-
Recent Posts
Recent Comments
Categories
Adrian Harris
Tag Archives: emotions
Wired to survive?
According to evolutionary neuroscience we’re not wired to be happy or content but simply to survive. It’s a new science, so such judgements are subject to review, but it certainly seems that our bodymind system easily becomes dysfunctional in modern … Continue reading
Posted in Psychotherapy
Tagged anxiety, bodymind, emotions, epoc, meditation, neuroscience, psychotherapy, therapy, wellbeing
Leave a comment
Brexit: Does uncertainty make us irrational?
It’s part of human nature to prefer certainty, so all the Brexit confusion is bound to make us edgy. In or out? Deal or no deal? But does uncertainly have an impact on our ability to make rational choices? Researchers … Continue reading
The Connected Self
“No man is an island”, wrote John Donne and his poetic insight is borne out by research. In the West, we think the self is somehow enclosed with the body, separate from other selves. This sense of independence is sometimes … Continue reading
Posted in Psychotherapy
Tagged bodymind, connection, embodiment, emotions, neuroscience, psychology, psychotherapy, therapy
1 Comment
How to keep your New Year Resolution
Every year people make New Year resolutions but 92% of them will fail (Journal of Clinical Psychology). Maybe it’s time for a different approach. Forget ‘I should’ and embrace ‘I want!’ New Year resolutions are typically something like “I’m going … Continue reading
Protest Marches: What’s the point?
I was at the Climate Change March in London on Sunday. I hadn’t planned on going. “What’s the point?” I thought. I’ve been to many protest marches over the years and I’d begun to doubt if they made any difference. … Continue reading
The Endorphin Effect
I’ve recently facilitated a series of workshops on mindfulness and spirituality at a drug and alcohol rehab clinic. The most popular workshop by far was the one where I taught people how to use William Bloom’s Endorphin Effect. Endorphins, which … Continue reading
Posted in Psychotherapy
Tagged bodymind, embodiment, emotions, meditation, psychology, therapy, wellbeing
5 Comments
The Stupidity of Rationalism
Last weeks edition of ‘In Our Time’ (BBC Radio 4) discussed game theory and gave a telling account of a scenario called The Prisoners Dilemma. Imagine that Jo and Jack have been arrested for a crime. The police know they’re guilty but can’t prove it, so … Continue reading
Posted in Cognitive science
Tagged bodymind, embodied situated cognition, emotions, Johnson, Lakoff, philosophy
8 Comments
Sun and ice: The power of weather
The Spring weather is as mad as a March Hare! We’ve had summery sun one day and winter chill the next, so this changeable season is ideal for sensing how the weather influences our sense of self. I was walking to the station during an icy … Continue reading
Nature and health
Back in March I discussed research showing that we’re happier in natural environments than in cities (Happy yet? Naturally!) I’ve now found lots of similar research related to health. Dr Roger Ulrich was interested in whether a natural view from … Continue reading
Posted in Ecopsychology
Tagged emotions, environment, health, nature, place, psychology, wellbeing
4 Comments
Framing perception
As a friend and I stood gazing at a Renoir, I felt its beauty gently suffuse my body. My friend turned to me and I smiled, expecting to share the moment. “Wow!” He said. “How much do you reckon that’s worth?’ … Continue reading