Welcome to the Smarter Living newsletter. Editor Tim Herrera emails readers with tips and advice for living a better, more fulfilling life. Sign up here to get it in your inbox.
Hello Smarter Living readers and friends! Welcome to the final newsletter of 2017, and what a year it has been.
When we introduced SL, we set out with one goal: Help readers live better lives. That’s it; that’s our whole reason for existing.
Since then we’ve published stories on biking to work safely and figuring out your retirement savings; stories with tips on moving in with a partner, combating your anxiety, cleaning up after that holiday party; and much, much more.
Along the way we’ve learned a lot from you, too. We shared your ideas about saving a few bucks here and there, writing the perfect out-of-office away message and beating procrastination. (My favorite reader tip this year: To save a few bucks, cut out nonsocial eating out, meaning no takeout, no ordering pizza, no Starbucks on the way to work.)
Continue reading the main storyTo welcome in 2018, here is some our best advice from this year for doing things better, whether you’re trying to fix your finances, your relationships, your health or your happiness. And don’t forget to set strong, reasonable New Year’s resolutions!
This is how to be happy
Everyone has the power to make small changes in our behavior, our surroundings and our relationships that can help set us on course for a happier life. Here’s how to do it. Read more »
Learn to say ‘no’ more often
It’s in our nature to be socially obliging, and the word no feels like a confrontation that threatens a potential bond. But when we dole out an easy yes instead of a difficult no we tend to overcommit our time, energy and finances. Read more »
How to give your home the deep clean it deserves
Take this guided tour of your home to learn the basic rules of cleaning as well as some tips and short cuts that will help you clean thoroughly and efficiently, starting now. Read more »
It’s time to figure out your retirement plan
While most workers are responsible for their own retirement savings these days, high schools and colleges don’t have required classes on 401(k)’s and Individual Retirement Accounts. That’s where we come in. Read more »
How to combat your anxiety, one step at a time
Feel anxious? Here’s a step-by-step guide to put yourself at ease. Read more »
Lock down your internet privacy
Between Equifax, Yahoo, WannaCry, ransomware, N.S.A. breaches and countless other cyberattacks and security breaches, 2017 felt as if we were dealing with a new threat every other week. There’s no way ever to be 100 percent secure, but here are some basic tips we all should be following. Read more »
Learn to be more productive than ever
We’re all a little lazy sometimes, but surrendering to sloth doesn’t have to be the end of the story. We can train ourselves to be lazy by rewarding that behavior, but with a little effort we can do the opposite — rewire our brains to actually crave better habits. Read more »
Want to get strong in 2018? Start here
Anyone, at any fitness level, can and should strength train — and it doesn’t have to take hours at the gym to see results. This guide will teach you how. Read more »
What to say when people ask why you aren’t having children
Staying childless can contradict some people’s worldview, which can result in some awkward conversations. This is how you can deal with it. Read more »
How to recognize burnout before you’re burned out
Resolve not to burn out in 2018. Read more »
If you’re looking for even more, check out our year-end wrap-ups: 9 Ways to Work Better; 6 Ways to Be Better at Money; 9 Ways to Live Healthier; 8 Steps to Have a Better Relationship; and How to Do Things Better.
What were the most important things you learned this year? I would love to hear! Let me know at tim@nytimes.com or on Twitter at @timherrera.
Have a great week (and Merry Christmas to those of you celebrating!), and we’ll see you in 2018!
— Tim
Best of Smarter Living
How to Combat Your Anxiety, One Step at a Time Anxiety is everywhere, which can be strangely reassuring. Here are some tips to help.
Six Ways to Drink Like a Local on Vacation These tips will have you mingling with locals and drinking local specialties the next time you travel.
How to Build a Successful Team Building a high-performing team is about more than finding a group of people with the right mix of professional skills.
You Want to Climb Mount Everest? Here’s What It Takes Questions and answers about the world’s highest mountain, and the people who try to get to the top of it.
How to ‘Winterize’ Your Dog Dogs can face special hazards in the colder months, ranging from cracked paws and dry skin to electrocution or immersion in a frozen pond.
How to Make Kalpudding (Meatloaf With Caramelized Cabbage) This is a Swedish version of a dish with roots in the Ottoman Empire, an infidel’s version of Turkish dolmas, made not with lamb and grape leaves but with ground pork and beef cloaked with deeply caramelized cabbage.
What We’re Reading
This week we partnered with Pocket, our favorite save-for-later app, to find some of the best recent reads from all around the web:
• The best new apps of 2017.
• Instead of picking up new skills or hobbies, try to get really, really good at the ones you have.
• A five to 15 percent boost in learning speed? Yes please.
• Next year just might be the year of cryptocurrency.
• Tell me what you did today, and I’ll tell you who you are.
Continue reading the main story