The World's Best Book Summaries
How does exercise benefit the brain? Can regular exercise ward off age-related cognitive decline? Regular exercise is the single most important thing to do for your brain’s health. Not only does exercise promote clarity of thinking, but it can also help slow down the rate of cognitive decline as you age. Here’s a look at exercise and the brain.
What are the best mindfulness exercises for anxiety? Can you practice these exercises every day? In Unwinding Anxiety, Judson Brewer argues that you can defeat anxiety with mindfulness. Brewer provides a set of mindful exercises you can use to improve your life by overcoming anxiety. Read below for three mindfulness exercises to cope with anxiety.
What’s the best diet for the brain? What foods should you eat to keep your brain healthy and your mind sharp? What foods should you avoid? A healthy diet is a vital part of brain health. While there’s no general consensus on the best brain diet, there’s plenty of evidence to suggest that you should eat certain foods regularly and avoid other foods as much as possible. Learn which foods are good for your brain and which ones can be potentially harmful.
What makes a happy life? Must you have or do something in particular? According to Aristotle, a person must have certain life circumstances to be capable of happiness. Specifically, he notes two requirements of a happy life: prosperity and longevity. Continue reading to learn more about Aristotle’s two ingredients for happiness.
How can you use mindful breathing for anxiety? How does mindful breathing stimulate curiosity? In Unwinding Anxiety, Dr. Judson Brewer suggests practicing mindful meditation to defeat anxiety. One of the techniques he suggests is mindful breathing. Continue reading for better insight on using mindful breathing for anxiety.
How does meal timing affect your insulin? What happens in your body when you eat too frequently? When you eat every few hours (including snacking), your insulin remains elevated. When insulin levels are both high and constant, your body’s cells become insulin resistant. That kicks off the self-perpetuating loop of chronically high insulin that promotes weight gain. Here’s how meal timing affects your insulin.
What is your image of God? Can you create your own image of God? In Seeking Wisdom, Julia Cameron explains that the first step in maximizing your creativity is to find and connect to your own image of God. She clarifies that you should create your own image of God to align with your identity and values. Continue reading to learn how to create your image of God.
Is cognitive decline inevitable? Is there a way to slow down the rate of age-related cognitive impairment? Just like any other organ, your brain’s health will inevitably decline with age. However, it’s not totally out of your control: You can slow down the rate of cognitive decline by stimulating your brain through learning and doing novel activities. Here’s how to keep your brain healthy and active as you age.
Which foods spike insulin the most? How does insulin promote overeating? Everything you eat causes insulin release, but some foods spike insulin significantly more than others. Processed carbohydrates—specifically wheat and added sugars—cause insulin to spike dramatically, promoting overeating despite lacking nutritional value. Below, we’ll break down the foods that spike insulin.
What is “flow?” Why is it so hard to find your flow these days? Flow is our highest form of sustained attention. Johann Hari, the author of Stolen Focus, argues that the distractions of modern life are destroying it. Find out what makes finding your flow so difficult these days.