Habits: Turning Aspiration Into Action

Sometimes, peering into the fridge I think, “what am I looking for and how did I get here?” The short answer (at least to the second question) is habit, a kind of autopilot that got me from my desk to the fridge without being fully aware of it. This type of automatic...
Ancient Brain, Modern World: How To Adapt To Today

Ancient Brain, Modern World: How To Adapt To Today

Picture a group of hunter-gatherers seeking out food 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. A rustle in the grass captures their attention and immediately, their muscles tense, glucose and cortisol, are released into their blood stream. Immediately, they’re on ‘high-alert,’ ready...
Imagine being stopped at a red light

Imagine being stopped at a red light

Imagine being stopped at a red light, waiting to go through the intersection. The turn arrow goes green and there is an impulse to take your foot off the brake and get going, but you manage to stay put. This is an example of response inhibition and it’s a skill that...