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The Guardian
6 days ago
- Health
- The Guardian
Archimedes knew the golden power of boredom – so why can't we stop bringing our phones into the bathroom?
Archimedes, the ancient Greek mathematician and inventor, was tasked with solving a tricky problem for King Hiero II of Syracuse. The story goes that the king suspected his new golden crown had been mixed with cheaper metals, but he didn't want it damaged. Archimedes had to figure out whether the crown was pure gold without melting it down. Tough brief. Then, one day, while sinking into a public bath, he noticed something: the water level rose as he slid in. The volume of water displaced was equal to the volume of his body. That was it! The key. He could weigh the crown and measure its volume by how much water it displaced. Archimedes was so thrilled he reportedly leapt out of the bath and ran naked through the streets screaming, 'Eureka!' – the sudden flash when your brain wanders off and comes back holding the answer like a prize. These moments don't usually happen when you're trying: they happen when you're not. When your brain is doing nothing, or at least pretending to. Walking. Driving. Showering. Zoning out in a university lecture. Or, say, a wife on the brink of divorce, nodding along while her husband's mouth foams at the sides as he monologues about cryptocurrency. 'I'm done,' she whispers. Eureka. There's a scientific name for this wandering mind magic: the Default Mode Network (DMN). It's your brain's background mode, active when you're not. It switches on when you're daydreaming, reminiscing or imagining fake conversations you'll never have. When you're 'doing nothing,' the DMN is doing everything. It's where creativity, reflection, and unexpected insight come from. And one of its greatest allies? Boredom. Boredom is not the enemy. It's the invitation. A quiet stage your brain builds to see what might show up. But these days, we don't let it. Boredom tries to knock, and we shove a screen in its face. The moment a little stillness arrives, in line, on the train, on the toilet, we reach for stimulation. Our brains never get to drop into the DMN. No daydreams. No deep thought. Just dopamine on loop. Even Reddit noticed the death of the idle mind. r/Showerthoughts, the subreddit born in 2013, was a shrine to those aimless, brilliant, dumb observations that bubble up when you're bored and wet. At its peak, it was full of lines like: 'Your stomach thinks all potatoes are mashed.' 'Clapping is just hitting yourself because you like something.' 'Is Sand called Sand because it's in between the sea and land?' It was silly, accidental genius. The internet's record of DMN activity. But over time, it changed. The posts got shinier. Less 'I just thought of this while shampooing' and more 'I've been drafting this for three days in photoshop.' People in the comments began calling it out: these weren't shower thoughts anymore. They were scheduled thoughts. Viral bait. Branded content in bullet point form. The shower thought had been domesticated. Trademarked. Monetised. But maybe it's simpler than that. Maybe it's not that the thoughts changed, maybe it's us. The shower and the toilet used to be our last bastions of solitude. Now we bring our phones. People listen to full albums while exfoliating their scalp. Take business calls while walking the dog. Check emails mid-poo. There's no more empty space for thought to wander through. We've filled every corner. And when there's no space, there's no spark. No boredom, no Eureka. No quiet, no insight. Just us, endlessly occupied. Expecting our next big idea to load, buffering behind five open tabs. So stop taking your phone to the toilet! Allow yourself that loo-time clarity! Miski Omar is a speech pathologist, writer and director from Sydney
Economic Times
07-06-2025
- Health
- Economic Times
Mind Over Money: Emotional Intelligence is the new leadership edge — and women are already there
Women Leaders Show Greater Openness and Awareness Live Events Both Genders Focus on Mental Fitness — But Differently Neuroscience Provides Data-Driven Clarity A Shift Toward Intentional Mental Fitness Across Genders (You can now subscribe to our (You can now subscribe to our ETMarkets WhatsApp channel But when it comes to leaders, are women more aware and engaged in this space than their male counterparts? ETMarkets spoke to a range of experts — from psychosomatic healers and executive coaches to neuroscientists — to understand whether women leaders are indeed more aware of their mental health needs compared to their male answers reveal a nuanced but consistent pattern: women not only talk more about mental fitness but also take deliberate steps to build it into their lives and leadership to Kaajal Desai, Transformation Coach and Psychosomatic Healer, women are more inclined toward self-reflection and communication when it comes to their mental health.'Women tend to be more aware of mental health compared to men. They are often more open to self-reflection, communication, and proactive in utilizing tools to maintain good mental health,' says this doesn't necessarily mean they are always in better mental health, their willingness to engage with it is often higher. Desai also notes that many women leaders embrace a transformational leadership style — emphasizing collaboration, emotional intelligence, and over 2,500 hours of coaching under her belt, Desai highlights that 95% of her coachees are women — including those in senior management roles.'The multiple roles that women play in their personal and professional lives often lead them to seek support through counseling or coaching,' she Vip, an Executive & Business Coach and former MD at a multinational bank, offers a nuanced view based on his coaching experience.'Both men and women leaders have an increasing level of focus on mental fitness, though women tend to talk about it more and explore different ways to stay mentally