.
An opening offer in business negotiations sometimes means that the buyer conveys their “toughness” to the other party.
So what’s the right way? This study suggests your initial offer should be tough enough to avoid being “taken for a ride” but not so hard that the person you’re negotiating with feels unfairly taken advantage of. We don’t always need to be as challenging as we can in negotiations.