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Stress, Mind Greg Wells PhD Stress, Mind Greg Wells PhD

From Threat to Challenge

Stress is an unavoidable part of life, but how we perceive and respond to it can make all the difference. By shifting from seeing stress as a "threat" to viewing it as a "challenge," we can transform our stress response, using it to fuel healthy high performance. This mindset shift empowers us to meet difficulties with progress (no matter how small that progress is), thereby creating opportunities for growth and learning.

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Life, Perform Greg Wells PhD Life, Perform Greg Wells PhD

The Power of Taking a Real Vacation

People who take genuine time off enjoy improved focus, higher productivity, and enhanced well-being. Yet, many people find themselves unable to fully disconnect, which diminishes the benefits of vacation. With careful planning and a commitment to unplug, you can set yourself up for a truly restorative experience that yields long-lasting benefits.

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Breath, Focus Greg Wells PhD Breath, Focus Greg Wells PhD

Breathe for Focus and Concentration

Research increasingly shows that one of the most effective tools for regaining focus is right under our noses—our breath. Intentional breathing not only calms the mind but also boosts concentration by directly influencing brain chemistry and attention-related neural networks. This article explores how specific breathing practices can sharpen concentration and how the science of breath impacts our focus.

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Mind, Breath, Stress Greg Wells PhD Mind, Breath, Stress Greg Wells PhD

How Mindful Breathing Can Us Relax

Learning to use breath as a tool can unlock a sense of peace and balance, even in the face of stress. The science behind breathwork reveals why certain breathing techniques can shift the nervous system into a calm state, activating the body’s natural “rest and digest” mechanisms.

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Breath, Stress, Energize Greg Wells PhD Breath, Stress, Energize Greg Wells PhD

Breathe to Restore Calm, Elevate Your Energy, and Get in the Zone

Breathing is the most natural action we do. Conscious breathing practices can help us calm down, increase our energy levels, and even enter “the zone”—a state of optimal performance where we feel focused, present, and capable of our best work. This article explores the science of breathing to manage stress, elevate energy, and access peak performance.

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Stress, Breath Greg Wells PhD Stress, Breath Greg Wells PhD

Managing Stress and Anxiety through Breathwork

Stress and anxiety have become a pervasive part of modern life, often pushing our nervous systems into overdrive. From work pressures to personal challenges, these stressors can create a chronic fight-or-flight response, impairing physical and mental health. Fortunately, there’s a simple yet powerful solution: breathwork. By leveraging breathing techniques, we can counteract the stress response and restore balance.

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Move, Mind Greg Wells PhD Move, Mind Greg Wells PhD

How Physical Activity Sparks Happiness

Physical activity is not only essential for physical health but also plays a powerful role in enhancing mental well-being and happiness. Research highlights that movement can directly stimulate feelings of joy, energy, and emotional resilience. This article explores how moving our bodies in joyful ways can lead to lasting happiness and well-being, focusing on the science behind the connection between physical activity and emotional health.

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Move Greg Wells PhD Move Greg Wells PhD

The Healing Power of Outdoor Exercise

Given many of us spend up to 90% of our time indoors, reconnecting with nature is more crucial than ever for mental, physical, and emotional health. Moving outdoors offers a unique combination of physical exercise and natural therapy, engaging the body’s parasympathetic nervous system—our “rest and digest” response—while providing an escape from the constant digital stimuli that keep us in a stress state. Exercising in natural surroundings, often referred to as "green exercise," can activate powerful stress recovery mechanisms that help us feel calmer, more focused, and energized​​.

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Move, Flow Greg Wells PhD Move, Flow Greg Wells PhD

Using Exercise to Enter a Flow State

Experiencing “flow”—a state of deep focus, calm, and optimal performance—feels like unlocking a higher level of existence. Athletes, artists, and professionals describe flow as being “in the zone,” where time slows, actions feel effortless, and the mind is fully absorbed in the task at hand. Regular movement, particularly activities that challenge but don’t overwhelm, can help us access this ideal performance state and improve both our mental and physical well-being.

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Energize, Move Greg Wells PhD Energize, Move Greg Wells PhD

How Your Mitochondria Boost Your Energy

Feeling energized is deeply rooted in the body’s cellular processes, especially the function of our mitochondria. Often called the “powerhouses” of cells, mitochondria generate the energy required for every action, from thinking and breathing to running and lifting.

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Move, Focus, Brain Greg Wells PhD Move, Focus, Brain Greg Wells PhD

How Physical Activity Deepens Focus & BDNF

Exercise not only benefits the body but also significantly enhances brain function, in part due to brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). This protein, often called “fertilizer for the brain,” helps strengthen neurons, supports neuroplasticity, and plays a vital role in enhancing our ability to focus and concentrate.

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Move, Stress Greg Wells PhD Move, Stress Greg Wells PhD

Exercises to calm Your stress response

Mindful movement offers a powerful tool for managing stress and enhancing overall well-being. By understanding and addressing our body’s natural stress response through mindful movement, we can cultivate calm, increase focus, and foster calm.

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Create, Move Greg Wells PhD Create, Move Greg Wells PhD

Exercises that Create Theta Brainwaves

Certain types of physical activity can shift our brainwaves into a state associated with calm and creativity, known as theta brainwaves. Understanding the relationship between movement and brainwave activity can help us build resilience to stress and enhance mental well-being.

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Eat, Health Greg Wells PhD Eat, Health Greg Wells PhD

Anti-Inflammatory Nutrition: Fueling Your Health

Anti-inflammatory nutrition has gained traction for its ability to combat chronic diseases, enhance recovery, and support peak physical and mental performance. Central to this approach is the regulation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), highly reactive molecules that are produced naturally in our bodies. When managed properly, ROS contribute to cellular adaptation and defense, but in excess, they lead to oxidative stress, which is a significant driver of inflammation. By adopting an anti-inflammatory diet rich in antioxidants and phytonutrients, we can optimize ROS levels, protect cellular health, and promote overall wellness.

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Perform Greg Wells PhD Perform Greg Wells PhD

Psyching Up for Big Performance Events

Performing at your best requires the right mental and physical balance—enough energy to power through the task, yet calm enough to avoid anxiety and tension. This balance is often referred to as the “ideal performance state” (IPS), which allows for peak productivity, focus, and flow.

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Sleep Greg Wells PhD Sleep Greg Wells PhD

The Importance of Darkness in a Digital Age

From the time we wake up until we go to bed, most of us are exposed to bright, blue-light-emitting devices. However, this modern-day convenience comes with a significant downside: prolonged light exposure disrupts our natural rhythms and negatively impacts our health. Allowing for darkness and establishing routines that honor our biological need for nighttime can greatly improve our health and well-being.

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