The Athlete's Way

Sport and Competition

Why Peak Performance Fizzles When the Stakes Are High

Christopher Bergland on September 20, 2024

New research sheds light on why people "choke" under pressure and offers insights on how to stop your brain from freezing up when the stakes are high.

New research sheds light on why people "choke" under pressure and offers insights on how to stop your brain from freezing up when the stakes are high.

Resilience

Does Hopefulness Outshine Mindfulness? New Study Says Yes

Christopher Bergland on September 7, 2024

A new study finds that in difficult times future-oriented hopefulness can be more helpful than dwelling on the present moment via mindfulness.

A new study finds that in difficult times future-oriented hopefulness can be more helpful than dwelling on the present moment via mindfulness.

Neuroscience

What's the Strongest Type of Love?

Christopher Bergland on September 3, 2024

New findings show how our brains "light up" for loved ones.

New findings show how our brains "light up" for loved ones.

Depression

The Best Way to Manage Depression, and Why It Can Be So Hard

Christopher Bergland on June 29, 2024

Daily activity reduces the risk of depression better than meds.

Daily activity reduces the risk of depression better than meds.

Chronic Pain

Got Lower Back Pain? Walking May Help

Christopher Bergland on June 22, 2024

New research suggests that walking may be one of the best ways to prevent chronic lower back pain.

New research suggests that walking may be one of the best ways to prevent chronic lower back pain.

Motivation

What's the Best Tempo for a Workout Song?

Christopher Bergland on June 9, 2024

Fast-tempo music boosts motivation when people are doing cardio. New research pinpoints how many beats per minute are ideal in different exercise environments.

Fast-tempo music boosts motivation when people are doing cardio. New research pinpoints how many beats per minute are ideal in different exercise environments.

Neuroscience

How the Brain Learns to Perform Quickly Without Overthinking

Christopher Bergland on April 4, 2024

New research sheds light on how the brain learns to function automatically at lightning-fast speeds without overthinking.

New research sheds light on how the brain learns to function automatically at lightning-fast speeds without overthinking.

Creativity

Want to Optimize Creative Flow? Practice Hard, Then Let Go

Christopher Bergland on March 10, 2024

New brain research on the neuro mechanics of creative flow sheds light on how to optimize creativity by letting go of cognitive control.

New brain research on the neuro mechanics of creative flow sheds light on how to optimize creativity by letting go of cognitive control.

Depression

Vigorous Workouts Alleviate Depression Better Than Easy Ones

Christopher Bergland on February 21, 2024

A recent meta-analysis reaffirms that low-intensity exercise can alleviate depression; high-intensity exercise has even more robust anti-depressant effects.

A recent meta-analysis reaffirms that low-intensity exercise can alleviate depression; high-intensity exercise has even more robust anti-depressant effects.

Dopamine

How the "Little Brain" Fuels Motivation and Addiction

Christopher Bergland on February 2, 2024

New research identifies previously unknown ways that the cerebellum ("little brain") triggers dopamine release, which can inspire motivation or drive addiction.

New research identifies previously unknown ways that the cerebellum ("little brain") triggers dopamine release, which can inspire motivation or drive addiction.

Executive Function

3 Minutes of Grooving to the Music Could Make You Smarter

Christopher Bergland on January 21, 2024

New research suggests that moving to the beat for three minutes can boost brain power for some (but not all) people.

New research suggests that moving to the beat for three minutes can boost brain power for some (but not all) people.

Evolutionary Psychology

How the Human Cerebellum's Evolution Makes Our Brains Unique

Christopher Bergland on December 17, 2023

A new study suggests that over the past 160+ million years, specific cells in the human cerebellum evolved uniquely, giving us a bigger intellectual capacity than other mammals.

A new study suggests that over the past 160+ million years, specific cells in the human cerebellum evolved uniquely, giving us a bigger intellectual capacity than other mammals.

Executive Function

The Link Between Cardio and Cognitive Performance

Christopher Bergland on December 1, 2023

A new study casts doubt on the widely-held belief that improving cognitive performance via exercise relies solely on increased prefrontal cortex oxygenation during cardio.

A new study casts doubt on the widely-held belief that improving cognitive performance via exercise relies solely on increased prefrontal cortex oxygenation during cardio.

Motivation

Keeping Good News a Secret May Have Energizing Effects

Christopher Bergland on November 13, 2023

Keeping secrets you feel bad about has adverse effects. However, a new study reports that keeping secrets you feel good about can be energizing.

Keeping secrets you feel bad about has adverse effects. However, a new study reports that keeping secrets you feel good about can be energizing.

Anger

From Anger to Hope, Six Emotions That Spark Success

Christopher Bergland on November 8, 2023

Anger can help people achieve lofty goals, However, new research suggests that using negative emotions to spark success comes at a price. .

Anger can help people achieve lofty goals, However, new research suggests that using negative emotions to spark success comes at a price. .

Anger

When Angry Self-Talk Is Better Than Happy Self-Talk

Christopher Bergland on November 3, 2023

A new study sheds light on when anger helps people achieve goals (and when it doesn't).

A new study sheds light on when anger helps people achieve goals (and when it doesn't).

Adverse Childhood Experiences

22 Types of Childhood Verbal Abuse and Their Damage

Christopher Bergland on October 14, 2023

Amid growing calls to make verbal abuse a defined category of child maltreatment, a new meta-analysis identifies at least 22 types of verbally abusive behavior.

Amid growing calls to make verbal abuse a defined category of child maltreatment, a new meta-analysis identifies at least 22 types of verbally abusive behavior.

Cognition

How Stimulating the Cerebellum May “Unclamp” Writer’s Block

Christopher Bergland on October 8, 2023

New research shows how stimulating the cerebellum can improve automatic language functions and enhance verbal fluency in ways that could help those experiencing writer's block.

New research shows how stimulating the cerebellum can improve automatic language functions and enhance verbal fluency in ways that could help those experiencing writer's block.

Vagus Nerve

Does Vagus Nerve Activity Make Jogging More Enjoyable?

Christopher Bergland on October 1, 2023

A Personal Perspective: New research shows how cardio increases vagal nerve activity and enhances coronary blood flow. As a jogger, this helps explain why cardio often feels good.

A Personal Perspective: New research shows how cardio increases vagal nerve activity and enhances coronary blood flow. As a jogger, this helps explain why cardio often feels good.

Vagus Nerve

Surprising Ways the Vagus Nerve Activates During Exercise

Christopher Bergland on September 30, 2023

A new study shows how during exercise, vagus nerve activity increases and enhances coronary blood flow.

A new study shows how during exercise, vagus nerve activity increases and enhances coronary blood flow.