Suicide for Sexual Orientation

Some of you may have heard news of a suicide because the young man was reportedly gay. It was a tragedy that could have been avoided. Science indicates that one’s sexual orientation appears to be set before he or she is born, before the person even comes out the chute. Unfortunately, because of the way they were raised, some people find it difficult to accept differences. Worse case scenarios typically involve harassment. The behaviors we choose to exhibit in adulthood are at least partially (if not completely) within our control. The preferences with which we appear to be born, apparently are not.

IgA and Compassion

Would you like to be healthier, especially during the flu season? Studies have shown that levels of IgA (one of the body's immune globulins found in large numnbers in the saliva) are boosted when you experience a sense of compassion and caring. Higher IgA levels help you be more resistant to infections. Feeling cared for and loved, and exhibiting that toward others, may play a greater role in your health and longevity than even factors such as blood pressure and cholesterol. Experience compassion for yourself and others--today. Live healthier!

Decide Using Two Systems

Did you know that two body systems are at work when you are trying to evaluate information and make an important decision, especially if youmust do it in a very short time? There's the conscious "think about it" strategy, and there's the subconscious "my body feels different" strategy in which messages go to your sweat glands or stomach. Many people pay attention to only one system, however. Use both systems together whenever you need to make an important decision. Think consciously and pay attention to any subconscious changes you sense in your body. In my life, my better decisions result when I pay attention to information from both my brain and body--and when they are on the same page.

Sleep and the Brain

Is your brain getting enough sleep? Sleep is vitally important to maintaining a healthy body—especially the immune system (and what affects the immune system affects the brain). Researchers at UCLA have found that loss of sleep, even for a few hours during the night, can prompt a person’s immune system to turn against healthy tissue and organs. The study was based on measurements of levels of nuclear factor (NF)-KB, a transcription factor that serves a vital role in the body's inflammatory signaling. Experts recommend that adults get between seven and eight hours of sleep every night. Personally, I need at least nine hours of sleep; sometimes ten if I have made several presentations during the day.

Brain in Your Heart

Did you know there's a brain in your heart with its own independent nervous system and at least 40,000 neurons? The brain sends messages to the heart and sometimes the heart obeys them. Sometimes not. Andthe heart sends messages to the brain. The brain appears to understand these messages and sometimes obeys them. Both the heart and the brain appear to have their own distinctive logic and do not always follow directions from each other. Bottom line? Your heart can actually influence your behavior as you "think with your heart." Learn to pay attention to what your heart is trying to tell you.

10,000 Hours and the Brain

Someone asked me today if I had a reference for the statement that it takes about 10,000 hours of practice to achieve world-class competence. In her book "Music and the Brain," Dr. Barbara Sternberg included estimates that 10,000 hours of practice is required to achieve world-class level of mastery, in music as well as any field of endeavor. So, you want to achieve world-class mastery in some field of endeavor? Start practicing. Time flies. 10,000 hours will, too. If you practiced four hours a day, six days a week, you'd have 10,000 hours under your belt in eight years. If you doubled your practice time on the weekends you'd have 10,000 hours under your belt in something like 5 years. What do you want to do in life and how committed are you to achieving world-class competence?

Systemizing versus Empathizing

Questions have been pouring in about gender differences, a topic I love to discuss! The male brain is often described as more systemizing while the female brain is considered more empathizing. Again, each has its benefits. For example, according to Dr. Simon Baron-Cohen, low systemizing and higher empathizing abilities help the female brain with making friends, understanding relationships, mothering, social mobility, and decoding a partner’s next move. High systemizing and lower empathizing abilities help the male brain with making and using tools, hunting, trading, attaining social dominance (e.g., striving for rank and power), and tolerating solitude.