28 Wednesday Feb 2018
Posted in Intelligence for Your Life
Tags
blood flow, calm, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, obsess, obsessing, park, public park, relax, relaxing, Stanford University, take a walk
If you’re obsessing over something negative that happened – go find a park and take a walk. According to Stanford University researchers, spending time in nature actually decreases blood flow to the part of the brain that we use to dwell on things. Which can make you calmer in just minutes.
28 Thursday Dec 2017
Posted in Intelligence for Your Life
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bedtime, bedtime snack, breakfast, calcium, calm, cereal, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, eat cereal, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, magnesium, relax, relaxing, serotonin, tryptophan
It makes the perfect bedtime snack. The carbs in cereal increase levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which makes us feel happy and relaxed. And the milk’s tryptophan content converts to serotonin, too. Plus, there’s calcium and magnesium in milk, both of which are calming.
30 Thursday Nov 2017
Posted in Intelligence for Your Life
Tags
anxiety, calm, calm down, calming, Christmas, Christmas tree, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, look at green, peace, relaing, relax, relaxation, stress, the color green, the green effect, University of Rochester
In one study from the University of Rochester, people who looked at something green felt significantly calmer and happier. It works because green is associated with peaceful, natural settings – which can help relieve anxiety and stress. Scientists even call it “the green effect,” and theorize that our brains have evolved to relax at the calming sight of trees and grass.
01 Wednesday Nov 2017
Posted in Intelligence for Your Life
Tags
calm, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, exercise, exercise program, familiar, holiday, holidays, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, overwhelmed, relaxing, USC, workout program, worlout
Want to keep up with your exercise program right on through the holidays? Stick with familiar workouts you could do in your sleep! Researchers at USC say when we’re stressed, we feel overwhelmed – and decision-making becomes harder. But following a routine is calming. So you’re more likely to do a workout you already know by heart, than to try something new.
10 Tuesday Oct 2017
Posted in Intelligence for Your Life
Tags
calm, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, focus, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, listen to music, music, relax, road rage, safe driver, safe driving, sing, sing in the car, singing, singing in the car
Sing while you’re behind the wheel! A recent survey from the UK’s University of Sheffield found that 63% of drivers who haven’t had an accident in more than four years listen to music while driving. And drivers who practice carpool karaoke are much less likely to experience road rage. Because music is soothing, calming and relaxing. And singing along to your favorite tunes – when you don’t have to try to remember the words – helps you better focus on the road.
29 Thursday Jun 2017
Posted in Intelligence for Your Life
Tags
bathroom, bathroom lights, bright white, calm, calming, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, energized, energy, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, lighting, lights, morning, relax, soft white, start your day off right
What do you need in the morning – to feel calm, or energized? The type of light bulbs in your bathroom can actually make a difference. A “soft white” bulb – or one that says “2,700 Ks” on it – has the right kind of light to start your day on a calmer note. If you need energy, a “bright white” bulb will do the trick.
24 Wednesday May 2017
Posted in Intelligence for Your Life
Tags
bach, Beethoven, breathe, breathing, calm, chill, chill out, classical music, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, heart rate, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, relax
Load these two classical pieces on your phone: Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” and “Air on a G String” by Bach. Both are about 70 beats per minute – which mimics your resting heart rate. So listening to them can slow your breathing, and heart rate, to a calmer pace.
27 Thursday Apr 2017
Posted in Intelligence for Your Life
Tags
anxiety, anxious, barefeet, barefoot, brain, calm, calming, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, feet, GABA, GABA waves, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, pressure points, take your shoes off, University of Connecticut
Do this for 2 minutes to squash anxiety for 90 minutes: Walk barefoot!
The researchers at the University of Connecticut say it works by stimulating pressure points on the bottom of the feet that tell the brain to start pumping out calming GABA waves.
18 Tuesday Apr 2017
Posted in Intelligence for Your Life
Tags
ankle, ankles, bed, bedtime, calm, calming, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, massage, massage your ankles, night, oxytocin, wake up
If you always wake up during the night, try massaging your ankles before bed. Researchers at the University of Arkansas say an ankle massage stimulates the nerve pathways that boost production of the calming hormone oxytocin… Which should help you wake up less often during the night. And pay special attention to the indentations just below your ankle bones. Experts say that 3 minutes of massage is all it takes for a better night’s sleep.
22 Wednesday Mar 2017
Posted in Intelligence for Your Life
Tags
calm, Connie Sellecca, conniesellecca, happy, intelligence for your life, intelligenceforyourlife, loved one, photo, photos, picture, reduce stress, stress, trick, wellbeing
Look at a picture of loved ones with their arms wrapped around you. According to the University of Exeter, looking at a picture in which you feel cared for reduces your response to stress – and increases feelings of calm and wellbeing. The researchers say seeing loving actions reminds us we have secure attachments and social support… which makes tough times more manageable.