fit,' he often engage in activities such as singing, dancing, journaling, or decluttering — acts that promote emotional regulation and relaxation. Men may prefer more structured or performance-oriented methods. Vip points out that while approaches may differ, mental fitness is now on the radar for leaders across the a scientific lens to the conversation, Kumaar Bagrodia, Founder of NeuroLeap, shares insights from over 20,000 brain assessments conducted using neurotechnology.'Women leaders often show a higher degree of awareness and engagement with their mental health compared to their male counterparts,' says attributes part of this difference to brain network dynamics — particularly the Default Mode Network (DMN), which is more active in women and linked to self-reflection. While this connectivity can sometimes lead to emotional rumination, when trained and harnessed, it gives women a 'metacognitive edge.'Women also score higher on interoceptive awareness — the ability to sense internal bodily states — and are generally more willing to seek professional help.'They're not necessarily less stressed—but they are often more intentional about managing it,' Bagrodia he notes that when male leaders do engage in mental fitness practices, the transformation can be equally profound — especially when they view mental well-being as a performance enabler rather than a sign of consensus among experts is clear: while women leaders may be more vocal and proactive about mental fitness, the importance of emotional and psychological well-being is resonating across the leadership it's through journaling and coaching or neurofeedback and mindfulness, mental fitness is steadily becoming a core part of leadership development — not just for women, but for all leaders looking to thrive in a complex, fast-paced world.
Time of India
07-06-2025
- Health
- Time of India
Mind Over Money: Emotional Intelligence is the new leadership edge — and women are already there
But when it comes to leaders, are women more aware and engaged in this space than their male counterparts? ETMarkets spoke to a range of experts — from psychosomatic healers and executive coaches to neuroscientists — to understand whether women leaders are indeed more aware of their mental health needs compared to their male counterparts. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Support elderly mothers. Donate Today HelpAge India Donate Now Undo Their answers reveal a nuanced but consistent pattern: women not only talk more about mental fitness but also take deliberate steps to build it into their lives and leadership styles. Women Leaders Show Greater Openness and Awareness According to Kaajal Desai, Transformation Coach and Psychosomatic Healer, women are more inclined toward self-reflection and communication when it comes to their mental health. 'Women tend to be more aware of mental health compared to men. They are often more open to self-reflection, communication, and proactive in utilizing tools to maintain good mental health,' says Desai. Live Events While this doesn't necessarily mean they are always in better mental health, their willingness to engage with it is often higher. Desai also notes that many women leaders embrace a transformational leadership style — emphasizing collaboration, emotional intelligence, and well-being. With over 2,500 hours of coaching under her belt, Desai highlights that 95% of her coachees are women — including those in senior management roles. 'The multiple roles that women play in their personal and professional lives often lead them to seek support through counseling or coaching,' she adds. Both Genders Focus on Mental Fitness — But Differently Amit Vip, an Executive & Business Coach and former MD at a multinational bank, offers a nuanced view based on his coaching experience. 'Both men and women leaders have an increasing level of focus on mental fitness, though women tend to talk about it more and explore different ways to stay mentally fit,' he notes. Women often engage in activities such as singing, dancing, journaling, or decluttering — acts that promote emotional regulation and relaxation. Men may prefer more structured or performance-oriented methods. Vip points out that while approaches may differ, mental fitness is now on the radar for leaders across the board. Neuroscience Provides Data-Driven Clarity Bringing a scientific lens to the conversation, Kumaar Bagrodia, Founder of NeuroLeap, shares insights from over 20,000 brain assessments conducted using neurotechnology. 'Women leaders often show a higher degree of awareness and engagement with their mental health compared to their male counterparts,' says Bagrodia. He attributes part of this difference to brain network dynamics — particularly the Default Mode Network (DMN), which is more active in women and linked to self-reflection. While this connectivity can sometimes lead to emotional rumination, when trained and harnessed, it gives women a 'metacognitive edge.' Women also score higher on interoceptive awareness — the ability to sense internal bodily states — and are generally more willing to seek professional help. 'They're not necessarily less stressed—but they are often more intentional about managing it,' Bagrodia explains. Interestingly, he notes that when male leaders do engage in mental fitness practices, the transformation can be equally profound — especially when they view mental well-being as a performance enabler rather than a sign of weakness. A Shift Toward Intentional Mental Fitness Across Genders The consensus among experts is clear: while women leaders may be more vocal and proactive about mental fitness, the importance of emotional and psychological well-being is resonating across the leadership spectrum. Whether it's through journaling and coaching or neurofeedback and mindfulness, mental fitness is steadily becoming a core part of leadership development — not just for women, but for all leaders looking to thrive in a complex, fast-paced world.
