Tight Pec Minor Muscles - Minor muscle. Major problem.
The pectoralis minor (aka pec minor) is a small muscle with big consequences. Sitting & slouching can cause our pec minor muscles to tighten. Due to its role in stabilising and moving the shoulder, tight or short pec minor muscles can. Impair shoulder range of motion (making everyday tasks difficult), cause slouching and rounded shoulders and prevent the shoulder blade from moving properly.
The Insula - Our window into our ‘self’ and others
Until recently the insula has been a little known, largely unnoticed part of the brain tucked deep within the cortex. However, with the advancement of neuroimaging techniques, its vital roles have slowly been uncovered. It is a window into our self and others. It is key to self-awareness, motivation and addiction and empathy. Still, much is still unknown about this vital island buried deep inside our brains.
The Benefits of Exercise - Happiness
Exercise has been found time and time again to be related to increased happiness and reduced depression. This has been found for exercise as short as 10 minutes but tends to have more effect with longer bouts. This occurs both immediately after exercise and over the long-term. While scientists aren’t sure exactly on how this occurs, it is thought that it is through the release of endorphins, the feeling of mastery and accomplishment and the social aspect that helps us feel happier when we exercise.
Optimism in the Classroom
Optimism and pessimism seem to play a large role in the classroom from primary school through to university. Children who are optimistic tend to do better than those who are pessimistic. Seligman argues this is due to their explanatory style. Optimists tend to recover quickly from setbacks while pessimists tend to wallow in depression leading to poor results. Pessimism and depression can also lead to a vicious cycle. Learn more here…
Neck Extensors - Hold You Head Up
Our neck extensors tilt our head back but also stops our head from dropping forward. As such, staring down at our phones and laptops makes our neck extensors tight and weak causing muscle imbalances and discomfort. Here are some mobility, self-massage and yoga exercises that may help.