The Daily Briefing team in 2017 read through scores of news stories, studies, and op-eds on the lifestyle choices that we face every day—from whether to treat dark chocolate as a health food (don't) to how to handle the officer interrupter.
As part of our Year in Review, we compiled this list of top resources to help you stay healthy and boost your career in 2018.
Eat better
Start with a big breakfast (but end with a small dinner)
Nutrition research published in August supports the old adage "breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper," Roni Rabin writes for the New York Times' "Well."
Try a month without added sugar
The New York Times' David Leonhardt, who has taken on the challenge several times, writes, "If you try it and your experience is anything like mine, I predict that your new normal will feel healthier and no less enjoyable than the old."
Sure, stock up on blueberries, but don't call them a 'superfood'
The Atlantic's James Hamblin does some myth-busting around the moniker that implies blueberries are better than other fruits or vegetables.
No, dark chocolate is not a health food
Despite a research and marketing push from the chocolate industry, cocoa has not been proven to hold any long-term health benefits, Julia Belluz reports for Vox.
Find the diet that's right for you
U.S. News named the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension—often called just "DASH"—diet as the Best Overall in 2017 but also praised and profiled dozens of others in its annual diet rankings.
Fear doesn't do your diet any good
Aaron Carroll in the New York Times argues that people should resist the temptation to follow the latest gastronomic "panic-du-jour."
Exercise (safely and effectively)
Bad news about fitness tracker calorie counts
The devices are effective at measuring heart rate but tend to be inaccurate when it comes to calorie counting, according to a study published in the Journal of Personalized Medicine.
Is it worth getting a standing desk?
A standing desk isn't likely to cause you to lose weight—but it might stave off weight gain, and it's still better than sitting, according to a study published in Circulation, Rachel Rettner writes for the Washington Post.
A word of caution about high-intensity workouts
As vigorous workouts grow in popularity, recent research highlights the potential for rhabdomyolysis, which occurs when muscles die and their contents leak into the bloodstream, Anahad O'Connor writes for the New York Times' "Well."
Be happy
Consider moving to the happiest place in the world: Norway
The United Nations' "World Happiness Report" ranked Norway the happiest country, while the United States came in 14th.
Bad news for pet lovers
We're hesitant to remind you of this, but in case you're considering getting a pet, a study from earlier this year challenged the "sort of implicit consensus" that having a pet benefits human health, Hamblin reports for The Atlantic.
7 ways to build resilience in midlife
Tara Parker-Pope in the New York Time outlines seven tips to build "emotional muscle" and increase resilience in midlife.
8 practices that can make you a more positive person
The New York Times' Jane Brody lists eight practices, such as doing good deeds for others and setting attainable goals, to become more positive.
Is it time to put down the phone?
Here are five questions you can ask yourself to determine whether your phone usage is a problem—and three simple steps you can take to change your behavior for the better, according to experts.
Stay well
The behaviors that experts say could account for roughly half of cancer deaths
The American Cancer Society says more than 40% of cancer deaths are attributable to potentially modifiable lifestyle factors.
The 9 behaviors that could cut dementia risk by one-third
Midlife hearing loss makes up 9% of dementia risk, followed by early life education, which makes up 8%.
The relationship between cold weather and illness, explained
It's mostly true that people are more likely to get sick during cold times of the year, but the explanation as to why might be surprising, Katie Heaney writes for The Atlantic.
Success could be making you sick
Research shows that some resilient people are more susceptible to illness, Hamblin writes for the New York Times' "Sunday Review.
Have a better day at work
Advisory Board's Melissa Deline explains the forces driving turnover among early-tenure millennial nurses and what health systems can do to turn the tide.
It pays to look busy, study finds
Research shows busyness is considered a status symbol, with people seeing prestige in a lack of spare time.
The expert way to handle an interrupting colleague
Francesca Gino, of Harvard Business School, writing in the Harvard Business Review, offers three helpful strategies for dealing with an interrupter.
The secret to employee motivation
Gino, writing in the Harvard Business Review, shares research suggesting that people are much more motivated when they're reminded of the social impact of their work.
The networking meeting survival guide
Dorie Clark, of Duke University's Fuqua School of Business, writing in the Harvard Business Review lists five questions to ask yourself leading up to the meeting to get the most out of it.
For employees, culture outweighs money, study finds
A Glassdoor study finds employees prioritize organization culture and values more than any of the other factors evaluated, which included compensation and benefits, career opportunities, senior leadership, work-life balance, and business outlook.
5 webconferences to help you start 2018 off right
No matter what your goals are for 2018, our webconferences give you the strategies and insights to achieve them. These expert-led sessions are your opportunity to hear our latest research and best practices on some of health care's most pressing topics.
Save your spot now for these upcoming webconferences: