The Real Reason Your Boss Lacks Emotional Intelligence
Once leaders get promoted they enter an environment that tends to erode their emotional intelligence. They spend less time in meaningful interactions with their staff and lose sight of how their emotional states impact those around them. Whether you’re a leader now or may become one in the future, you don’t have to succumb to this trend. . Over the past century, the heartless, no-nonsense CEO has become something of an icon—and a cliché—in American society. Hollywood would have us believe that the Machiavellian chief exec is still alive and well. But that’s just TV, right? How about in the real world? Do businesses still allow these inhumane relics to survive? To find out, TalentSmart analyzed the emotional intelligence (EQ) profiles of the million-plus people in our database—workers from the frontlines to the C-suite. We discovered that the answer is yes, organizations today do promote the emotionally inept … except when they don’t. Allow me to explain. We found that EQ scores climb with titles from the bottom of the corporate ladder upward toward middle management. Middle managers stand out with the highest EQ scores in the workplace because companies tend to promote people into these positions who are level-headed and good with people. The assumption here is that a manager with a high EQ is someone for whom people will want to work. But things change drastically as you move beyond middle management. For the titles of director and above, scores descend faster than a snowboarder on a black diamond. CEOs, on average, have the lowest EQ scores in the workplace. The trick is, for every title in the graph above, the top performers are those with the highest EQ scores. Even though CEOs have the lowest EQ scores in the workplace, the best-performing CEOs are those with […]
Adding coconut oil to keto diet can prevent, treat Alzheimer’s
A recent review of dietary interventions aimed at preventing and treating Alzheimer’s disease suggests that the ketogenic diet is a promising nutritional approach , and at the forefront of this recent finding is coconut oil. Researchers from the University of Canterbury in New Zealand examined existing studies on the prevention and reversal of Alzheimer’s, including in vitro studies and animal or human studies. In their review, which appeared in the journal Nutrition , the researchers expressed concern about pharmaceutical approaches failing to prevent the onset of Alzheimer’s disease time and again. This has made them turn their attention to dietary interventions . Researchers highlight a more basic underlying cause of the onset of Alzheimer’s disease The Canterbury researchers reviewed 33 studies which focused on dietary approaches for Alzheimer’s disease (AD). Not all of them involved the keto diet (KD); some were variations of low-carb diets, such as the Atkins diet . The researchers examined common aspects highlighted in the 33 studies to further understand the mechanics of AD. Instead of the widely accepted causes of the disease, namely, amyloid-beta plaques and neurofibrillary tangles, the researchers identified a more basic underlying cause: low levels of cholesterol in the brain. Regardless of the established causes, experts now understand AD’s features enough to recommend dietary approaches for its prevention and reversal. While these take amyloid-beta plaques into consideration, amyloid plaques have also been seen in the brains of people with normal memory and reasoning abilities, hence it is considered a weak factor in the onset of AD. Discover how to prevent and reverse heart disease (and other cardio related events) with this free ebook : Written by popular Natural News writer Vicki Batt, this book includes everything you need to know about preventing heart disease, reversing hypertension, and nurturing your cardiac health […]
Siberian Ginseng: The Adaptogen for Astronauts, Athletes, and Anyone Under Stress
Botanical Name: Eleutherococcus senticosus Family: Araliaceae Other Common Names: Devil’s bush, devil’s shrub, touch-me-not, wild pepper, kan jang, Acanthopanax senticosus, ciwujia, eleuthero, shigoka, or Ussurian thorny pepperbush 1) 2) 3) Parts Used: Rhizome or root, leaves may also have medical benefit but are not regularly used 4) Actions: Adaptogen, tonic, chemoprotective, cardiac tonic, bitter 5) Taste: Pungent, slightly bitter Plant Uses: Adaptogen, anti-fatigue, increased mental alertness, anti-inflammatory, enhanced athletic performance Plant Preparations: Powdered, tincture, tea Toxicities/Warnings: Not for use in children, pregnant women, or in high doses. Caution is advised for use if you have bleeding disorders, excessive nervousness, diabetes, hypoglycemia, or blood pressure disorders. May increase light reactivity and alter the impacts of alcohol, ACE inhibitors, anti-depressants, sedatives, anti-allergy agents, stimulants, and sleep aids. 6) For extended use, cycling may be needed, such as using for 6 weeks and then taking 2 weeks off. 7) Image from Wiki Commons Introduction Eleutherococcus senticosus, commonly called Siberian ginseng, is not a true relative of American or Panax ginseng. They do belong to the same plant family, Araliaceae . However, they evolved separately and are generally not considered to be related in any meaningful way. In fact, to avoid confusion between the overharvested true ginseng, many herbalists use the term “eleuthero” instead of “Siberian ginseng.” This plant’s scientific name, Eleutherococcus senticosus , comes from a Greek word meaning “free-berried” and from a Latin word meaning “thorny.” 