Nov 12

Facilitate Insight by Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

Amazing results of applying electrical stimulation to the left side of the brain, allowing the right, creative side to dominate. The abstract below was taken from the article published on the Plos One website.

To read the full article, click the link below the abstract.

Our experiences can blind us. Once we have learned to solve problems by one method, we often have difficulties in generating solutions involving a different kind of insight. Yet there is evidence that people with brain lesions are sometimes more resistant to this so-called mental set effect. This inspired us to investigate whether the mental set effect can be reduced by non-invasive brain stimulation. 60 healthy right-handed participants were asked to take an insight problem solving task while receiving transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to the anterior temporal lobes (ATL). Only 20% of participants solved an insight problem with sham stimulation (control), whereas 3 times as many participants did so (p = 0.011) with cathodal stimulation (decreased excitability) of the left ATL together with anodal stimulation (increased excitability) of the right ATL. We found hemispheric differences in that a stimulation montage involving the opposite polarities did not facilitate performance. Our findings are consistent with the theory that inhibition to the left ATL can lead to a cognitive style that is less influenced by mental templates and that the right ATL may be associated with insight or novel meaning. Further studies including neurophysiological imaging are needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms leading to the enhancement.  

Facilitate Insight by Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation

“Centre for the Mind, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia “
http://www.plosone.org/article/info:doi/10.1371/journal.pone.0016655

Gets you thinking what levels of research & testing have been achieved that haven’t been releasedto the media for public consumption! 

Below is a recording of an Australian radio interview found on YouTube regarding the above article. Cambridge University scientist, Dr Chris Smith, discusses “The Electric Thinking Cap”  

Flash of fresh insight by brain stimulation

“Cambridge University scientist, Dr Chris Smith “
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzfRODd6xiM&feature=player_embedded

 

 
 

Oct 29

Anxiety and Panic Attacks: Identifying Root Cause

Anxiety & PanicCauses of anxiety attacks can vary according to the person affected by them. I write this article from a position of personal knowledge, as I suffered a break-down in August 2010, which is now over 2 years ago. However, it is only now that I can identify the factors that led up to that event and the contributory root causes of the early stages of anxiety.

 If you do suffer from anxiety and are wondering – or concerned – at what those root causes could be, read on to see if you identify with any of the issues I have outlined. You may just be able to figure out what they are and prevent a full-on anxiety attack. I must stress, however, how important it is to see your doctor in the first instance.

When my break-down happened, I was diagnosed as having experienced an intense panic attack. However, there is fundamentally no difference between an anxiety attack and a panic attack, but in terms of semantics, anxiety feeds the panic.

 It doesn’t matter what it is called, some people just prefer one name over the other. Anxiety, though is often used to describe a less overwhelming, longer-lasting feeling of worry, while ‘panic’ is seen as something that is very intense, immediate and short-term in nature. But believe me, when an attack occurs it certainly is very intense and the name used to describe it is somewhat irrelevant.

 Causes of attacks are very closely related to levels of stress. It is important to note that anxiety or panic attacks are not abnormal in themselves. They are a built-in survival mechanism, which has evolved to ensure the continuation of the human race. Otherwise known as ‘Fight or Flight’, the muscles tense, the heart beats faster, breathing becomes more rapid – but deeper and sweating occurs. Animals also possess this mechanism of survival, if they didn’t animal species that we see today would have died out many years ago.

Attacks, however, in our modern society are usually an inappropriately strong reaction to a stressful situation. I have read in other articles that panic or anxiety attacks tend to run in families. This may or may not be the case and some have argued that the condition is genetic. However, in my own case, I know that this is not true because my family’s medical history has been investigated and I have undergone neurological tests. I am now in my mid-fifties and both my parents have long since passed, and so far it has been found that my fathers’ youngest brother used to suffer with his ‘nerves’, as they used to call it (there were seven in my fathers’ family, my father was child number four and his youngest brother was child number seven).

 I also know that my father and his male siblings were active during World War Two. In terms of stressful situations, nothing can really beat being shot at or dodging shells and grenades! In that sense, I think my uncle was probably suffering from – what is called today – delayed Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Although I think it was sometime in the ‘60’s or ‘70’s that he was diagnosed as suffering with his ‘nerves’, it is still being discovered today that there are no hard-and-fast rules or time limits as to if or when PTSD strikes ex-soldiers. Or how long the symptoms last (my uncle died in 2003 and up to then, he still suffered with ‘nerves’).

