Sian Beilock Ph.D.

Caffeine Boosts Memory—Really

It’s no secret that caffeine helps boost concentration skills in the short term. But, until recently, most scientists thought that caffeine offered little benefit for remembering information in the long term. A new study shows that caffeine enhances memory for information learned a day earlier and, like many things, moderation in the amount of caffeine you consume is key.

It’s no secret that caffeine helps boost concentration skills in the short term. But, until recently, most scientists thought that caffeine offered little benefit for remembering information in the long term. A new study shows that caffeine enhances memory for information learned a day earlier and, like many things, moderation in the amount of caffeine you consume is key.

Is Depression Contagious?

It’s estimated that one in fifteen Americans, about 21 million adults, is living with major depression. A variety of factors, ranging from genetics to the environment, are known to contribute to the likelihood you will develop depression. New research adds to this list of factors by showing that the company you keep affects how likely you are to develop depression.

It’s estimated that one in fifteen Americans, about 21 million adults, is living with major depression. A variety of factors, ranging from genetics to the environment, are known to contribute to the likelihood you will develop depression. New research adds to this list of factors by showing that the company you keep affects how likely you are to develop depression.

It’s the holiday season which means kids are off from school and living a more sedentary lifestyle than usual. Recess and P.E. have been replaced by time in front of the T.V. and computer screen. It might not seem like such a big deal for kids to spend a few weeks doing, well, nothing. Yet, many parents will be surprised to find out that even short bouts of physical activ

Naps Help Kids Learn

Preschool children often take naps when they are home. Yet, the increasing demand of the curriculum is making naps less likely at school. Does it matter? New research shows that naps help kids take what they have learned earlier in the day and commit it to memory. In short, naps help kids learn.

Preschool children often take naps when they are home. Yet, the increasing demand of the curriculum is making naps less likely at school. Does it matter? New research shows that naps help kids take what they have learned earlier in the day and commit it to memory. In short, naps help kids learn.

We’ve all done it—made impulsive decisions where we have discounted future pay-offs for immediate gratification. So, what do we do about it? The answer may lie in our ability to engage in future thinking.

We have all heard the phrase “a cluttered desk, a cluttered mind.” Indeed, as Martha Stewart, the magazine Real Simple, and thousands of self-help books will tell you, being neat and tidy leads to improved mental health, life satisfaction, and better thinking.
But, it is true? It turns out that there are some advantages to a disorderly environment too.

They say that practice makes perfect. Or, more specifically, that 10,000 hours of deliberate practice is necessary to obtain elite performance levels in activities ranging from golf to chess to music. Is it true?

Montessori Had It Right: We Learn By Doing

What does it take for a kid to learn to read? Many people think the answer to this question is simple: lots of reading practice. But, this isn’t the whole story. Practice printing letters turns out to be imperative to reading success. When the body figures out how to write letters, the mind follows suit in terms of being able to recognize them. It's 'learning-by-doing.'

What does it take for a kid to learn to read? Many people think the answer to this question is simple: lots of reading practice. But, this isn’t the whole story. Practice printing letters turns out to be imperative to reading success. When the body figures out how to write letters, the mind follows suit in terms of being able to recognize them. It's 'learning-by-doing.'

Freaking Out in Social Situations Isn’t Inevitable

Whether it’s in an interview, speaking up in a meeting, or simply meeting someone new for the first time, social anxiety can be debilitating – causing folks to stumble on their every word or, worse yet, to freeze. Fortunately, there are ways to lessen the unwanted problems that social anxiety can cause.

Whether it’s in an interview, speaking up in a meeting, or simply meeting someone new for the first time, social anxiety can be debilitating – causing folks to stumble on their every word or, worse yet, to freeze. Fortunately, there are ways to lessen the unwanted problems that social anxiety can cause.

Want to Limit Overeating? Get More Sleep

Now that 2013 is in full swing, some of us may have lost sight of those New Year’s resolutions we made to eat right and get a good night’s sleep. As most of us can attest, not getting enough sleep makes all of life’s daily tasks seem harder to juggle. What you may not have known, however, is that sleepiness can undermine your goals to eat right.

Now that 2013 is in full swing, some of us may have lost sight of those New Year’s resolutions we made to eat right and get a good night’s sleep. As most of us can attest, not getting enough sleep makes all of life’s daily tasks seem harder to juggle. What you may not have known, however, is that sleepiness can undermine your goals to eat right.