8) The facts that it often grows in dense thickets in areas where other plants struggle and that it has bristles on the stems and branches have also earned it nicknames like the devil’s shrub, devil’s bush, and touch-me-not. Although Siberian ginseng is not related to true ginseng, it owes its rise in popularity to the more popular plant. When researchers began looking for an […]
Trying to boost your brain health with sudoku, sugar or even sex? Let’s take a look at the evidence
There are plenty of things people claim are good for your brain. But what does the evidence say? Photo: ABC/Unsplash Do you do cryptic crosswords in an attempt to boost your brain health? Or have you heard that omega-3, a sugar boost, or even getting busy in the bedroom is good for your grey matter? Let’s take a look at some of the things we often hear are good for our brain, review the evidence, and bust a few myths along the way. Sudoku and crosswords Doing puzzles helps your brain … be better at puzzles. But that’s about it. It’s hard not to feel a little smug when we do a sudoku or a crossword puzzle. After all, we’ve heard how good it is for our brains – just like exercise builds muscle, brain games make our brains stronger, right? Wrong . Neuroplasticity is the term that describes how the pathways and connections in the brain change through experience. When we practise something, the brain adapts, and we tend to become better at that skill. When you do a sudoku puzzle every day and find you get faster … unfortunately this doesn’t mean you are getting any smarter. Your brain is simply getting more efficient at doing sudoku — it doesn’t mean you’ll get better at finding your keys or writing essays . If there’s a particular skill you want to improve, you’re probably better off practising that skill. Verdict: Not really (the high quality evidence suggests it isn’t) Stress The effects of stress on the brain can come down to how you perceive the stress. Stress is bad for you right? Well, not necessarily. The devil is in the dose, and how you perceive the stress. A small burst of stress, such as the rush you get […]
Let Teens Sleep in Already: How Early School Start Times Harm Their Brains
Teens are biologically wired to need 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night. Early school start times are causing teens to suffer from chronic sleep deprivation. Teens who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to suffer from symptoms of depression, engage in risky behaviors like drinking and using illicit drugs, and perform poorly in school. Leading organizations and sleep scientists recommend that schools start at 8:30 a.m. or later. Parents can help improve teen sleep quality by minimizing blue light exposure and encouraging kids to develop good bedtime routines. Want an immediate upgrade in your quality of life? If you have teens, call their school and explain that your kids will be missing first period. The value of sleep is higher than anything they could possibly get from that one class. Here’s why. Study after study has shown that kids’ brains are harmed by making them wake up early to go to school. [1] [2] [3] [4] [5] Teens are wired by nature to sleep in. They need 8 hours of sleep at minimum to promote good health. And really, they should be sleeping even more than 8 hours. Think closer to 10. The New York Times recently ran a post that echoes what I’ve been saying for years: school starts too early, and it’s interfering with adolescent brain development. That’s a problem. Here’s what the science says — and what parents can do to help their kids. The value of a good night’s sleep The American Academy of Sleep Medicine recommends that teens should sleep 8 to 10 hours every day to promote “improved attention, behavior, learning, memory, emotional regulation, quality of life, and mental and physical health.” [6] Teens who don’t get enough sleep are more likely to suffer from symptoms of depression, engage in […]
Alzheimer’s disease: Drinking this beverage has been proven to reduce your risk
