Author Archives: Nancy Hilary Berman

When Life Gives You Lemons, Make Lemon Water

After staying up late watching television, reading a book, texting a friend, or scrolling aimlessly through social media, many Americans wake up each morning needing an energy boost to get them through the day. According to Harvard, over 54% of Americans over the age of 18 drink coffee every morning. Coffee is therefore an extremely popular beverage choice, and very much enjoyed by many types people. One of the common reasons most people enjoy coffee is because of its effects on the brain. It increases dopamine levels, which makes us feel good as individuals. When purchasing coffee at a store such as Dunkin Donuts, an average price is $2.49 or more for an average-sized medium drink (Food Menu Prices). Per work week, that is approximately $12.45. Per month, that is approximately $49.80. Per year, Americans who purchase medium coffees at Dunkin Donuts spend approximately $597.60 on their beverages. Recently, many people have been looking for cheaper hot drink alternatives to traditional coffee and tea, and lemon water has risen as a new favorite American drink. By only having to use tap water and purchase lemons from a local grocery store, consumers can drastically decrease their spending for money energizers, and feel great as well. Not only does lemon water taste delicious and is affordable, but it also has many health benefits. There are simply two ingredients to this drink; lemon, and water. Both of these have great benefits individually, and when combined, make for the ultimate “super drink.”

By itself, water has an extreme amount of benefits. One benefit is that it is convenient tumblr_lw41qvRFWe1r81cfho1_500for most people, as it is accessible in the convenience of personal homes. On its own, the human body is approximately 60% water. It is extremely important for adults to consume at least eight glasses of water a day, and to stay on top of managing water intake levels (United States Department of the Interior). Without enough water, it is very easy for the body to dehydrate. Water also serves a number of essential functions in the body to keep it functioning properly:

  • A vital nutrient to the life of every cell
  • Regulates internal body temperature by sweating and respiration
  • Carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream
  • Assists in flushing waste mainly through urination
  • Acts as a shock absorbing device for the brain and spinal cord
  • Forms saliva
  • Lubricates joints (United States Department of the Interior).

The citrus fruit lemon also has many great health benefits. Those include: “its use as a treatment of throat infections, indigestion, constipation, dental problems, and fever, obesity, respiratory disorders, and high blood pressure, while it also benefits hair and skin care. Known for its therapeutic abilities, lemon helps to strengthen your immune system, cleanse your stomach, and it is considered a blood purifier” (Organic Wellness). For the teenage and college audience specifically, lemons are great acne stoppers. Lemon contains citric acid, which is a strong remedy for treating acne. The vitamin C that it also contains is vital for healthy skin, and can also help kill types of bacteria (Beliefnet). Lemon also has a wonderful taste, and is refreshing before a long day at school, work, or any other activity that the day may bring. For those who may think the taste is a little strong, the water helps dilute the strong citrus taste, and is a food that everyone can enjoy.

Combining the two ingredients, water and lemon, anyone can create lemon water easily. This combination has been proven to have many health benefits that are beneficial for not only adults, but people of all ages as well. Specifically, this drink can help college kids get an energized start, especially for early morning classes. Here is an example of how to create a lemon water mixture that not only is tasteful, but easy to make.

One benefit of lemon water is that it has a strong ability to help with digestion. According to Wellness Mama, drinking water to begin with is extremely healthy to flush out the body. When a human wakes up from sleep, the body needs to be flushed out in order to start the day off hydrated, as the body was in a fast for however long the slumber took place. Having this soothing drink first thing in the morning can not only help flush out the digestive system, but rehydrate the body as well. Adding the lemon fruit helps with the digestion process, and also provides that sense of energy to start off a day on a high note.

Lemon water is a large aid and supporter of the immune system. The immune system consists of organs, tissues, cells and proteins. These take part in the process to attack invading germs (Livestrong). By just including the juice of half a lemon in a glass of water, your body becomes enriched in vitamin C. This helps boost the immune system with tasks such as fighting colds and flu, common sicknesses especially in college students. Nutritionist Michele Chevalley Hedge says lemon also enhances the body’s ability to absorb iron. Iron is an important nutrient for a healthy immune system, and is imperative to have a healthy supply. (Body and Soul).

Food Network Kitchen Infused Water Lemon Healthy Recipes Food Netowrk A final benefit of lemon water to discuss helps aid an issue that many college students struggle with; anxiety. Research has shown that lemon has a calming effect on humans, and is a great aid in fighting anxiety. Therefore, it may be able to help remove fatigue, exhaustion, dizziness, anxiety, nervousness, and tension from stressed and anxious individuals (Beliefnet). According to the Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Anxiety disorders are one of the most common mental health problems on college campuses, and many college students are suffering each and everyday. Forty million U.S. adults suffer from an anxiety disorder, and 75 percent of them experience their first episode of anxiety by age 22, before they graduate college.

With its marvelous taste and great health benefits, lemon water is a drink sure to be enjoyed by all. A fantastic quality about homemade drinks is that the consumer can control the amount of ingredient that goes in. If you are not a huge lemon fan, squeeze only a slice or two into your water. If you enjoy the citrus taste, squeeze a full lemon. There are many benefits to having this simple drink made of just two ingredients. Start your day off fresh, and when life gives you lemons, make lemon water!

Sources:

http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/news/multimedia-article/facts/

http://water.usgs.gov/edu/propertyyou.html

https://www.organicfacts.net/health-benefits/fruit/health-benefits-of-lemon.html

http://wellnessmama.com/35192/benefits-of-lemon-water/

http://www.bodyandsoul.com.au/nutrition/nutrition+tips/kick+start+your+day+with+lemon+and+water,23007

http://www.beliefnet.com/Wellness/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx?p=2

http://www.livestrong.com/article/535611-warm-lemon-water-the-immune-system/

http://www.beliefnet.com/Wellness/Health/Physical-Health/Hidden-Health-Secrets-of-Lemons.aspx?p=3

http://www.adaa.org/finding-help/helping-others/college-students/facts

The Stigma of Mental Illness

Mental illness. These are two words that can be interpreted in many ways by many different people. When most people hear the two words “mental illness,” they do not truly know what they are hearing, and don’t understand its complexity. The National Alliance for Mental Illness defines those words as ” a condition that impacts a person’s thinking, feeling or mood and may affect his or her ability to relate to others and function on a daily basis. Each person will have different experiences to conditions, even people with the same diagnosis.” Mental illness. When many people hear these words, a stigma comes to mind of human beings who are “stupid,” “retarded,” “hopeless,” and “incapable.” According to Mayo Clinic, a stigma is “when someone views you in a negative way because you have a distinguishing characteristic or personal trait that’s thought to be, or actually is, a disadvantage (a negative stereotype)”. The stigma of mental illness is extremely prevalent in our world today, and advocacy has never reached a higher point than in the year 2015.

