Mindfulness can be a foundation for something big. If you have a mindfulness practice, you know how motivating and energizing it can be. But as I read through people’s thoughts on the comment boards, I noticed a powerful theme. . . . . . new beginnings. Practitioners from around the world were sharing their hopes […]
Brain health and interoception: Getting in touch
“Listen to your heart.” That might sound overly romantic, but it could also be one way to improve your mental health. . . . . . at least, according to a study by researchers at the University of London. Led by Manos Tsakiris, PhD, researchers set out to see how paying attention to the rhythms […]
Neuroplasticity and trauma: Can brain science give us a new perspective on healing?
We owe the brain a lot. The brain is always looking out for us. It’s wired to help us survive – alerting us to threats and ramping up our amygdala to help us take action. But that same survival trigger makes healing from trauma difficult, says Pat Ogden, PhD. In fact, the very systems that […]
Brain health: You don’t need to be a neuroscientist to make it possible
You don’t need to be a neuroscientist to make brain change possible. When we set out to put together the New Brain Science series, that was our “big idea.” We wanted to prove that anyone can unlock the brain’s potential to change. And it’s because of my friends Joan Borysenko, PhD and Ron Siegel, PsyD […]
How the Brain Works with the Vagus: Empathy and More
When someone’s frowning, or beaming, or gaping in surprise, they’re wearing their heart on their face. That’s because the muscles that control facial expression are linked to the smart vagus, says Stephen Porges, PhD. Thanks to the vagus nerve, the emotions we feel are displayed on our faces and in the sound of our voices. […]