 It may also be possible that fearful attitudes toward the world could be passed onto children by being around parents who feel the same way. Whether there are any genetic family links or the transmission of fearful attitudes from parents to child, it is important to remember that it is not your fault and not your parents’ fault either. Even if there are genetic links, that doesn’t mean that it is inevitable for one to be affected. However, from what I now know, if anxiety or panic seems to be more prevalent, the first course of action should be to get help.

 There are also a number of self-help techniques that can be used to prevent attacks, such as meditation or breathing deeply and slowly, deliberately holding the breath for a few seconds on inhale and exhale. Other articles I have read advocate the avoidance of the contributory causes of anxiety attacks however, this strategy is somewhat false as it does not get to the root of the problem in the first place.

 I have personally had a number of problems that I have successfully overcome during the last two and a half years, through a combination of professional therapy sessions and self-help techniques. But, the one problem that has remained stubbornly persistent for the last eighteen months or so is the fear of crowds and crowded places. Rest assured that you are reading an article from someone that is actively practicing what he preaches.

 

Possible Contributory Causes of Anxiety/Panic Attacks

Life Stressors
The loss of a loved one, moving home or a new job can trigger anxiety. Pressure at work or a promotion that requires the taking-on of extra responsibilities can be the trigger. Being unhappy or uncertain in an existing job are also triggers, as is a period of unemployment. While it may not be possible to avoid these situations, it helps just to know that stress plays a major part and if identified at an early stage, professional and/or self-help can focus on reducing it.

 

Medications and Substances
Some medications, including Ritalin, SSRI anti-depressants, and even some antibiotics can cause panic attacks in some people. Caffeine, alcohol and some recreational drugs can also cause attacks.

 Again, seek medical advice. Don’t just suddenly stop as this can trigger anxiety and/or panic. The consumption of tranquilizers, such as benzodiazepine or alcohol needs to be scaled-down slowly, with advice from a doctor.

 

Avoidance
If attacks appear to be triggered by certain normal life situations (such as being in a crowd, which is my stubborn problem), and you withdraw from normal human activities to avoid those situations, (which I have also tried).  General ‘fear of life’ will actually increase and this makes attacks more likely to occur.

This point is important to note, as it is natural to want to avoid the situation that triggers the attack in the first place. After all, the evolutionary survival mechanism is actually working as it should, but, the root cause I still have to figure out is why it perceives these situations to be so threatening.

However, I know from my own therapy, that avoidance can risk the development of attacks in situations that did not cause anxiety previously. There is also a risk of becoming your own jailor and prisoner, as the world you inhabit slowly becomes more and more restricted until attacks start happening for no clear reason, even if you stay indoors at home 24/7.

Avoiding certain situations will also send a message to the subconscious mind, which will in turn lead it to believe that those situations are a major threat and must always be avoided as they will definitely cause panic attacks. The belief itself becomes more ingrained until attacks actually occur each and every time and also possibly just thinking about it.

Another example is if a panic attack occurs on a bus and the individual decides to avoid buses because of the fear of another attack, the mind will be programmed to associate buses with panic attacks. The individual will then probably start to have an attack every time a bus comes near.

The bus example above could have been a train or a taxi, the point is that it was not the bus that was responsible for the attack it is just where it occurred. 

The bottom line is to seek help in the first instance. Ideally some assistance or training to work through the issues, it is important not to hesitate in looking for a therapist or self-help program. Act as early as possible to find the root cause so that it can be treated.

Oct 04

The Necessity of Developing a Positive Mindset

 

Developing a positive Mindset is the best way to break the pattern of our limiting beliefs. Because everything we experience in life is a learning process, we should make it a part of our goal to nurture positive thoughts daily into our minds until this becomes fully natural to us.

 

Developing a Positive Mindset does not only help us overcome limiting beliefs but it also produces good health to our body as a whole. For instance, when we watch films with optimistic themes and plots, we are more encouraged and motivated to face life in spite of the tough challenges it may bring.

