Each neuron has a primary axon, which sends out information to many other neurons, and tens of thousands of branches, called dendrites, which receive information from other neurons. Neurons make contact with one another at points called synapses, and every neuron has from one to ten thousand synapses. As a …

In other words, the promise of what they are going to be delivered doesn't matter so much as how they feel in the moment--and with those who used the reality distortion field, they make them feel loved, validated, energized. It's not a complicated technique, and anyone can do it with …

In order to bridge this gulf, Buddhists over the centuries have devised an array of exercises aimed at smoothing the transition. They take that jump and break it down into little steps. Each step can be practiced by itself. Depression can be debilitating because some symptoms (like fatigue or low …

It's worth remembering that virtually all of the phenomena that paranormal researchers point to as evidence of supernatural or mystical occurrences can be replicated by magicians, most of whom readily admit they're illusionists and they're performing a trick. Doesn't that tell us something? And so, I have a little gremlin …

When the BBC reported on her story in July 2016 she was six months' pregnant. Our main system of trade is money. If you don't like it and can't change it, then learn how to better understand it and get better at it. Jim Rohn said, "I used to say …

It is the biggest barrier to regular physical activity and, by extension, one of the biggest barriers to long-term weight loss success.But let me state it simply: You really need to do it.One thing we know for sure is that people who have long-term success are physically active …

So try to eat protein-rich foods several times a day, especially when your energy level needs a lift. Healthy choices include beans and peas, lean beef, low-fat cheese, fish, milk, poultry, soy products, and yogurt. As I've said elsewhere, avoid processed proteins--such as packaged lunch meats and wrapped cheese slices--and …

One day, there you were! All of the choosing was done for you. Even as you grew up, you probably didn't have any idea that life offered anything other than what you were living. You simply became part of a long chain, its links consisting of your parents, your grandparents …

At the time, going to the gym couldn't have been easier--the fully equipped facility was located in my apartment complex. I couldn't blame my no-shows on traffic, nor could I blame it on membership dues, because membership was free for residents. Even taking a long walk would be better than …

It's good to challenge yourself every now and then, especially when it comes to the way in which you approach your tasks. This will often require you to break your larger tasks down into smaller pieces. Like the old saying goes, How do you eat an elephant? The answer is …

Owning up to them can be challenging, so be gentle as well as honest with yourself. See what insights you gain. You will likely start to notice patterns: Maybe there is a particular time of day when you are vulnerable to sneaking in a bite. Perhaps when you're stressed you …

statistics, 60 percent of depression sufferers between the ages of twelve and seventeen fail to get any form of treatment. Of those who do get treatment, only 19 percent receive both psychotherapy and medication. For the rest, almost all receive counseling alone, with only 2 percent receiving some form of …

What are our weak areas? What could catch us off guard? How can we prepare against flanking in this particular situation? What weak areas are we overlooking?" The more they train and prepare, the less shocking and stressful the actual fight is for them. They're better able to keep their …

The experience of pain is like a complex symphony; every pain experience is unique and each person's brain will play a different "pain song" when it processes danger messages. After the pain signals have traveled to the different areas of the brain, the brain automatically decides how best to interpret …

You will question yourself. You will be in a lot of pain. But the only person that'll be patting you on the back and telling you "It'll be ok" will be YOU. No one will be there when you're in pain and in tears. No one will be there to …

As the saying goes, it is about the journey, not just the destination. Absorbing this attitude can help you create an optimal psychological environment for success. Recognize that positive expectations create a virtuous cycle and a self-fulfilling prophecy! Whether you like it or not, delivering and getting results is how …

The same is true concerning other household chores. Dishes and silverware no longer accumulate in my sink--not because I've become overly fastidious about cleanliness, but because I've developed the positive habit of washing the utensils I used to prepare my meal, either while the food was still cooking, or just …

A slow cooker is also a great timesaving appliance. Fall in love with seasonings. Keep a good supply of herbs, seasonings, and flavored oils to enhance the flavor of your foods. Prepare healthy food with the taste you enjoy. Get into the habit of identifying and thinking positive things about …

I learned something else interesting from my brother when I was talking to him and seeking his thoughts, opinion, and advice on a situation that was making me "frustrated", "irritated", and "angry". He cut me off and said, "Well, Marc, that's where I think you're making a mistake. You're letting …

When beginning the process of taming the bramble of old and thorny emotions in yourself, talk therapy and cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) can provide exactly the tools you need to succeed. At The Center, we use a variation of CBT called dialectical behavioral therapy (DBT), which is a clear and …

