INSIGHTS

ACTIONABLE SCIENCE FROM Dr. WELLS’ NEWSLETTER

 
Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

The Role of Play in Healthy High Performance

In a world that prioritizes productivity, the concept of “play” often seems secondary, especially for adults. Yet, play is a vital component of well-being, offering significant mental, emotional, and physical health benefits. By embracing playful activities, we not only experience joy but also enhance our resilience, reduce stress, and cultivate social bonds. This article explores why play is crucial for overall health and well-being and how incorporating more play into daily life can lead to a balanced, healthier lifestyle.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

Create a Soundtrack for Your Life to Facilitate Peak Performance

Music isn’t just background noise — it’s a powerful tool that can shape your mood, enhance focus, and even boost physical performance. Crafting intentional playlists can support different aspects of your day, from workouts to moments of deep focus, helping you reach peak performance in both mind and body. This article explores how to harness the transformative effects of music and create a life soundtrack that enhances your performance and well-being.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

Craft Your Ikigai through Meaning and Purpose

In our fast-paced world, finding purpose and meaning can sometimes feel elusive. Yet, having a clear sense of purpose — or ikigai, as it’s called in Japanese culture — can transform your life, bringing fulfillment, resilience, and joy. Ikigai, combining the words for “life” (iki) and “worth” or “value” (gai), refers to what makes life worth living. This article explores practical ways to discover your ikigai, helping you create a life rich in meaning and purpose.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

Have Fun: The Key to Health and Well-Being

In today’s productivity-driven world, taking time to have fun can feel like a guilty pleasure or an afterthought. However, recent research and expert perspectives highlight that having fun is essential for a balanced, healthy life. Fun isn’t just about amusement; it’s a cornerstone of mental and physical well-being, helping us relieve stress, strengthen social bonds, and boost creativity. This article explores why having fun is more important than you might think and offers ways to integrate play into your daily life.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

The Focus Superpower: Unplug and Disconnect

In today’s hyperconnected world, being “always on” has become the norm. We are constantly within arm’s reach of our devices, often feeling the urge to check notifications, respond to messages, and scroll through social media. However, this perpetual connectivity can lead to stress, distraction, and burnout, making it essential to carve out mindful moments and embrace intentional disconnection. By unplugging and practicing mindfulness, we can foster deeper focus, mental clarity, and overall well-being.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

Why Community Matters: The Science of Social Connection

The need for social connection is ingrained in our biology. From early humans working in groups to survive, to today’s collaborative workplaces and social networks, humans are hardwired to seek meaningful relationships. But in a world where we’re more “connected” than ever through technology, real, quality connections are becoming rarer. This article explores why and how to build authentic connections that foster well-being, resilience, and a sense of belonging.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

5 Tactics to Help You Shift from Surviving to Thriving

In our fast-paced, demanding world, many of us are constantly striving to “survive” rather than truly thriving. Yet, flourishing is within reach for everyone willing to cultivate a balanced approach to life. With a focus on nurturing both mental and physical health, this article explores how to thrive — achieving growth, resilience, and an abundance of positive outcomes.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

Do Not Disturb

This week I am going to challenge you to actively avoid interruptions when you are doing important tasks or activities.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

Be Mindful

Mindfulness, or keeping your awareness in the here and now, is important for mental health and elite performance. The key is to stay in the moment in the face of distraction, no matter how great that distraction may be.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

A Powerful Strategy for Sleeping Soundly

Quality sleep supports the immune system, aids in muscle recovery, and reduces the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. It also boosts concentration, memory, and problem-solving abilities​​.

But have you ever had an tough day at work, come home still firing on all cylinders, and then, in the hour before going to bed, found yourself fuming over the day’s events while also planning strategies for the next day?

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

Unplug and Disconnect

Let’s focus on what we can do to thrive through a balanced relationship with technology. In your life, I’m guessing that doesn’t mean adding more technology time. Instead, my suggestion is to add some time to unplug and disconnect—so you can reconnect to your inner life and those that truly matter to you.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

The Right Dose of Technology

We have never been more connected via technology, yet at the same time we have never been so far apart. This strange relationship between connection via our devices and loneliness is made even harder to navigate given that different people have different needs for connection and experience connection differently. Let me explain.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

Why Phytonutrients Are Key for Recovery From Stress

Phytochemicals act as important antioxidants and induce hormesis—the adaptive stress-resistant process we are seeking to positively adapt to stress. These phytochemicals are potent free-radical scavengers and anti-inflammatory agents.

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Greg Wells PhD Greg Wells PhD

The Why and How of Healthy Fats

We all know that the macro-nutrients protein, carbohydrates and fats are all essential contributors to a healthy diet. To help you craft your nutrition plan, I want to remind you about adding healthy fats to your diet as fats still get a bad rap.

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