Sunita-Sylvia on Ultrahuman Blog

The Science Behind Nature Soundscapes

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 14:47:00 +0000

*Press play and enjoy the Sri Lankan Bird Song at Dawn while you understand the science behind nature soundscapes*

Ever taken a walk through nature and felt instantly better? That calm, tranquil feel, accompanied by the melodies of nature, such as the leaves softly rustling with the wind, birds crooning their songs, or the trickling sounds of a gentle stream flowing by. Nature, in all its glory, gives us a sense of clear-headed calm, having a rejuvenating effect on our minds, and restoring our sense of peace. Sounds found in nature have invoked strong reactions in human beings since the dawn of mankind. They inspire poetry and music and also act as a powerful muse. They help us connect to nature in a deeper sense, and offer a more immersive experience. Researchers at Brighton and Sussex Medical School found that listening to sounds of nature affects our “fight or flight response” which helps us relax better, as they can have a soothing and familiar soundscape to them, thereby relaxing us. Additionally, they also reduce our heart rate and alter connections in our brain. Hence, natural soundscapes also prove to be an extremely helpful aid for meditation purposes.

Ikigai: Find Your Reason For Being

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 11:45:00 +0000

When you wake up every morning, do you do it with fervour, or is it a struggle to leave the warm comfort of your bed? Do you find yourself jumping up, ready to tackle the day with renewed enthusiasm every morning, or is it a constant battle to pry yourself away from your snug and cosy sheets? If you belong to the former category, then it’s easy to assume that you just might have found your Ikigai, and if you’re the latter, that means you haven’t found it… yet!

The Pomodoro Technique

Fri, 14 Oct 2022 11:14:00 +0000

Pomodoro Technique: a brief history

A university student in the late 1980s had the same old problem that we all face today, the matter of time management. But, instead of feeling overwhelmed and losing focus, he decided to create a revolutionary system of time management now known as The Pomodoro Technique.

Francesco Cirillo, a University student in the late 1980s, struggled to focus on his studies and submit his assignments on time. Feeling exasperated, he promised himself that he would devote 10 minutes of his time, entirely focused on studying, without any breaks or distractions.

The Misconceptions surrounding Self-Care

Wed, 31 Aug 2022 06:42:00 +0000

Self-care has been earning a bit of a bad reputation. Popular culture has us believe that self-care is all about bubble baths, massages, and Margaritas on a Friday afternoon.

But that’s a skin-deep idea of the term. While there’s nothing wrong with an occasional treat, self-care could be as simple as learning to say no, choosing to not abandon yourself, prioritising sleep, engaging with a non-work hobby and maintaining work-life boundaries.

Stress Eating: Why it's so easy

Tue, 16 Aug 2022 17:03:00 +0000

We seek comfort when stressed; there’s no denying that, and it’s entirely in our nature to do so. Who doesn’t want the warm comfort of their bed after a stressful day at work?

Or some music to relax to, or even a soothing hobby. We all have our “go-to” comfort needs when seeking to manage or alleviate stress, with varying differences.

For some people, the answer to their stress is food. We don’t always eat to satisfy our hunger; many of us also turn to food for comfort, stress relief, or reward ourselves.

Understanding Burnout and how to combat it

Tue, 19 Jul 2022 16:40:00 +0000

Imagine Lauren Summers; she is a go-getter, always motivated, full of energy and enthusiasm, solving every task at work with vigour. But by early this year, she was utterly worn out to be a different person. She was physically, mentally and emotionally drained due to constant and prolonged stress. She used to jump out of her bed to tackle the day with a renewed sense of optimism, but lately, it’s an arduous task even to manage to pry herself away from the sheets. Lauren Summers now suffers from burnout, which leaves many people feeling empty and completely exhausted due to being exposed to constant stress levels.