Society as a whole undermines the serious and harsh realities of hardships ones with mental health issues face each and everyday. Mental health awareness has recently come more into focus, as celebrities such as Demi LovatoLena Dunham, and Pete Wentz are using their voices to speak out and make an impact in our world. Demi, Lena, and Pete, along with many other celebrities in the Hollywood spotlight, are using their powerful voices to inspire and advocates for those who are too ashamed and too scared to stand up for themselves. By having a role model who is not afraid to stand up and talk about their beliefs and disorders in front of the entire world, the younger generations become more confident and accepting of themselves and the struggles they are dealing with.

5561412422_b347a7483c_bRecently being open about mental illness has become more acceptable, but the view of this topic in history has been back and forth for many years. Mental illnesses were discovered in 400 B.C. by Hippocrates, a well-known Greek physician. In the Middle Ages, medieval Europeans allowed the mentally ill their freedom, as long as they did not provide harm to the ones around them. However, ones who were dangerous were often labeled as witches and assumed to be inhabited by demons. Their treatment was very poor. In the 1600s, Europeans increasingly begin to isolate mentally ill people, and their treatments would increasingly get harsher as time went on. Over 300 years later in 1963, the United States passed the Mental Retardation Facilities and Community Mental Health Centers Construction Act to provide the first federal money for developing a network of community-based mental health services (PBS). As time continues to progress in the year 2015 and moving forward, more and more people are becoming accepting of those who are struggling, and are helping to provide support to those in getting the help that they need. The first full week each year, the National Alliance for Mental Illness hosts a mental health awareness week. The week is dedicated to bringing awareness, fighting the stigma, providing support, educating the public and advocate for equal care. Each year, the movement grows stronger. This year, the theme was “#IAmStigmaFree”, building around the initiative of a judgement free mental illness connotation. This helps focus on connecting with people to see each other as individuals and not a diagnosis.

One of the reasons why there is such a large stigma surrounding the topic of umns13_132_1_lightboxmental illness is because people are not properly educated on what mental illnesses truly are. Many simply do not know or realize that these illnesses are serious disorders, and are not fake or “done for attention”. So many people are affected in our world today, and it is important to be aware in order to be able to support someone around you who may be silently suffering. Most people also may not even realize that they are suffering. Here are some harsh realities of mental disorders:

  • 20-25% of adults are affected by mental illness each year
  • 1 in 20 lives with a serious mental illness such as schizophrenia or bipolar disorder
  • More than 90% of children who die by suicide have a mental health condition
  • Approximately 1 in 5 youth aged 13–18 experience a severe mental disorder
  • Only 41% of adults in the U.S. with a mental health condition received mental health services in the past year
  • 50% of mental health conditions begin by age 14 and 75% of mental health conditions develop by age 24 (National Alliance for Mental Illness).

Although the exact cause of most mental illnesses is not known to date, it is becoming clear through research studies that many of these conditions can caused by a combination of factors including biological, psychological, and environmental. Some biological factors that may contribute to mental illness include: genetics, infections, brain defects, injury, prenatal damage, and substance abuse. Some psychological factors that may contribute to mental11878-mental_illness_help 630x315 illness include: severe psychological trauma suffered as a child, an important loss in their life, neglect, and poor ability to relate to others. Some environmental factors that may contribute to mental illness are: death, divorce, a dysfunctional family life, feelings of inadequacy, low self-esteem, anxiety anger, or loneliness, changing jobs or schools, social or cultural expectations, and substance abuse (Web MD). Overall, there are many factors that can cause a wide variety of disorders, and not all of them have been discovered to date. Many third variables are involved, and mental illness itself is extremely complex and hard to unravel. As time continues to progress, there is hope that mental illnesses can come to a point of sanity and freedom for those suffering.

The stigma associated with this topic overall is the biggest barrier that prevents people from getting treatment and seeking help. According to Healthline, there may be an answer. Researchers at the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College in London examined data and discovered that the stigma of mental illness remains one of the top reasons people choose to stay in the dark and not seek help. “We now have clear evidence that stigma surrounding mental illness has a toxic effect by preventing people seeking help,” senior author Prof. Graham Thornicroft said in a statement. “The profound reluctance to be ‘a mental health patient’ means people will put off seeing a doctor for months, years, or even at all, which in turn delays their recovery” (Healthline).  Just as with any physical illness, the pain of mental illness does not and will not go away unless it is properly treated. It is important to remember that it is okay to seek help, in order to not be consumed by a disease before it is too late.

Most do not take the time to learn about mental illness, until they are in a situation when it is a present factor in their life, or the life of a loved one. It is true that not everyone will ever understand the complexity of mental illness. Not everyone may care about ones who suffer with mental illness because they may not have a personal connection or are naïve to the truth about its’ seriousness. To try to understand mental illness is difficult unless you are educated and aware, and mental health is not something that can be fixed or cured overnight. Being in the Hollywood spotlight may not always be positive, but in our world today more and world celebrities are using their fame in a positive manner to help others fighting. They, in cooperation with organizations such as the National Alliance for Mental Illness, are fighting back, to make a stigma-free world to provide a comfortable environment for those who are currently afraid. Everyone, whether they know it or not, knows someone who has experienced and struggled with mental illness, and it is time to take a stand for those who feel in the dark to create healed lives in their purest freedoms.

Please click here to join the National Alliance on Mental Illness, and take the pledge to be stigma free.

 

Sources:

https://www.nami.org/Learn-More/Mental-Health-Conditions

http://www.nami.org/stigmafree

http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/mental-illness/in-depth/mental-health/art-20046477

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hippocrates

http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/nash/timeline/timeline2.html

http://www.webmd.com/mental-health/mental-health-causes-mental-illness

http://www.people.com/article/demi-lovato-launches-new-mental-health-awareness-campaign-be-vocal

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/04/13/lena-dunham-mental-health_n_7053556.html

http://www.eonline.com/news/617814/pete-wentz-talks-bipolar-disorder-fears-son-bronx-will-suffer-one-day-too

http://www.healthline.com/health-news/mental-health-treatment-hindered-by-stigma-030214

https://www.nami.org/miaw

Are Internet Friends a Good Thing?

