It's leap day! Here's what to do with your extra time

Everyone wants to find true happiness in their lives, but many of us believe that happiness can only come from experiencing huge changes—such as a trip around the world or a lottery jackpot. But, as it turns out, you can change everything...without changing much at all.

In The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin explains how resolving to make the smallest of changes in your everyday life—using the “good” dishes, remembering friends’ birthdays, or singing in the morning—can translate into more vivid memories, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of happiness and gratitude in your life.

In today’s fast-paced world, our lives increasingly revolve around productivity, efficiency, and work. It’s now normal for many people to answer emails during dinner and pack their days with as many tasks as possible. Yet in Do Nothing, radio journalist Celeste Headlee argues that by trying to do too much, people are working less efficiently because the human brain isn’t designed to multitask or work without rest. In addition, the culture of overworking has led to worse health outcomes and increased social isolation.

So if all this work isn’t serving us, how can we end an addiction to productivity? And if not work, what should we be doing? Headlee’s solution is to embrace true leisure—doing things just for the fun of it. In this guide, we’ll explain the historical origins of the modern work addiction, how it impacts society, and what you can do to live a healthier life. We’ll also supplement Headlee’s ideas with more context on global labor trends and tips from other wellness and productivity experts.

Are you curious about mindfulness but don’t know where to start? Are you trying to reinvigorate a mindfulness practice that’s feeling stale? Wherever You Go, There You Are, by Jon Kabat-Zinn, is a guide for anyone who’s interested in exploring mindfulness further, from the tentative beginner to the seasoned practitioner.

Kabat-Zinn is a meditation teacher often credited with bringing mindfulness practice into mainstream public awareness. Wherever You Go, There You Are, which reviewers call a “must-read,” is full of Kabat-Zinn’s reflections on mindfulness and practical strategies for how to incorporate it more intentionally into your life.

In this guide, we’ll explain what mindfulness is (and isn’t) and why Kabat-Zinn believes it’s so crucial to living well. We’ll also outline some simple ways to introduce mindfulness into your daily life. Throughout the guide, we’ll supplement Kabat-Zinn’s advice with strategies and reflections from other mindfulness experts and provide background information on current psychological research on mindfulness.

Dive into the engaging dialogue of "Wiser Than Me," where Julia Louis-Dreyfus, along with her esteemed guests Fran Lebowitz and Isabel Allende, spearheads profound conversations on the treasure trove of wisdom offered by age. This podcast trailer teases an intimate exploration into the life lessons harvested from women who have embraced their age, pairing it with the respect it rightfully commands. From Lebowitz's advocacy for the unparalleled knowledge of the older generation to Allende's insights into the gravity of owning one's life journey, "Wiser Than Me" promises to bridge the generational wisdom divide, offering listeners a chance to absorb invaluable life experiences.

Listeners can anticipate a celebration of life's stages as "Wiser Than Me" brings together Hollywood luminaries like Jane Fonda and down-to-earth anecdotes from Julia's mother, Judy. These authentic narratives promise humor, intimacy, and a candid look at the natural progression of life, including the challenges and learnings it encompasses—ranging from frank discussions on the taboo topic of aging to light-hearted exchanges on fitness and style. Subscribe to join Julia Louis-Dreyfus on this empowering exploration of wisdom, eagerly awaiting the official release of a podcast poised to reshape our understanding and appreciation of growing wiser with time.

In From Strength to Strength, management expert Arthur Brooks says that as we get older, our professional skills start to decline, and we can no longer succeed in our current jobs. Despite this, with the right mindset, the second half of your life can be even happier and more meaningful than the first. If you find a job that suits your changing skill set, and if you change your idea of “success” from career achievement and material wealth to happiness and fulfillment, you can continue to thrive.

In this guide, we’ll first explain how and why you lose your job skills as you get older. We’ll then discuss solutions: how you can find a job that suits your changing brain, and how to achieve a meaningful life instead of fruitlessly chasing success in your former field. In our commentary, we’ll discuss whether this professional decline really is inevitable and explore some methods to keep your mind sharp. We’ll also offer strategies for making the most of your life as you age.

You want to engage and persuade your audience when you talk about your work, passions, or values. But even when you care deeply about your message, you don’t always connect with your listeners. In his 2018 book Unleash the Power of Storytelling, speechwriter-turned-actor Rob Biesenbach asserts that you can make your message much more compelling by simply telling a story.

