Studies show that practicing gratitude can improve health and happiness and also strengthens relationships. People who are thankful and grateful experience psychological, physical, and social benefits. Psychologically, they have higher levels of positive emotions; are more alert, alive, and awake; … Continue reading
The relationship between anxiety and memory The relationship between anxiety and memory is complex and still uncertain, but research has established that memory formation and retrieval is influenced by emotions, particularly anxiety and stress. We may put traumatic events into … Continue reading
In most sports, there are situations in which an athlete would need to use focused attention and when that same athlete would need to use divided attention. Both are helpful to athletes and both can be detrimental to athletes. Let’s look a … Continue reading
What is Cognitive Psychology? Cognitive psychology is concerned with how we receive, process, store, and retrieve information. What does it have to do with sports? Cognitive psychology is linked to sports in that it allows us to acknowledge internal mental states … Continue reading
Many of us amateur golfers don’t get on the course very often. Then, we find ourselves signed up to play in a tournament and we haven’t played in a long time. How can we prepare? I went to the pros and … Continue reading
Many of my friends, my clients, and I are starting new health plans. Our goal is to eat well, exercise, and give up some vices. Adopting a new habit requires a lot of motivation and discipline. And quitting a bad habit … Continue reading
Every year I try to learn something new, and I suggest that my clients do the same. Learning something new is exciting and humbling. Trying a new sport or activity can give us a new perspective on our mental game … Continue reading
Golf is one of the most fragile sports psychologically. Golf is a game of confidence and competence. Negative thoughts tighten up the wrong muscles enough to blow your shot. If you want to consistently knock strokes off your game, you … Continue reading
Research has shown that the health benefits of laughter are far-ranging. Laughter can lower blood pressure; increase vascular blood flow and oxygenation of the blood; give a workout to the diaphragm and abdominal, respiratory, facial, leg, and back muscle; … Continue reading
I’ve been taking care of a beautiful dog, Bella, this summer. Bella has helped me realize the benefits of pet therapy! Pets can provide excellent social support, stress relief and other health benefit. Research supports the mood-enhancing benefits of pets. … Continue reading
In Inner Tennis – Part 1, we talked about general premises of The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey. He encourages players to achieve a nonjudgmental awareness. In Part 2, we explored his thoughts on body awareness and … Continue reading
In Inner Tennis – Part 1, we talked about general premises of The Inner Game of Tennis by W. Timothy Gallwey. He encourages players to achieve a nonjudgmental awareness. He says that “Judgment results in tightness, and tightness interferes with the fluidity … Continue reading
Recently, I took my Wilderness First Responder recertification course and brushed up on those important skills regarding how to respond to emergencies in the wilderness. I took the Wilderness EMT course five years ago, and used my skills on myself … Continue reading
Feeling stressed? Watch this video by Kelly McGonigal called “How to Make Stress Your Friend.” She explores new research on our attitude towards stress. If we can see stress as positive and energizing, we can change how our bodies … Continue reading