With the phenomenon of social media continuing to grow in our growing technological world, there is a major increase of traffic on the inter webs as a whole, specifically social networking websites. Each and every day, new applications are being formatted and created in order keep the connection of people FT_15.08.06_TeensTechFriendships_310pxaround the world together. “Social media has emerged in our world today as the new paradigm for connecting to information, people, and ideas” (SAGE Journals). In the process of finding a social media niche, many people have started to meet new friends along the way. In a recent report, Pew Research Center found that more than half of all teenagers said that they’ve made friends online, at 57%. As exhibited by the graph on the right, 51% of people have made over two friends, and nearly three-in-ten teens (29%) have said that they they have made more than five friends this way. (Pew Research).

Social media websites have become very popular places for teenagers to mingle with other teenagers. A majority of teens say social media platforms have made them feel more connected to their real friends’ lives and feelings, as well as bond with internet friends. The Pew Research Center continued their report, saying that “online friendships, which often form within teens’ extended networks, are generally OK as long as teens balance the interactions, stay safe and realize the limitations. In fact, the trend could continue as social media grows in scope and popularity.” With the internet only continuing to gain more users and expand as an industry, it is logical that internet friends will continue to grow as well.

twitterMany of the online friends that people make are people they’re already connected to in some way, said Amanda Lenhart, associate director of research at Pew and author of the study. This helps establish a common ground for the friendship. They’re often friends or relatives of peers, or have common interests. On the website Twitter, many people make parody or fan accounts dedicated to certain celebrities, causes, and athletes to show their support, and for pure enjoyment. Having these accounts help link them to other similar parody accounts, and friendships are formed.

Not only do Twitter accounts need to be for recreational purposes, but some are used to help inspire and save the lives of others. According to the International Business Times, “Kasey Lemley, an 18-year-old student at Marshall University in Huntington, West Virginia, said she was having a rough time at home when she decided to make a second Twitter account. She couldn’t find many mental health resources in her small town, so she started @TheHelpHotline, which now blasts its 30,000 followers with motivational messages throughout the day. People frequently message her looking for someone to listen, and she does.” Originally, Kasey was looking for a way out of her struggles. Now, she not only has found a way out, but is providing a way out for 30,000 others, and is truly an inspiration.

Many people struggle with different social anxieties, and meeting friends in general. Sometimes encounters in person may be uncomfortable. and can prevent those friendships from forming. Online relationships can help children get beyond the difficulty that can occur when they first meet. This process allows them to get to know each other and become comfortable. For people who are or socially anxious, it gives them time to learn about the other person. The process also allows them to practice their “people skills”, and to prepare themselves for if the friends ever decide to meet in person (Psychology Today).

I decided to conduct an experiment on the social networking website Twitter. At the time I started, I had 13.8 thousand followers and I sent out a tweet saying: Screen Shot 2015-10-21 at 7.09.33 PM

After nearly one hour, I had 69 “favorites” on the tweet, with people tweeting me back their stories of how they have met their best friends through the internet. After nearly 3 hours, 81 “favorites” were made on the tweet. It truly shows the power of the social media as well as the internet, and how true friendships do not need to be formed in person in order to be strong.

As a teenager, many people look to try to find themselves and their true identities; they want to know who they are, where they fit in with the world, and where they belong. One problem with internet friendships is that sometimes parents may get in the way of teenagers meeting people online, and prevent that process. Parents become concerned about the safetyUnknown of their children, and the consequences their children may face if they truly befriend people they have never met before. However, most parents forget that most of the time, these are real people too. “They’re just as good as real-life friends,” Kasey Lemley said. “You create a bond with them.” Parents may be worried, but experts aren’t concerned. It is important for teens to realize that they need to be careful, not be naive, and watch out for internet predators. Because online friendships are done behind a screen, it is important to remember to remember safety. Teenagers, in order to take safe precautions, are now using technologies such as Facetime and Skype to video chat with online friends, to make sure they are real people too.

Having a high self-esteem is important in order to promote self-worth, and every human being enjoys feeling good about themselves. A study was done by the University of Pittsburgh and the Columbia Business School to determine how social media can impact people’s lives, and how the effects can impact them socially and emotionally. The results found that users who use social media to focus on their close friends usually experience an increase in self-esteem when and after browsing (The Social U). This is where internet friends come into factor. Internet friends may not know you physically in person in the beginning of the friendship, but the bonds they have can grow stronger than any real-life friendship. By having a friend that does not judge you from the second you meet by what you are wearing, how you act, and what you look like, your self-esteem is guaranteed to go up.

A sad reality to internet friends is that most will never meet in person. Many people are connecting with friends from not only their local area, states, and country, but across the globe. The means of video chatting and text messages will be the fullest extent of their friendships. The Pew Research Center found most friendships that are made online, stay online. Only one in five teens have actually met an online friend in person. However, for those 20% of people that do have the chance to meet, the results are magical:

 

Sources:

http://sms.sagepub.com/content/1/1/2056305115580148.full.pdf+html

https://www.bulldogreporter.com/social-psychology-social-media-may-inflate-self-esteem-and-reduce-self-control-new-/

http://thesocialu101.com/the-relationship-between-social-media-and-self-worth/

http://www.pewresearch.org/fact-tank/2015/08/06/6-key-takeaways-about-teen-friendships-in-the-digital-age/

https://support.twitter.com/articles/215585

https://support.twitter.com/articles/106373

http://www.ibtimes.com/online-safety-teens-are-internet-friends-good-thing-2052238

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/the-power-prime/201302/are-online-relationships-healthy-young-people

https://twitter.com/TheHelpHotline

The Phenomenon of Black Friday Shopping

As it gets closer to the holiday season, many people are out to buy gifts for friends, family, and other loved ones. According to the San Diego Union-Tribune, here is a ranked list of the days in which the most customers are in stores during the year, which all happen to fall in the upcoming months:

  1. Friday Nov. 23 (Black Friday)
  2. Saturday Dec. 22 (Last weekend before Christmas)
  3. Saturday Dec. 15blackfriday-1
  4. Saturday Dec. 8
  5. Wednesday Dec. 26 (Day after Christmas)
  6. Sunday Dec. 23 (Last weekend before Christmas)
  7. Saturday Nov. 24 (Small Business Saturday)
  8. Friday Dec. 21 (Last weekend before Christmas)
  9. Sunday Dec. 16
  10. Saturday Dec. 1.

Black Friday is the Friday following Thanksgiving Day. On this day, most stores open extremely early and have amazing sales and promotions in order to attract customers to purchase their products at a reasonable, low price. On the surface, Black Friday is by far the most popular shopping day of the year, and also seems the most exciting. In 2014, $50.9 billion was spent during the 4-day Black Friday weekend by approximately 133 million U.S. consumers (Breaking News). If there are phenomenal deals and an enormous amount of sales, it seems that nothing could possibly go wrong. However, that is far from the truth. Black Friday has turned into a day of selfishness and madness, and can be extremely scary to everyone involved.

