You know those commercial jingles that get stuck in your head for what feels like an eternity? Or one line from a pop song you don’t even really know the lyrics to? That’s more than a minor annoyance; it’s an actual affliction called earworm, a name that sounds a lot more alarming than just a harmless bit of music overstaying its welcome. Studies have shown that 99% of us have suffered from it, but musicians, women, and people under stress are the most prone. Some tried and true methods to kick it? Keep yourself busy with a mental task like Soduku, listen to the song all the way through, or “pass it on” and sing it to a friend–just don’t be surprised it they become your ex-friend after one too many stanzas from the commercial for your local furniture store.
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