Here's a bit of fun for you: people think better when they're lying down. Or, more accurately, they're quicker at solving anagrams in this study from the Australian National University. Why? Perhaps neurotransmitter levels are increased or perhaps blood flow to the brain is improved. Both these biological explanations are plausible but I have a psychological explanation.

When I was at University there was a guy who used to swear by a special revision method he had developed over the years. He stood on a chair and held the notes above his head: It worked for him. My explanation was that because he was putting his body into a different position, he was able to look at his revision in a new way.

Perhaps something similar is happening in this experiment - a new physical perspective grants a new mental perspective.

Making Habits, Breaking Habits

In his new book, Jeremy Dean--psychologist and author of PsyBlog--looks at how habits work, why they are so hard to change, and how to break bad old cycles and develop new healthy, creative, happy habits.

→ "Making Habits, Breaking Habits", is available now on Amazon.

Reviews
The Bookseller, “Editor’s Pick,” 10/12/12 “Sensible and very readable…By far the most useful of this month’s New You offerings.”

Kirkus Reviews, 1/1/13 “Making changes does take longer than we may expect—no 30-day, 30-pounds-lighter quick fix—but by following the guidelines laid out by Dean, readers have a decent chance at establishing fulfilling, new patterns.”

Publishers Weekly, 12/10/12 “An accessible and informative guide for readers to take control of their lives.”

→ You can dip into the first chapter, or check it out on Amazon.com.