Having Too Much Free Time May Be Bad for You
No one ever says "I have the PERFECT amount of free time" . . . you're either wishing you had more, or complaining about being bored. The bad news is: You're supposed to be in the middle, at that "perfect" amount. In a new study, researchers say the "sweet spot" is a "moderate" amount of free time. Too little makes people feel like they didn't have enough time to relax and do what they want, and too much was associated with a sense of lacking productivity and purpose. The study involved more than 35,000 people . . . and it featured a series of questionnaires, which connected free time with "subjective wellbeing." In general, people were happier with more free time, up to about TWO hours per day. Then scores began to drop once free time exceeded FIVE hours. Unfortunately, they didn't determine an optimal amount of free time. The researchers suggest that people who feel like they have too little free time should find a couple of leisure hours. And those with empty days should try doing something productive.
The Top Sounds That Trigger Happy Memories Include Favorite Songs, Waves on the Beach, and a Crackling Fireplace
It's amazing how certain sounds can trigger old memories. A new poll found it happens to us about twice a week on average. And 1 in 10 people said every day. Here are the top 10 sounds that can trigger a happy memory . . . 1. An old song you love. Especially if you haven't heard it in a long time. 2. Waves crashing on the beach. 3. Birds chirping. 4. A crackling fireplace. 5. Walking on fresh snow. 6. A waterfall. 7. A cat purring. 8. Trees blowing in the wind. 9. The sound of rain. 10. Leaves rustling, because it reminds us of fall. A few more from the top 20 include church bells . . . bees . . . thunder . . . kids having fun . . . and the RADIO playing in the background made the list at #18.
Top 5 Sounds Everyone Loves to Hear
There are some sounds that trigger happy memories. And there are other sounds that just flat-out MAKE us happy. Like the ones you'll find on today's list of the . . . Top 5 Sounds Everyone Loves to Hear. Nickelback announcing their retirement. Our spouse's laugh. Unless we just asked if they're up for a "quicky." Troy Aikman. Because that means Joe Buck ISN'T talking. Mom's voice . . . cancelling her visit for Thanksgiving. A knuckle crack that makes everyone else at the dinner table say, "Oh, gross!" Our kid saying, "You want the rest of my dessert?" A strip club ATM dispensing 20's. That "snap," "crackle" and "pop" in our breakfast bowl. Not Rice Krispies. I'm talking about a bong rip. That Netflix "Da-DUM" . . . after entering someone else's password. The rumble of a laundry machine . . . that we're about to straddle.
Grandparents' Day Is Sunday: Here Are Five Websites All Grandparents Need
Sunday is Grandparents' Day. Don't worry if you didn't get them anything . . . fixing their computer when "The Yahoo" gets stuck in Portuguese is the greatest gift you can possibly give. Here are five helpful websites grandparents should bookmark. So, first teach them what a bookmark is. Then show them these sites . . . 1. Tech support for seniors. SeniorPlanet.org was designed by AARP to help older folks with computer stuff. It's the tech resource they always wanted . . . you know, other than their grandkids. 2. A senior discounts search engine. Seniors LOVE deals, so a site called Knoji.com built a search engine for senior discounts that's updated constantly, and covers most stores and restaurants in the U.S. 3. Recipes sorted by ingredient. AllRecipes lets you search their massive inventory by ingredient. It's great for people with specific cooking or dietary needs. 4. An easy way to see grandkid photos. TinyBeans is an app that lets you share photos with people. It's easier and less chaotic than things like Facebook. 5. Keep your brain sharp. Lumosity.com has daily brain games tailored to different ages and skill levels.
Is "More Money, More Problems" True? Only 12% Say Yes
The Notorious B.I.G. had a hit in 1997 with the song "Mo Money, Mo Problems". But is that actually true? Does having more money ultimately bring more stress. Someone polled 5,000 people, and only 12% said more money means more stress . . . 60% said it's NOT true . . . and 28% said they don't know. People who make a lot were much more likely to say it's NOT true. In other words, most people who are well off financially admit it doesn't make life more stressful.
You Can Make $1,300 By Watching 13 Horror Movies
A website called Finance Buzz is looking for someone to watch 13 horror movies . . . and they'll pay you $1,300 to do it. They'll also send you a FitBit to wear, so they can monitor your heartbeat and see how SCARED you get. The movies were made with varying budgets, and they supposedly want to know if that affects the amount of scares a movie delivers. The movies are: "Saw", "The Amityville Horror", "A Quiet Place", "A Quiet Place 2", "Candyman", "Insidious", "The Blair Witch Project", "Sinister", "Get Out", "The Purge", the 2018 "Halloween", "Paranormal Activity", and "Annabelle". With "Amityville" and "Candyman", they didn't specify which version. The budget disparity of these films is pretty huge. "Paranormal Activity" was made for $15,000 . . . while "A Quiet Place" rang up a $17 MILLION tab. Applications are due by September 26th. You can apply at FinanceBuzz.com.
Today's Showbiz Highlights
1. STEVE BUSCEMI still has PTSD from volunteering on 9/11. He says, quote, "It's still with me. There are times when I talk about 9/11 and I'm right back there. I start to get choked up and I realize, ah, this is still a big part of me."
2. KATHRYN PRESCOTT from "Skins" and "A Dog's Journey" was hit by a cement truck while crossing the street in New York on Tuesday. She's currently in the ICU with a broken pelvis, legs, foot, and hand. Her twin sister MEGAN says Kathryn is lucky to be alive and narrowly avoided paralysis.
3. PATTON OSWALT is canceling shows at venues that won't comply with his COVID precautions. He says, quote, "I have an ego, but my ego is not big enough to think that people should die to hear my stupid comedy."
4. Remember when JOHN TRAVOLTA called IDINA MENZEL "Adele Dazeem" at the "Oscars"? Well, she says that it turned out to be the, quote, "greatest thing that ever happened" and that John to this day, is so apologetic and sweet. (Full Story)
5. A website wants to pay someone $1,300 to watch 13 horror movies while their heartrate is monitored. The films include "Saw", "The Amityville Horror", "A Quiet Place", "The Blair Witch Project", "Get Out", "Paranormal Activity", and "Annabelle".
6. "The Queen's Ball: A Bridgerton Experience" is coming this spring to select cities. Attendees will be treated to performances, a live string quartet, and cocktails. Tickets go on sale next week.
7. When ICE CUBE was young, a kid swindled his mom out of $20. And Ice went out for vengeance . . . with a weapon. Luckily, the kid wasn't home, because Ice Cube's life wouldn't have turned out the way it did. Plus, he says, quote, "Nobody should die over $20."
8. LORDE dropped a surprise EP yesterday called "Te Ao Mārama". It consists of five "Solar Power" songs sung in Māori, the native language of New Zealand. She's donating proceeds to two New Zealand-based charities. 9. A list of the best band from every state includes some obvious picks, like Bruce Springsteen and the E. Street Band for New Jersey, the Beach Boys for California, and Kansas for Kansas. 10. This week's New Music Releases include new music from Kacey Musgraves, J Balvin, and Metallica. 11. They announced the CMA nominations yesterday, and ERIC CHURCH and CHRIS STAPLETON lead the way with five each. GABBY BARRETT has four, making her this year's most nominated female.
Comments