The Athlete's Way

Motivation

Keeping Good News a Secret May Have Energizing Effects

Christopher Bergland on November 13, 2023

Keeping secrets you feel bad about has adverse effects. However, a new study reports that keeping secrets you feel good about can be energizing.

Keeping secrets you feel bad about has adverse effects. However, a new study reports that keeping secrets you feel good about can be energizing.

Anger

From Anger to Hope, Six Emotions That Spark Success

Christopher Bergland on November 8, 2023

Anger can help people achieve lofty goals, However, new research suggests that using negative emotions to spark success comes at a price. .

Anger can help people achieve lofty goals, However, new research suggests that using negative emotions to spark success comes at a price. .

Anger

When Angry Self-Talk Is Better Than Happy Self-Talk

Christopher Bergland on November 3, 2023

A new study sheds light on when anger helps people achieve goals (and when it doesn't).

A new study sheds light on when anger helps people achieve goals (and when it doesn't).

Adverse Childhood Experiences

22 Types of Childhood Verbal Abuse and Their Damage

Christopher Bergland on October 14, 2023

Amid growing calls to make verbal abuse a defined category of child maltreatment, a new meta-analysis identifies at least 22 types of verbally abusive behavior.

Amid growing calls to make verbal abuse a defined category of child maltreatment, a new meta-analysis identifies at least 22 types of verbally abusive behavior.

Cognition

How Stimulating the Cerebellum May “Unclamp” Writer’s Block

Christopher Bergland on October 8, 2023

New research shows how stimulating the cerebellum can improve automatic language functions and enhance verbal fluency in ways that could help those experiencing writer's block.

New research shows how stimulating the cerebellum can improve automatic language functions and enhance verbal fluency in ways that could help those experiencing writer's block.

Vagus Nerve

Does Vagus Nerve Activity Make Jogging More Enjoyable?

Christopher Bergland on October 1, 2023

A Personal Perspective: New research shows how cardio increases vagal nerve activity and enhances coronary blood flow. As a jogger, this helps explain why cardio often feels good.

A Personal Perspective: New research shows how cardio increases vagal nerve activity and enhances coronary blood flow. As a jogger, this helps explain why cardio often feels good.

Vagus Nerve

Surprising Ways the Vagus Nerve Activates During Exercise

Christopher Bergland on September 30, 2023

A new study shows how during exercise, vagus nerve activity increases and enhances coronary blood flow.

A new study shows how during exercise, vagus nerve activity increases and enhances coronary blood flow.

Health

2 Ways Morning Workouts Turbocharge the Benefits of Exercise

Christopher Bergland on September 24, 2023

Exercising at any time of day is beneficial. Nevertheless, new research suggests that morning workouts slightly enhance exercise's benefits.

Exercising at any time of day is beneficial. Nevertheless, new research suggests that morning workouts slightly enhance exercise's benefits.

Anxiety

Being Fit May Lower the Need to Buy Anti-Anxiety Medication

Christopher Bergland on September 11, 2023

Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are correlated with filling fewer prescriptions for antidepressants and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), a new linkage study reports.

Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are correlated with filling fewer prescriptions for antidepressants and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), a new linkage study reports.

Motivation

3 Reasons Why Listening to Your Own Music Boosts a Workout

Christopher Bergland on August 20, 2023

New research sheds light on what type of music makes exercise more enjoyable and improves performance.

New research sheds light on what type of music makes exercise more enjoyable and improves performance.

Neuroscience

Epilepsy: Mapping the Link to Deep-Rooted Brain Circuits

Christopher Bergland on July 10, 2023

Why do only some brain lesions cause epilepsy? A new brain mapping study suggests that if a lesion disrupts deep-rooted subcortical circuits, it's more likely to cause epilepsy.

Why do only some brain lesions cause epilepsy? A new brain mapping study suggests that if a lesion disrupts deep-rooted subcortical circuits, it's more likely to cause epilepsy.

Neuroscience

How Rhythm Gives Rise to Sensory-Motor Synchronization

Christopher Bergland on June 22, 2023

Two studies shed light on the brain networks involved in experiencing sensory-motor integration during rhythmic behaviors like running at the gym.

Two studies shed light on the brain networks involved in experiencing sensory-motor integration during rhythmic behaviors like running at the gym.

Integrative Medicine

Cardio Curbs Excessive Inflammation in Surprising Ways

Christopher Bergland on June 17, 2023

New research in mice offers fresh clues about why sticking with an exercise program that includes cardio curtails excessive inflammation.

New research in mice offers fresh clues about why sticking with an exercise program that includes cardio curtails excessive inflammation.

Motivation

Two Ways Mid-Life Running Beefs Up Benefits of Neurogenesis

Christopher Bergland on June 9, 2023

New research pinpoints specific ways running throughout mid-life may benefit the aging brain.

New research pinpoints specific ways running throughout mid-life may benefit the aging brain.

Aging

How Active Music Listening Can Make Our Brains Bigger

Christopher Bergland on May 23, 2023

As we age, our brains tend to shrink. New fMRI research shows how actively listening to music beefs up certain brain areas and improves working memory functions.

As we age, our brains tend to shrink. New fMRI research shows how actively listening to music beefs up certain brain areas and improves working memory functions.

Memory

Cerebellum Stimulation Boosts Older Adults' Episodic Memory

Christopher Bergland on May 2, 2023

New research shows how noninvasive neurostimulation of the right cerebellum improves episodic memory and may offset age-related cognitive decline.

New research shows how noninvasive neurostimulation of the right cerebellum improves episodic memory and may offset age-related cognitive decline.

Personality

13 Questions That Measure "Flow Proneness" in Daily Life

Christopher Bergland on March 30, 2023

A new 13-item questionnaire sheds light on what makes some people more likely to experience flow in their daily lives.

A new 13-item questionnaire sheds light on what makes some people more likely to experience flow in their daily lives.

Memory

How Your Workout Habits Can Fortify an "I Got This" Mindset

Christopher Bergland on January 30, 2023

New research suggests that sticking to a workout routine strengthens proactive cognitive control at the gym and while performing other daily tasks.

New research suggests that sticking to a workout routine strengthens proactive cognitive control at the gym and while performing other daily tasks.

Motivation

Why Escapism Benefits Some Recreational Runners but Not All

Christopher Bergland on January 26, 2023

Escapism is double-edged. If escapism is motivated by self-expansion, it makes runners happier. But if escapism is driven by self-suppression, it has the opposite effect.

Escapism is double-edged. If escapism is motivated by self-expansion, it makes runners happier. But if escapism is driven by self-suppression, it has the opposite effect.

Stress

How Longer Exhalations and Cyclic Sighing Make Us Feel Good

Christopher Bergland on January 23, 2023

New research sheds light on how spending 5 minutes a day doing exhale-focused breathwork can lower stress and enhance mood.

New research sheds light on how spending 5 minutes a day doing exhale-focused breathwork can lower stress and enhance mood.