The name Black Friday itself originated in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Originally it was used to describe the heavy traffic from travel that would occur on the day after Thanksgiving, with families rushing to get back home from their endeavors of the previous day. Around 1975, an additional explanation was made for this name; retailers traditionally operated at a financial loss (“in the red”) from January through November, and “Black Friday” indicated the point at which retailers began to turn a profit, or get “in the black”(The London School). Especially going into the holiday season with the month of December approaching, companies knew they could pick up their losses starting on this day, and so they made it an official, large day of sales. Because there are so many sales and only so many of the products being offered, people turn mad and fight to make sure they receive the best deals for the products they feel that they desperately need.

black-friday-shopping-deals-walmart-target-costcoEach year there are reports of extreme violence during the Black Friday sales, resulting in horrible fights, injuries, and even death. It is terrifying to know that people go into stores looking to save money, but end up having to spend more than they could have ever imagined on medical expenses. What causes people to kick, shove and even stab each other on Black Friday? The reasons that go through peoples’ minds are primal, and that people fall into an instinctive state to fight (Reuters). Human brains are hardwired for violence, and therefore, fall into a state of making sure to obtain their desires in whatever way possible, falling into an argument over competition if necessary. According to Kenneth Manning, a professor of marketing at Colorado State University, “People truly want to get a good deal, and so they might be less rational…Their decision-making can be somewhat emotional” (Live Science). People stop thinking rationally and turn into a state of “fight or flight”. Shopping is often compared to hunting or gathering, this day being one of the many reasons.

As an industry, shopping has become a psychological game. On Black Friday above all other days, stores use psychological manipulation to its fullest extent in order to get the greatest possible result. For example, having slow music playing throughout the store slows down customer walking paces and thinking processes, which allows for more browsing, and therefore, more purchases. Stores also try to invoke positive feelings of satisfaction in customers. When the brain knows it will be getting a good deal, products seem more desirable, and are more frequently purchased. “Marketing professor Peter Darke of York University in Toronto carried out a study in which volunteers were given $10 and asked to make a purchase at a university store. Some of them got to keep the change, while others had to give it back to the researchers. Unsurprisingly, those who got to keep the change were happier with the better deal they got” (Live Science). This study is an example of how the brain responds to emotions in spending. When these customers could keep the change, they thought they were getting a great deal compared to the ones who could not keep it.

But deals don’t always leave people thrilled and unharmed. As I previously stated,black-friday-shopping-survival many people do get injured on these days. Jdimytai Damour was a victim to the blood of Black Friday in 2008. He was trampled before sunrise on Black Friday Friday by rampaging shoppers running into a Wal-Mart store where he was working as a maintenance man for the holidays (New York Times). A man simply was doing his job, and got killed by angry shoppers fighting to make sure they got the deals that were important to them. Many more incidents like this are happening each and every year by careless and rambunxious people. During Black Friday events in 2014, a fight break out at a Walmart store over a Barbie doll. Two women competed in a “pushing and shoving match” over the last doll available.  One female allegedly threw a punch, which lead to a large fight in which the police needed to be called (Syracuse News). Thinking in a rational mind, this never would have happened. However on this day, people fall back into their primal states.

Here is a raw video of shoppers being trampled at a Target store on a Black Friday event:

Overall, Black Friday is a shopping day that can have very positive results for all parties involved; people can purchase gifts for very reasonable prices for the holiday season, and stores can make large sums of money. People love the thrill of a good deal, and therefore, are very likely to participate in this day each year. However, good intentions may very well go wrong, and it is important to remember to be safe in times of panic and distress. Black Friday is a holiday to some, and should not have to be remembered as a day that many will mourn. Black Friday is by far the most popular shopping day of the year, and also seems the most exciting. Black Friday needs to be a day that people stick to their values, be cautious of others, and most importantly, have fun and purchase great deals!

 

Sources:

http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/news/2012/nov/07/busiest-shopping-day-holidays-black-friday-again-a/

http://www.breakingnews.com/topic/black-friday/

http://blogs.reuters.com/great-debate/2014/11/23/the-scientific-explanation-of-why-people-kill-each-other-over-tvs-on-black-friday/

https://lsestockholm.wordpress.com/2014/12/01/wondering-what-black-friday-and-cyber-monday-are-all-about/

http://www.livescience.com/10290-black-friday-psychology-mad-deals.html

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/30/nyregion/30walmart.html?_r=1&

http://www.syracuse.com/news/index.ssf/2014/11/black_friday_2014_fights_walmart_barbie_mall_arrests_tesco_uk.html

How Often Should You Wash Your Hair?

My Mother has always told me to wash my hair every 3 or 4 days in order to keep it healthy, and that has been my normal routine ever since I was a little girl. Sometimes I will bring that up to my friends, who will comment on how disgusting that routine is. I have been told by many people that I need to wash my hair everyday, because otherwise it is gross and unsanitary. After interviewing 10 college girls on this situation, I have found extremely mixed answers on how frequent hair should be washed. This leads me to believe that people are not educated how often they should wash their hair, and what is acceptable. So what is the truth, how often do we really need to wash our hair in order to keep it the healthiest?

Unhealthy hair has many causes. Many people take care of their hair poorly, and do not even realize the consequences of their actions in the present moment. According to the article, 8 Ways You’re Damaging Your Hairpeople damage their hair by: bleaching, perms, color, heat (straight irons and curling irons), ponytails, over-brushing, over-shampooing, and extensions. This video demonstrates one of the 8 ways, and how a curling iron can be of much harm.

The process that most people follow in personal hair-washing care is first using shampoo, followed by a conditioner treatment. It may seem like a simple, painless routine that most people do not think about in the moment, but many do not realize the products that they are actually putting in their hair. To start off, shampoo is a product designed to clean and maintain hair healthiness. It helps remove dirt and soil, and then conditions the hair. The cleaning and lathering process is usually achieved from two distinct types of ingredients; surfactants and conditioning agents (How do Shampoos Work?). Surfactants are the main source of how hair is cleansed. These compounds make up a final detergent of a solution product, which in this scenario, is the shampoo itself. Surfactants function by breaking down the interface between water, oils, and dirt  (The Essential Chemical Industry). Conditioning agents are the second type of ingredient used in shampoo. They normally include silicones and fatty alcohols in their makeup. Silicones are well known for their lubricious properties that help lather hair, making it easier to detangle (How do Shampoos Work?).

