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Helping make your tomorrow a little better than today
Welcome back to your weekly dose of wisdom and wellness, where youโll find informative and actionable stories by our team of journalists, topical experts and practicing professionals. Compiled by Robert Roy Britt.
The Secret Superpowers of Women and Girls
On the surface, itโs obvious that guys are bigger and more muscular, on average, than women. But strength means many different things, and it when it comes to survival advantages, Iโm sorry guys, but weโre the weaker sex. The writer lays out the latest genetic science that reveals the truth of this, in everything from flexibility to immune systems. It all adds up to an answer to the question: Why do women live so much longer than men? By Kathleen Murphy
How to Get Over Your Regrets
Some of my most poignant, disturbing, never-ending regrets involve things I did (or didnโt do) decades ago, and which affected other people. Sometimes, I just canโt forgive myself. So I find this article extremely helpful, as a psychologist explains why self-forgiveness is crucial as one science-backed approach to getting past things we wished had never happened (but that we canโt change). By Gail Post, Ph.D.
How Much Iron Do You Really Need?
You might not be craving an essay on the nutritional benefits and risks of iron, but this writer serves up a must-read on this surprisingly tricky element. Getting your iron intake just right is a challenge, as evidenced by the billions of anemic people around the world. Now we learn too much can cause dementia. So: Might you be interested in an essay on the nutritional benefits and risks of iron? By John Kruse MD, PhD
Violence Should Not Be Part Of My Job
Itโs hard to fathom the extent of violence faced by doctors, nurses and others who work in hospitals and health clinics. 80% of nurses say theyโve experienced workplace violence, and the problem is getting worse. This family doctor has seen her share of it, too, and here she makes a plea for change, so that the people who care for us can focus on caring, rather than be distracted by constant fear. By Jennifer Brown, MD
Why Nobody Should Order a Burger Cooked Medium
I like my hamburgers medium, whether I cook them at home or order them at a restaurant. I often order medium-well, and they still come pink in the middle. So Iโm surprised now to learn that the risk of a dangerous e. coli infection is far greater in ground beef compared to steak, and that we canโt rely on color alone to tell us if a burger is safe. Armed with this knowledge, my only decision moving forward is whether to order my burgers well-done orโฆ get a veggie burger. By Dr. Hatem El-Nagar
Why We Make Bad Decisions Over and Over
Dunno about you, but Iโve made more than my share of bad decisionsโin my role as a corporate executive, in my most important relationships, and in matters of finance and investing. More often than not, itโs because I acted without the right information, or I simply went with my gut despite good advice from others. Sound familiar? Yeah, these are the mistakes people make all the time, all over the world. Youโd think weโd learn! Well, I decided to see what the experts say about developing a strategy for better decision making. By Robert Roy Britt
Lithium: The Nonessential Element Saving Brains
If youโve never heard about โlithiated lemon-lime sodaโ or beer infused with lithium, this scientist has plenty to teach you about this element thatโs both helpful and dangerous (and now banned in soda and beer). Hereโs why we care: While more research is needed, he writes, lithium โcould conceivably transform Alzheimerโs treatment.โ By John Kruse MD, PhD
The Toxic Truth About Recycled Plastics
Recycling feels good. We assume itโs good for the environment. But manufacturing with recycled material is still manufacturing, and new research finds recycled plastics release a surprising amount of harmful chemicals into the environment. It doesnโt mean we shouldnโt recycle, but the writer offers practical ways to reduce your use of plastics in the first place, so thereโs less need to recycle. By Annie Foley
Why Eye Contact is So Powerful (and Weird)
Every look someone in the eye, and they look right back at you, and so you look away? Thereโs a lot of biology and psychology happening in those instants. Funny thing is, as meaningful as eye contact is, looks can be deceiving. More often than not, when you think youโre making eye contact, the other person is actually looking at your mouth. Anyway, I had so many questions about eye contact, I just had to look into it. By Robert Roy Britt
Is ChatGPT Making Us Stupid?
Way back in the 1990s, in the early days of the World Wide Web, I used to wish someday I could have a second brain, a computer implant to store all the important stuff and help me do my writing and other tasks. Yeah, folks, itโs here. But now I donโt want it! Whatever you think about ChatGPT and other AI helpers, know this: If you lean on them, youโre probably not gonna get smarter. But that depends on how you use the technology. By Aaron French
Reading vs. Listening: The Best Way to Learn, According to Neuroscience
I donโt care much for podcasts or audiobooks. I prefer to read. But I know many people love to listen, in addition to reading or in lieu of it. So itโs long puzzled me whether one is actually better. Turns out, according to this language scientist, each offers distinct advantages, and Iโd be wise to listen (and kids these days should be encouraged to read!). By Stephanie N. Del Tufo
Weekend Exploits Fuel โSocial Apneaโ Sleep Problems
When you stay out late on weekends, itโs logical to assume that simply sleeping in will ensure you get adequate sleep and all will be well. Hardly. New research finds people who have symptoms of sleep apnea exhibit more symptoms on weekends compared to weekdays, and staying out late or sleeping in made the problem worse. Lots to unpack here, and in doing so we glean helpful sleep advice for all of us. By Robert Roy Britt
I hope weโre helping make your tomorrow a little better than today. Feel free to forward this newsletter to friends.
Cheers,
Rob
Wise & Well Weekly 8/22/25 was originally published in Wise & Well on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.
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