Alzheimer’s disease is a physical disease that affects the brain. Dementia is the name for a set of symptoms that includes memory loss and difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language. Dementia develops when the brain is damaged by diseases, including Alzheimer’s disease. The brain is made up of billions of nerve cells that connect to each other. In Alzheimer’s disease, connections between these cells are lost. This is because proteins build up and form abnormal structures called ‘plaques’ and ‘tangles’. Eventually nerve cells die and brain tissue is lost. Drinking this drink however could significantly reduce a person’s risk. Dementia symptoms: Early signs of Alzheimer’s disease Dementia symptoms: Signs of early-onset Alzheimer’s disease Tea is the second most commonly consumed beverage in the world after water. It is bursting with many natural, health and wellbeing benefits, whatever a person’s age, says the Tea Advisory Panel. Green tea is one of the healthiest beverages you can drink. Green tea contains bioactive compounds that improves health and brain functions. Natural health expert and tea chemist, Doctor Tim Bond from the Tea Advisory Panel said: “New, emerging evidence relating to tea helping to reduce the risks of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease , mild cognitive impairment, or cognitive impairment. "From 30 articles where all types of tea were investigated, the authors narrowed the field to eight research studies that looked at green tea, three cohort studies and five-corse sectional studies. “The authors concluded that these studies supported the positive effects of green tea intake. "These results seem to support the hypothesis that tea intake may reduce the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease , dementia, and cognitive impairment.” The possible reasons why green tea is so integral to reducing risks of Alzheimer’s is due to it’s antioxidant effects, reduction in brain inflammation, inhibition of amyloid-beta […]
Embracing in play throughout life
Athletes call it the “Zone.” Professionals call it “Flow.” Children call it “Play.” Regardless of the term, each share the basic characteristic of complete self-less absorption and engagement in the moment. Dr. Stuart Brown from the National Institute for Play defines play as something that “is apparently purposeful activity that has no actual purpose or meaning”. It “takes you out of time and the act itself is more important than the outcome.” As adults, we may resist the notion of engaging in an activity that appears purposeless, yet research shows that play unlocks the human potential in all stages of life for transforming our world. Changing the adult, changes the environment we call childhood and how we relate to the developmental needs of children. Here are two reasons to embrace play throughout life. Adults who engage in a long-term relationship with play embody: a sense of humor, the enjoyment of novelty, the capacity to share a lighthearted sense of the world’s ironies, the enjoyment of mutual storytelling, and the capacity to openly share their imagination. These playful interactions, when nurtured, result in an atmosphere of authentic connection and fulfilling relationship. Add this nurturing and loving adult to a spontaneous encounter of play with a well-fed, well-rested and safe infant child, and the result will be a mutual radiate of contagious joy. Neuroscience findings show that child development is model dependent. Ideally then, the focus of early childhood development is to maximize the model-environment each adult parent represents. Guiding, learning from and mentoring the future of humanity is a developmental process for adults. When approached in this way the relationship, with it’s learning, and personal development becomes reciprocal and genuinely playful. In his book, “Magical Parent, Magical Child,” author Joseph Chilton Pearce encourages adults to rediscover the “playful” and “childlike” […]
Sunshine pro: Develop mental skills to maximize your performance
If you’re an avid cyclist, chances are that you’ve faced your limits before. In those challenging moments, what happens? Do you crack? Do you get stuck in negative thoughts or do you strive and power yourself to new heights? If you’re looking to improve your performances, developing mental coping skills will help you push through your limits with more ease. I’ve always been interested in sports psychology and I think this has become one of my strength so I’m sharing with you some of my tips on the topic, from the theory in the books to my own experience. Replacing thought Negative thoughts and doubts won’t make you go far. Depending on the situation, we often have the same pattern of negative thoughts that arise in our mind when we’re facing difficulty. The first step is to recognize them. “Oh that’s a negative thought”, or “oh I’m doubting my ability, my plan, etc..” Then replace it by a positive one. Help your brain to remember positive thoughts during those key moments by preparing them, so they are ready to use as soon as you realize you’re going the wrong way. Here are some examples of negative thoughts with their replacement : I’m gonna blow up | It’s good now (stay in the now, right now is okay) I can’t do another one | I’m an animal! (pretend you can) I’m too slow, my power is too low, I don’t have legs | I can only do my best, just do your best (no judgment, just honest best effort) I will never be able to reach my goal | Make the most of today, just today, this session (can’t worry about the future, focus on the task at hand, on the process, reaching today’s mini-goal) It hurts, I want to […]
Can’t sleep? You probably need to make these changes.