Looking at shampoo ingredients, one may think that they are great for the health of hair, and should be used in large and plentiful amounts. However, research does not agree with that. Angela Lamb, an assistant professor of dermatology at the washing-hairIcahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City says, “Shampoo traps oils, so if you shampoo too frequently, you may dry your hair out, leaving it prone to breakage. Hair produces a natural oil called sebum, and shampoo rinses that out” (WebMD). Hair naturally contains many natural oils which are needed in order to have healthy hair. Using too much shampoo can ultimately damage hair, which is opposite from the result intended. In addition to using too much product, washing hair too frequently can lessen the production of these oils, and therefore, kill hair follicles.

Over-shampooing is the most common way to damage hair, and most people do not realize they are doing so. “The less vigorous you are in washing your hair, the less damage you’ll do to the cuticle,” says Paradi Mirmirani, a staff dermatologist at the Permanente Medical Group in Vallejo, Calif (8 Ways You’re Damaging Your Hair). Overall, it is important to find a washing style that not only can be worked into your routine, but will also keep your hair healthy. Some products, like scalp brushes, have been developed in order to help aid people in finding a balance of pressure. After applying shampoo to the hair, the brush can be used to help work the foamy formula through hair strands. These brushes are developed to focus especially on the grease-prone areas of the scalp (Marie Claire). By getting into these deep areas, healthy hair growth is being promoted.

Conditioner is the second half to personal hair management. This product contains 5 main ingredients that are beneficial for healthy hair-care: cationic surfactants and polymers, oils, humectants, silicones, and proteins. Cationic surfactants and polymers are compounds that stick to the surface of the hair. Essentially, sticking to the surface provides a layer of lubrication that helps detangle the hair, and allow for softness. Oils are also in the lubrication coating. Their slippery nature helps conceal the moisture in the strands themselves, and can provide a shiny look. Not only are they extremely healthy for hair, but they can provide protection from damage. Humectants attract water to hair. This acts in the prevention of loss of previous natural moistures. Silicones coat the hair in a thin, glossy film which is slippery and, and also helps protect against damage from things such as heat exposure. Finally, conditioners contain proteins. These help coat the hair, and repair it if necessary from damages (What’s in Conditioner?).

There are many benefits to conditioner that many people do not realize; shampoo only cleanses hair, while a conditioner provides compounds, which protect and beautify the hair.  It is imperative to use both products in order to provide for the best possible outcome and look. Conditioners bring out the healthy parts of the hair shaft, which can provide visible benefits such as shine and hold. Protecting the hair root and maintaining healthiness is extremely important to react to the shampoo, which takes out the natural oils in its process (What is a Conditioner?). In addition, conditioner calms down hair, and acts in preventing it from becoming frizzy. This makes it easier to style, as well as to manage.

healthy-hairHow do people learn how long they should go without doing a shampoo and conditioning process? Overall, experts agree that “only a small group of people need to shampoo daily, those with very fine hair, people who exercises a lot (and sweat), and people who live in a very humid place. The thicker the hair someone may have and the less natural oil they produce, the less they need to shampoo.” For the average person, every other day, or every 2 to 3 days, without washing is generally fine. “If it’s day five and your style is falling apart, wash it. Otherwise, do something fun to change it up. Part your hair in a different place, go for a side braid, go for a bun. Use dry shampoo. If you can camouflage, great, and often you get the most compliments when you do something different” (WebMD). What is most important to realize is that there is no definitive answer to this question, as shown by research so far, but it is important to experiment with your hair specifically in order to showcase your healthiest look possible.

 

Sources:

http://www.thefactsabout.co.uk/how-do-shampoos-work/content/107

http://www.essentialchemicalindustry.org/materials-and-applications/surfactants.html

http://www.webmd.com/beauty/shampoo/how-often-wash-hair

http://www.webmd.com/beauty/hair-repair/8-ways-youre-damaging-your-hair

http://www.schwarzkopf.international/sk/en/home/hair_care/protecting_pampering/care_products/what-is-a-conditioner.html

http://www.labmuffin.com/2013/01/whats-in-hair-conditioner-and-how-does-it-work/

http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a15506/scalp-brush-benefits/

http://www.marieclaire.com/beauty/news/a15506/scalp-brush-benefits/

The Psychology of Financial Incentives in Sports

Imagine an athlete has been running track and field his entire life. They have spent many hard hours training and preparing, just to compete on the biggest stage in the world: the Olympic games. Finally, the time has come. The athlete has been selected to run for his country in the Olympic games! He walks up to the starting line, with one goal in mind: to win the gold. To feel what it is like to be a champion, but then he hears whispers from his competitors, saying that they are only running because they will be paid if they win. They win the race. Someone who was getting paid to beat him crushed all the aspirations that he had dreamed of his entire life in the blink of an eye. Is that fair, and is the psychology behind the incentives justified? track-race-finish-line

Olympic athletes are not only motivated by winning, but by the five and six figure incentives that they could possibly gain from winning a medal. Psychological manipulations are taking place from organizations to athletes unlike ever before in history. Instead of playing for the thrill and excitement, players have been competing since the middle of the 20th century just to earn extra bonuses and rewards (Avgerinou). Where did the love of simply dribbling a basketball, or swinging a baseball bat disappear to?

Incentives, they’re everywhere. Incentive pay can be defined as “a monetary gift provided to an employee or player based on performance, which is thought of as one way to entice the them to continue or begin to further deliver positive results” (Business Dictionary). These growing acts of incentives have been a big problem, especially in athletic organizations. Since the 1950’s, there have been many traces of sports economics in athletics. Incentives were quickly being added to players of value, and were an attempt to show that contracts of players should be based on the value of individual performance, rather than anything else (Avgerinou). However, this expanded into sports markets being based upon how much money a player could earn on a team, rather than loving the team they were playing for, or enjoying their time whatsoever. Money was ingrained into the mind of athletes as the ultimate prize, and they would do anything they could do in their power to earn more of it.

There are many reasons why human beings do certain things. The brain is motivated by many external and internal factors, which leads to the Incentive Theory of Motivation. This theory states that human behavior may be determined by forces that propel us to do something we otherwise would not (Psychology Today). Relating to athletics, many athletes may put themselves in situations of danger, if it mean they could land a large sum of money for making a play. “In 2007, Ravens DE Terrell Suggs needed one sack to earn an incentive payment. He got the sack, and earned $5.5 million. From a psychological standpoint, many wonder how that impacted the way Suggs played that game. Was he willing to take wild chances just to increase his chances of sacking the QB?” (Individual NFL Player Incentives).

