Health and Human Nature

Empathy

Why Self-Compassion Is the Secret to Good Health

Kristen A. Carter MS on February 18, 2026

Our brains can trick us into thinking ill of ourselves. Self-compassion can squash those thoughts and lead the way to increased well-being.

Our brains can trick us into thinking ill of ourselves. Self-compassion can squash those thoughts and lead the way to increased well-being.

Health

The Truth Behind Red Wine’s Effect on Health

Kristen A. Carter MS on January 13, 2026

Red wine has had its ups and downs. In this day and age of questioning consumption of alcohol, how does red wine stack up?

Red wine has had its ups and downs. In this day and age of questioning consumption of alcohol, how does red wine stack up?

Health

Belonging as a Framework for Health

Kristen A. Carter MS on December 11, 2025

Belonging isn’t just about warm and fuzzy feelings. It’s about health and well-being.

Belonging isn’t just about warm and fuzzy feelings. It’s about health and well-being.

Self-Control

The Challenge of Impulsive Eating

Kristen A. Carter MS on November 19, 2025

There are lots of reasons why we make impulsive food choices. But there are a few ways to get a grip on them.

There are lots of reasons why we make impulsive food choices. But there are a few ways to get a grip on them.

Mirror Neurons

Mirror Neurons and Eating: Friend or Foe?

Kristen A. Carter MS on October 14, 2025

We can start to get hungry just by watching someone else eat. Are our mirror neurons to blame?

We can start to get hungry just by watching someone else eat. Are our mirror neurons to blame?

Motivation

Motivation: Not What It’s Cracked Up to Be

Kristen A. Carter MS on September 3, 2025

When it comes to exercising, why can’t we “just do it?” It turns out that getting motivated to exercise can be surprisingly complex and demotivating!

When it comes to exercising, why can’t we “just do it?” It turns out that getting motivated to exercise can be surprisingly complex and demotivating!

Bias

The Muddy Waters of Confirmation Bias

Kristen A. Carter MS on August 12, 2025

Confirmation bias can keep us stuck in unhealthy thought patterns. But there is another thought process that can break up those patterns.

Confirmation bias can keep us stuck in unhealthy thought patterns. But there is another thought process that can break up those patterns.

Appetite

What GLP-1s May Tell Us About Novelty

Kristen A. Carter MS on July 8, 2025

Novelty seeking is an important part of being human. Now we may need to rein it in for our health.

Novelty seeking is an important part of being human. Now we may need to rein it in for our health.

Attention

Is Your Desk Killing You?

Kristen A. Carter MS on June 13, 2025

Working at a desk for hours on end can wreak havoc with our focus and attention. Here’s what we can do about it.

Working at a desk for hours on end can wreak havoc with our focus and attention. Here’s what we can do about it.

Diet

Temptation Is an Emotion Remembered

Kristen A. Carter MS on May 6, 2025

How often do we cave in to tempting foods and then we wish we hadn’t? Taking a few simple steps may make the difference.

How often do we cave in to tempting foods and then we wish we hadn’t? Taking a few simple steps may make the difference.

Diet

Does FOMO Sabotage Your Eating Goals?

Kristen A. Carter MS on April 15, 2025

Fear of missing out (FOMO) can determine our eating behavior. But what is going on underneath?

Fear of missing out (FOMO) can determine our eating behavior. But what is going on underneath?

Motivation

What Motivates Us to Exercise as We Get Older?

Kristen A. Carter MS on March 12, 2025

As we get older, our perception of exercise changes. We can work with the changes in our brains to start enjoying it.

As we get older, our perception of exercise changes. We can work with the changes in our brains to start enjoying it.

Happiness

How to Stop Chasing Rainbows

Kristen A. Carter MS on February 18, 2025

The media often focuses on celebrating a happy end result to a journey of making health changes, leaving out the ups and downs. This is misleading.

The media often focuses on celebrating a happy end result to a journey of making health changes, leaving out the ups and downs. This is misleading.

Motivation

Change Can Be Daunting; Here’s How to Accomplish It

Kristen A. Carter MS on January 15, 2025

We're often gung-ho about eating healthier, losing weight, or exercising more, but then something stops us in our tracks. Here’s what it is.

We're often gung-ho about eating healthier, losing weight, or exercising more, but then something stops us in our tracks. Here’s what it is.

Health

Is Advice Always Actionable?

Kristen A. Carter MS on December 18, 2024

Advice can fall on deaf ears or be helpful. What makes the difference?

Advice can fall on deaf ears or be helpful. What makes the difference?

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.