DARE TO DREAM
Unravelling the mystery of dreams has long been a pastime of many. Now a study from Harvard Medical School has found that people who dreamed about a task performed it better than those who didn't dream about it.

FEED YOUR SKIN THIS WINTER
What you choose to eat can have a big impact on how your skin survives the drying winter months.

Some American dermatologists believe that eating lots of refined and quickly digested carbs (like those biscuits we often crave when it's chilly) rapidly raises our blood sugar levels, and can lead to premature wrinkling.

The process they call 'glycation' describes how the blood sugar interacts with collagen in our skin, making it tougher, less bouncy, and more likely to wrinkle.

The antidote? Focus on eating lots of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables to feed your skin, and help support the maintenance of good quality collagen and elastin. Try stocking up with frozen berries, and using them in smoothies, defrost them on your hot porridge in the morning, or mix them with stewed apple to serve with yoghurt.

Make sure you also maintain a regular intake of good quality oils by eating nuts and seeds, olives, olive oil, and oily fish.
Source: Dietician Amanda Ursell's e-newsletter (visit AmandaUrsell.com).

5-MINUTE FIX
Have you ever tried to remember some facts for a presentation, but found your mind was too woolly to retain anything?

Try reading over the information, then taking a quick break for tea or coffee, or better still, get outside for five or 10 minutes. Researchers have shown that taking a breather in this way can actually help you better retain data.
Source: New York University cited in Shape magazine.

STUCK FOR WORDS?
For writers, journalists, students, and teachers -- in fact anyone who is struggling to find the right word -- www.visuwords.com is the place to start.

Visuwords™ online graphical dictionary links related words and phrases in a graphical map. Enter words into the search box to look them up, or double-click on a node to expand the tree. You'll immediately see word meanings and associations with other words and concepts.

Best thing about it?
It's free!
Source: The Week magazine.

DISTRACTED DRIVER DANGER
Drunk drivers, drugged drivers, and drowsy drivers. Now we can add another dangerous element to this potent mix on our roads -- distracted drivers.

US data suggested almost 6000 people died and more then 500,000 people were injured in road crashes last year involving drivers distracted by mobile phones and other electronic devices.

Possible solutions to the problem are firmer legislation, more educational campaigns, and design changes by car manufacturers.
Source: Journal of the American Medical Association, cited in Australian Doctor.

TATTOO FOR YOU?
A US poll found that 36 per cent of 18 to 25-year-olds, and 40 per cent of 26 to 40-year-olds have at least one tattoo. Many people in these age groups also sported a piercing somewhere other than their ears. And tattooists now estimate one-third of their clientele is over 50 years of age.

Although there's no recent research on body art in Australia, figures are likely to be similar. It looks like body art has gone mainstream, but how acceptable is it in the workplace?

While some employers don't have a problem with visible body piercings and tattoos, others are concerned that they may be off-putting, or even offensive to customers, investors, and the public.

If you have tattoos or body piercings, check out the grooming and uniform policies of your current or potential employer.
Source: The Courier Mail at news.com.au.

Time to Talk Good talk between partners not only supports a relationship, it can even save it. Over a week or two, listen closely to what you and your partner routinely talk about -- is it positive, affirming, and stimulating, or negative, critical, and judgemental? When you factor in long working hours, dinner to prepare, homework to supervise, bedtime stories to read, dishes to wash ... it is little surprise that many couples find it difficult to exchange a few sentences, let alone have a meaningful conversation. Making the time to talk about how your relationship is going can be the start to making small, but important changes. Relationships Australia recommends that to encourage more open communication, you need to: set aside time for both of you to talk talk about what is happening and how it affects you try to tell your partner exactly what you are feeling and thinking, even if it might upset him or her accept responsibility for your own feelings don't forget change can be painful and scary -- let your partner know that you understand this listen to your partner -- put aside your own thoughts for the time being try to understand his or her intentions, needs, and wants state what you want negotiate. Sources: Relationships Australia at relationships.com.au; and The Almost-Perfect Marriage by Stephanie Dowrick (Allen & Unwin RRP $19.95).

"A Native American grandfather was talking to his grandson about how he felt about a tragedy.
He said: "I feel as if I have two wolves fighting in my heart. One wolf is the vengeful, angry, violent one. The other wolf is the loving, compassionate one."
The grandson asked him: "Which wolf will win the fight in your heart?"
The grandfather answered: "The one I feed."
Jurgen Wolff's Brainstorm E-Bulletin.

"Australia has 0.3 per cent of the world's population, and 20 per cent of the world's pokies."
Australian Doctor.