What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite

What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite
Author: David Disalvo
Publisher: Prometheus Books
Total Pages: 300
Release: 2011-11-15
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 161614484X

This book reveals a remarkable paradox: what your brain wants is frequently not what your brain needs. In fact, much of what makes our brains "happy" leads to errors, biases, and distortions, which make getting out of our own way extremely difficult. Author David DiSalvo presents evidence from evolutionary and social psychology, cognitive science, neurology, and even marketing and economics. And he interviews many of the top thinkers in psychology and neuroscience today. From this research-based platform, DiSalvo draws out insights that we can use to identify our brains’ foibles and turn our awareness into edifying action. Ultimately, he argues, the research does not serve up ready-made answers, but provides us with actionable clues for overcoming the plight of our advanced brains and, consequently, living more fulfilled lives.

Brain Changer

Brain Changer
Author: David Disalvo
Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2013-11-12
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN: 193952900X

Let's be honest. You've tried the sticky-note inspirations, the motivational calendar, and the cute (but ineffective) “carpe diem" mug—yet your attitude hasn't changed. It's time to apply cutting-edge science to the challenges of daily life. While everyone desires self-improvement, we are quickly frustrated when trying to implement the contradictory philosophies of self-appointed self-help gurus. Too often, their advice is based on anecdote and personal opinion, not real research. Bestselling author of What Makes Your Brain Happy and Why You Should Do the Opposite David DiSalvo returns with Brain Changer: How Harnessing Your Brain's Power to Adapt Can Change Your Life. Drawing on the latest research in neuroscience, cognitive psychology, behavioral economics, communications, and even marketing, DiSalvo replaces self-help with “science help." He demonstrates how the brain's enormous capacity to adapt is the most crucial factor influencing how we feel and act—a factor that we can control to change our lives. Findings show our brains are fluid and function much like a feedback loop: stimulants from both our environment and from within ourselves catalyze changes in the brain's response. That response then elicits additional inputs that the brain identifies and analyzes to further tailor its response. DiSalvo shows that the greatest internal tool we have to affect the feedback loop is metacognition (“thinking about thinking"). Littered with relatable examples and tackling major aspects of our lives including relationships, careers, physical health, and personal development, Brain Changer shows you how to harness metacognition to enrich your life.

Your Brain's Not Broken

Your Brain's Not Broken
Author: Tamara PhD Rosier
Publisher: Revell
Total Pages: 208
Release: 2021-09-21
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1493431986

If you have ADHD, your brain doesn't work in the same way as a "normal" or neurotypical brain does because it's wired differently. You and others may see this difference in circuitry as somehow wrong or incomplete. It isn't. It does present you with significant challenges like time management, organization skills, forgetfulness, trouble completing tasks, mood swings, and relationship problems. In Your Brain's Not Broken, Dr. Tamara Rosier explains how ADHD affects every aspect of your life. You'll finally understand why you think, feel, and act the way you do. Dr. Rosier applies her years of coaching others to offer you the critical practical tools that can dramatically improve your life and relationships. Anyone with ADHD--as well as anyone who lives with or loves someone with ADHD--will find here a compassionate, encouraging guide to living well and with hope.

The Brain in Your Kitchen

The Brain in Your Kitchen
Author: David Disalvo
Publisher: BenBella Books, Inc.
Total Pages: 72
Release: 2012-11-27
Genre: Self-Help
ISBN: 1937856887

Every day, we're faced with choices about what to eat, wear, and purchase. Blinded by a tsunami of information—some good, some bad, some intentionally misleading—often our brains are too overwhelmed to examine all the details. So how do we know we're making the best decisions for us? Author and science journalist David DiSalvo asks what's best for our brains instead. The Brain in Your Kitchen sifts through the good and bad information on the things we buy, the foods we eat, and the medicines we take. Using findings from cutting-edge science, DiSalvo divulges terrifically useful and little-known facts—each grounded in credible research—about everything from how gluten to cats affect your brain. Learn how we can trick our minds into helping us lose weight, what placebos are costing us big bucks with no results, and what caffeine is actually doing inside your head to give you that extra pep. Disalvo cuts through frantic media sensation and consumer marketplace babble and gives you the knowledge to distinguish hyperbole from truth so you're ready next time you sit down for dinner.

Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks

Retrain Your Brain: Cognitive Behavioral Therapy in 7 Weeks
Author: Seth J. Gillihan PhD
Publisher: Sourcebooks, Inc.
Total Pages: 259
Release: 2016-10-18
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1623157811

The groundbreaking 7-week plan for managing anxiety and depression using cognitive behavioral therapy. Cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) is one of the most effective techniques for finding relief from depression and anxiety. With this CBT workbook for mental health, psychologist Dr. Seth Gillihan uses his 15 years of experience treating patients to develop a 7-week plan that teaches you practical CBT techniques to help you feel better. Change negative thought patterns—Understand your thoughts and behaviors and replace the ones that don't serve you with more positive and productive habits. Explore the power of the cognitive behavioral therapy within the book. Cognitive behavioral therapy in 7 weeks—Each activity in this CBT book builds on the previous week's as you explore straightforward, real-life exercises that encourage you to set goals, face your fears, manage tasks, and more. Great for chronic or sporadic anxiety—Whether your difficult feelings occur every day or just sometimes, this CBT workbook is an effective anxiety workbook adult readers can put to use in their daily life. Start wherever you are—Relatable examples make the information and activities more accessible to CBT newcomers of any age or background. Discover the power of cognitive behavioral therapy today with Retrain Your Brain.

Before Happiness

Before Happiness
Author: Shawn Achor
Publisher: Random House
Total Pages: 274
Release: 2015-10-15
Genre: Self-actualization (Psychology)
ISBN: 075355741X

Dot Complicated

Dot Complicated
Author: Randi Zuckerberg
Publisher: Harper Collins
Total Pages: 185
Release: 2013-11-05
Genre: Business & Economics
ISBN: 0062285173

With Dot Complicated: Untangling Our Wired Lives, new media pioneer Randi Zuckerberg offers an entertaining and essential guide to understanding how technology and social media influence and inform our lives online and off. Zuckerberg has been on the frontline of the social media movement since Facebook’s early days and her following six years as a marketing executive for the company. Her part memoir, part how-to manual addresses issues of privacy, online presence, networking, etiquette, and the future of social change.

When the Air Hits Your Brain: Tales from Neurosurgery

When the Air Hits Your Brain: Tales from Neurosurgery
Author: Frank Vertosick Jr.
Publisher: W. W. Norton & Company
Total Pages: 231
Release: 2008-03-17
Genre: Medical
ISBN: 0393344029

The story of one man's evolution from naive and ambitious young intern to world-class neurosurgeon. With poignant insight and humor, Frank Vertosick Jr., MD, describes some of the greatest challenges of his career, including a six-week-old infant with a tumor in her brain, a young man struck down in his prime by paraplegia, and a minister with a .22-caliber bullet lodged in his skull. Told through intimate portraits of Vertosick’s patients and unsparing yet fascinatingly detailed descriptions of surgical procedures, When the Air Hits Your Brain—the culmination of decades spent struggling to learn an unforgiving craft—illuminates both the mysteries of the mind and the realities of the operating room.

Buddha's Brain

Buddha's Brain
Author: Rick Hanson
Publisher: ReadHowYouWant.com
Total Pages: 350
Release: 2011-07-13
Genre: Religion
ISBN: 1459624157

Jesus, Moses, Mohammed, Gandhi, and the Buddha all had brains built essentially like anyone else's, yet they were able to harness their thoughts and shape their patterns of thinking in ways that changed history. With new breakthroughs in modern neuroscience and the wisdom of thousands of years of contemplative practice, it is possible for us to shape our own thoughts in a similar way for greater happiness, love, compassion, and wisdom. Buddha's Brain joins the forces of modern neuroscience with ancient contemplative teachings to show readers how they can work toward greater emotional well-being, healthier relationships, more effective actions, and deepened religious and spiritual understanding. This book will explain how the core elements of both psychological well-being and religious or spiritual life-virtue, mindfulness, and wisdom--are based in the core functions of the brain: regulating, learning, and valuing. Readers will also learn practical ways to apply this information, as the book offers many exercises they can do to tap the unused potential of the brain and rewire it over time for greater peace and well-being.

Brain Power

Brain Power
Author: Michael J. Gelb
Publisher: New World Library
Total Pages: 250
Release: 2011-12-26
Genre: Psychology
ISBN: 1608680746

Virtually everyone fears mental deterioration as they age. But in the past thirty years neuroscientists have discovered that the brain is actually designed to improve throughout life. How can you encourage this improvement?Brain Power shares practical, state-of-the-evidence answers in this inspiring, fun-to-read plan for action. The authors have interviewed physicians, gerontologists, and neuroscientists; studied the habits of men and women who epitomize healthy aging; and applied what they describe in their own lives. The resulting guidance; along with the accompanying downloadable Brain Sync audio program; can help you activate unused brain areas, tone mental muscles, and enliven every faculty.