Category Archives: Uncategorized

Mindsets: The Power of Belief

In a previous post, I addressed the advantages of mindfulness meditation over a focused (mantra) meditation, and how it brings your thoughts and tendencies into your awareness. Thus, you gain the ability to perceive them as a manifestation of the mind, instead of as part of the self. However, my intention was not to condemnContinue reading “Mindsets: The Power of Belief”

Escaping (US) Americanisms

The USA is largely a goal-oriented society that values results more than the struggle or process to attain them. This is somewhat of a departure from many of the other cultures I’ve been blessed to live amongst. In light of this, much of our time as Americans is spent planning for and envisioning the future.Continue reading “Escaping (US) Americanisms”

Distraction: When Is It Advantageous?

For much of my *professional* life, I’ve been easily swayed by distraction—not just getting down to business, whatever the undertaking may be, but also merely staying on task. I think this is a common struggle in the digital age, as the onslaught of stimuli and noise we’re faced with continues to grow. For a longContinue reading “Distraction: When Is It Advantageous?”

Exteroception vs Interoception: Getting Out of Your Head

Most people are sort of in their head a lot. They’re not really present to what they’re doing, which leads me to the statement that I believe, most people have an interoceptive bias—they’re focused more on what’s going on internally than on what’s happening externally. I think that this is an issue because we hearContinue reading “Exteroception vs Interoception: Getting Out of Your Head”

Movement and (Mental) Longevity – Cognitive and Emotional

I’ve talked a lot of the benefits or stillness (both physical and mental) in the past. However, being sedentary for too long has detrimental effects.
On the flip side, movement can also be used to benefit the mind, like improving mood, memory, and attention.

The Keys to Life for Improved Mood, Creativity and Cognition

In a recent post I discussed how social interaction or close companionship and engaging in a pastime that brings you joy and allows an outlet for frustration can greatly improve mental wellbeing and immune function when stress, anxiety, depression or social phobia set in. While who and what you interact with – and to what degreeContinue reading “The Keys to Life for Improved Mood, Creativity and Cognition”

Beating Stress, Anxiety and Depression by Inhibiting Substance P

Social isolation that goes too long is associated with this molecule of Tachykinin in everything from flies to humans. It makes us more irritable, fearful, paranoid, and impairs our immune system. Tachykinin is like this internal punishment signal. It’s like our body and our brain telling us, “You’re not spending enough time with people that you really trust.Continue reading “Beating Stress, Anxiety and Depression by Inhibiting Substance P”

Panoramic vs. Tunnel Vision, Interoception and Inner-State

Much like how our experience of life, whether we’re alert, stressed, excited or calm changes our patterns of breathing, our inner-state drives changes in our visual system—the aperture of whether or not we see the big picture or have a very contracted view of the world. When we are stressed or excited about something, theContinue reading “Panoramic vs. Tunnel Vision, Interoception and Inner-State”

Alcohol, Other Attachments, and Acceptance

“As soon as I had the realization that sitting down and cracking an ice cold beer when I got home was all I was looking forward to after work each day, I knew I had to make a change.” Alan Heffelfeffer, Owner of Oak Park Records This statement, made by fellow music nerd and confidant,Continue reading “Alcohol, Other Attachments, and Acceptance”