Emily Kitazawa, Author at Shortform Books

How Does Stress Affect Mental and Emotional Health?

How does stress affect mental and emotional health? Can stress cause depression or anxiety? In Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky explains how our bodies haven’t evolved to deal with the never-ending mental stressors of modern life. He further describes how chronic stress affects mental and emotional health when you’re unable to effectively cope with stress. Keep reading to learn how stress affects mental and emotional health, according to Sapolsky.

The 5 Risk Factors Affecting Your Stress Levels

What are the common factors affecting stress? What outside factors impact the degree of stress we experience? In Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, Robert Sapolsky claims that we experience constant psychological stressors that trigger chronic stress, like financial and career concerns. However, he claims that there are five specific psychological factors affecting the degree of stress we experience in daily life. Read on to discover the five psychological factors that affect stress, according to Sapolsky.

How an Internal Locus of Control Reduces Chronic Stress

What is an internal locus of control? How does a strong sense of control help to relieve chronic stress? In Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers, biologist and neuroscientist Robert Sapolsky examines the evolution and biology of stress. Among the many factors affecting chronic stress, he claims that having a strong internal locus of control makes you better equipped to cope with everyday stressors. Read on to learn about the internal locus of control and how to make it stronger, according to Sapolsky.

The Extended Mind by Annie Murphy Paul: Book Overview

Want an overview of Annie Murphy Paul’s The Extended Mind? How can you learn to think more productively and efficiently? In The Extended Mind, Annie Murphy Paul teaches you several simple cognitive strategies and habits that will help you better understand complex ideas and focus more intently on your goals. Her simple methods show you ways to unlock more creative ideas and connect more deeply with others. Read on for an overview of Annie Murphy Paul’s The Extended Mind book.

Why Black Homeowners Face Discrimination in Appraisals

The Millionaire Next Door and Wealth-Building

Why do Black homeowners face discrimination in appraisals? Have you or someone you know experienced bias in the home appraisal process? Black Americans regularly receive lower home valuations and suffer a host of economic, social, and educational consequences as a result. To address the discrimination that Black homeowners face in home valuations, the first step is diversifying the appraisal industry, which is 97 percent white. Read on to learn more about why Black homeowners face discrimination in home appraisals in the U.S.

3 Healthy Coping Mechanisms for Stress in Daily Life

What are some healthy coping mechanisms for stress? How can you choose the right coping mechanism for certain stressful situations? Robert Sapolsky wrote Why Zebras Don’t Get Ulcers to explore the biological reasons behind chronic stress in modern society. According to him, the key to finding healthy coping mechanisms for stress is choosing the right strategy based on the stressful situation you’re experiencing. Read on to learn three healthy coping mechanisms for stress, according to Sapolsky’s method.

How Writing Down Your Thoughts Benefits Your Mind

Why should you write down your thoughts? What are the cognitive benefits? The Extended Mind is a book about how to achieve optimal cognition by catering to your brain’s biology. In the book, science writer Annie Murphy Paul explains that writing down your thoughts is one of the best ways to enhance your cognition. Read on to learn about the benefits of writing down your thoughts and Paul’s tips for getting started.

The Microsoft & OpenAI Partnership: What the Future Holds

Why are Microsoft and OpenAI working together? What is generative AI? What are the pair’s plans for this year? Last month, Microsoft announced it would be investing $10 billion in OpenAI, which began as a nonprofit research lab in 2015 and now predicts it will produce $200 million in revenue this year. Even as Microsoft and OpenAI race to cash in on generative AI, they still face potential roadblocks moving forward. Read on to learn more about Microsoft, OpenAI, and the generative AI gold rush.

Why Learning Through Teaching or Debate Is Better

Can learning through teaching or debate help you to learn more effectively? Why do these methods help to enhance your thinking? According to science writer Annie Murphy Paul, thinking in a way that suits your brain’s biology helps you to tap into your full cognitive potential. Learning through teaching or debate is one way Paul claims you can understand complex ideas more thoroughly. Keep reading to learn why Paul argues that learning through teaching or debate is most effective.

How to Prepare for Layoffs: Tips for Before & After a Layoff

With mass layoffs reaching a record high, are you wondering how to prepare for layoffs? What should you do before or after being laid off? Layoffs that began in 2022 have picked up pace this year, as companies hit by weaker earnings, inflation, high interest rates, and fears of recession look to cut costs. Since layoffs can cause more distress than even a divorce, it’s important to prepare for layoffs before they happen. Read on to learn how to prepare for layoffs and what to do if you’re laid off.