Almonds, Heart, and Brain

Can almonds reduce the risk of heart disease? Apparently they can—according to a study led by Professor Helen Griffiths, Professor in Biomedical Sciences and Executive Dean of the School of Life and Health Science at Aston University, Birmingham, UK. The goal was to evaluate the effects of a short-term trial of eating almonds on reducing the risk of heart disease. A control group of healthy males ate what they would normally eat, the test group of males with cardiovascular risk factors including high blood pressure or being overweight ate snacks of 50 grams of almonds (slightly under two ounces; 1.76 ounces to be more precise) every day for one month. Did it make any difference? At the end of the study period, the test group showed higher blood-levels of antioxidants, lower blood pressure, and improved blood flow; all of which potentially reduce one’s risk of heart disease. Part 2, tomorrow.

Fear vs Gratitude and Napa Quake

As you may know, the Napa Quake 6.0 left many with a mess to clean up. Friends of mine offered to drive out and go into my house with me to survey the damage. When I unlocked and pushed open the door and saw all the smashed glass and china and pressed alabaster statuary and blown out windows, I started trembling and felt tearful from the shock. That is a typical reaction to shock; the trembling muscles actually helps with the recovery (if someone doesn't realize this  the tendency is to try to get the person to "stop trembling,' which can interfere with the recovery). Within just a minute or two, however, my brain reminded me that "fear and gratitude cannot exist simultaneously within the brain. Recalling that, I immediately began to think of things for which to be grateful (e.g., we were all safe and uninjured, the house neither fell down nor burned up, my friends were helping me clean). Two minutes later I was no longer trembling or tearful and had energy to jump in and start the the process. I frequently say that brain-function information, practically applied, can be  life-changing. This was an opportunity to use the information--and it definitely gave me a positive outcome.

Gender Brain Differences, 5

I spoke recently at a parent-teacher meeting and described how empowering an apology can be, especially in a parent-child or teacher-student relationship, when you have learned new information that is prompting a change in your behavior. (No one can know everything so stop expecting that you do!) At the break, a small entourage approached me to say they thought ‘actions speak louder than words,’ and that no verbalization should be necessary, just a change in behavior. My brain has a different opinion. You are role-modeling not only a change in behavior based on something new you learned but also bringing it to the children’s/student’s conscious awareness so they know you are deliberately implementing your new knowledge in a change of behavior. After all, you can only do better when you know better. What do I say? “I regret telling you to put down your toys and be still while I read to you (or telling you to look at me when I’m talking to you). I have learned there is a better way and I want you to know I’m altering my behavior. You can play quietly with your toys while I read (or you never have to look at me while I’m talking to you).” Being intentional, in my brain’s opinion, usually includes some brief role-modeling verbalization about what you learned that is triggering your change in behavior.

Gender Brain Differences, 4

Recently, a mother told me: “After listening to one of your presentations, I went back home and apologized to my 15-year-old son for telling him to stop fiddling and to look at me—for pretty much his whole lifetime--when I talk to him. He said, ‘Mom, when I fiddle with something I hear and really listen to every word you say. When you make me stop and be still and tell me to look at you, I shut down and don't remember a thing you say.’ My son and I both thank you. It’s been two days and our relationship is already better How come I didn’t know this sooner?” That’s one example of the reason I try to share current brain-function information with anyone in any way and anywhere I can. In this case, her son’s response does align with current research on differences between males and females. This is especially important when conversing with boys. It is often so much more effective to just sit down together, side by side, and chat while he is “doing” something. It can be as simple as playing with a Lego toy or running a little model car up and down his thighs or over the arm of the sofa or however an older boy wants to “fiddle.” Part 5 tomorrow.

Gender Brain Differences, 3

When conversing with each other, females often stand or sit directly across from each other and use a great deal of eye contact. Because they are so comfortable doing this, they have a tendency to tell males to “look at me when I’m talking to you.” When conversing with each other, males rarely stand or sit directly across from each other by choice, and use very little direct eye contact. This means that males often feel threatened by a female demanding that they look at her during a conversation. This is especially true during emotion-laden conversations. The take away? Females, stop telling males to look at you when you are talking with them. And as a basic rule, the more emotionally-laden the topic, the more useful it is for a male and a female to sit or stand side-by-side, rather than directly across from each other. Talking while doing something active, such as taking a walk or washing the dishes or weeding a garden patch can also be helpful, because the mutual activity functions as a de-stressor. Part 4 tomorrow.

Gender Brain Differences, 2

Females tend to connect with others through a conversation about emotions and feelings even before they actually become involved in an activity (e.g., how their day went, problems that cropped up, their feelings). Males tend to connect with others through jokes and teasing and find it easier to discuss facts (e.g., the weather, the stock market, the latest vehicle recall, and what happened with the latest vehicle or plane crash). They find it more difficult to verbalize emotions and feelings. What’s the take away? Know that your female friends will likely be comfortable talking about how they “feel” about something that has happened to them or that is going on in the world at the moment. Your male friends, on the other hand, likely will not and are more likely to be more comfortable talking about things, and data, and sharing jokes or teasing. Remember, females, most males rarely spend the time and energy teasing someone they really don’t like or sharing jokes with them. So if they tell you a joke or tease you (appropriately, of course), recognize they are trying to connect with you.  Part 3 tomorrow.

Brain Gender Differences

Did you know that Connectome studies have identified more than 100 “connection differences” between male and female brains? Misunderstood, these differences often lead to frustration, miscommunication, and even conflict. For example, males often want to “do” relationships rather than “talk them out.” Two males can spend the day doing an activity together (e.g., biking, hiking, fishing) and say little, if anything, to each other verbally. And when they get home, both perceive they had a great day. Females on the other hand, connect through conversation and just “doing” an activity without any conversation seems somehow less satisfying. What’s the take away? If females are with other females, there will likely be a lot of verbal conversation. When males are with other males, there will likely be very little verbal conversation. When a male and a female are doing something together, the male needs to converse more than he would if with another male, while the female needs to not expect as much conversation as she would have with another female. Part 2 tomorrow.