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The Athlete's Way

Sweat and the biology of bliss

Anxiety
Being Fit May Lower the Need to Buy Anti-Anxiety Medication

Christopher Bergland on September 11, 2023

Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are correlated with filling fewer prescriptions for antidepressants and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), a new linkage study reports.

Higher levels of cardiorespiratory fitness are correlated with filling fewer prescriptions for antidepressants and anxiolytics (anti-anxiety drugs), a new linkage study reports.

Neuroscience
Epilepsy: Mapping the Link to Deep-Rooted Brain Circuits

Christopher Bergland on July 10, 2023

Why do only some brain lesions cause epilepsy? A new brain mapping study suggests that if a lesion disrupts deep-rooted subcortical circuits, it's more likely to cause epilepsy.

Why do only some brain lesions cause epilepsy? A new brain mapping study suggests that if a lesion disrupts deep-rooted subcortical circuits, it's more likely to cause epilepsy.

Aging
How Active Music Listening Can Make Our Brains Bigger

Christopher Bergland on May 23, 2023

As we age, our brains tend to shrink. New fMRI research shows how actively listening to music beefs up certain brain areas and improves working memory functions.

As we age, our brains tend to shrink. New fMRI research shows how actively listening to music beefs up certain brain areas and improves working memory functions.

Motivation
Why Escapism Benefits Some Recreational Runners but Not All

Christopher Bergland on January 26, 2023

Escapism is double-edged. If escapism is motivated by self-expansion, it makes runners happier. But if escapism is driven by self-suppression, it has the opposite effect.

Escapism is double-edged. If escapism is motivated by self-expansion, it makes runners happier. But if escapism is driven by self-suppression, it has the opposite effect.

Dementia
HIIT Workouts Turbocharge Exercise's Neuroprotective Power

Christopher Bergland on January 13, 2023

Six minutes of high-intensity exercise causes BDNF to skyrocket and protects the brain from degeneration much better than 90 minutes of low-intensity exercise, a new study reports.

Six minutes of high-intensity exercise causes BDNF to skyrocket and protects the brain from degeneration much better than 90 minutes of low-intensity exercise, a new study reports.

Boredom
Bored With Your Workout Regimen? Take a Playful 'Silly Walk'

Christopher Bergland on December 27, 2022

Monty Python made "silly walking" famous in the 1970s. New research shows why trying to mimic a "Ministry of Silly Walks" gait isn't just humorous. It's also a vigorous workout.

Monty Python made "silly walking" famous in the 1970s. New research shows why trying to mimic a "Ministry of Silly Walks" gait isn't just humorous. It's also a vigorous workout.

Stress
Buddhist Precepts Reduce Stress and Buffer Depression: Study

Christopher Bergland on December 2, 2022

You don't have to be a Buddhist to benefit from living by a moral code. New research suggests that people who strive to "do the right thing" tend to be less stressed and depressed.

You don't have to be a Buddhist to benefit from living by a moral code. New research suggests that people who strive to "do the right thing" tend to be less stressed and depressed.

Education
One Reason Kids Learn Faster Than Adults

Christopher Bergland on November 17, 2022

Why do kids learn quickly? Neuroimaging research shows us how children's brains work differently than adults' brains during the learning process.

Why do kids learn quickly? Neuroimaging research shows us how children's brains work differently than adults' brains during the learning process.

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Magazine
November 2024 magazine cover
November 2024
The Perfectionism Trap

When we fall prey to perfectionism, we think we’re honorably aspiring to be our very best, but often we’re really just setting ourselves up for failure, as perfection is impossible and its pursuit inevitably backfires.

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