Did you feel the texture of your cereals? If your answer is no, you definitely need to get out of your head. Stop thinking and start feeling. Triggers can be blatant or they can be subtle. For example, if a tornado ripped through your childhood home, you're likely terrified of …

Research has shown that CBT alone is at least as effective as antidepressant medication at treating less severe forms of depression, but it is usually recommended in combination with drugs for people experiencing more severe symptoms. Once more, it's clear that CBT has an important role to play, but used …

Suppose for a moment that we changed tasks because our second task was indeed more important than the original task we were working on. All we'd need to do then would be to act on the second task until its completion, and then return to our original task. However, that's …

I've come off my medication twice, gradually discontinuing dosages with the help of my doctor, only to discover that my depression recurred. If your health professionals or therapists have never heard of discontinuation syndrome, shake a finger at them, and then drag them to the nearest computer. Other avenues that …

Unfortunately, this digital debris costs us time, degrades performance, and kills concentration. Unsurprisingly, our brains have a tougher time finding things when they are positioned in a disorganized manner, which means every errant icon, open tab, or unnecessary bookmark serves as a nagging reminder of things left undone or unexplored …

The urge then, of course, is to resume using to end the agony of the crash. Anxiety and panic will never "drive you insane." There is no causal link between anxiety and other mental illnesses. Excessive anxiety or panic will not cause you to start hearing voices, seeing things, or …

For example, you value family but currently are not able to see them as much as you would like. If you keep avoiding activities because they might be painful, you never have the chance to see how your body is changing. You are not able to learn when the activity …

Cindy Geyer of the True Health Initiative, the link between stress and depression is a strong one.[9] Some studies show that stress can suppress the growth of new neurons in the hippocampus, which is linked to depression. Stress causes inflammation in the body--also linked with depression. Reducing and improving …

Treatment often involves making some change in the way you think or behave, and that may be uncomfortable. Changing to something unfamiliar can be both scary and hopeful. It is scary because you are doing something different and perhaps a little uncomfortable, and hopeful because the purpose is to feel …

People who suffer from OCD describe feeling a compulsive urge to take part in ritualized activities: for example, checking locks and gas taps many times before being able to leave the house, washing hands or clothes excessively or engaging in excessive cleaning. These behaviours are often accompanied with repetitive actions …

Where would I go? I'd have to climb all over everybody again. Looking at responses from more than 62,000 people, the researchers found that in individualist cultures, emotions were significant predictors of life satisfaction. In collectivist nations, normative beliefs were equally as strong as emotions in predicting life satisfaction--for …

Enlist the help of fitness apps. Downloading a fitness app on your phone or purchasing an activity tracker isn't necessary (so don't put off your fitness goals until you have one) but can be motivating for some people. If counting steps or reaching activity goals by using an app or …

They love the pain of the struggle to reach the next level. They love the pain of pushing and pushing and pushing to gain that one inch in the right direction. They love the pain of coming up short because they didn't focus or try hard enough. They love the …

Human beings are social animals. We are born and hard wired to live in groups of between 50 and 100 people. Our memories are actually formed based on the number of people that tend to exist in an average person's social life. Why do you think you feel so much …

They are especially important when you are trying to manage a mood disorder. The basic steps include maintaining a regular pattern of sleep, a healthy diet, and regular physical exercise; taking prescribed medications; keeping up social contacts; and having a routine and structure to your day. The steps are your …

I am positive. We tend to feel overloaded and overwhelmed. We tend to get distracted and not accomplish the things we need to. Simplifying and organizing are ways to deal with these problems, or even better, to avoid them. Focusing on doing one thing and forgetting about the rest simplifies …

First thing in the morning, they're in the pants he took off last night. Works great. For me, I have so many keys on my key ring that it would make me lopsided if I did it that way, and my pants pockets are too small to carry the keys …

If you make your bed every morning you will have accomplished the first task of the day. It will give you a small sense of pride and it will encourage you to do another task and another and another. By the end of the day, that one task completed will …

"Whew. You seem really normal! I promise you I am too. Plus, you know, the first two minutes of a date are the scariest, and we've gotten through that, so let's see what else we can get through." Then, smile. Congratulations! You've just put your date at ease, and communicated …

After analyzing a recent series of experiments that were said to have found evidence of ESP, she stated, "These experiments, which looked so beautifully designed in print, were in fact open to fraud or error in several ways...the results could not be relied upon as evidence for psi."41 …