The Science of Living

Description

Contents Foreword MORNING Why is waking up so hard? Why do I feel low on winter mornings? I had a lie in, so why do I still feel sleepy? Should I hit the snooze button? Is it OK to check my phone as soon as I wake? Why don’t I remember my dreams? When should I drink my first coffee? Can I make myself more of a morning person? Why are teenagers so lazy in the mornings? When’s the best time to shower or bathe? Why do I poo at the same time every morning? Why do I have bad breath when I wake up? What’s the best toothpaste for healthy teeth? Is an electric toothbrush the best way to brush? Should I brush my teeth before or after breakfast? Is breakfast the most important meal of the day? Will skipping breakfast make me fat? What’s the best thing to eat for breakfast? What’s the healthiest breakfast cereal? Is juicing a good way to get one of my five a day? Should I take vitamins with my breakfast? It’s cold! Should I wear a thick jumper or layers? It’s hot! What should I wear to keep cool? Do we burn more calories when it’s colder? Is central heating bad for our health? Is air conditioning unhealthy, too? Do women really feel the cold more than men? Will wearing a coat indoors mean I’m colder when I go out? Do I lose most of my body heat from my head? Is commuting harming my health? Why does my morning commute seem longer? Why are people in cities so rude? Is life really faster-paced in the city? Why is everyone so much worse at driving than me? Why do I get road rage, when I’m normally calm? How can I shake off a bad mood? How can I get the most from my working day? What’s the best workspace for productivity? Can I learn to be better at multitasking? Will listening to music improve my concentration? How often should I take a break? Why am I so easily distracted? Why do I get the best ideas when I’m not trying? How can I maximize my creativity? Is my workplace making me sick? Why can’t I get a word in edgeways in meetings? Are male and female brains wired differently? Why do I feel hungry so soon after breakfast? Is grazing the healthiest way to eat? Do I need to drink eight glasses of water a day? Should I drink until my pee is clear? AFTERNOON What makes a good lunch? Is it OK to work while having lunch? Is it really better to eat slowly? I want to eat healthily, so why do I eat junk food? Why is sugar so irresistible? How can I avoid a sugar crash? How much sugar can I have, then? Can I train myself not to have a sweet tooth? Is sitting down “the new smoking”? How can I avoid the post-lunch slump? How long is the ideal power nap? Should I trust my gut instinct? Are we all really getting more stressed? Is there a quick way to calm my nerves? How can I manage worrying thoughts? How can I deal with constant stress? Can stress ever be good for me? Why am I always ill when I stop working? How much time should I spend in the sun? Why can’t I think straight on a hot day? Why has my teenager turned into an alien? Why did I take more risks when I was younger? Why do I feel younger than my real age? Why do long-past events seem so recent to me? Why are my childhood memories so hazy? Why do I remember events differently to others? What is déjà vu, and should I worry? What is that “it’s on the tip of my tongue!” feeling? Why do I sometimes forget why I came into the room? Why can I remember faces better than names? Why can I still remember skills, even years later? How can I improve my memory? Should I always believe what I see? Is it true we only use 10% of our brains? Can I raise my IQ? How can I avoid buying things I don’t need? Why can I never find the best bargains? How can I shop most effectively? Is it cheaper to shop online? EVENING Why is it hard to motivate myself to exercise? When should I exercise? What and when should I eat before exercise? When should I eat after exercise? Does stretching prevent injury? How can I avoid getting a stitch? What’s the best exercise for a healthy heart? Does exercise make my brain fitter? What’s the best exercise to burn calories? How do I trade my belly fat for a six pack? What’s the best way to build up muscle? How do I avoid “hitting the wall”? Is socializing good for me? Why am I unluckier than my friends? How can I be a better judge of character? Why are some people so stubborn in their views? Is hugging good for us? Why am I so nervous around someone I fancy? Why do I fancy certain people? Is being in love good for my health? What’s most attractive in a long-term partner? Why do I get PMS and period pains? Why do my periods sync up with others’? How can I manage menopause? Is there such a thing as a mid-life crisis? Can I blame my bad mood on hunger? Is eating a large meal in the evening bad for me? Why is everyone getting fatter? Should I use BMI to aim for my ideal body weight? I eat well, so why can’t I manage my weight? Are fats good or bad for me now? Is my weight genetically programmed? Can gut microbes help me manage my weight? Which is the best weight-loss diet? What’s so good about the Mediterranean diet? Will being vegan make me healthier? Why is nutrition advice always changing? Why do I get scared by music or sounds in films? Why is social media so addictive? How can I swap my bad habits for better ones? NIGHT Is my phone ruining my sex life? Is there a best time to have sex? Why do we yawn, and why are yawns contagious? Do sleeping pills help or hinder? Will a nightcap help me sleep better? Will digital devices keep me awake? What’s the best way to fall – and stay – asleep? Is sleep really that important? How do I know how much sleep I need? Can I make up for lost sleep at the weekend? What can I do if I can’t avoid sleep deprivation? How can I deal with jet lag? Why do I get sleep jerks? Why do I talk in my sleep? Why do I snore and how can I stop? Why do I get night terrors or sleep paralysis? Does dreaming make me more creative? Do my dreams mean anything? Glossary Index Data credits About the author/Acknowledgments