 

When we choose reading materials with positive insights, we are filling ourselves with good thoughts that will definitely inspire us and make our day bright.

 

When we surround ourselves with optimistic people, we also tend to absorb the good vibes that they exude.

 

When we are out and view uplifting or relaxing scenes, we will naturally feel uplifted and notice ourselves thinking positive thoughts. The power of this is that the positive effect on ourselves can be seen or sensed by other people around us, even though they have not witnessed the scene for themselves.

 

Some people, though, are unfortunately living miserable lives as they have not yet learnt how to overcome limiting beliefs. They tend to blame various circumstances and other people, but they do not accept the fact that they themselves create a barrier that hinders them from achieving the kind of life they want to have. In reality, when we strive towards developing a Positive Mindset, we experience less stress and as a result we gain a healthier body.

 

Every person in their right disposition has a similar goal in mind, that is, to live well and enjoy life to the fullest. This is the very reason why we should all make a conscious effort to expose ourselves only to the insights of optimistic people. Of course, this does not mean we avoid facing the negative realities in life. In fact, when we are filled with positive thoughts, we are more capable of handling the negative things that we may encounter each day.

 

The most important thing is that we refuse to be influenced by negative thoughts so that we can face each problem squarely and be able to eventually overcome limiting beliefs.

 

Another way of developing a Positive Mindset is by stating positive affirmations. We can either do this orally or by way of writing. Maintaining a journal about the positive experiences we have each day will even boost our capability to be more optimistic. In spite of all the downbeat and pessimistic situations that we may encounter from time to time, we will be encouraged knowing that there are still more positive than bad days.

This will help us overcome limiting beliefs of any kind and enable us to recognize good opportunities well. As a result, we tend to blossom better each day as we reap the fruits of our success. Therefore, optimism is the best way to overcome limiting beliefs.

 

 

Michael Flanagan

 

I am giving away a copy of the ebook “110 Bite-Sized Self-Help Super Tips”, which contains numerous tips on developing a positive mind as well as many other Self-Development areas.

Head on over to http://www.findyourinnerself.com

Sep 09

Be Motivated and Overcome Procrastination

One of the most common problems faced by people with regards to their career and personal life is lack of motivation which oftentimes results into procrastination of some important things they are supposed to pursue or accomplish.

When a person procrastinates, they tend to put off some tasks to the last possible minute. This eventually causes negative emotions such as guilt and resentment.

Furthermore, a person who procrastinates, experiences more work pressure and stress, missed opportunities, overwhelming schedules and frantic work hours. Although most people are quite aware of the results of putting off their obligations, it is a sad fact that many individuals of all ages still tend to give in to this kind of behavior pattern. It is a common habit among students and even professionals in various workplaces.

A lot of individuals however are determined to overcome procrastination. But in order to learn the specific and practical ways to overcome procrastination, it is important to learn the root causes of this behavior. The first common reason why people procrastinate is laziness. When a person feels physically or emotionally drained, they tend to have a weak resolve to do a certain task.

It is natural for an individual to take a rest especially when they get exhausted because of work. But if the feeling of being tired is merely caused by laziness which eventually leads to procrastination, such a behavior pattern becomes quite an alarming matter.

In order to overcome procrastination, a person should seek motivation to raise their energy level. For numerous tips on how to become motivated and avoid procrastination and many other Self-Development areas, head on over to http://www.findyourinnerself.com and download a FREE copy of the ebook “110 Bite-Sized Self-Help Super Tips” .

Another cause of procrastination is stress. When a person is stressed out because of their daily routines or tight schedules, they fail to work productively. Their motivation to work diminishes and they tend to put of doing other tasks. However, this can be avoided if they choose to lessen the stress in their life by adopting time management strategies.

Allowing enough time for rest and recreation will also help to overcome procrastination and provide energy to do the things that have been avoided.

Some people procrastinate because they lack self-discipline. For many individuals, self-discipline serves as a strong motivation to keep on keeping on. Without it, there is a great tendency to repeatedly put off some work in many situations. Lack of skill can also cause a person to procrastinate. When some people think that they cannot accomplish a task due to insufficient skill, they unfortunately put off the work so as to avoid experiencing disappointments.

