Health and Human Nature

Health

Why People Don’t Take Doctors' Advice

Kristen A. Carter MS on October 5, 2021

Often a visit to our family doctor puts us in anticipation of getting advice about improving our health. Whether that advice is taken depends on many factors.

Often a visit to our family doctor puts us in anticipation of getting advice about improving our health. Whether that advice is taken depends on many factors.

Self-Control

Finding the Self-Control to Lose Weight

Kristen A. Carter MS on September 21, 2021

Individuals hoping to lose weight often ask themselves if they have enough motivation and willpower. But it’s a change of focus that matters.

Individuals hoping to lose weight often ask themselves if they have enough motivation and willpower. But it’s a change of focus that matters.

Mindfulness

Solving the Mystery of Weight Loss Failures

Kristen A. Carter MS on August 18, 2021

When we attempt to lose weight and exercise more, often we hit a logjam. See what research says is getting in the way.

When we attempt to lose weight and exercise more, often we hit a logjam. See what research says is getting in the way.

Diet

Eliminating the Stress of Dieting

Kristen A. Carter MS on August 3, 2021

What is the secret to losing weight and keeping it off? It’s not following a diet—it's developing autonomy over the process.

What is the secret to losing weight and keeping it off? It’s not following a diet—it's developing autonomy over the process.

Diet

Why We Underestimate What We Eat

Kristen A. Carter MS on July 20, 2021

We often “sugar-coat” exactly what and how much we eat. Are we lying or in denial? Understanding what is going on can help us switch to healthier eating habits.

We often “sugar-coat” exactly what and how much we eat. Are we lying or in denial? Understanding what is going on can help us switch to healthier eating habits.

Mindfulness

What Causes Food Cravings?

Kristen A. Carter MS on June 8, 2021

Where do our pesky food cravings come from, and how can we get rid of them?

Where do our pesky food cravings come from, and how can we get rid of them?

Relationships

How Love of Novelty Gets in the Way of Our Health

Kristen A. Carter MS on May 19, 2021

How often does trying something new sabotage our healthy-eating efforts? More often than we think, research suggests.

How often does trying something new sabotage our healthy-eating efforts? More often than we think, research suggests.

Diet

Does Being Told to Lose Weight Actually Help?

Kristen A. Carter MS on April 20, 2021

The idea of trying to lose weight can make many people cringe. Getting a doctor’s advice doesn't always help. Here’s what could change that.

The idea of trying to lose weight can make many people cringe. Getting a doctor’s advice doesn't always help. Here’s what could change that.

Mindfulness

Taming the Emotional Side of Eating

Kristen A. Carter MS on March 30, 2021

One of the most common issues related to weight regain after a diet is the inability to handle emotional eating. Here’s what the research says can help.

One of the most common issues related to weight regain after a diet is the inability to handle emotional eating. Here’s what the research says can help.

Diet

False Hope Syndrome Reveals a Big Problem with Dieting

Kristen A. Carter MS on March 16, 2021

Why do people continue to use the same strategy to lose weight time and again, even though it repeatedly fails? 

Why do people continue to use the same strategy to lose weight time and again, even though it repeatedly fails? 

Diet

The Ultimate Food Fight

Kristen A. Carter MS on February 2, 2021

Is food the savior, leading to longer life, or is it the enemy, doing its best to seduce us into ill health?

Is food the savior, leading to longer life, or is it the enemy, doing its best to seduce us into ill health?

Psychopharmacology

Exercise Is Medicine? Wait!

Kristen A. Carter MS on January 5, 2021

How often have you heard or said that it would be so much easier to take a pill to maintain health instead of adopting a healthier lifestyle?

How often have you heard or said that it would be so much easier to take a pill to maintain health instead of adopting a healthier lifestyle?

Gratitude

Can Being Grateful Motivate Us to Exercise More?

Kristen A. Carter MS on December 2, 2020

Many studies have shown that getting more exercise is good for our brain. But can working on elevating our mood also help us to exercise more?

Many studies have shown that getting more exercise is good for our brain. But can working on elevating our mood also help us to exercise more?

Health

Black and White Thinking Can Affect Your Health

Kristen A. Carter MS on November 10, 2020

We celebrate creativity, genius, and success but often don’t see that underneath we can have another tendency.

We celebrate creativity, genius, and success but often don’t see that underneath we can have another tendency.

Motivation

Why Setting Goals for Weight Loss Can Be Tricky

Kristen A. Carter MS on October 21, 2020

When it comes to losing weight, it's easier said than done. Setting the right goals can help.

When it comes to losing weight, it's easier said than done. Setting the right goals can help.

Diet

8 Questions to Ask Before Going on a Diet

Kristen A. Carter MS on September 24, 2020

Many people are constantly trying to lose weight but failing. What's missing from diet plans and programs?

Many people are constantly trying to lose weight but failing. What's missing from diet plans and programs?

Motivation

Small Changes for Health: Not So Fast

Kristen A. Carter MS on September 2, 2020

Making small changes to establish new, healthier habits seems like a simple, effective strategy. If so, why hasn't it been embraced by more people?

Making small changes to establish new, healthier habits seems like a simple, effective strategy. If so, why hasn't it been embraced by more people?