The Athlete's Way

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.

Mindfulness

Newfound Ways Deep Meditation May Improve Gut Health

Christopher Bergland on January 19, 2023

New research on Tibetan Buddhist monks sheds light on how years of deep meditation may improve overall well-being by enriching gut microbiota.

New research on Tibetan Buddhist monks sheds light on how years of deep meditation may improve overall well-being by enriching gut microbiota.

Dementia

HIIT Workouts Turbocharge Exercise's Neuroprotective Power

Christopher Bergland on January 13, 2023

Six minutes of high-intensity exercise causes BDNF to skyrocket and protects the brain from degeneration much better than 90 minutes of low-intensity exercise, a new study reports.

Six minutes of high-intensity exercise causes BDNF to skyrocket and protects the brain from degeneration much better than 90 minutes of low-intensity exercise, a new study reports.

Depression

More Evidence That Exercise Can Alleviate Teenage Depression

Christopher Bergland on January 6, 2023

Physical activity interventions may be an effective way to alleviate depressive symptoms during adolescence, a new meta-analysis of 21 different studies reports.

Physical activity interventions may be an effective way to alleviate depressive symptoms during adolescence, a new meta-analysis of 21 different studies reports.

Boredom

Bored With Your Workout Regimen? Take a Playful 'Silly Walk'

Christopher Bergland on December 27, 2022

Monty Python made "silly walking" famous in the 1970s. New research shows why trying to mimic a "Ministry of Silly Walks" gait isn't just humorous. It's also a vigorous workout.

Monty Python made "silly walking" famous in the 1970s. New research shows why trying to mimic a "Ministry of Silly Walks" gait isn't just humorous. It's also a vigorous workout.

Stress

Buddhist Precepts Reduce Stress and Buffer Depression: Study

Christopher Bergland on December 2, 2022

You don't have to be a Buddhist to benefit from living by a moral code. New research suggests that people who strive to "do the right thing" tend to be less stressed and depressed.

You don't have to be a Buddhist to benefit from living by a moral code. New research suggests that people who strive to "do the right thing" tend to be less stressed and depressed.

Education

One Reason Kids Learn Faster Than Adults

Christopher Bergland on November 17, 2022

Why do kids learn quickly? Neuroimaging research shows us how children's brains work differently than adults' brains during the learning process.

Why do kids learn quickly? Neuroimaging research shows us how children's brains work differently than adults' brains during the learning process.

Sleep

Do Early Risers Have Greater Verbal Skills Than Night Owls?

Christopher Bergland on November 13, 2022

A new study reports that stronger circadian synchronization, or "early to bed, early to rise" habits, is linked to stronger verbal abilities.

A new study reports that stronger circadian synchronization, or "early to bed, early to rise" habits, is linked to stronger verbal abilities.

Dopamine

One Way the Brain Gets Flooded With Too Much Dopamine

Christopher Bergland on November 4, 2022

New research identifies previously unknown genetic mechanisms that disrupt the brain's ability to regulate the flow of dopamine.

New research identifies previously unknown genetic mechanisms that disrupt the brain's ability to regulate the flow of dopamine.

Aging

Why Quick Bursts of Vigorous Activity Are a Game-Changer

Christopher Bergland on October 30, 2022

Slow and steady may win the race in an Aesop's fable, but new research suggests that faster and shorter workouts may be the secret to living longer when time is of the essence.

Slow and steady may win the race in an Aesop's fable, but new research suggests that faster and shorter workouts may be the secret to living longer when time is of the essence.

Attention

Daydreaming Helps the Brain Pick Up Faint Whispers of Memory

Christopher Bergland on October 25, 2022

New research suggests that "quiet wakefulness" during daydreams reduces brain noise and makes whispers of memory easier for the cortex to hear.

New research suggests that "quiet wakefulness" during daydreams reduces brain noise and makes whispers of memory easier for the cortex to hear.

Mindfulness

Arousal-Based Meditation Counteracts Mindfulness’ Mellowness

Christopher Bergland on October 11, 2022

Mindfulness helps us relax, but it isn't always what we need. A new study highlights the benefits of arousal-based meditation practices that boost alertness.

Mindfulness helps us relax, but it isn't always what we need. A new study highlights the benefits of arousal-based meditation practices that boost alertness.

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder

New Discovery: The Cerebellum Enhances Emotional Memories

Christopher Bergland on October 7, 2022

New research sheds light on how the cerebellum (Latin for "little brain") and the strength of its connections to the cerebrum (Latin for "big brain") enhances emotional memories.

New research sheds light on how the cerebellum (Latin for "little brain") and the strength of its connections to the cerebrum (Latin for "big brain") enhances emotional memories.

Aging

Why Weightlifting Plus Cardio Is a Winning Combo

Christopher Bergland on September 29, 2022

Aerobic exercise promotes longevity. Strength training helps us live longer, too. Combining cardio and weightlifting almost doubles the benefits of each.

Aerobic exercise promotes longevity. Strength training helps us live longer, too. Combining cardio and weightlifting almost doubles the benefits of each.

Stress

Aerobic Intensity Changes How Exercise Affects Our Minds

Christopher Bergland on September 25, 2022

New research suggests that regularly doing cardio workouts at a light, moderate, or vigorous intensity for an entire year changes how exercise affects the mind.

New research suggests that regularly doing cardio workouts at a light, moderate, or vigorous intensity for an entire year changes how exercise affects the mind.

Academic Problems and Skills

3 Ways Physical Activity Can Boost Kids' Intelligence

Christopher Bergland on September 7, 2022

Intelligence isn't set in stone. A new clinical trial reports that doing cardio and strength-training exercises three times a week during childhood can make kids smarter.

Intelligence isn't set in stone. A new clinical trial reports that doing cardio and strength-training exercises three times a week during childhood can make kids smarter.

Stress

Low-to-Moderate Doses of Stress May Fortify Resilience

Christopher Bergland on August 2, 2022

Although too much stress is detrimental, new research suggests that low-to-moderate doses of stress boost resilience and make us stronger.

Although too much stress is detrimental, new research suggests that low-to-moderate doses of stress boost resilience and make us stronger.

Dementia

Why Household Chores Could Help Ward Off Dementia

Christopher Bergland on July 29, 2022

New research identifies three surprising lifestyle choices that are associated with a lower risk of dementia as people age.

New research identifies three surprising lifestyle choices that are associated with a lower risk of dementia as people age.