Lawyer Well-being Newsletter: Helping Lawyers Improve Brain Health & Mental Strength
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Cannabis & Cognition
Marijuana is legal for recreational use in 15 states and Washington, D.C. A scarcity of cannabis research has made potential harm difficult to assess, but several recent studies have made more data available. Cannabis impacts numerous parts of the brain and body. There are cannabinoid receptors in the cerebral cortex
OT for the Panic Button Amygdala
Winter is here. We are exhausted from social isolation. We face more uncertainty while we wait for the vaccine. Many of us fall somewhere on the mental health spectrum between anxiety and depression because our brain’s panic button has been working overtime. The amygdala is an almond-shaped structure in the
High Fat Diet & Mental Fatigue
Mental fatigue occurs when you spend sustained attention on demanding cognitive tasks. Mental fatigue can cause attention and efficiency declines, slower reaction times, and poorer decisions. Researchers fed one group of rats a high fat diet and the other group of rats a standard diet for 6 weeks. All the
The Problem with Cheat Days
Cheat days that include foods prevalent in the Western Diet can diminish the cognitive benefits of the Mediterranean Diet. A recent study involving 5001 Chicago Health and Aging Project participants, over age 65, examined the cognitive health and diet choices of participants every three years from 1993 to 2012. Researchers
Habit Stacking
Habit Stacking is adding a new habit right before or after a fully integrated habit. For example: Add a gratitude reflection or squats while you brush your teeth, Do jumping jacks or push ups right before you shower, or Incorporate wall sits while you check your phone. Habit Stacking works
Choose a Guiding Word for 2021
This is an exercise where you choose one word to be your driving force for the year. Your Guiding Word can help you pursue goals and make decisions. According to Chrissy Carroll, one way to start is to make a list of things that answer the prompt: I want. She
Laughter & Endorphins
It’s the holiday season and we are socially isolated due to the pandemic, yet we need social support to thrive. Endorphins are neurotransmitters that make us feel good. The word endorphin comes from a combination of endogenous (made within the body) and morphine (an opioid pain reliever). When endorphins activate
Flexibility & Relationships
Close high-quality relationships are linked to strong mental and physical well-being. Flexibility skills can enhance these relationships. Researchers conducted a meta-analysis on 174 papers with a total of 43,952 participants that examined flexibility in family and romantic relationships. The research found the following flexibility skills improve relationships: Acceptance of Experiences,
The Brainbow & Immune System
Food can help our immune system successfully fight off a pathogen. A strong immune system requires the interaction of numerous micronutrients in a large variety of healthy food, especially a colorful brainbow of fruit and vegetables. One study compared immune responses in three groups of animals who were fed 2
Core Strength & Stress
The fight-or-flight stress response begins in the emotional brain with the panic button amygdala. This threat processor has been on overdrive during the pandemic. When the amygdala detects a threat, it signals the release of stress hormones, including adrenaline. In a brain mapping study, researchers have discovered a complex network
Wilderness & Wellness
Getting through the colder months of the fall and winter, during the pandemic, might be eased if you can visit a wilderness area with a loved one. A recent study examined why people value natural settings. To experience leisure, we require perceived freedom and intrinsic motivation, according to social psychologists.
Best Possible Self
Positive Psychology is the study of human thriving and activities that promote positive functioning and well-being. The Best Possible Self Exercise (BPS) is a Positive Psychology intervention that has been studied since 2001. A meta-analysis of 29 studies involving 2,909 participants found that BPS can improve well-being, optimism, and positive
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