BE HAPPY — LIVE LONGER _ We’re told so often that hitting the gym and eating well will guide us to longer lives. Turns out keeping a healthy mind and embracing a positive outlook may be the real key to longevity, according to a study led by Harvard researchers. The study examined 70,000 women over eight years and found that those who were more optimistic had a significantly reduced risk of death from leading causes such as heart disease, cancer, and stroke. In breaking down the numbers, researchers discovered the most optimistic women in the study were:
• 38 percent less likely to die from heart disease
• 39 percent less likely to die from stroke
• 16 percent less likely to die from heart cancer
• 52 percent less likely to die from infection
• 38 percent less likely to die from respiratory disease
Overall, the most positive women in the study were nearly 30 percent less likely to die from any of the ailments examined.
STUDY FINDS SITTING ISN’T ENTIRELY BAD FOR YOUR BRAIN _ Many studies have linked a sedentary lifestyle with an increased risk of developing chronic diseases, including severe conditions like heart disease and cancer. A study found that sitting isn’t entirely bad for your health, but there’s a catch: you still have to get a minimum amount of exercise weekly to dodge the ramifications of a sedentary lifestyle.
MOST COMMON COOKING FAILS _ A survey of people who cook found that 64 percent have had a major mishap in the kitchen. Our top kitchen mishaps:
1. Burned food – 67 percent
2. Burned a pot/pan – 54 percent
3. Over-boiled a pot – 52 percent
4. Set off the smoke detector – 48 percent
5. Used too much salt – 44 percent
6. Left the oven/burner on – 40 percent
7. Forgot a crucial ingredient – 38 percent
8. Forgotten something in the oven – 35 percent
9. Food was way too spicy – 34 percent
10. Had a dog or pet eat food that was left out – 23 percent