You Snooze,You Don’t Lose: How Sleep Enhances Memory

Fri, 27 Aug 2021 12:09:00 +0000

“Have some almonds to sharpen your memory” or “Play these brain games to improve your memory” are some phrases we’ve often heard. Now, what if I tell you that improving your memory could be as easy as sleeping? And, no, I don’t mean that figuratively. Sleep is instrumental in the transfer and consolidation of memories in the cortex.

Our health, vitality and mental faculties are extremely dependent on sleep, so it comes as no surprise that sleep influences memory and plasticity too. Scientists began to research sleep patterns in the 18th century. In 1729, Jean Jacques d’Ortuous de Marian researched the circadian rhythms of plants, rousing interest in human sleep. The interrelationship between sleep and memory has been studied as early as the 19th Century. In 1801, British psychologist David Hartley inferred that during the rapid eye movement (REM) periods of sleep, dreaming modified the associative memory links within the brain. The first systematic studies on sleep and memory conducted in 1924 by Jenkins & Dallenbach showed that retention was better after a night of sleep than that following a night of staying awake. In the consequent years, optimal sleep and its mentally restorative effects became rich subjects for scientists to mine. Memory is essentially a cognitive process that enables the encoding, storage and retrieval of information. Memory storage is like an elaborate and sophisticated filtration process.

While You Were Sleeping: Science of Dreamscapes

Sun, 01 Aug 2021 14:46:00 +0000

“For in dreams, we enter a world that is entirely our own. Let them swim in the deepest ocean, or glide over the highest cloud”, are the immortal words of Albus Dumbledore. In dreams, we enter a world constructed by our subconscious, from the things we see, the things that move us, and the things we feel. Dreams are like fingerprints, utterly unique to each individual, transporting us to the mythopoetic realms that hold profound insights about us. The befuddling, enigmatic, scary and sparkling images, thoughts and feelings that transpire when we are asleep are considered dreams. While visual imagery dominates our dreams, visually impaired people tend to dream in the sensory language of sound, taste, and smell (Meaidi, A., Jennum, P., Ptito, M., & Kupers, R. 2014).

How Radical acceptance can help you Heal

Mon, 07 Jun 2021 04:30:00 +0000

Highlights

What is Radical Acceptance and how does it work?,
Why Radical Acceptance offers us a better perspective on life,
Steps to practice and inculcate Radical Acceptance.

As you go through life, with all its ups and downs, how far do you get before you come to the realization that life involves hardships and suffering? Pain is a part and parcel of life, there is no denying that. It might seem bleak, but it definitely isn’t. For every sunset, there is a sunrise, and the sooner we accept this fact of life, the better we are prepared to face reality and not be fazed.

Naps: The Best Productivity Tool

Wed, 26 May 2021 14:37:00 +0000

Have you heard of the wild phenomena called “the afternoon naps”? Have you heard tales of people telling you it is the best part of their day? How they await that sweet siesta right after lunch? Then you’re definitely not alone! Napping is a cross-cultural phenomenon, and in our modern world, when life can get exhausting, napping is required more than ever to help us recharge and relax.

Read next: The power of naps explained

Toxic Positivity and how it affects your mental Health

Wed, 19 May 2021 03:35:00 +0000

“This too shall pass!” “It will all be fine”, “Don’t worry about it!” Do these phrases sound familiar? We’ve heard them numerous times, from friends and family, whenever we’ve gone through a difficult time. Although they are well-intentioned, this kind of over the top positivity, according to mental health experts, is detrimental to mental health.

What is Toxic Positivity?

Toxic Positivity is the belief that we should only focus on positive emotions or the positive aspects of life. While having a positive outlook towards life is good for our mental well-being, life isn’t always positive. Everyone deals with their fair share of painful experiences. While these emotions are hard to process, often unpleasant to deal with, the need for them to be addressed with all honesty is of vital importance. Having a false notion of excessive positivity does not address the situation at hand, but merely ignores it by making light of the situation. Heather Monroe, a clinical social worker at Newport Institute, says that the problem with toxic positivity is that it oversimplifies the human brain, and how we process information, thereby, being detrimental to mental well-being.