Logic needs meaning, but there’s a catch (proof from apes)
I explore how humans need context and meaning for logical thinking. But I also show how seeking too much meaning can lead to thinking errors …
How mental visualizations improve physical skills [explained]
A version of this article first appeared on psyguitar.com, where I write about how psychology and neuroscience help guitar playing. Visualization is a way to …
Customizing work experience using Skill & Task difficulty
The combination of skill level and task difficulty gives you 8 different mood experiences, including flow, stress, and boredom. These are feelings for a task. …
You need Psychological Capital for work & life well-being
Like having wealth which is financial capital, there is psychological capital which is mental wealth that we can tap into for a better life. Psychological …
Need for Cognition: A personality trait of hungry brains
“Need for cognition” is a personality tendency describing how much people engage and love to engage in effortful cognitive activities like thinking. If one loves …
How poor Mental Health Destroys Productivity
Productivity hacks might not work if mental health problems are actively lowering your productivity at work. Problems at work can worsen mental health and mental …
Why words feel wrong after too many repetitions
I just edited 50 “colours” to “colors” in my article in 1 minute using grammarly. When I finished, the word “color” seemed wrong and alien. …
How Power Naps Power the Brain
Daytime power naps ranging from 2 to 30 minutes outside regular sleep are not just a bandaid solution to fatigue. They are an evidence-based method …
Why does Caffeine alter Mood, Focus, & Cognition?
Like a thermostat or air conditioner, coffee is a brain and body regulator. Some people can’t start their day without coffee. And some get so …
Chewing Gum affects Mood & Cognition in surprising ways!
Many research studies show chewing gum like Wrigley’s, Hubba Bubba, or Trident can improve attention, concentration, alertness, test performance, and mood. It can even prevent …
Why is it hard to make friends as an adult? And what can you do about it?
First, let’s look at how many friends people have. Because, you might just have an expected amount of friends and not know it. Others can …
Why are my decisions so Inconsistent or Random? [explanation]
Emotions affect decisions, but there is another hidden influence from the body’s baseline arousal that we cannot estimate or predict, so we change our decisions …
The Science behind Why Subtitles are Better
Sound on, subtitles on. Ready for movie night. There’s science behind this. I had a small argument with my friend about why I love subtitles …
Why am I always Angry or Frustrated for no reason?
Do you feel you are angry for no reason or do you get unnecessarily angry for little things? There are quite a few reasons that …
Manage your Body, Stress, Fatigue, & Identity for mental health
“What should I do?” is one of the first questions people ask when they realize they need to work on their mental health. Maybe after …
Symmetry Impulse: Why & How we seek symmetry
You may have heard of the zero-sum game: Someone’s loss is your gain. It’s cited as an economic concept. For every + there is a …