For years, I’ve had an interest in neuroplasticity, particularly as it relates to telomeres in the brain. Many researchers use telomere length to determine cell age, as telomeres naturally shorten with time and give a picture of overall brain health. Telomeres act as protective caps on the end of chromosomes to keep them from deteriorating. […]
Everyday Neuroplasticity – Can Simply Paying Attention Change The Brain?
It’s brain science – not rocket science. Although built from complex mixtures of chemicals and nerve cells, the brain isn’t that difficult to change. Everyday habits, interactions with other people, and even diet can potentially rewire the brain. In fact, just by focusing on the words on this site, you could be changing your brain […]
Twin Studies on Exercise and the Brain
We know that exercise is good for our bodies and brains, and yet, for most of us, it’s still hard to strap on those running shoes and get going. But I read a recent study that made me sit up and pay attention. I think it’s also going to serve as a healthy reminder on […]
Recharge Your Brain with a Good Night’s Sleep
A late night at work, too many things on the to-do list, or maybe you were awakened by a nightmare . . . . . . most of us have experienced lack of sleep at some point in our lives (and for some, it can feel more like the norm than the exception). But, missing […]
Rewiring the Brain to Buffer Social Pain
Whether it’s being picked last for softball after school or not getting invited to an important social gathering, being left out can cause a lot of emotional pain. Being excluded hurts. But what can you do about it? It’s just part of life, right? That answer wasn’t good enough for Dr. Paolo Riva and his […]
Changing the Brain with Meditation: What’s Sleep Got to Do With It?
When a busy day is done, and you’re finally tucked in bed and fast asleep, your brain gets a break from that seemingly endless daily barrage of stimulation. For researchers at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, that made for an ideal opportunity to take a look at brain waves in their most natural, uninfluenced state. They […]
Is There a Cost to Avoiding Conflict?
Dealing with conflict is seldom easy. That’s why, in the face of conflict, many people’s default mode is to try to minimize it or avoid it outright. But is there a cost involved when we shy away from confrontation? Tara Brach, PhD says that this kind of avoidance is actually a “false refuge.” She shares […]
The Brain on Long-Term Love
What activates the pleasure and reward centers of the brain, calms parts of the brain associated with fear and anxiety, and is available to anyone without a prescription? Long-term relationships. Researchers Bianca Acevedo, PhD and Arthur Aron, PhD took ten women and seven men who had been married an average of 21.4 years and did […]
Mindfulness and Self-Worth – What’s the Connection?
Feelings of unworthiness, shame, and self-hatred seem to show up all too often in daily life – we see it in our work, our families, and maybe even experience it ourselves. But there’s at least one person in the world who’s not especially familiar with such feelings. In fact, he didn’t even know the meaning […]
Thank You, You Saved My Life
What’s the most encouraging feedback you’ve ever received from a client you’ve worked with? My friend, Bill O’Hanlon, LMFT, remembers the day he received a powerful thank you message from someone he’d never even met. Bill is a psychotherapist, a dynamic, inspirational professional speaker (you might remember him from the Hilton Head conference,) and prolific […]