Enjoy this interesting face memory test and find out how good you are at remembering faces. This test is part of a series of articles from the BBC website which discusses sleep in general, and how memory may be affected due to lack of sleep and other lifestyle factors.

Click here: http://www.bbc.co.uk/science/humanbody/sleep/ 

Good luck and see how you score!

1. Search for commonalities

This is a great start: find out what you have in common or what interests you might share, " by using the right amount of self-disclosure, empathy and tact", according to Susan Keauss, Ph.D professor at University of Massachusetts Amherst.

2. Don't ask someone what they do.

Aside from talking about the weather, the job topic tends to be common go to subject. What do you do? is often a loaded question implying at times that  the most important part of us is our job. Try instead to find out about general interests, hobbies rather than careers.

3.Embrace the silence

Pauses may seem awkward but in fact they assist to continue a conversation. Bernardo J Carducci, Ph.D Director of Shyness Institute Research Institute at Indiana University, says" remember that if you say something, the other person my need to process it. Think of silence as a transition."

4.Keep it positive

Keep small talk focused on the bright side of things, such as making compliments, asking about someone's day, making a person laugh.

5.Your conversations are always learning experiences

Meeting someone new is an opportunity to learn something, give you new perspectives. Additionally meeting people from different areas, regions, or countries will broaden your knowledge of those other places. You'll become a more interesting conversationalist as you respond with that additional knowledge acquired from meeting new people,

A simple and timeless salad you can eat and enjoy all year round. This recipe is courtesy of the Eat Well series that appears in the New York Times.

An excellent guide for women for all ages, written by health professionals. This book offers information for all stages of your life. A great reference guide on a range of issues: diet, physical and mental health, pregnancy. Available through a number of retailers including www.bookdepository.com ($33.78).

Strong is not the new skinny. Strength is now, and has always been, the epitome of health and fitness. When your body is functionally fit and has more lean muscle mass, it has the means to support you through your daily life. You’ll avoid back pain and injury, improve your posture, enjoy stronger bones, and improve your balance and coordination (to name only a few health benefits). 

On the appearances side of things, a toned, lean bod is a good look yet women often tell me they don’t lift because they’re worried about ‘bulking up’ or ‘looking too manly’. I’m here to assure you that will not happen. What will happen is that you’ll slim down, firm up and feel better than you have in a long time. 

1. It chews through calories

Lifting at a high intensity can burn up to 500 calories an hour. Not only that, your BMR (base metabolic rate) will be up for up to 24 hours after your workout. The more muscles that you recruit during your strength training, the more calories that you will burn, so make sure you’re mixing it up and giving all your muscles some love. Also, minimise rest time between sets to maximise the benefits.

2. Muscle is functional

Got kids? Then, chances are, you’ve had to do your fair share of lifting, carrying and squatting. Ever moved house? How did it feel to move the TV or big cumbersome pieces of furniture? Do you buckle under the weight of the weekly groceries?

The activities of daily life are a lot easier when you are stronger and fitter. 

3. It will help to prevent injuries

Lifting weights is an effective way to protect your bones and prevent injuries (like fractures) as you age. Women are four times more likely to suffer from osteoporosis than men due to hormonal changes, so it’s critical that women incorporate bone-building strength training into their exercise regime. 

Maintaining strong muscles through weight training also benefits your balance and coordination, which makes you less likely to take a tumble.

4. Improves posture

The quality of your posture has a lot to do with the strength of your midline and the muscles that support your spine. A lot of women focus their attention on their stomach muscles to the exclusion of their upper and lower back. To achieve a neutral spine and good posture, it’s important to develop all of these areas in equal measure.

5. Stress less

While your blood pressure will increase while you’re training, in the long term your blood pressure will lower as a result of lifting weights*. If you’re carrying more lean muscle mass, everyday activities are easier, which reduces the strain on your heart. It also improves your body’s responsiveness to insulin, which mitigates the risk of developing fluid retention and, in turn, lowers blood pressure. 

*If you have issues with your blood pressure, see your doctor before you take on a strength training program.

This article is an extract from news.com.au.