During the holidays, we spend a lot of time thinking about food – what kind of cookies to bake, where to find the perfect apples for pie, whether we want ham or turkey for the big family dinner… …and every gathering revolves around a table full of delicious treats (in fact, we’ve had a few […]
Keeping Holiday Tradition Alive (Here at NICABM)
Here at NICABM, we do like to keep things new and fresh. But this time of year, there’s one tradition we’ve all become particularly fond of . . . . . . and that’s choosing the charity that will get half of the proceeds from our holiday special. Every year, each member of the NICABM […]
Giving Just Feels Good: It Starts in Your Brain
Each passing year brings its own unique blend of ups, downs, and “in-betweens”. . . . . . but ultimately, I often find myself feeling so blessed and grateful this time of year as I reflect back over it all. I’ve made some wonderful new friends, managed to stay in touch with those who are […]
Dream Big, Work Hard, and Go For It – A Little Motivation to Help Inspire You
Throughout this year, I’ve found myself continually inspired by the practitioners who make up the NICABM community. And if you’re reading this, that means I’m talking about you. As practitioners, we dedicate ourselves to helping people transform their lives. It can be a challenging endeavor, but it’s worth every ounce of effort. But every now […]
The Brain Under Stress – Using Mindfulness to Regain Focus
Imagine having to keep your guard up every day because of bullying and the constant threat of violence . . . . . . this is what life is like for many of the adolescents incarcerated in high security prisons all over the world. And the high stress that it causes can wreak havoc on […]
Making Movement Easier: Can Mindfulness Re-Open Pathways in the Brain?
Have you ever had to stop and think about making your fingers move or wiggling your toes? For people who have experienced a stroke or suffer from a motor neuron disease, simple tasks like these can be nearly impossible. But here’s some heartening news – brain-computer interfaces (BCIs) may help them regain some of what […]
One Way to Lessen the Stress of Holiday Travel
Ever feel a twinge in your stomach on the way to the airport? Many people are nervous travelers to begin with, and when you add things like leaving behind something important or running late for a flight, it can be a recipe for extra stress (perhaps especially around the holidays). But here’s something that’s quick […]
Changing the Brain – Can Mindfulness Ease the Symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease?
Muhammad Ali, Michael J. Fox, Linda Ronstadt – these are some of the most well-known faces of Parkinson’s disease. But millions of people all over the world are living with this diagnosis, and dealing with the constant tremors, pain, and depression that can come with it. Medication and therapy alike have been used to treat […]
Using Mindfulness to Confront Fear
Fear can sometimes limit us . . . . . . and often, one of the last things we want to do is confront what scares us the most. For Kelly McGonigal, PhD it felt like avoiding her biggest fear was only helping to reinforce it. But when she started using mindfulness practice just a […]
Mindfulness Brings Together Neurobiologists, Therapists, and Spiritual Leaders (but the List Doesn’t Stop There)
In the news, on the Internet, even behind bars . . . . . . mindfulness is everywhere, and it’s being used in new and exciting ways everyday. As the Making Mindfulness Work series comes to a close, what better time than now to look back and reflect on what we’ve learned. These past six […]