Friend’s listening habits seem like condescension

DEAR HARRIETTE: Whenever I share a conflict, dilemma or even something I’m skilled at with a particular friend of mine, I’ve noticed that she responds by overexplaining it back to me – often as if I don’t fully understand my own situation or abilities.

Mom can’t find time in the day for herself

DEAR HARRIETTE: I’m a wife and mom, and I work full-time, which means my days are busy from the moment I wake up until I close my eyes at night.

Botox can be used to treat chronic migraines

Hello, dear readers! Welcome to the monthly letters column. We hope the new year is treating you well, and that those who made resolutions are having a few victories. Forming new habits continues to be a popular topic, and we’ll explore new research in an upcoming column. And now, on to your mail.

Husband interjects in emotional conversation

DEAR HARRIETTE: Recently, my daughter asked me to tell her more about my early life. Over the years, I’ve made a point not to talk much about it, but now that she’s older and asking, I think it’s OK to share.

DO JUST ONE THING

• If you use a blender regularly, it’s important to know how to clean it properly.

DO JUST ONE THING

• Here’s a smart, easy way to reduce electricity use when working on your desktop computer – and lessen your impact on the environment. Lower your monitor brightness from 100% to about 70%.

Mom feels jealous of daughter’s relationship

DEAR HARRIETTE: My daughter got married about a year ago and moved to New Jersey with her husband. He is from there, and his whole family lives in New Jersey as well. I have always been close with my daughter, so this has been a difficult transition for me because I live in Ohio.

The benefits of music on cognition

Hello, dear readers! Welcome to a bonus letters column. We hope you had a peaceful and enjoyable holiday season and that this new year (how did that happen so soon?) will treat you well. We have some interesting mail, so on to your letters.

Mom doesn’t respect digital nomad’s life

DEAR HARRIETTE: My mom often criticizes me because I live an untraditional life, and it worries her at times. I understand she has good intentions, but I am too old for her to dictate the way I live. I am a digital nomad and have been traveling around Asia and Australia for the past three years.

DO JUST ONE THING

• Plants need light for photosynthesis, and to thrive and be healthy over time. You might think placing a plant near a lamp is just as good as placing it near a sunny window, but traditional light bulbs lack the red and blue spectra light plants need most to grow.