Health and Human Nature

Appetite

The Challenge of Holiday and Social Eating

Kristen A. Carter MS on November 26, 2024

How we handle eating in social situations is not just a matter of following advice. Here’s what can really make a difference.

How we handle eating in social situations is not just a matter of following advice. Here’s what can really make a difference.

Guilt

Using Guilt to Improve Health?

Kristen A. Carter MS on October 22, 2024

Feeling guilty about what we have eaten can make us feel out of control — or be the start of a switch to healthier choices.

Feeling guilty about what we have eaten can make us feel out of control — or be the start of a switch to healthier choices.

Health

Born to Run or Born to Sit?

Kristen A. Carter MS on September 18, 2024

We love to sit. But nature has supplied us with the drive to exercise. How can we tap into it?

We love to sit. But nature has supplied us with the drive to exercise. How can we tap into it?

Motivation

How to Leverage Self-Doubt

Kristen A. Carter MS on August 29, 2024

Self-doubt can get in the way of your exercise goals, but there are ways to turn it into a motivator.

Self-doubt can get in the way of your exercise goals, but there are ways to turn it into a motivator.

Deception

Self-Deception Is a Slippery Slope

Kristen A. Carter MS on July 16, 2024

Self-deception is so common that we can take it for granted in ourselves and others. But there are many times when it can be hazardous to our health.

Self-deception is so common that we can take it for granted in ourselves and others. But there are many times when it can be hazardous to our health.

Sleep

Your Gut Can Help You Sleep

Kristen A. Carter MS on June 20, 2024

Sleep can be elusive for many of us but how we get to sleep may have more to do with our guts than our brains.

Sleep can be elusive for many of us but how we get to sleep may have more to do with our guts than our brains.

Health

Taking Health Literacy to the Next Level

Kristen A. Carter MS on May 14, 2024

Health literacy has been linked to positive health behaviors. Filling in some of the gaps can make it even more effective.

Health literacy has been linked to positive health behaviors. Filling in some of the gaps can make it even more effective.

Diet

Dealing With Our Eating Blind Spots

Kristen A. Carter MS on April 23, 2024

Deciding how we are going to eat is not a matter of free will. Our bodies and brains have their own agenda.

Deciding how we are going to eat is not a matter of free will. Our bodies and brains have their own agenda.

Motivation

Getting Past Resistance When Striving for Healthy Goals

Kristen A. Carter MS on March 19, 2024

Changing habits can trigger resistance. Resistance to changing our eating and exercise habits can present unique challenges.

Changing habits can trigger resistance. Resistance to changing our eating and exercise habits can present unique challenges.

Cognition

Metacognition’s Role in Decision Making

Kristen A. Carter MS on February 14, 2024

Thinking about how we think can spark creative ways to make decisions and solve problems.

Thinking about how we think can spark creative ways to make decisions and solve problems.

Magical Thinking

Transforming Resolutions Into Action

Kristen A. Carter MS on January 16, 2024

Preparing to make healthy behavior changes can be tricky. Here are some suggestions that can help.

Preparing to make healthy behavior changes can be tricky. Here are some suggestions that can help.

Diet

Why We Forget What We Eat

Kristen A. Carter MS on December 19, 2023

Forgetting what we eat is extremely common—some foods more than others. How can we embrace what is going on here?

Forgetting what we eat is extremely common—some foods more than others. How can we embrace what is going on here?

Appetite

Why Is Emotional Eating Such a Problem for So Many?

Kristen A. Carter MS on November 20, 2023

Many sabotage their good intentions by indulging in emotional eating. A few simple solutions can help.

Many sabotage their good intentions by indulging in emotional eating. A few simple solutions can help.

Habit Formation

When Saying “No” Isn’t Enough

Kristen A. Carter MS on October 25, 2023

There are many parallels between drug use prevention programs and weight management programs.

There are many parallels between drug use prevention programs and weight management programs.

Laughter

The Gift of Laughing at Your Mistakes

Kristen A. Carter MS on September 26, 2023

We can laugh at ourselves when we blow our diet or exercise plan. This opens the door for us to change our approach the next time.

We can laugh at ourselves when we blow our diet or exercise plan. This opens the door for us to change our approach the next time.

Affective Forecasting

Affective Forecasting: How It Affects Our Health

Kristen A. Carter MS on August 28, 2023

Discovering how we relate to our future selves can explain why we struggle to reach our heath goals.

Discovering how we relate to our future selves can explain why we struggle to reach our heath goals.

Appetite

Will New Drugs Be a Game-Changer for Appetite Control?

Kristen A. Carter MS on July 31, 2023

Are the new drugs for diabetes the answer to permanent weight loss?

Are the new drugs for diabetes the answer to permanent weight loss?

Motivation

When Others Sabotage Our Intentions for Healthy Eating and Exercise

Kristen A. Carter MS on June 27, 2023

Not everyone will be supportive when a person decides to make healthier lifestyle choices. Strategizing ahead of time can be helpful.

Not everyone will be supportive when a person decides to make healthier lifestyle choices. Strategizing ahead of time can be helpful.

Diet

How Do We Choose?

Kristen A. Carter MS on May 24, 2023

We are surrounded by choices to make every day. Here’s how to tame that process for greater peace of mind.

We are surrounded by choices to make every day. Here’s how to tame that process for greater peace of mind.

Bias

Outsmarting Confirmation Bias

Kristen A. Carter MS on April 26, 2023

We are hard-wired to pay attention only to information that agrees with what we already think. This can keep us entrenched in unhealthy habits.

We are hard-wired to pay attention only to information that agrees with what we already think. This can keep us entrenched in unhealthy habits.