Psychology-of-incentivesIf someone is making a lot of money, why do they want more? Why do they need more? People always want money, and that is something that will never change in the growing world that we live in. Many researchers have compared having high amounts of money to higher levels of happiness, which leads to the thought, can money really buy more happiness?

The answer is that yes, it just depends on what the money is being spent on and used towards. “In a study, 16 employees were asked about their happiness levels before and after receiving their annual bonus. No matter what the size of the actual bonus realistically was, employees who spent more of their bonus money on others or charity reported greater general happiness levels than those who spent more of it on themselves” (PBS) . According to US News, there are also other factors on how money can buy happiness. They state that buying experiences, having possession of specific high-end brands, and making special purchases, can also boost happiness levels (US News) . Having large amounts of money in a person’s power may make them happier, but the everlasting feelings and effects depend on how they choose to spend it. Spend wisely, and have a great result, and gain feelings of happiness and satisfaction. In the sports industry, players are eager to earn money, and will go by whatever measures necessary to obtain it.

Tying together the ideas of financial incentives in athletics and happiness, it is important to examine what makes financial incentives so prominent in athletics, and why they exist. Athletes in the 21st century are prone to accepting larger contracts with financial incentives, because sports have also turned into a large business industry. By accepting greater contracts with winning programs, players have a better chance of making the playoffs. Thus, higher performance and making the playoffs means a player can earn more money. Financial incentives are often offered to teams as a whole, but are also offered to specific players who are able to complete certain tasks. When a team makes the playoffs, for each game they play in, they earn more money. In the National Basketball Association (NBA), winning each round gains the team more money. Each season, there is $12 million dollars that is distributed to teams during the playoffs, with the final winner taking home more than $2 million (NBA Championship Economics and The $600 Million Lakers). Therefore, not only does the championship team gain glory from winning the championship, but their happiness also grows when their wallet fills.

The innocence and morality of sports has been altered forever in sports because of financial incentives placed on athletes. The passion and drive behind playing the game is not the same as it was over fifty years ago. Now, instead of playing for the love of the game, players are driven by money and other rewards. Incentives have manipulated the minds of players, and have caused a shift in the direction of athletics. Players are being psychologically driven by these incentives, and unless rules are put into place, the downward spiral will only continue to get worse. Money may lead to happiness, but athletes may have to suffer important values and other forms of happiness to obtain it. Is it worth it?

 

Sources:

Click to access 1.pdf

http://www.businessdictionary.com/definition/incentive-pay.html

http://www.pbs.org/thisemotionallife/blogs/can-money-really-buy-happiness

http://madamenoire.com/101895/

http://money.usnews.com/money/personal-finance/articles/2015/02/19/can-money-buy-us-happiness?page=2

https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/fulfillment-any-age/201110/motivation-the-why-s-behavior

http://www.leanblog.org/2011/01/individual-nfl-player-incentives-why-are-they-necessary-do-they-distort-the-game/

Chocolate is HEALTHY?!

There is nothing in this world as great as chocolate. I challenge you to try to think of something that makes you happier or is tastier, but that is impossible. Not only is chocolate amazing, but dark chocolate specifically is the best kind. With its rich nature, it can be paired with an abundance of foods and be enjoyable at the same time. The fantastic thing about dark chocolate is that there are actually health benefits to eating it! The only restriction: like anything else, too much is no good for anyone.a3983a336b12ab76_5163212763_5814526f01_b.preview

To start off, dark chocolate contains many antioxidants! Antioxidants play a crucial role in your overall health, and are imperative in all diets. “They are natural compounds that help neutralize free radicals in our bodies. Free radicals are substances that occur naturally in our bodies but attack the fats, protein and the DNA in our cells, which can cause different types of diseases and accelerate the aging process” (News Wise). Just 1 oz of some dark chocolates have more than twice the healthy antioxidants punch of red wine, as well as different types of fruits and vegetables! It is important to look for the types that have less sugars, because those decrease the purpose.

All of us ladies have those dreaded few days of the month where we want to just crawl into bed, watch Netflix, and eat our feelings away. And to all of those gentlemen out there that don’t have to experience having your menstrual cycle, you are very lucky that you do not have to endure cramps. Good news is, having our period is an excuse for us girls to be able to snack on some dark chocolate, and have a double pleasing effect! Not only is it tasty and delicious, but it can actually help ease our cramps. “A square of dark chocolate stimulates secretions of serotonin — which gives you a good feeling. The irritation, anxiety and mood swings you may be experiencing are mellowed away as the chocolate hits your system” (She Knows). To summarize, dark chocolate makes us feel better, even in our most painful times.

In a world where the average person is more obese than ever before, it is important to know the benefits and consequences of everything we put into our body. One of the important things to watch out for are cholesterol levels. “Cholesterol is a waxy, fat-like substance that’s found in all cells of the body. People who have high cholesterol have a greater chance of getting heart disease” (National Heart, Blood, and Lung Institute). The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign did a study on how dark chocolate effects these levels, and found that dark chocolate lowered cholesterol and improved blood pressure (Best Health). Therefore, eating dark chocolate in small amounts can help improve your health.

weheartchocolate2If you aren’t convinced yet that dark chocolate is healthy, here is something that will: dark chocolate improves your skin! One thing that is very important to most people is their skin and appearance, and how they present themselves to others. “Researchers at Germany’s Heinrich Heine University exposed chocolate eaters to ultraviolet light and found that after six weeks, they had 15 percent less skin reddening than those who didn’t eat it” (Best Health). So, if by eating dark chocolate your skin was clearer, wouldn’t you eat it?!

Dark chocolate is loaded with health benefits and nutrients that can improve how you feel as a human being. With its high antioxidant levels, and pain relieving and cholesterol lowering benefits, it is the perfect snack to divulge in that is also delicious. The health benefits and tastes outweigh the cons any-day, and I encourage you to enter a world of no return; one filled with the delicious tastes of dark chocolate.

