Want to be mentally brighter? Then have a baby - and ignore the popular misconception that motherhood dumbs you down. It just isn’t true, researchers in Australia say. Scientists who tracked 2 500 women over 10 years found there was no difference in women’s brainpower before and during pregnancy. In fact they believe pregnancy and motherhood could permanently perk up women’s mental abilities. So why do many new moms (and their partners) believe they have poor memory? Probably the effects of sleep deprivation, the researchers say, which could mask the positive effects. Other research in America suggests giving birth supercharges women’s brains to equip them for the challenge of raising a child and makes them more vigilant and alert.
CONFIDENCE COACHING
Build confidence by celebrating your strengths, says Dr Rob Yeung, author of The Art of Getting Whatever You Want. People tend to be more successful and confident if they focus on their strengths rather than dwelling on weaknesses, he says. No one can be good at everything but confident people know they should give themselves credit for what they do well.
GREEN FIGHT AGAINST FAT
Besides helping to keep cancer at bay green tea helps you lose weight. A recent American study showed volunteers who drank green tea daily for three months lost more body fat than another group who drank regular tea yet followed a similar diet. Researchers suspect phytochemicals in green tea may trigger weight loss by stimulating the body to burn
