I heard a really interesting report on radio five live today.
A scientist was discussing the reasons for stage fright with many actors and performers suffering horribly before a show. Some of the symptoms included vomiting and many of the victims had to fight the urge just to pack up their gear and go home before emerging onto stage.
A famous music promoter was then asked for his contribution which totally shocked me. The names he mentioned like John Lennon, Barbara Streisand and Van Morrison are among the best in their field. Especially John Lennon, as without his music the world would be a far poorer place.
This music promoter said there were occasions when he would literally have to push singers onto stage to ensure they actually performed. Can you imagine if he hadn't been there?
Two things to be learned from this I feel. One is not to be too scared as everyone, even the most rich and famous suffer from a lack of confidence at times, even when pursuing their passion. And secondly, we all need a push sometimes!
cheers
Wednesday, 7 September 2016
Tuesday, 6 September 2016
Dopamine
Dopamine is another brain chemical which provides mental boosts and feelings of wellbeing.
It can be boosted by eating particular foods like almonds, bananas, green leafy vegetables but also chocolate and coffee which is great news.
We can also boost our dopamine by training and exercising regularly, this is no surprise I have to say and a common theme in this blog.
Meditation is also mentioned as a means by which we can get a Dopamine boost. There are plenty of great meditations on buddanet.com. and headspace is a good app if you want meditation without any religious context.
Finally, setting and achieving goals, even modest, ones can provide us with extra dopamine. So how about some exercise goals?
Cheers
It can be boosted by eating particular foods like almonds, bananas, green leafy vegetables but also chocolate and coffee which is great news.
We can also boost our dopamine by training and exercising regularly, this is no surprise I have to say and a common theme in this blog.
Meditation is also mentioned as a means by which we can get a Dopamine boost. There are plenty of great meditations on buddanet.com. and headspace is a good app if you want meditation without any religious context.
Finally, setting and achieving goals, even modest, ones can provide us with extra dopamine. So how about some exercise goals?
Cheers
Monday, 5 September 2016
Serotonin
As we saw from the graphs post from a couple of days ago Serotonin appears to be crucial in developing positive feelings like love and happiness and avoiding depression.
But can we add serotonin through our diet? Apparently so.
Foods like salmon, turkey, nuts and seeds as well as pineapple have been shown to boost our levels of the all important chemical.
Cheese also gets a mention but I would avoid dairy foods in excess.
Other ways of boosting serotonin? our old friend exercise which makes sense and sunlight which is easier said than done here in rainy Scotland.
Cheers
But can we add serotonin through our diet? Apparently so.
Foods like salmon, turkey, nuts and seeds as well as pineapple have been shown to boost our levels of the all important chemical.
Cheese also gets a mention but I would avoid dairy foods in excess.
Other ways of boosting serotonin? our old friend exercise which makes sense and sunlight which is easier said than done here in rainy Scotland.
Cheers
Sunday, 4 September 2016
Yesterday's Post
I love looking into the reasons why people behave in particular ways and the graphic from yesterday shows that much of it can be explained by Seratonin, Dopamine and Oxytocin.
But how much can we as individuals control the quantities of these in our brains?
As surely if we can control them using diet, exercise and sleep then we can have more control over how we feel.
And if we have more control over how we feel, we can make ourselves feel more confident.
That's the theory anyway. I look forward in the future to looking in more detail at how the balance in the brain works and the power we have to influence it.
Cheers
But how much can we as individuals control the quantities of these in our brains?
As surely if we can control them using diet, exercise and sleep then we can have more control over how we feel.
And if we have more control over how we feel, we can make ourselves feel more confident.
That's the theory anyway. I look forward in the future to looking in more detail at how the balance in the brain works and the power we have to influence it.
Cheers
Saturday, 3 September 2016
Friday, 2 September 2016
Dealing with Adversity
Some people appear to deal with adversity easily and bounce back from all types of events while others seem to crumble at a minor setback.
But why?
My view is that dealing with adversity and being able to bounce back from setbacks is a skill which can be learned.
Some seem to learn these lessons at a very young age, even as toddlers or young children, while the rest of us take longer to pick up these skills.
But we can make steps to start developing these skills now.
1. Firstly view any experience as a learning one, try to take anything from it, we can generally learn a lot about ourselves in difficult situations.
2. Reinvent the future, always be prepared to alter our future plans and expectations based on what has happened. That is not to say we give up on ambitions.
3. Don't get angry; get curious; we can all initially react with fury when something goes wrong. But we need to work hard to overcome these feelings and then try to become curious about what went wrong and why we reacted in the particular way we did.
Cheers
But why?
My view is that dealing with adversity and being able to bounce back from setbacks is a skill which can be learned.
Some seem to learn these lessons at a very young age, even as toddlers or young children, while the rest of us take longer to pick up these skills.
But we can make steps to start developing these skills now.
1. Firstly view any experience as a learning one, try to take anything from it, we can generally learn a lot about ourselves in difficult situations.
2. Reinvent the future, always be prepared to alter our future plans and expectations based on what has happened. That is not to say we give up on ambitions.
3. Don't get angry; get curious; we can all initially react with fury when something goes wrong. But we need to work hard to overcome these feelings and then try to become curious about what went wrong and why we reacted in the particular way we did.
Cheers
Thursday, 1 September 2016
Girls' Falling Confidence
A BBC report from July shows that girls' confidence levels take a real dip after the age of 10.
The Girl Guide survey indicates that girls feel far less sure of themselves when they hit the age of 17.
For example in answer to the question I feel confident in myself 63% of those of between 7-10 responded positively while this fell to 31% for those ages 17-21.
Likewise, in response to the question I can do anything I try only 40% of those between 17-21 said yes while 74% of their younger counterparts responded yes.
The pattern continued with the third question I am proud of something I have achieved with the figures being 75% and 41%.
Worrying indeed for all of us especially those of us with daughters.
What is the issue? School, Society, Peers
I think this is something worth looking at more closely in the future
Cheers
The Girl Guide survey indicates that girls feel far less sure of themselves when they hit the age of 17.
For example in answer to the question I feel confident in myself 63% of those of between 7-10 responded positively while this fell to 31% for those ages 17-21.
Likewise, in response to the question I can do anything I try only 40% of those between 17-21 said yes while 74% of their younger counterparts responded yes.
The pattern continued with the third question I am proud of something I have achieved with the figures being 75% and 41%.
Worrying indeed for all of us especially those of us with daughters.
What is the issue? School, Society, Peers
I think this is something worth looking at more closely in the future
Cheers
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