[Graeme]

Wired to Wonder

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'W')ant to live a more meaningful life? Start by asking questions, suggests psychologist Todd Kashdan.

Our brains are hardwired for worry—and there's good reason why. Our hunter-gatherer ancestors had to keep an eye out for danger at every turn: If I eat those plants, will I get sick? Is that man with 18-inch biceps who smells of charred human flesh a threat to me?

Yet it was only when our ancestors ventured off beyond the boundaries of what was known that they could add to their knowledge and skills. They had to discover absolutely everything for themselves. In other words, they had to be curious.

Indeed, cutting-edge research from neuroscience suggests that while we may be natural born worriers, we're also wired for worry's neglected, underappreciated neural twin: curiosity. This research suggests that our curiosity and threat-detection systems have evolved over millennia, working together to ensure that we make optimal decisions in an unpredictable, uncertain world. As a result, we find intense, lasting fulfillment in seeking new knowledge, new experiences, and in embracing uncertainty. Choosing to explore the unknown rather than avoid it is key to a rich, meaningful life.

[efarmer]

I have studied a wonderwire closely and have indeed found it
fulfilling and that it made my life more meaningful, and like most
things in life, yes, there was a catch.

[Graeme]

55 Ways to Get More Energy

$this->bbcode_second_pass_quote('', 'I')f you’re tired all the time, a change in what you eat (diet) or what you do all day (activity pattern) may be all you need to turn things around 180°.

You won’t be able to do everything on this list all the time — you’d tire yourself out trying to get more energy — but do try them all to see which ones work for you and your schedule. Add a few of these tips to your regular routine. Or mix them up to keep things interesting.