The World's Best Book Summaries
Why is rest so important for your brain? What are the best ways to let your brain relax? Chris Bailey, the author of Hyperfocus, argues that brain rest is essential for productivity. He discusses why rest matters, the two ideal methods of rest, and the importance of sleep when it comes to cognitive performance. Continue reading to learn how to relax your brain.
How do social relationships affect health? What role does socializing play in well-being? Research shows that social relationships are at least as important as diet and exercise for long-term health. Take a look, for example, at Roseto, a small town in Pennsylvania, where research suggested that tight-knit community relations were responsible for residents’ remarkably low levels of disease, alcoholism, and suicide. Here’s how social ties contribute to health, as evidenced by the Roseto population.
Why are athletes less sensitive to pain? Does playing sports decrease pain sensitivity? Or is it a matter of genetics? Pain is inevitable in most sports, and managing pain is an important part of being an elite athlete. While some athletes may have a genetic advantage when processing pain, intense athletic competition can make anyone less sensitive to pain. Keep reading to learn about the genetics of pain and why athletes tend to be tougher than an average person when it comes to handling pain.
What is the function of the gene Apolipoprotein E (APOE)? How many APOE variants are there? The Apolipoprotein E gene influences inflammation in the brain following head trauma. The Apolipoprotein E gene has three variants: APOE 2, APOE 3, and APOE 4. A person’s variant of the gene can influence how they recover from a brain injury. Keep reading to learn about the function of Apolipoprotein E and how it relates to sports.
What is codependent behavior? Why is it so difficult to properly define codependency? The definition of codependency is constantly changing as the study of psychology evolves. Some doctors say that codependency is a situational response, while others go so far as to say it’s a disease. Below, we will explore the history of codependency and its many definitions.
How can you tell if a person has codependent tendencies? What side-effects can codependency lead to? In her book Codependent No More, Melody Beattie outlines the most common codependency traits. It’s important to look out for these symptoms in yourself or in others because, the longer these traits go unaddressed, the worse the problem becomes. Here are the characteristics of codependency.
Do you struggle with how to process emotions? How can properly processing your emotions help you overcome codependent tendencies? Many codependent people tend to repress their emotions, because feeling numb is better than feeling pain. However, not processing your emotions can lead to a multitude of issues, including worsening your codependency issues. In order to gain back your self-esteem and work towards becoming more independent, you need to learn how to process your emotions. Here are four tips for processing your feelings.
What is social comparison? Why is comparing yourself to others so harmful? Is social comparison more common today than ever before? Social comparison is the act of comparing yourself to others—whether you know them or not. This act can come in two forms: upward comparison and downward comparison. The motivating factor for any social comparison, however, is the motivation to achieve status. Keep reading to learn all about social comparison and how it affects decision-making and mental health.
Do you want to know how to deal with negative thoughts? Do you often stress about circumstances that are out of your control? How can negative thoughts affect your mental health? The quality of your thoughts, both positive and negative, affect your mental health and state. Focusing on negative thoughts can cause overthinking, anxiety, and depression. So, rather than stressing about things that are beyond your control, learn to reframe your thoughts and improve your mental state. Here are some productive ways to process your fearful and negative thoughts.
What are counterfactuals? What’s the difference between an upward and a downward counterfactual? Counterfactuals are the hypothetical situations you imagine—such as wondering what life would be like if you had taken that other job. Counterfactuals can go both ways. Upward counterfactuals are when you imagine how things could be better, and downward counterfactuals are when you think of how things could be worse. Learn more about counterfactuals and how they affect mental health.