Sources:

https://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/antioxidants.html

http://newswise.com/articles/what-are-antioxidants-and-why-do-you-need-them

http://www.prevention.com/food/healthy-eating-tips/dark-chocolate-and-antioxidants-0

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Netflix

http://www.sheknows.com/health-and-wellness/articles/949183/6-simple-tips-for-an-easier-period

http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/hbc

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-eats/healthy-eating/7-reasons-why-chocolate-is-healthy?slide=3#exuLV8TdWHCO5Bi6.97

http://www.besthealthmag.ca/best-eats/healthy-eating/7-reasons-why-chocolate-is-healthy?slide=6#ZjW2T1scphcwqbMt.97

Social Media: A Phenomenon

Fifty years ago, uttering the words “iPhone”, “Facebook”, “Twitter” and “Instagram” on a hourly basis would have seemed silly, because those concepts were not yet even thought of. In fact, the first generation iPhone would not be released for 42 years, Mark Zuckerberg wouldn’t be born for another 19 years, Twitter would not come out for 41 more years, and Instragram not for another 45. As an avid social media junkie, I cannot imagine a world where I wake up and do not reach for my iPhone to scroll down my social media feeds, to make sure I did not miss anything of importance. Listening to a hand-held radio? Sounds like torture. Social media has transformed into a phenomenon that can be quoted as an addiction. The newest generations are even being introduced to it at younger ages, with more and more technology advancing everyday. However, this may not be a bad thing.social_media_strategy111

Chances are that you are hooked into the phenomenon as well. You most likely have seen, heard of, or even have accounts of many of these applications on the right. Good thing is, you’re not alone. Social media has become a psychological necessity in our minds, for good and for bad. Take a look at these mind-blowing statistics:

  1. 40 million photos are uploaded to Instagram per day
  2. 1 in 10 young people rejected for a job because of their social profile
  3. There are 751 million monthly active Facebook mobile products users                                        (CMS Wire)

So here is the question: why? Why do we love social media as much as we do? Well, “what drives us to use social media in the way we use it has less to do with social media platforms and more to do with psychology.” (CMS Wire) Could it be true that our brains are manipulating the true purpose of social media? Maybe. Let’s take a moment to examine some of the psychological factors behind our internet addictions.

Screen Shot 2015-09-16 at 2.50.44 PMHuman nature is driven by fear; there are millions of different fears that consume the brains of human beings. One of those fears is missing out. Whether it be on a news event, or a funny tweet, people enjoy the thrill of always being involved and knowing what is going on. For example, we have been brought up knowing that we should not text and drive. But most teenagers cannot resist that urge, especially at stop lights, because we have a need to scroll down our various social medias to ensure we are not missing anything of importance. Like most human beings, you are going to notice when you are excluded. And chances are, you’re not going to like that feeling like you do not belong.

Having a high self-esteem is important in order to promote self-worth. A study was done by the University of Pittsburgh and the Columbia Business School to determine how social media can impact these traits. They found that users who use social media to focus on their close friends usually experience an increase in self-esteem when and after browsing social networks (The Social U). Personally, I am caught in the trap of wanting to feel better about myself, especially in times where I am not feeling my emotional best. Social media allows me to get lost in the internet world, where there are endless ways to cheer me up.

Walking across campus, you will usually see fellow students and State College members scrolling through their smartphones, engaged in the online world. While yes this may come across as anti-social, promoting self-happiness is more common than walking aimlessly and flashing smile at everyone you pass. Social media has become an addiction in our culture, a phenomenon that will only continue to advance from the result of new technologies and developments. Over the past decade, social media has transformed into something no one could have ever predicted. They are not just applications, but they are ways of going about everyday life. “Social media has emerged as the new paradigm for connecting to information, people, and ideas” (SAGE Journals). Think back to what I started my blog of by stating how fifty years ago, uttering the words “iPhone”, “Facebook”, “Twitter” and “Instagram” on a hourly basis would have seemed silly, because those concepts were not yet even thought of. Think about how much not only social media has changed our world, but has personally changed you.

 

Sources:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mark_Zuckerberg

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IPhone

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Instagram

http://www.cmswire.com/cms/customer-experience/why-social-media-is-so-addictive-and-why-marketers-should-care-022276.php

https://www.bulldogreporter.com/social-psychology-social-media-may-inflate-self-esteem-and-reduce-self-control-new-/

http://thesocialu101.com/the-relationship-between-social-media-and-self-worth/

http://sms.sagepub.com/content/1/1/2056305115580148.full.pdf+html

 

Chewing Gum in Class

I’m sure you remember walking into a classroom and seeing a sign in large letters say “NO GUM IN CLASS!” because for one reason or another, your teacher did not want students chewing gum. Whether it was for the reason being that students would stick it underneath their desks when they were finished, or because it was distracting to others, gum was never allowed. However in a college environment, students can freely chew gum and not be worried about getting a detention when caught or being asked to spit it out embarrassingly in front of the entire class.art.gum.chewing.girl.gi

Gum is great! Not only are there an abundance of flavors to attend to everyone’s taste buds, but each stick has zero, or a few if any, calories! Chewing gum is a way for me not to overeat as well, because I will chew it before meals and it helps me figure out if I am hungry, or if my mouth was just dry. Like most students, I enjoy chewing gum in class, and feel that a gum ban in classrooms is detrimental to learning.

In 2009, a study was conducted on the effects on chewing gum and its correlation to academic performance. “Researchers at the Baylor College of Medicine took 108 eighth-grade math students from a Houston, Texas, school and divided them into two groups, following them for 14 weeks. One group chewed gum while doing homework and during test-taking situations. The other group did not chew gum at all” (CNN). The study concluded results in favor of gum chewing! “The gum-chewing students had a 3 percent increase in their standardized math test scores compared with those who did not chew gum. Also, the students who chewed gum had better final grades compared with the non-chompers” (CNN).

7263Isn’t it ironic how teachers continue to go against chewing gum in classrooms in the year 2015, 6 years after this conclusive study was done? As a student and avid learner, it frustrates me that educators would not promote chewing gum, as research has proven that it can help excel in the classroom. Considering that gum has been proven to reduce stress, one can also agree that chewing gum in the classroom can also reduce anxieties that go along with learning, and therefore can increase social performance in the classroom. Teachers in the past have explicitly told me that participation during class will increase my grade, however that does not reduce the anxiety I have to participate. Weighing the pros and cons, I sometimes choose to not participate because my anxiety is too high. Recently having started to chew gum more in the classroom, I have been able to actively pay more attention, and therefore not feel as nervous to participate, because I know what i am talking about.

My hope for the future is that all teachers require students to chew gum in classrooms. Because gum stimulates the brain, it will allow students to excel, and therefore feel more comfortable in their respective classes. Even though school janitors and faculty may be against this idea at first, it is important to remember that students act in ways of rebellion because it makes them excited to accomplish tasks they are forbidden to do. When allowed to chew gum freely, students will respect property more, as well as make great strides academically. Who knew something as cheap as $1 could make you smarter in an instant?