Biesenbach explains that stories affect us deeply because they have a unique power to captivate our attention, influence our perception, and shape our emotions. In this guide, we’ll explain how Biesenbach defines a story and explore the fundamental pieces that make up a story. (Hint: It’s not as simple as beginning, middle, and end!) We’ll also compare Biesenbach’s insights to other popular theories about stories and storytelling, and we’ll look at the research on how storytelling affects your brain—and how these effects play out in the real world.

Dive into the engaging dialogue of "Wiser Than Me," where Julia Louis-Dreyfus, along with her esteemed guests Fran Lebowitz and Isabel Allende, spearheads profound conversations on the treasure trove of wisdom offered by age. This podcast trailer teases an intimate exploration into the life lessons harvested from women who have embraced their age, pairing it with the respect it rightfully commands. From Lebowitz's advocacy for the unparalleled knowledge of the older generation to Allende's insights into the gravity of owning one's life journey, "Wiser Than Me" promises to bridge the generational wisdom divide, offering listeners a chance to absorb invaluable life experiences.

Listeners can anticipate a celebration of life's stages as "Wiser Than Me" brings together Hollywood luminaries like Jane Fonda and down-to-earth anecdotes from Julia's mother, Judy. These authentic narratives promise humor, intimacy, and a candid look at the natural progression of life, including the challenges and learnings it encompasses—ranging from frank discussions on the taboo topic of aging to light-hearted exchanges on fitness and style. Subscribe to join Julia Louis-Dreyfus on this empowering exploration of wisdom, eagerly awaiting the official release of a podcast poised to reshape our understanding and appreciation of growing wiser with time.

In this laughter-packed episode of "2 Bears, 1 Cave," Tom Segura and Bert Kreischer sit down with rising comedy star Matt Rife to explore his journey from digital fame to real-world stand-up stages. They dive into the unique blend of opportunity and challenge that comes with viral fame and how Rife has learned to cherish his accomplishments, from touching family moments to the aspiration of breathing new life into Comedy Central. Amidst shared tales and hearty chuckles, the episode reveals deep insights into the mentors who have shaped Rife's gratitude and drive for longevity in the ever-evolving landscape of comedy.

Beyond the glamour and spotlight, the trio navigates the intricate world of public perception and the art of handling criticism. Rife opens up about keeping a level head in the face of attention and how authenticity plays a pivotal role in building a rapport with his audience, while anxiously anticipating the release of his Netflix special "Natural Selection." Tom Segura adds a personal touch with anecdotes about his family life and well-being, embodying the podcast's dedication to bringing fans closer to the real personas behind the comedic facades. The episode goes on to cover a wide spectrum, from the influence of music on their acts to surreal encounters on international tours, presenting "2 Bears, 1 Cave" at its rawest and most entertaining.

Many of us are glued to our smartphones, tablets, and laptops, to the point that we’ve lost control of how we spend our time and attention. We feel overpowered and exhausted by the multitude of digital tools at our fingertips, including smartphones and tablets, websites, addictive apps, and social media platforms. Meanwhile, tech companies continue to invest major resources into making their products and services addictive so that we’ll continue scrolling and tapping.

This book explains how you can transform your tech habits by adopting digital minimalism, which aims to maximize the benefits of technology and avoid the pitfalls by identifying your values and determining how to use technology to support them. Learn how tech companies use human psychology to make their apps addictive, how likes and comments are weakening your relationship, and why trading your smartphone for a dumb phone could change your life.

How can you fit a meaningful job, time with your loved ones, and leisure time into your schedule? Many of us would say that it’s impossible. But in 168 Hours, productivity expert Laura Vanderkam argues that you can have a full, satisfying life as long as you manage your time intentionally.

Our guide will explore what it means to manage your time intentionally, and how to discover where all your time is going. (Spoiler alert: You’re spending way more time watching TV than you think!) You’ll also learn why and how to be intentional at work, at home, and with your leisure time—so that you can fit all your favorite activities in without overscheduling yourself. Additionally, we’ll compare Vanderkam’s advice to other experts’ ideas on how to practically and intentionally manage your time.

Everyone wants to find true happiness in their lives, but many of us believe that happiness can only come from experiencing huge changes—such as a trip around the world or a lottery jackpot. But, as it turns out, you can change everything...without changing much at all.

In The Happiness Project, Gretchen Rubin explains how resolving to make the smallest of changes in your everyday life—using the “good” dishes, remembering friends’ birthdays, or singing in the morning—can translate into more vivid memories, stronger relationships, and a deeper sense of happiness and gratitude in your life.