If you're stuck in a funk as the days get shorter and darker, try something totally new. And then keep mixing it up.

💡 Why it matters: It's not easy to take a leap of faith and embark on an adventure, but the benefits for our mental and emotional health are undeniable.

• Zoom in: 2 in 3 Americans said they felt bored at least once in a 10-day period, The Washington Post reports.
• While boredom as an emotion isn't necessarily a bad thing, it's our brain's way of telling us we should change something up.

💼 Case in point: Rob LaZebnik, co-executive producer of "The Simpsons," wrote an essay in The Wall Street Journal about how he's avoiding becoming boring after hitting 60.

• His solution: "Embark on a series of tame, achievable, eye-opening challenges" so you have fresh stories to tell people when they ask you what's new.

His adventures range from grand and dramatic — like going on a police ride-along — to simple — like cooking an Italian dinner for his family — to delightfully random — like asking to make the landing announcement on an airplane.

🔎 Between the lines: Many of us shy away from trying new things — even just once — because we're afraid of failing.

• But these challenges boost our courage and confidence, and keep our minds healthy and sharp — at any age.

📬 We want to hear about your adventures! How are you spending your weekends with your kids or grandkids? What are you planning for your post-college summer?

• Tell us about one fun, new thing you've tried or are going to try, and include your name and hometown to be featured in an adventures edition.

We're back with more of your holiday food traditions. This one is for every Finish Liner with a sweet tooth, from reader Alice H. in Lawrenceville, N.J.

• "There are about 12 different kinds [of Christmas cookies] we make (no plain chocolate chip allowed!)."
• The cookies — made from recipes passed down for four generations, and most recently to Alice's son — include: Butterscotch Stars, Chocolate Mint Chip, Christmas Tree Spritz, Springerle, Cream Cheese Date Roll-ups and Cherry M&M Bars.