Irish Times
24-04-2025
- Health
- Irish Times
Stress: Why does it happen and how can we manage it?
We are living in very stressful times. The political and socioeconomic landscape of the world, the doomsday clock, media overload, personal factors and so much more cause micro and macro stress elements to enter our lives. This is part of a series called Wellness Wisdom This is not good for our health. Stress is a catalyst for many health and wellbeing -related problems, including increased strain on our hearts, heightened inflammation, and suppression of our immune system, not to mention the mental strain. We all experience stress to some degree, but why does it happen and how can we manage it? 'The human mind is incredibly complex, with some 'design flaws' coming from how the brain has evolved for us humans,' says Michaela Thomas, clinical psychologist and host of the Pause Purpose Play podcast. 'We operate on a 'better safe than sorry' principle, meaning we pay more attention to negative information than to positive.' READ MORE The 'negativity bias' is a long-standing evolutionary trait in humans. We are quite simply hardwired to lean towards the negative, even when a positive and negative experience hold the same weight. It is the brain's way of protecting us. In evolutionary terms, the negativity bias ensured we paid attention to danger or threats and were conscious of risks. In early human history, it was a matter of life and death. Today, while the negativity bias still aims to keep us safe by influencing our critical thinking and analytical skills, it can also add to our stress pile-ons as we dwell on thoughts, interpret events and relationships inaccurately, or have difficulty making decisions. [ How to stop running away from difficult emotions when you feel overwhelmed Opens in new window ] 'The human mind can 'time travel' in a way other mammals' minds can't,' says Thomas, 'in that we can dwell on our past mistakes and worry about future failures, rather than be present in the here and now. We have a wandering mind, or the so-called Default Mode Network, which means we aren't focusing on what is happening now but rather what has already happened or what is about to happen. Many of those things we worry about don't even happen, but we think about them, 'just in case', so that we are prepared.' Thomas notes that constantly feeling on edge like this 'can create mountains out of molehills, by blowing things out of proportion or catastrophising about them'. We are not living in the moment, noticing what is happening around us and making accurate assessments about the state of play. We are likely overwhelmed, anxious, and exhausted. 'This is even more common in those of us who are prone to anxiety or are neurodivergent,' says Thomas. 'The fact that we are stressed out by something means we want to avoid it rather than deal with it, as we then get temporary relief from the stress or anxiety. Like an ostrich sticking its head in the sand, it works in the short term but doesn't actually solve the problem. So, it builds up and gets even more overwhelming, in a vicious cycle. 'Even though it doesn't make logical sense to let things pile up, it means short-term emotional sense, hence why most of us do it. And then feel worse, by beating ourselves up for not having faced the stressful thing.' Thomas points out that stress isn't inherently bad for us when experienced in small doses. 'The stress hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol help us to rise to challenges,' she says, as these natural chemicals mobilise the body through the fight or flight response. 'It is chronic activation of the stress response, which is harmful for us, both physically and mentally, as the body doesn't get to rest and recover between each battle.' However, she does note that chronic stress can affect everything from our digestive system to our immune system, which means that nasty cough or cold you can't seem to shake could be impacted by your stress levels and subsequent inability to fight off infections. 'Chronic stress can also impact your brain,' Thomas highlights and suggests that the prefrontal cortex is affected, which can hinder your ability to 'plan, focus and make decisions'. She also mentions stress on the hippocampus, which leads to an impairment of memory and learning. Added to this, fluctuations in the amygdala as a result of stress can make a person more 'emotionally reactive'. Is it any wonder that chronic stress is associated with poorer sleep as we lie awake ruminating on problems? The key to lightening our load when stress piles on is rest and recovery, advises Thomas. 'You can survive a stretchy period without becoming overstretched,' she says. 