Posted on: September 16, 2025 Posted by: Elizabeth M. Comments: 0

Music and the Brain: How Your Favorite Tunes Make You Healthy

The Healing Power of Music: How Tunes Boost Your Mental Health Music isn’t just background noise—it’s a powerful tool for nurturing mental well-being. From soothing stress to sharpening the mind, melodies tap into brain networks that influence our emotions, cognition, and social connections. Whether you’re humming along to your favorite song or picking up a new instrument, engaging with music can transform your psychological landscape. Music and the Brain Research…

READ MORE
Posted on: November 22, 2024 Posted by: Elizabeth M. Comments: 0

Back in the High Life; Elizabeth takes a look at one of the greatest albums from the 80’s.

Summer was winding down. The leaves were beginning to turn, and as the seasons changed, I found myself looking for a change of scenery as well, at least, musically. Fortuitously I stumbled across one of my favorite albums and decided to give it a listen, the way folks used to, all the way through, first song to last.             This particular listening experience would be via cassette through a…

READ MORE
Posted on: November 22, 2024 Posted by: J.W. Renault Comments: 0

We Must Tread Lightly

The conflict between Russia and the USA has intensified through the ongoing skirmish in Ukraine, drawing global attention and concern. The situation has escalated significantly, with both nations taking bold steps that have heightened tensions and the potential for broader conflict. It is critical we tread lightly. In an age where we are more disconnected from reality than ever before, the countdown to midnight marches on and the footsteps seem…

READ MORE
Posted on: May 28, 2024 Posted by: J.W. Renault Comments: 0

The Intriguing Science of Heliobiology: Unraveling the Sun’s Influence on Human Health

The Intriguing Science of Heliobiology: Unraveling the Sun’s Influence on Human Health Introduction The sun, a colossal powerhouse at the center of our solar system, is not just an emission of light and warmth; it is also a source of profound influence on Earth’s environment and, as emerging evidence suggests, on human health. Heliobiology, an interdisciplinary field at the intersection of astronomy and biology, delves into the correlations between solar…

READ MORE
Posted on: May 21, 2024 Posted by: Elizabeth M. Comments: 0

The Mere Exposure Effect

The Mere Exposure Effect: A Psychological and Neuroscientific Analysis The ‘Mere Exposure Effect’ is a psychological phenomenon that explains why people tend to develop a preference for things merely because they are familiar with them. This effect, first proposed by Robert Zajonc in 1968, suggests that repeated exposure to a stimulus increases our liking for it, even without conscious recognition. Psychological Principles of the Mere Exposure Effect The mere exposure…

READ MORE
Posted on: May 21, 2024 Posted by: J.W. Renault Comments: 0

What Causes Fandom or… Why Does Everybody Like Taylor Swift?

Have you and your friend ever agreed on an artist that you both didn’t care for, only to find out a few years later that your friend ended up liking that artist?  What causes this effect? In a word; marketing. In the realm of pop culture, few names are as ubiquitous as Taylor Swift’s. Her journey from a country music darling to a global pop sensation is often attributed to…

READ MORE
Posted on: September 16, 2023 Posted by: Jonathan Davis Comments: 0

Postive Body Image and Dieting

Fueling Self-Love: How Thoughtful Calorie Restriction Can Enhance Body Image Calorie restriction often carries a negative stigma, conjuring images of extreme dieting and self‐criticism. Yet when approached mindfully—with an emphasis on nutrient adequacy, realistic goals, and self‐compassion—it can actually strengthen one’s positive body image. By shifting the focus from punishment to empowerment, a modest reduction in calories can become a tool for nurturing both physical health and self‐esteem. What Is…

READ MORE
Posted on: March 1, 2023 Posted by: J.W. Renault Comments: 0

Changing Your Perspective

Today lets talk about perspectives. They come in all shapes and sizes and are bent, most often, to the view of the observer, as such is the nature of our subjective experience, and yet perspectives are also inherited. Prejudice and cultural outlooks are shaped, often times, by environment. Our environment, especially in our youth, is largely out of our control. What is important, as an adult, is to realize that…

READ MORE
Posted on: February 28, 2023 Posted by: Elizabeth M. Comments: 0

On Breathing

Stress remains one of the largest contributors to negative health. This may seem like a no brainer but there is a very broad topic here that must be addressed, because stress can be sneaky. You think you may be dealing with stress and then all of the sudden you snap at somebody. Later you try to understand why it was that you were so quick to snap, when the answer…

READ MORE
Posted on: February 28, 2023 Posted by: Elizabeth M. Comments: 0

The Importance of Structure

Perhaps schedule is a word that conjures the rote and rigid nature of a youth spent at school, or an annoying alarm clock pulling you from the comfort of sleep. Perhaps schedule brings to mind a packed elevator, busy morning highways or long lines for morning coffee. Is it a coincidence that many of these ideas have a common denominator? Angst. Stress. Anger. The topic of the modern schedule is…

READ MORE