News

How Music Helps Us Be More Creative

March 01, 2021 - 05:00 AM A new study suggests that listening to happy music promotes more divergent thinking—a key element of creativity. BY Jill Sutte In today’s world, creative thinking is needed more than ever. Not only do many businesses seek creative minds to fill their ranks, but the kinds of complex social problems we face could also use a good dose of creativity. Luckily, creativity is not reserved for artists and geniuses alone. Modern science suggests that we all have the cognitive capacity to come up with original ideas—something researchers call “divergent thinking.” And we can all select from a series of ideas the one most likely to be successful, which......

6 Simple Acts to Make the World a Better Place

February 22, 2021 - 05:00 AM “The great use of life is to spend it for something that will outlast it.” ~William James I’ll never forget the call. It was 1989 and, like most college students, I spent winter break in Florida looking for some sun. Stepping off the airplane and being greeted by a burst of warm air was the best. As I entered the terminal, I had the added benefit of being greeted by my maternal grandparents, who lived in North Miami Beach. Lounging at the pool, going on walks with them, or eating out, the experience was a wonderful way to decompress after an intense period of finals. Although being the oldest of six children came with big brother responsibilities, life was great and my......

What Is Mindfulness? Definition + Benefits (Incl. Psychology)

February 15, 2021 - 05:00 AM You’ve heard of mindfulness. Maybe you’ve even tried practicing mindfulness or read about its role in helping to manage stress. You’re not alone—we live in an extremely fast-paced world, and sometimes, we forget to check in with ourselves. In this article, we’ll look at what mindfulness really means, how you can use the practice in your day-to-day life. What’s the point of mindfulness? We’ll cover that too, and hopefully, you’ll be able to see why the concept has become so intensely popular in mainstream media. Before you read on, we thought you might like to download our 3 Mindfulness Exercises for free. These science-based,......

How Music Makes Me A Better Neuroscientist

February 08, 2021 - 05:00 AM Music has the power to transform moods, unite crowds and topple governments. However, as neuroscientist and operatic soprano Indre Viskontas points out, we know very little about how the brain turns strings of sounds into music. In a talk that explores art with science, she describes how her investigation into the brain's responses to music inspired her own musical journey. Check it out here! This talk was presented to a local audience at TEDxSanFrancisco, an independent event....

Thoughtful Thursdays

February 04, 2021 - 05:00 AM Thoughtful Thursday is the perfect time to be mindful of those around you, at home, work and in public, who may have thoughts, concerns, or needs which you may not be aware of. Try a little harder to break free of your own busy world and try to be more aware of other people’s feelings! It’s a wonderful thing when you can be more thoughtful and considerate towards others. It is quite a gratifying experience. Suggestions Don’t wait for the holidays to cook your family a favorite meal Be the best friend you can be by always being there when your friend needs you the most Pick up the phone and say hello to a friend who’s in need of a little conversation Invite a......

15 Ways to Calm Yourself Down

January 30, 2021 - 09:42 AM We all worry and get upset from time to time. It’s a normal part of life, right? But what happens when that anxiety or anger takes over, and you can’t calm down? Being able to calm yourself in the moment is often easier said than done.That’s why having a few strategies you’re familiar with can help you when you’re feeling anxious or angry. Here are some helpful, actionable tips you can try the next time you need to calm down.1. Breathe“Breathing is the number one and most effective technique for reducing anger and anxiety quickly,” says Scott Dehorty, LCSW-C, of Delphi Behavioral Health.When......

How To Motivate Your Child To Practice Music

January 04, 2021 - 07:05 AM We all want what is best for our children and you likely are already aware of the benefits of learning an instrument at a young age. However, it’s not always smiles and sunshine when it comes to getting your child to practice. Just like school, sometimes they will be raring to go other times you get apathy and tantrums instead. Consistent practice is the only appropriate way to learn a new and complex skill. Therefore, mastery over any instrument requires many hours of practice. Creating an atmosphere of fun and discipline around learning is incredibly important. It's necessary for your child’s progression and for your sanity. Doing so will allow for fewer......

The Importance Of Serenity In Our Life

December 28, 2020 - 07:00 AM By:Efi Asvesti Calmness of mind is one of the beautiful jewels of wisdom. It is the result of long and patient effort in self-control. Its presence is an indication of ripened experience, and of a more than ordinary knowledge of the laws and operations of thought. A person becomes calm in the measure that he understands himself as a thought evolved being, for such knowledge necessitates the understanding of others as the result of thought, and as he develops a right understanding, and sees more and more clearly the internal relations of things by the action of cause and effect he ceases to fuss and fume and worry and grieve, and remains poised, steadfast, serene. The calm person,......

Why Can’t I Sleep? 4 Tips for Better Rest

December 21, 2020 - 07:00 AM BY MICHELLE MALDONADO Getting back to sleep in the middle of the night is no small feat. In this short video, Michelle Maldonado offers four ways to help make going to bed—and staying asleep—easier. In the latest Mindful Live session, Michelle Maldonado discussed resilience for divided times, and how that translates to our sleep patterns, with Mindful’s editor-in-chief Heather Hurlock. While answering a question from the webinar audience about dealing with ruminative states of mind before bed, Maldonado offered these four tips for better sleep. 4 Ways to Sleep Through the Night 1. Clear Your Mind Before Bed Unattended thoughts can......

A Loving-Kindness Practice to Foster Acceptance

December 14, 2020 - 07:00 AM BY MINDFUL STAFF We spend a lot of our time and energy wishing our lives were different or "better." Loving-kindness helps us accept ourselves exactly as we are. Accepting love from others and believing that you deserve to be happy isn’t always easy. Consider how much time many of us spend wishing we were different—ruminating over the past, judging ourselves for our mistakes, comparing our life to others, worrying about what the future will bring. It uses up a huge amount of our attention. By practicing loving-kindness, you can take all of that energy and re-direct it towards yourself in a positive way. By practicing loving-kindness, you can take all of that energy and......

News

How Music Helps Us Be More Creative

6 Simple Acts to Make the World a Better Place

What Is Mindfulness? Definition + Benefits (Incl. Psychology)

How Music Makes Me A Better Neuroscientist

Thoughtful Thursdays

15 Ways to Calm Yourself Down

How To Motivate Your Child To Practice Music

The Importance Of Serenity In Our Life

Why Can’t I Sleep? 4 Tips for Better Rest

A Loving-Kindness Practice to Foster Acceptance

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