A room with light sanded floors: Designed by Designer Ryan Korban says light floors lend themselves to a more serene sleeping environment. He used them in this New York City bedroom. Williams New York — The Washington Post Hide caption By Eustacia Huen / Special to The Washington Post Brain research has shown how relevant sleep is to health, so it’s more important than ever to get a good night’s sleep. In the bedroom, that means not just decorating in calming colors but also minimizing stressors and optimizing conditions for a restful night. We asked some experts for advice and products to achieve that. Minimize noise A key obstacle to uninterrupted sleep is noise. To reduce it, Brooklyn-based architect and designer Adam Meshberg, founder of Meshberg Group, recommends soundproofing the walls — building an additional thin wall in front of the original, adding a layer of QuietRock sheetrock, or sealing any cracks or gaps within the walls. To a lesser extent, wallcoverings can also absorb sound, he says, though a padded wallcovering will do more than a simple wallpaper. Cracks and gaps are also a problem when it comes to windows. Restoring or replacing drafty windows won’t just improve your heating and cooling bills; doing so can make a huge difference in the amount of noise seeping in. If renovation isn’t an option, some companies will install a thin window behind your existing window for extra soundproofing. CitiQuiet in New York says it can eliminate 95% of street noise. For a simpler fix, getting an upholstered headboard (or a bed that comes with one) helps with acoustics, says Florida-based designer Adriana Hoyos. Go for fabrics at least one millimeter thick; suede, velvet, leather and leatherette are stylish options for absorbing excess noise. Andrew Bowen, director of staging at ASH […]
Antioxidant-rich goji berries are superfruit snacks that offer a variety of health benefits
( Natural News ) Goji berries are known by many names, such as “red diamonds” and “wolfberries.” Call them whatever you like, but these superfruits are among the most nutritious foods on the planet. These tasty little berries are native to China and have been used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) for over 2,000 years . As such, they are often considered a “longevity food.” Vibrant colors are often a sign of high antioxidant content in fruits and berries. With their signature bright red hue, goji berries are no exception. As a potent source of antioxidants, goji berries can effectively protect your body from oxidative stress and promote your overall health. More than just antioxidants, goji berries are also a delicious source of fiber, phytonutrients, vitamins, and trace minerals. Some of the nutrients found in goji berries include zinc, phosphorus, selenium, germanium, calcium, and vitamins A, B1, B2, B6, and C. (Related: Why goji berries might be the Holy Grail of health .) Health benefits of goji berries With their naturally high content of antioxidants, goji berries contain an array of health benefits. Rich in antioxidants This superfruit’s high content of antioxidants is the main reason why it’s often used in anti-aging creams and treatments. Goji berries contain high levels of potent antioxidant compounds such as carotenoids, lycopene, lutein, and polysaccharides. Supports healthy eye functions Organic goji berries are an excellent source of carotenoids, a vital nutrient for your eye health. Goji berries even contain more beta-carotene than carrots. Most importantly, goji berries are packed with zeaxanthin, a carotenoid known for its superb benefits for the eyes. GLYPHOSATE testing is now being applied to all Health Ranger Store branded products. Our in-house lab uses LC-MS-MS (triple quad mass spec). See the full lab science tour video and announcement here […]
