The 2-second tip that can instantly boost your mood

Every day, an estimated 6,800 new peer-reviewed academic articles are published. That’s a whole lot of science to wade through—but don’t fret. We’ll do the legwork for you, each and every morning. Here’s your daily dose of the latest discoveries from journals, research institutions, and news outlets from around the world.

Sit Up StraightGood posture doesn’t just help your aches and pains—sitting up straight might boost your mood, too. When researchers from New Zealand had people with mild to moderate depression sit with upright posture, they reported higher levels of wellbeing, less fatigue, and greater self-esteem than when they sat normally.

Stop the ScratchItchy skin is common in winter, but there are things you can to do feel better, experts from the American Academy of Dermatology say. Here’s how to prevent the itch: Shower in lukewarm—not hot—water, use fragrance-free cleansers and lotions to prevent irritation, wear loose-fitting, cotton clothes, and use a humidifier in your home.

Move to Help Your JointsPeople with arthritis might be tempted to scale back on physical activity to give their joints a break, but that might not be best. Exercising can improve joint function with arthritis, researchers from Northwestern University found. Those who exercised for just 45 minutes a week were 80 percent more likely to improve or sustain their functional movement over two years, the study found. And it doesn’t need to be intense—even brisk walking can work.

Sleep SoundlyStruggling with insomnia can raise your risk of asthma, researchers from Norway discovered. People who reported problems falling asleep “often” or “almost every night” were 65 percent and 108 percent more likely to develop asthma over 11 years, respectively. The researchers believe the effects of insomnia may be harming your airways.

Spot StrokeFast treatment is necessary to treat stroke, and a delay in seeking medical help can be deadly. But a poll from Public Health England found 1 in 4 people would wait to call from help when witnessing a stroke, since they mistakenly believe the person would have to demonstrate at least two of the following symptoms: inability to smile, or face falling on one side, inedibility to raise both arms and keep them up, and slurred speech. If you notice any of the symptoms, you should call 911 immediately, the experts say.