"Holiday Gifts to Give Yourself"

so I was reading in Redbook yesterday and found this article...I wanted to share parts of it with yall :)

"7 Holiday Treats to Give Yourself"
(Leslie Yazel)

4. Doodling: not so sketchy after all

Even the most diligent of workers can succumb to scribbling during dull meetings or long phone calls with Ma. But compulsive doodlers, take heart. A new study finds that when asked to recall detailed information, doodlers remember more than nondoodlers. Research suggests that creating those funny little designs requires just enough of your brain's effort to stop you from daydreaming, an activity that's much more taxing on your mind and therefore a bigger distraction. So the next time your boss calls a staff meeting, pick up your pen to stay alert.

6. A two-second smoothie

You always plan to make yourself a healthy smoothie in the morning, until — oops, wait, the yogurt's gone bad and the ice cube trays are empty. Enter Yoplait's new Frozen Fruit and Yogurt Smoothies: Toss these frozen pieces of fruit and yogurt into your blender with a cup of milk for a delicious drink that packs a full serving of fruit for less than 200 calories total. One $3.29 pouch makes two 8-oz smoothies in flavors such as Strawberry Mango Pineapple and Triple Berry. It makes drinking to your health almost too easy.

7. A can't-say-no excuse for girls' night out

You always suspected that your girls' nights kept you sane. Guess what? They could even save your life. Researchers in England and Australia who reviewed recent studies on being social confirm that it makes people happier, boosts our memory, can improve recovery from illnesses or a stroke, and even ups our resistance to the common cold. "Groups are central to mental functioning, health, and well-being," says Alex Haslam, Ph.D., of the University of Exeter — even more so, perhaps, than diet or exercise, the researchers say. So tell that to your hubby the next time he asks, "Going out again?"