Social Distancing comes with social side effects – here is how to stay connected

03/29/2020 Posted by Neurogenesis Uncategorized

To fight the spread of coronavirus, government officials asked Americans to swallow a hard pill: Stay away from each other. In times of societal stress, such a demand runs counter to what evolution has hard-wired people to do: Seek out and support each other as families, friends, and communities. Priority number one is to follow the recommended social distancing guidelines to control the virus… But as with any pill, there are side effects. Psychological scientists at the University of Washington’s Center for the Science of Social Connection are seeking to help us understand the side effects of social distancing and …

Which Quiets the Mind More Quickly and Increases HRV: Toning or Mindfulness?

10/14/2019 Posted by Neurogenesis Anxiety Stress

Intrusive thoughts and worrying are common experiences and often interfere with concentration and performances. Letting go of thoughts and rumination is very challenging, especially when one is upset, angry, or responding to a stressful life event. Mindfulness practice (MP) and heart rate variability (HRV) training have been used in conjunction with neurofeedback as a way to enhance emotional and physiological regulation. In addition to these practices, research has reported that mantra meditation can quickly quiet the mind, through the singing, chanting, or toning exercises performed. Toning is a form of vocalizing that use the natural voice to express sounds and …

A Path to Gemeinschaftsgefühl is A Path to Well-being

09/26/2019 Posted by Neurogenesis Uncategorized

When searching for the fundamental definition of positive mental health and well-being, few rival Dr. Alfred Adler’s theory purporting the importance of Gemeinschaftsgefühl, meaning “social interest, social feeling, community sense, community feeling and humanistic identification.” Adler was Sigmund Freud’s contemporary in Vienna, Austria, at the beginning of the 20th century, but his theory differed significantly and focused on social connectedness as the way to strengthen individuals’ psychological condition. The theory maintains that the ultimate expression of social interest lies in the cooperative, productive, and progressive activity within the context of empathetic relationships. Hence, true growth only lies in the context …

“I Am a Bad Mother…”

08/25/2019 Posted by Neurogenesis Life Wellbeing

Part 1 Last month while in Chicago for what was supposed to be a celebratory 40th Birthday party, I was shocked to hear the star of the evening, a successful real estate attorney and mother of two beautiful, healthy and happy girls confess with tears in her eyes, “I am a bad mother and a bad wife. I am okay at my job but failing in the family department.” Her confession was made to a group of female friends in their 30’s, 40’s, and 50’s who have families and some with full-time careers. Without missing a beat, all the women …

Why Your BRAIN Needs REST

07/21/2019 Posted by Neurogenesis Life Peak Performance Training Uncategorized Wellbeing

Idle time, sometimes thought to invite the devil’s handiwork, is often seen as wasteful and rarely appreciated in modern society. Most “peak performers” in our society tend to report feeling guilty about “wasting time.” When asked what “wasting time” actually looks like, typical responses include watching Netflix, playing Solitaire, taking a nap, or even spending time to talking to an old friend. Many feel as though they could be doing something productive such as learning, making money, cleaning or organizing. This leads many individuals to believe they need to be “humans doing” instead of humans being; however, the research on …

IQ vs. EQ

06/13/2019 Posted by Neurogenesis Blog Life Wellbeing

Since the late 1800s, Intellectual Capacity or Intelligence Quotient (IQ) was thought to be the most significant measurement of human competence and achievement. However, in recent years, the validity and importance of Emotional Intelligence or Emotional Quotient (EQ) has gained appreciation within the scientific community and in the mainstream. A measurement of IQ is essentially a measurement of the relative intelligence of an individual. In other words, it is a comparison of an individual’s mental and cognitive performance compared to the performance of others at the same age. A standardized IQ test measures two primary components, verbal and performance. Since …

Using Neurofeedback to Improve ADHD in School-Aged Children

06/10/2019 Posted by Neurogenesis ADHD Kids & Teens Neurofeedback Research

One in every ten children in the United States has been diagnosed with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and this number has increased. While some experts believe the number of diagnosis is more than is merited, children with ADHD can experience negative outcomes in their lives especially in the realm of performing poorly academically. The predominant treatment of ADHD involves medications, but now there is research to demonstrate this may not be the only line of treatment. ADHD medication reduces the symptoms of the disorder, but does not correct for the underlying causes of their behaviors. With the symptoms of ADHD related …

How Do We Make Good Decisions?

05/09/2019 Posted by Neurogenesis avoidance choices Cognition collaboration decision making diet food gains health instinct losses stress Life Stress Wellbeing

Do you ever wonder why you don’t wake up every morning and eat a giant piece of chocolate cake for breakfast and why it’s more difficult to put down the pint of ice cream after the sun goes down? The answer has to do with our ability to make decisions throughout the day. When examining the number of decisions we make each day, research tells us it can be as many as 35,000. In fact, Cornell University completed a study that found we make approximately 225 food-related decisions every day. As we expend so much effort and energy in making …

A Case for Group Therapy?

05/03/2019 Posted by Neurogenesis ADHD adolescents adults Anxiety Depression group group therapy healing parenting PTSD Relationships Therapy ADD Addiction ADHD Anxiety Autism Blog Chronic Pain Couples Creative Depression Kids & Teens Learning Disabilities Life OCD PTSD Resources Stress Wellbeing

Although many clients feel as though their compromised emotional states are completely unique, similarities do exist. Often, clients feel ashamed of their inner turmoil and seek out individual therapy to work on a one-on-one basis and minimize the likelihood other swill know how much they genuinely struggle. Individual therapy has significant benefits and is appropriate for almost all forms of mental health treatment, however, group therapy can offer an unmatched and unique form of healing, as individuals can understand they are truly not alone in their suffering. Group therapy utilizes the power of healing through relationships in the present moment. …

qEEG-Guided Neurofeedback: Individualized Treatment for Anxiety Symptoms

01/12/2019 Posted by Neurogenesis Uncategorized

Anxiety disorders affect nearly a third of the U.S. population (NIMH, 2017). Symptoms of anxiety can range from inconvenient to debilitating, adding to the importance of research into effective treatments for the disorder. Of these treatments, biofeedback, particularly neurofeedback, has emerged as a viable option. Numerous studies (Singer, 2004; Kerson, Sherman, & Kozlowski, 2009; Walker, 2009; Scheinost et al., 2013) demonstrate the anxiety-reducing effects of neurofeedback interventions. They are not, however, without their limitations. A common trend among neurofeedback interventions is the use of “canned”, or pre-programmed, protocols designed to treat specific symptoms. While this method is convenient, critics argue …