Your mind: Instead of reading celebrity gossip

I get my hair cut every 6 weeks. The salon, a very charming small town down town shop has a cute little waiting area filled with magazines. The mother-daughter owners keep them current, no 2007 beauty tips in this place. With all those choices, what do women choose to read, the gossip sheets. The ones filled with pictures of pseudo-celebrities walking down the street. Been in rehab? They're in. Been dumped on a TV show by a woman who "falls in love" with three men in four weeks? You're in. Jail, car crashes with paparazzi, forgetting undergarments, and out-of-wedlock children make your walk down the street more important than a change in regime in the middle east.

Instead of rating who looked better in the besequined movie premiere dress wearing shoes no one can walk in, try something on today's list.

1. Stare at nothing
It is better for your brain. I am not kidding. Looking at nothing and thinking of anything burn more calories and kill fewer brain cells than reading trash. Really.
2. Talk to someone
Spend time learning about people who live and work in the real world. Did you know that if you are between 15 and 30, you probably spend more time sending electronic communication than talking to a person?
3. Read real news
Can you name the Prime Minister of Germany? Did you know she is Chancellor, not Prime Minister? What is the head of state called in Mexico? Can you name him? No, this isn't a history quiz. Check out your local news too.
4.  Get involved
After you're finished reading the local news, are you discouraged? What can you do to help? Instead of focusing on the Kendra or Paris perceived fashion faux pas, see if  there are girls in your community who need a mentor. I volunteer in the local high school and am amazed at how much kids appreciate adults who take an interest in them.
5. Do a puzzle
Your brain is not gaining when you read about celebrity dating tips. Do a crossword, brainteaser, or sudoku puzzle and your brain will thank you. The trick here is to change them up. Doing the crossword every day doesn't challenge your brain nearly as much as trying something new.
6. Organize something
Remember your mother threatening to give you work to do when you complained of boredom?  Can't organize because you're at the salon? Read about organizing something. I once saw Martha Stewart iron out of season curtains on special hangers and store them in a curtain closet. I don't even have curtains, let alone curtain closets. Something to work toward.
7. Ask a long-married person the secret of happiness
Ever notice that the people who show up giving dating advice have revolving door relationships?
8. Take a class
If you can name 5 things about any of the real housewives, you are the perfect candidate for art class, gardening seminar or theoretical mathematics degree. You have time, use it wisely.
9. Play cards with a Senior Citizen
Here's a way to get credit for several items on the list by doing one thing. Playing board and card games stimulates those stagnating brain cells and going to a Nursing Home gets you involved. Just for fun, ask them who appeared in the gossip magazines in their day.
10. Find a hobby
The genesis for this blog came from a tell-all magazine. I was in an airport gift shop and had read the available books. I was tempted to buy a popular gossip rag  for something to do at the hotel. Luckily my inner voice told me "There have to be 10 better things to do instead of reading THAT!"