 

Sources:

http://www.webmd.com/parenting/news/20090423/math-plus-chewing-gum-equals-better-grades

http://www.cnn.com/2009/HEALTH/04/22/chewing.gum.benefits/

http://www.childmind.org/en/posts/articles/2015-4-13-anxiety-classroom

Influences of a College Decision

Ever since I was a child, I have always dreamed of attending THE Pennsylvania State University. Not only because I knew it was a school close enough to home where I could have true college experience and because I would have an amazing 4 years, but because my Mom went there. My Mom is my role model, and I have always wanted to follow in her footsteps. f4b3c3c3165a1eee93aa341565e1fdaf

At the end of my junior year of high school my guidance counselor asked me, “what if you don’t get into Penn State?” I couldn’t give her an answer. I truly did not know how I would come to a decision if that was the case. That summer, I went from school to school, trying to not have a bias when I sat in numerous admissions offices. That September I could not make up my mind about my backup options, so I ended up submitting 12 college applications.

I know that last year while waiting for my acceptance letters to come in, I spent much of my spare time on the U.S. News Best Colleges Rankings and College Confidential websites, reading rankings and opinions from others trying to see which school “was the best”. If I did not get into Penn State, my mind was set on attending the best academic school that I got into. A few years prior in 2012, the University of California at Los Angeles conducted a study on influences that first-year students face on choosing which college to attend. They found many reasons that ones choose for attending a school, some of the top reason’s being:

1. The college has very good academic reputation (63.8 percent)

2. Their college graduates get good jobs (55.9 percent)

3. They were offered financial assistance (45.6 percent)

4. The cost of attending this college was fitting (43.3 percent)

5. A visit to this campus made them satisfied (41.8 percent)

6. The college has a good reputation for social activities (40.2 percent)

(Freshmen Students Say Rankings Aren’t Key Factor in College Choice)

Ironically, Penn State was the last school I heard back from, and my initial deposit was in seconds after I got my congratulations message. Recently after being here and absolutely loving my college experience, I sometimes wonder where I would’ve ended up spending my four college years if Penn State did not accept me. Would I have decided based on rankings? reputation? fun? sporting events? academics? How does the process of decision making really work?

Decision-making is not as easy of a task as people may think it is. Daily decisions, like choosing which way to walk to class, where to sit, and when to go to the bathroom seem like easy tasks- until we look back on them and ask ourselves, “why did I do that?” Neuroscientists have questioned why we decide and act the way that we do, and now with research, they have figured out some of the answers. According to Jan Glascher, the lead author of a study at the California Institute of Technology, “Cognitive control and value-based decision-making tasks appear to depend on different brain regions work within the prefrontal cortex.” (Making Choices: How Your Brain Decides). This shows that depending how you look at a situation influences how you make your decision, and how your brain is functioning at that given moment. According to the same article, if you are depressed, it might be harder for you to make an as valued decision contrary to being in a non-depressed state. Therefore, when making a decision, it is important to have a rational mind and healthy functioning brain.

After reviewing this study, as a teenager, I gave our generation “a pat on the back”. Job well done guys! I truly thought that the top reason for choosing a school overall would have been for its social reputation. UCLA listed that at number six on their list, and the factors that students chose over that make me proud. 63.8% of people are choosing a school based on its academic reputation, which infers that students want to “seem smart” when going off to college, and to do well. Proudly, I am attending the #47 ranked (tied with Lehigh University, Northeastern University, and the University of Florida ) school in the country! My college decision was based off of personal experiences, academic standing, and happiness. Because I was happy about my options, my brain allowed me to make a rational and valued decision about where I wanted to further my education. What was your decision based on?

Sources:

http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/college-rankings-blog/2013/01/31/freshmen-students-say-rankings-arent-key-factor-in-college-choice

http://www.heri.ucla.edu/pr-display.php?prQry=111

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/page+5

http://healthland.time.com/2012/09/04/making-choices-how-your-brain-decides/

Does Music Really Help You Study?

Right now if you are scrolling down this blog looking for inspiration to write your own blog, you are probably listening to music. If you are reading this for fun, you’re probably listening to music too. Good thing is, you’re not alone. In fact, most students listen to music when doing homework, studying, testing, or simply scrolling.

When I was younger, I always enjoyed plugging my headphones into my iPod while I was doing homework to make it more enjoyable. It was a way for me to be able to knock off a hard task with ease, because music was something that made me happy. Recently, there has been much controversy of the subject of listening to music while doing your homework, and if it actually can help you complete the task to proficiency, or simply just distract you. studying.jpeg-824x549

A study was conducted at the University of Wales to look at how music affected students’ ability to recall items in order on a test. “Participants were 25 undergraduates from the ages between 18 and 30. Given that the study relied upon musical preferences, only ones who disliked thrash metal were able to participate.” (Perham and Vizard). Tests were given in five different scenarios, and researchers expected that there would be differences between the quiet environments and the ones blasting music.

The results that they found were surprising, because there was no true answer to their test! The data between each person was extremely varied, implying that it truly does depend on the person and the type of music they are choosing to listen to. If someone enjoys Demi Lovato and puts her music on in the background while completing an assignment, it may help them. If someone does not enjoy Demi Lovato and puts her music on in the background while completing an assignment, it may not help them. It all depends on who the person is and their level of focus beyond distractions. What we do know, is that music has an effect on our state or being: positive or negative.

“Imagine trying to learn something while you’re on a roller coaster,” said Clifford Nass, a professor at Stanford University. “If you’re feeling agitated, you can listen to more calming music, and that will absolutely have a positive effect.” (Alvarez Perspective) Overall, music can help some people accomplish getting their work done, but it can also distract them too. Find what works for you, and take that seriously. You never know, putting on Mozart in the background of studying for your next test may be the difference between getting an A or a B. If you’re like me and know music does help you while you work, put this video on in the background, and you will complete your assignment before you know it.

Sources:

http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/acp.1731/full

https://alvarezperspective.wordpress.com/2015/02/24/music-while-studying-usa-today/

Nancy’s Initial Blog Post!

Hey everyone!

My name is Nancy Berman and I’m from Wayne, New Jersey! You probably don’t know where that is, but it’s about 20 minutes outside of New York City, also known as the greatest city on this planet! I’m a huge sports fan, and am extremely excited for the college football season to start.  I’ve also played soccer and softball since I was little! At Penn State, I’m enrolled in the College of Communications as a Public Relations major, and one day, hope to work in the sports industry!

Not going to lie, but I’m not a big science person. However, I do enjoy critical thinking, and that’s why I’m taking this course. My friends that took this course last year told me that it would be a science class that I would actually enjoy, and I wouldn’t dread going to class. So far, I’m really enjoying it! Also, because I am not a big science fan, it would only make sense that I am not a science major. It is not something that I enjoy doing for fun, and is also something that I am not very good at. Therefore, I don’t want to make my career out of it!

I just got a new puppy! His name is Bailey, and here’s a picture of him!

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