Author: Chris Pierce
How Cold Exposure and Shivering Influences Weight Loss
Did you know that allowing yourself to shiver triggers muscles to release a hormone that causes the body to burn fat? I’m constantly researching and testing various methods and devices to improve mental and physical health and increase longevity. I have been focusing on the benefits of cold plunges and showers lately. I’m sure you Read more
Podcast Episode 25: Putting Your Distressing Thoughts on Trial
In this episode, I describe a cognitive behavioral approach called putting your thoughts on trial, which is a method to empower you to regulate your emotions in the face of events that seem to create a negative experience. This empowers you to focus on your thoughts, determine if they are valid in the context of Read more
Podcast Episode 24: Choosing Growth in the Face of Trauma and Life’s Difficulties
In this episode, I discuss a concept that can help you deal with past trauma and life’s difficulties called post-traumatic growth. This approach can empower one to accept the fact that they cannot change what has happened to them and not allow their trauma to define who they are but serve as a catalyst for Read more
Fight Daytime Fatigue: A Smart Application of Caffeine and Napping
Insomnia, staying up late for work or recreation, or events such as daylight-saving time can influence daytime fatigue. A simple technique can help you stay focused and alert when you find yourself highly sleepy during the day. Studies focusing on caffeine and napping have demonstrated that we can fight off fatigue through the intelligent use Read more
Emotional Regulation and the Brain
This article explains the science behind your emotions and their physiological effects on your body. You will learn about the various neuropathways of your five senses and how the amygdala takes control of your executive functioning. You will learn how to take back this control through a method that empowers you to remain calm and Read more
Effects of Caffeine on Sleep Quality
Listen to this article on the Self-Maintenance of the Brain and Body Podcast. How does caffeine impacts your sleep quality, and when should you cease drinking caffeine to achieve quality sleep? Regulating caffeine consumption is a simple way to improve your sleep efficiency. Caffeine is considered a drug because it stimulates the nervous system causing Read more
Listen to the Self-Maintenance of the Brain and Body Podcast
A short 3-5 minute weekly podcast sharing evidence-based self-care tips that can improve your health, performance, and overall wellness. Every Monday, I share a simple and easy-to-implement self-care idea with you and challenge you to create a positive change. Throughout these episodes, I discuss ways to improve sleep hygiene and mental health and strengthen the Read more
Neurological Benefits of Volunteering: Enhancing Mental Health
A natural response hardwired in everyone’s brain is the “helper’s high”—a sense of calmness and happiness that arises when we help others. Life can be challenging and filled with stress, and many people face increased mental difficulties, such as anxiety, depression, PTSD, addiction, or ADHD. During tough times, actively seeking opportunities to perform acts of Read more
Why Your Past Dictates Your Current Emotional Well-Being
“While we may not be able to control all that happens to us, we can control what happens inside us.”—Benjamin Franklin “If you think what I am saying is boring, get up and stand in the hall!” Yells my 6th-grade teacher as he sees me yawning. It was 1989 at Monticello Elementary school in Monticello, Read more
Preventing Suicide Through Early Treatment of Sleep-Related disorders
A vast amount of research demonstrates that sleep deprivation and sleep disturbances put one at risk for suicide. The various organizations within the U.S. continue to fail at developing effective suicide prevention strategies, and their failure to place emphasis on sleep is one example of this failure. Current methods focus solely on those currently under Read more