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 […]
Can Mindfulness Change How Stress Affects Your Body?
From doorknobs, to desktops, to cell phones – pretty much everything we touch can be a breeding ground for germs. So maintaining a strong immune system is one key to staying healthy. But when stress sends the immune system into overdrive, it may attack the body, instead of protecting it. And for some, this can […]
Why Mind-Wandering Can Be a Detriment to Happiness (and One Way to Refocus)
When our thoughts start to stray, they can tend to go in one of two directions. Sometimes we find ourselves dreaming of an upcoming vacation or looking forward to a get-together with friends . . . . . . or, maybe we’re distracted by worries about approaching deadlines or unpaid bills. Even though the […]
Mindfulness . . . There’s an App for That?
As technology makes its way into what seems like every corner of life, it can feel rather challenging to strike that careful balance of knowing when it’s helpful and when it’s not. And frankly, the last place you might expect an electronic gadget to come in handy is front and center during your mindfulness practice. […]
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 […]
Brain Change and Compassion: Using Mindfulness for Greater Empathy
All too often, we hear of people in need, of too many people going without. And as the holiday season fast approaches here in the United States, opportunities for kindness and helpfulness start to ramp up – a lot of people annually volunteer their time at local soup kitchens or set aside money, food, or […]