Seasonal Stress Management Blog
Hi! I’m Dr. Franssen. Or maybe you should call me Catherine, because in my blogs, you’ll get to know me a bit better.
Anyone who’s ever been cornered by me at a cocktail party can attest to the fact that I am utterly fascinated with the science behind stress, seasons, parenting, productivity, and pretty much everything that makes life interesting. In this blog I answer questions, reflect on personal and professional challenges, and share insights from my expertise. In short, this is neuroscience for everyday life.
If I haven’t written about something you care about yet, please reach out! I love answering questions.
Gratitude Inception
I’m so grateful to find my lessons and published words reposted and blogged by strangers (attributed, of course). Especially when gratitude is being spread to improve minds and lives.
How to make your own luck
When we say that someone is lucky, we tend to think that their success or failure is brought by chance rather than through their personal actions, but luck is actually more psychological than it is anything else. It’s related to how we view the world, our personality and how our brain is wired.
Does Luck Exist?
The exploration of the science of luck takes us on a journey from leprechaun socks to the neuroscience of pleasure. Is it possible to make our own luck?
The Senses of Communication
Whether good or bad, there’s something different about meeting someone IRL versus digitally. It turns out that our senses work together to allow us to connect with others and collect information in ways we aren’t even conscious of.
Dark Chocolate Health Benefits
Between National Dark Chocolate Day and the Valentine candy displays, the temptation is real. Let’s indulge in a bit of science about the health benefits of chocolate, and then wrap up with a few thoughts on how to manage those chocolate cravings in a healthy way!
Holiday Party Prep: Stress Tips Flashback
Party prep means managing the stress of diving into awkward family interactions. Here’s a few holiday stress management tips to help you plan for the worst and hope for the best.
Protect Your Brain and Wallet While Holiday Shopping
Holiday Shopping: How retailers trick your brain into overspending during the holidays. Originally appeared in CNN Business Perspectives in November 2018.
Holiday Stress Tips
For this post, I’m flashing way back to 2011 when I gave what I’m pretty sure was my very first television interview ever! Rewatching it now, I'm actually impressed with the clear insights and concrete tips I was giving way back then! Take a few minutes to review my thoughts on reducing stress & enjoying the holiday season to the fullest. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6zzfMQ_fMSE
Gratitude for Holiday Stress
Today I’m sharing a video from a visit to my friends at Virginia this Morning on WTVR CBS-6 back in December 2017. This conversation took place the same month that my article on Scrooge was published on HuffPost, so you’ll notice that it’s referenced and the topics are similar, though one never knows where the questions will go!
Four Ways to Prevent Overspending This Holiday Season
This holiday shopping season is going to be tough. Here are 4 ways to keep from overspending. (Originally published in CNN Business Perspectives)
Black Friday and Neuromarketing
Planning to shop this week? Prepare your brain for the onslaught of influences coming at you.
Watch my interview “Neuromarketing and Black Friday” with my friends at Virginia This Morning on CBS-6, WTVR, from November 2019 to review some of your top questions in under 5 minutes.
Thanksgiving and Pumpkin Spice
As you create and consume your favorite holiday foods, I’m serving up a buffet of pumpkin spice for your entertainment!
The Pumpkin Spice Neuroscientist
Today’s blog is a reflection on my journey of sharing the science of everyday life, featuring my most asked for topic: pumpkin spice!