Haven’t you been accused, over the course of time, of cathecting, perserverating, obsessing over some thing or other, until friends and family threaten you with dismemberment?

Me too.

Then I read a New York Times article, I think therefore I’m Fat, and learned that scientists, conducting a study,  found that “there is an increase in levels of the stress hormone cortisol and increased fluctuation in plasma glucose and insulin levels during and after mental workouts.”  Translated, the subjects ate more after performing mental tasks then when sitting idly.

The moral of this story is pretty evident. Don’t threaten dismemberment, don’t chastise with,”I’ve heard that already”, or, ” would you make up your mind already,” simply state, ” gee, as you have been telling me this story, I think I am detecting a tad more puffiness in and around your double chin.”