'Taking micro breaks, or 'pause pockets' as I call them, can help regulate your body and mind in a similar way to opening the screw cap on a fizzy drink and letting some of the bubbles out after you've been shaking it for a while. The shaking might be inevitable, as lots of stressful things happen in our lives which shake us up, so the important thing is to give ourselves the permission to pause and release a bit of the built-up stress.' Pausing may not feel natural for many people, but the practice does not have to be cumbersome. The point is to slowly recognise the power of taking a break, a pause, a quiet moment to regroup, de-stress, and balance your mind and body. 'These moments of pause can be as simple as mindfully closing your eyes for five minutes every day,' says Thomas. 'Listening to your favourite calming music whilst taking some deep breaths, staring out the window to rest your eyes away from the computer, or take a walk in nature without listening to your headphones at the same time.' [ Four ways to improve your ability to cope with stress and adversity Opens in new window ] Over time, you can increase these minutes. Being mindful of your present moment, slowing down the day, and being non-judgmental in this practice is essential to strengthening your ability to simply be, which will help you navigate the stressors in your life more effectively when they arise. Guided meditations, breathing techniques, and embracing laughter are all equally valid and useful techniques to pause. 'The body is built for stress,' says Thomas. 'But [it] breaks if you don't let it reboot and recharge once in a while. Ask yourself what is most important right now. Notice any perfectionistic tendencies to want to get it all done and see what you can let go. It's okay to consciously put down some of the plates you're spinning before they all come crashing down.'
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Positive Data Published in Alzheimer's Research & Therapy from 12-month Phase 2 Study in Alzheimer's Using Personalized Neuromodulation Therapy; Trial Met All Primary and Key Secondary Endpoints
Data showed strong separation from placebo and statistical significance in mild-to-moderate patients on key measures including CDR-SB, ADAS-Cog11, ADCS-ADL, and NPI Personalized Neuromodulation (nDMN) targeting the Default Mode Network slowed Alzheimer's in all 3 clinically measured domains: cognition, function, and behavior—with no serious side-effects This positive peer reviewed 52-week study builds upon prior positive clinical studies and provides important additional evidence on long-term safety and treatment durability. CAMBRIDGE, Mass., April 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sinaptica Therapeutics, Inc., a clinical-stage company leading the development of a new class of personalized neuromodulation therapeutics to treat Alzheimer's and other primary neurodegenerative diseases, today announced that positive results of a 52-week Phase 2 study in Mild-to-Moderate Alzheimer's disease patients conducted by the company's scientific co-founder Dr. Giacomo Koch were published in the peer-reviewed journal Alzheimer's Research & Therapy. The publication is titled, "Effects of 52 weeks of Precuneus rTMS in Alzheimer's Disease Patients: a Randomized Trial." The data, also presented in a podium session at the Clinical Trials on Alzheimer's Disease (CTAD) conference in October 2024 in Madrid, showed that non-invasive personalized neuromodulation of the Default Mode Network (DMN), a key network in the brain involved in memory and cognition, using rTMS-EEG, met all key endpoints with statistical significance, with no serious side-effects. "This publication reaffirms our confidence in the potential for our non-invasive precision neuromodulation therapy, nDMN, to slow the impairment of cognitive functions, preserve activities of daily living, and reduce behavioral disturbances in Alzheimer's patients," said Giacomo Koch, MD, PhD, Sinaptica scientific co-founder, Neurologist, Professor of Physiology, University of Ferrara, and Director, Non-Invasive Brain Stimulation Laboratory, Santa Lucia Foundation. "We continue to build on our positive clinical evidence including with a just-initiated Phase 2 study in Early Alzheimer's patients, as well as ongoing preparations to launch a pivotal trial in Mild-to-Moderate patients." Additional analysis from the study included in the publication showed that propagation of the neuromodulation pulses from the precuneus (the stimulation location) to the medial prefrontal cortex was correlated with the primary outcome measure, CDR-SB, implying that the propagation of the signal throughout known areas of the DMN, confirmed via TMS-EEG, is an important requirement for efficacy. This now published Phase 2 