BRAIN WAVES
Pet project. When they’re not knocking things off counters or barking at mail carriers, our pets bring us a lot of joy. And now, there’s a number on it. New research suggests that having a pet can increase life satisfaction as much as a £70,000 ($89,500) salary. Analyzing survey data from 2,500 British households, the researchers quantified the emotional benefits of pet ownership and found that pets can boost life satisfaction o the same extent as family and friends. However, this might not be only because of the pets themselves, but also because pet owners also tend to be more open, conscientious, and extroverted. “We only have information about cats and dogs as these are the most prevalent pet types,” author Adelina Gschwandtner told The Times, “but we do not wish to underestimate the importance of other types of pets for wellbeing such as fish, hamsters, rabbits, reptiles or horses.” Hey! Don't forget pigs.
Flyover. It’s been said that birds of a feather flock together, but maybe we’re not giving birds enough credit. New research has found that some migratory songbirds make cross-species friendships during their travels. Okay, friendships might be pushing it — researchers call them “cross-species communities.” They analyzed over 20 years of data from five bird banding stations —small research centers where scientists capture birds and collect data on them like weight and species. They discovered that certain species, like American redstarts and magnolia warblers, reliably migrate together. Co-author Emily Cohen told Smithsonian magazine, “We found support for communities on the move—considering migrating birds as part of interacting communities rather than random gatherings of independently migrating species.” The researchers think these “communities” make it easier for the birds to find food and rest stops.
Transformations. Often in life, we find ourselves wrestling with a decision. But in running these mental calculations, there's something we rarely consider about the future: we might not be the same person when we get there. Listen to learn more.
ON THE HIDDEN BRAIN PODCAST
Relationships 2.0: Become a Better Negotiator: When we head into a negotiation, our focus is usually on getting the other person to agree to our preferred outcome. What we don't focus on are our own biases and blind spots.
ON THE MY UNSUNG HERO PODCAST
Nancy Willis’ Story: About 30 years ago, Nancy ran the New York City Marathon. When she finished, she headed to the reunion area to greet her family — only to discover that her 8-year-old son was missing. After a frantic search, a woman appeared, holding her son's hand.
Don’t forget to send us the story of your unsung hero! Record a voice memo on your phone and email it to myunsunghero@hiddenbrain.org.
MIND GAMES
What can travel around the world while staying in a corner?
LAST WEEK’S PUZZLE
There are seven apples and you take away three of them. How many apples do you have?
Answer: Three. You took three apples, so you have three apples.
A MOMENT OF JOY
Is it half full or half empty?
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