Watch your words

Do you argue with loved ones over simple misunderstandings? Little wonder. We overestimate how well we get our point across, says Boaz Keysar, a psychology professor. In his recent study, speakers tried to convey meaning using ambiguous statements. Speakers who thought listeners understood were wrong nearly half the time. Here's expert advice to reduce confusion:

1. Don't rely on cues. Listeners often nod, make eye contact or say "uh-huh" to be polite or move the conversation along. But it's easy to misinterpret these as signs of understanding.
   
2. Train the editor in your head. If you say, "Mary discusses her problems with her husband," it's not clear if she's talking to her husband or about him. Try instead "Mary talks to her husband about her problems." Or, "Mary talks to others about her marital problems."
   
3. Ask listeners to restate your message. Preface the request with "I want to be sure I said that right." Questions like "How does that sound?" or "Does that make sense?" may also work.
   
4. Listen well. When on the receiving end, ask questions to be sure you're on the same page. After all, speakers aren't responsible for the whole exchange.

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Don't Cough Cash

Next time you need to treat a tickle in your throat, reach for the kettle, not your wallet. British researchers reviewed 15 studies of over-the-counter cough medicines, involving over 2000 people, and found no solid proof the pricey potions were any more effective than a placebo. Try granny's recipe first: lemon and honey in a mug of hot water. » Continue reading

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Microwave Myths Zapped!

Myth 1: Microwave ovens are dangerous.
Microwaves are comparatively safe, but take care when using any heating device. If your oven is very old you may wish to have the seals checked by a qualified microwave engineer. Be cautious when removing food covers to avoid scalds from escaping steam.

Myth 2: Microwaved food gets hotter when you take it out.
Microwaves aren't bouncing around in the food after the oven has been switched off. In fact food will begin to cool immediately.

Let it stand for a few minutes so the outer and inner temperatures even up. The food may continue cooking as this happens.

Myth 3: Microwaves cook from the inside out.
Microwaves penetrate at most only about 2.5 to 5cms into food. But this creates enough heat for the rest of the food to be cooked by conduction, as in a conventional oven."

Myth 4: Microwaves heat only water.
Water molecules do absorb microwave energy. But once the water has vaporized, fats and proteins absorb the energy and heat beyond water's boiling point, 100 degrees C.

Also read: Max the Micro! » Continue reading

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Out of Puff or Addicted?

You only smoke a few cigarettes a day, so you're not really hooked, right? Wrong.

"Smoking restrictions mean people are lighting fewer cigarettes but inhaling harder," says Dr. Karl Fagerstrom, author of a study paper on the subject.

His research results suggest that a better indicator of addiction is the time until your first fag in the morning; less than 30 minutes means you're "heavily dependent."

Also read: Looking forward to quit smoking? » Continue reading

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Planning Parenthood

The next generation of women need to strategize for a family. While writing Creating a Life, Sylvia Ann Hewlett found that a third of well-paid career women were childless at 40, and most hadn't planned it that way.

The "creeping non-choice" arises because most young career women believe they can wait until 40 to have kids. But statistics say a woman's fertility typically peaks by 30 and drops 50% by 35. By her early 40s, she has a 3% to 5% chance of having a baby, even using fertility techniques.

"If you want children, plan where you want to be at 45 and work backwards," says Hewlett. "Make time to find a partner. Seek out a company with policies that will help you have both work and family in your life." » Continue reading

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Feed Your Face...

Literally. What you eat can affect the quality of your complexion. Dermatologist Jeanette Jacknin, author of Smart Medicine for Your Skin, shows you how to scour the market for foods that can fight some common problems:

Sun Damage
Eat: Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables.

A diet packed with produce (along with a good sunblock) can help prevent the sun's ill effects on the skin. The antioxidants vitamin A, beta-carotene and vitamin C act like natural sunscreens in the body.

Bruising
Eat: Dark green leafy vegetables, like spinach.

Spinach, cartoon sailor man Popeye's favourite food is packed with vitamin K -- essential for normal blood clotting -- and vitamin C, key for any wound healing.

Wrinkling
Eat: Olive oil, almonds, brown rice.

These foods are loaded with vitamin E, which is thought to help protect the skin's cell membranes. A recent Australian study of 453 seniors found that people who ate foods like vegetables, beans, whole grains and olive oil had the least wrinkles.

Thin Skin
Eat: Whole grain cereals, seafood, garlic.

The selenium in these foods preserves tissue elasticity, slows down aging and protects against the sun. In one study, supplementation with selenium, copper and vitamins resulted in a lower number of sunburned cells after exposure. » Continue reading

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Mix well for best results

How to break the ice when you're party-hopping solo

Going to a party where the only soul you know is the host could turn anyone into a social phobic. Here's how to make the most of a room full of strangers:

Do your homework. Before the event, ask your host about the occupations and interests of the other guests. Your new acquaintances will be delighted that you're primed for a talk.

Case the joint. When you arrive, pick out someone who's standing alone or looks friendly, and introduce yourself. "Hi, I'm Fred, and I haven't met a soul here. How do you know Kevin?"

Fade in. Sidle up to a group (but never two people talking intently), and listen for a couple of minutes, smiling at anyone who notices you. Then join the conversation when there's a lull or at an appropriate moment.

Offer a compliment. This works like a charm, as long as the compliment is honest, specific and starts with a form of the work you. Instead of commenting, "I like that tie," say, "Your tie is beautiful."

Give yourself a break. "You don't have to measure every word you say," says Jonathan Berent, author of Beyond Shyness. "People come to parties wanting to talk and interact with one another, not to critique your performance." » Continue reading

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