study was a monocentric, randomized, double-blind, sham-controlled, 52-week trial to determine the safety and efficacy of treatment with personalized neuronavigated repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) targeting the Default Mode Network, the primary functional brain network impacted by Alzheimer's disease. Additional details on the study design are available in a Sinaptica press release at CTAD. "These peer reviewed results not only highlight the treatment's durability in all disease domains over one year, but the data also points to the importance of confirming broad network engagement of the DMN by measuring distal evoked potentials via neuronavigated TMS-EEG technology," said Ken Mariash, Sinaptica CEO. "This highly personalized approach ensures the neuromodulation pulses can reach distal targets in the DMN so as to induce widespread neuroplasticity throughout the DMN—and furthermore to personalize the dose for every patient to stay within safe-yet-effective bounds." Summary of Results The study showed that personalized neuromodulation of the Default Mode Network (nDMN) had a significant effect on the primary outcome measure, Clinical Dementia Rating Scale–Sum of Boxes (CDR-SB). The estimated mean change in CDR-SB after 52 weeks was 1.36 for rTMS-EEG group (95% confidence interval (CI) [0.68, 2.04]) and 2.45 for sham group (95%CI [1.85, 3.05]), resulting in a statistically significant and clinically meaningful separation of 1.09 points, representing a 44% slowing of Alzheimer's progression over the 12-month study duration. There were also statistically significant effects for the secondary outcomes ADAS-Cog11, MMSE, ADCS-ADL and NPI scores. On key functional secondary outcome measure, Activities of Daily Living (ADCS-ADL), patients receiving treatment had retained nearly all activities of Daily Living after 1 year, losing only 1.5 points, whereas the placebo arm lost 11.6 points TMS-EEG showed that rTMS increased functional connectivity within the Default Mode Network, and such increase correlated with the changes in clinical scores as measured by the CDR-SB The procedure was safe and well tolerated with very few minor adverse events reported. About the SinaptiStim® SystemThe SinaptiStim® System is an investigational new approach to treating Alzheimer's disease using non-invasive personalized precision neuromodulation. Calibrated to each individual's brain, the therapy is delivered in weekly sessions in a recliner ranging from 20 minutes with the first-generation system to six minutes with the second-generation system. The SinaptiStim system delivers safe, painless, customized neurostimulation technology targeting the Default Mode Network (DMN), an important brain network associated with episodic memory, introspection, and other cognitive functions. The technology was granted Breakthrough Device Designation by the FDA in 2022. The company is preparing for a pivotal randomized controlled clinical trial in mild-to-moderate Alzheimer's with its first-generation system. In this trial, the treatment will be calibrated quarterly using TMS and EEG concurrently in combination with MRI-guided neuronavigation, which enables the SinaptiStim System to achieve customized precise repeatable targeting and safe-yet-effective dosage for each patient, tracking progress and adjusting over time to achieve the best possible individualized outcomes with its nDMN therapy. The pivotal trial will also be designed to determine the effects of SinaptiStim® System on several biomarkers measuring beta amyloid, phosphorylated tau, neuroinflammation, and synaptic dysfunction. About Sinaptica TherapeuticsSinaptica Therapeutics is a clinical-stage neuromodulation therapeutics company leading the development of a new class of novel personalized therapeutics to revolutionize the treatment of Alzheimer's and other primary neurodegenerative diseases. The company utilizes a patented non-invasive approach to treating Alzheimer's via precision neurostimulation of a key brain network involved in memory, the Default Mode Network. Sinaptica's scientific co-founders pioneered research on this novel approach which a growing body of evidence indicates can slow disease progression. Sinaptica's mission is to bring a safe, effective, and non-invasive neuromodulation therapy to Alzheimer's patients that can help to significantly slow the progression of cognitive, functional, and behavioral decline. Learn more at and follow us on LinkedIn and X @SinapticaTX. The SinaptiStim® System is for investigational use only. It has not been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and is not available for commercial sale in any geography. View source version on Contacts Kathryn Morris, BrightPointkathryn@ 914-204-6412
