The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains (Overview)

A woman with brown hair and eyes and a concerned look holding an open book

Is the internet reshaping our brains? How might our digital habits affect our ability to concentrate and retain information? Nicholas Carr’s book The Shallows: What the Internet Is Doing to Our Brains explores the impact of Internet use on our cognitive functions. He argues that our online activities are altering our neural pathways, potentially diminishing our capacity for deep reading and sustained focus. Keep reading to explore Carr’s insights and their implications for our daily lives.

How Meditation Changes the Brain: 5 Effects We Know About

A cartoon of a cute and happy brain with closed eyes illustrates how meditation changes the brain

Is meditation really as beneficial as people claim? What specific changes can it make to your brain and overall well-being? Meditation has gained popularity in recent years, with many touting its numerous benefits. In Altered Traits, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson separate the signal from the noise to clarify what we do and don’t know about how meditation changes the brain—and, therefore, the meditator.  Keep reading to learn about the science-backed effects of meditation.

The Key to a Successful Mindset: Studying Victorious People

A silhouette of a man's head with a successful mindset, represented by a dollar sign against blue and black smoke

Do you want a successful mindset? What’s the power of positive thinking? According to Brian Tracy, by studying the behaviors of successful individuals, you can adopt their habits and mindsets to achieve similar levels of success. Their experience provides a proven blueprint for achievement so you don’t have to figure everything out through trial and error. Discover how studying the lives of other successful people can boost your own fortune.

How to Be Lucky: 3 Techniques From a Psychologist

A black and white image of a woman crossing the finders on both hands because she's trying to be lucky

Is it possible to learn how to be lucky? What can you do to turn around bad luck? According to psychologist Richard Wiseman, it’s possible to manipulate luck in your favor. He shares that if you brighten your outlook, broaden your horizons, and learn to turn your luck around then better luck is more likely to find you. Here are Wiseman’s tips on how to become lucky, from his book The Luck Factor.

Traditional & Secular Mindfulness in the Modern West

A middle-aged man with white hair and a beard practicing secular mindfulness meditation on a rock by a river

Is mindfulness meditation just for monks and spiritual seekers? Can everyday people benefit from this ancient practice? In Altered Traits, Daniel Goleman and Richard Davidson explain how mindfulness has evolved from its traditional roots to become a popular tool for self-improvement. Today, people approach meditation through various paths, ranging from deep spiritual practices to casual stress relief techniques. Keep reading to understand traditional and secular mindfulness approaches in the West.

Aware: Book Overview & Key Takeaways (Daniel J. Siegel)

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How can you expand your consciousness and improve your overall well-being? What benefits might you experience from strengthening your awareness? Aware, a book by Daniel J. Siegel, introduces a meditation tool called the Wheel of Awareness. This practice aims to enhance your focus, emotional health, and cognitive abilities. It also claims to offer physical benefits such as improved immune function and heart health. Read on for an overview of Siegel’s book.

What Is Your Self-Concept & How Does It Affect Your Success?

A woman looking at herself in the mirror what her self-concept is

What is your self-concept? How does your self-concept determine how much success you have in life? According to Brian Tracy, your self-concept determines your level of success across all areas of life. Everything you do gets filtered through your self-concept, influencing your thoughts, emotions, and behaviors in alignment with that internalized perception of yourself.  To learn more about your self-concept and its role in your life, keep reading.

Brain Energy: Book Overview (Christopher M. Palmer)

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What if the key to understanding and treating mental illness isn’t in the brain itself, but in how the brain gets its energy? Could improving your metabolic health alleviate symptoms of mental illness? Christopher M. Palmer’s book Brain Energy explores the connection between mental health and metabolism. He proposes that mental disorders stem from metabolic issues affecting brain function and offers insights into how lifestyle changes can boost metabolic efficiency and potentially improve mental health. Continue reading for our Brain Energy book overview.