So you've heard of strength training and cardio. But have you heard of training for "explosive power"?

It's the ability to rapidly generate a lot of force, says Jessica Scott, an exercise physiology researcher who has studied the effects of physical activity on different groups, including cancer patients and NASA astronauts.

"It's not necessarily lifting the heaviest load. It's about moving a lighter load very quickly," she says.

This skill helps us safely do many everyday tasks, like walking up and down the stairs or standing up from a chair, says Scott. "It's what allows you to catch yourself and not fall while walking down the sidewalk."

You can hone your explosive power by doing exercises that combine speed and strength, like simple jumping jacks or more challenging kettlebell swings. 

Scott, who currently works at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center as the director of its exercise oncology program, recommends a set of exercises. 

Find beauty in the world around you. 

Jenny Odell, author of How to Do Nothing, explained how to do this in a 2020 interview with Life Kit. Be attentive to change, she says. Walk through your neighborhood and pay attention to the nature around you. 

"Maybe over the course of weeks or months, continue to pay attention to those plants and track their flowering processes," she says. Or you might focus on the different kinds of insects flying and buzzing about, or the sounds around you.

This exercise can help reopen your eyes to enchantment and novelty in your everyday life. For more exercises on how to pay attention, listen to our episode.

Move your heartstrings by reading poetry. 

Take a look at this poem, "The Song of Wandering Aengus" by William Butler Yeats. Ask yourself: What overall impression do you get? What ideas float around in your mind? What do you feel? Just look around in your own brain as you read the poem and take in what's there.

"Those kinds of overall impressions, I think most of us are left with something," says Mullen. Whatever that "something" is — trust it. Find out how to "visualize" a poem in this story.

Try interpreting your dreams. 

Does spending money make you feel bad? Read this comic. If spending — or not spending — money makes you feel shame or regret, you might be grappling with financial guilt. Financial planner Lauryn Williams breaks down three types and how to deal.

Find your side quest. In gaming, a side quest is a mission outside the main narrative or goal that players can take for fun. Why not have a real-life side quest? That could be a hobby or activity that doesn't have any purpose other than bringing more whimsy, sparkle and exploration into your life. In this episode of Life Kit, host Marielle Segarra and Brittany Luse of NPR's It's Been a Minute talk to experts about how to find a side quest that builds your world's lore and brings you back to life.

Shrink your grocery bill. Groceries aren't cheap, but there are ways beyond just looking for sales to make budget meals. To help cut down your grocery bill, we have practical tips for saving money on the food you cook at home. 

Don't stop exercising just because you're pregnant. Many people pause physical activity during pregnancy — but research shows that exercising while pregnant is good for your health and your baby's health. If you're unsure which kinds of exercise are on the table, fear not. Life Kit reporter Andee Tagle takes you through the workout guidance for each trimester and how you can physically prepare for your due date.