If the idea of economic growth makes you fall asleep, wake up! There are a number of other ways to tell the economy is on the up and up.

For example, more people are going to see the dentist, after delaying their dentist visits during hard times. More people are going to get haircuts. And more couples are going to finally make the decision to split up.

These weird indicators may seem inconsequential, but they help to paint a more tangible picture of how the economic recovery manifests itself in day-to-day American life. So be thankful if your husband decides it's time to buy new underwear. It's a sign of something good!

Check out our nine favorite weird indicators below:

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  • More Divorces

    Kim Kardashian is not alone. <a href="http://www.npr.org/2011/02/10/133631484/for-some-couples-economic-indicators-say-split" target="_hplink">There has been a surge in divorces</a> since the start of the economic recovery, according to NPR. Divorce is expensive, so with the economy on the rebound, unhappy couples now have the means to divorce.

  • More Haircuts

    Say goodbye to the recession haircut -- better known as cutting your own hair to save money. <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/46796981" target="_hplink">Sales at hair salons</a> have increased 5.37 percent since 2009, according to research by Sageworks cited by CNBC. <a href="http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/on-small-business/better-economy-better-hair/2012/04/04/gIQAic8vvS_story.html" target="_hplink">These hair salon sales include not only haircuts</a>, but also hair coloring, according to <em>The Washington Post</em>.

  • More Dinners Out

    We're now treating ourselves more to a nice meal out. <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2012/03/17/business/economy/sales-at-sit-down-restaurants-suggest-a-rising-economy.html" target="_hplink">Sales at sit-down restaurants have risen 8.7 percent</a> over the past year, according to government data cited by <em>The New York Times</em>.

  • More Plastic Surgery

    Notice some of your friends are looking a bit more nipped and tucked lately? That's because plastic surgery procedures often see a boost during better economic times. <a href="http://www.plasticsurgery.org/News-and-Resources/138-Million-Cosmetic-Plastic-Surgery-Procedures-Performed-in-2011.html" target="_hplink">There were 13.8 million plastic surgeries</a> in 2011: up 5 percent since 2010, according to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons.

  • More Zoo Visits

    More parents are treating their kids to zoo visits now that the economy is recovering. <a href="http://www.dallasnews.com/news/community-news/oak-cliff/headlines/20120402-dallas-zoo-sets-record-for-attendance-in-a-month-over-145000.ece" target="_hplink">The Dallas Zoo had record attendance</a> in March: 145,441 paying visitors, up 18 percent from the record set the year before, according to the <em>Dallas Morning-News</em>.

  • More People Quitting

    When the economy gets better, workers that are unhappy at their jobs are more likely to quit, since they feel they have a better chance of finding a better job. <a href="http://www.cnbc.com/id/47030350" target="_hplink">More workers now are quitting than getting fired</a>, according to Labor Department data cited by CNBC.

  • More People Riding The Subway

    People that used to walk to save money are taking the subway again. <a href="http://www.ny1.com/content/news_beats/transit/159176/mta--subway-ridership-at-highest-level-since-1950" target="_hplink">More New Yorkers are riding the subway</a> than at any point since 1950, according to NY1.

  • More Dentist Visits

    People that delayed dentist visits to save money are going to see the dentist again -- possibly to find out they have cavities. <a href="http://video.cnbc.com/gallery/?video=3000076504" target="_hplink">Dentist visits are rising</a> thanks to the economic recovery, according to CNBC.

  • New Men's Underwear

    Men that made do with their old underwear now are buying new underwear as the economy improves. <a href="http://1bog.org/blog/infographic-five-weird-signs-the-economy-is-improving/" target="_hplink">Men's underwear sales have increased 5.2 percent</a> in the 12 months ending in August 2011, topping $2.58 billion, according to One Block Off the Grid.