Instead of resorting to this kind of behavior, they should instead seek to sharpen their skills or else delegate other people to do the task. There are many other causes of procrastination, but all of these basically point to a person’s priority. Arranging one’s priority based on goals helps to become more focused and determined on work. If an individual knows the priority and has the motivation to work towards accomplishing them one step at a time, then they are more able to overcome procrastination.


Michael Flanagan

I am giving away a copy of the ebook “110 Bite-Sized Self-Help Super Tips”, which contains numerous tips on how to become motivated and avoid procrastination and many other Self-Development areas.

Head on over to http://www.findyourinnerself.com.

Sep 09

Self-Esteem Helps Improve Self-Confidence

Many people use the terms self-esteem and self-confidence interchangeably. Although these words are interrelated and are oftentimes mentioned whenever the concept of personal worth or value is being discussed, they are actually quite different from each other.

First of all, self-esteem is internal in nature. It is more about an individual’s opinion or belief about themselves. It is how a person evaluates their own worth. It can either be positive when it is reinforced or negative if it is thwarted under some circumstances.

On the other hand, self-confidence is the belief in one’s own abilities in general. It is what other people see in you as manifested in the way you think, talk and project yourself. An individual’s personality and sense of style can even change as a result of improved self-confidence. For numerous tips on self-confidence, self-esteem and many other Self-Development areas, head on over to http://www.findyourinnerself.com and download a FREE copy of the ebook “110 Bite-Sized Self-Help Super Tips” .

The self-esteem of a person can be highly affected by the kind of family background they have, the influences around them and their daily experiences with different people. This is why many psychologists and therapists strongly suggest that people choose companions and friends who have an optimistic perception about life.

An individual who has high self-esteem exudes a sense of being full of life. They are calm, relaxed, open and communicative and they easily get along with other people. Above all, they tend to pursue continuous growth in all areas of life in order to nurture and enrich what they already possess and eventually achieve lasting success.

All these characteristics naturally result in a healthy and well-developed self-confidence. It is interesting to note that some individuals seem to be born with self-confidence, as they can easily carry themselves so well in different kinds of situations even at a young age. But in general, self-confidence is something which a person develops gradually provided they work with perseverance and choose to strive towards a specific goal, regardless of the numerous stumbling blocks they may encounter along the way.

It is fuelled by high self-esteem and nurtured by the assurance and support of other purpose-driven people. The major setback in developing self-confidence is one’s fear of failure. If a person truly wants to discover their fullest potential as a unique individual, they need to overcome the fear of committing mistakes and take the challenge of doing different things, which can help them grow further in all aspects.

Self-confidence will not be developed unless a person moves out from their hiding place, or their comfort zone. In other words, the more exposure one gets, the more potential one has of shining and discovering the gem in them.

So in order to develop self-confidence, a person should have high self-esteem. This can be achieved when they affirm their worth through positive self-talk. In a clear sense, self-esteem directly correlates a person’s self-confidence. In some cases, however, people try to hide their low self-esteem by assuming an air of self-confidence, but of course such a show does not usually last long. This is because of the fact that a person could not truly give what they do not have.

Genuine self-confidence can only be manifested when one really values their worth as a unique individual.

 

Michael Flanagan

I am giving away a copy of the ebook “110 Bite-Sized Self-Help Super Tips” , which contains numerous tips on self-confidence, self-esteem and many other Self-Development areas.

Head on over to http://www.findyourinnerself.com.

Dec 10

Welcome to Amazing Self

Dec 09

Amazing Coaching DIY Manual by Lisa Phillips

Dec 08

101 Success and Self-Development Tips

Dec 08

Instant Mind Power Mastery

Dec 08

Depression Treatment – Depression Help – Overcoming Depression

Dec 08

Design Your Perfect Life – Your Personal Agreement

Dec 07

Super Manifesting Program – How to Manifest your Dream Life in 90 Days or Less with Proven Manifesting Technology

Dec 07

Increase reading speed with the best speed reading book – ExtremeSpeedReading.com

Dec 05

The NLP Confidence Builder

Dec 05

Holographic Time.

Page 1 of 1012345...10...Last »
Hide me
Show me
Build an optin email list in WordPress [Free Software]