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.
Vitamin D and the Immune System
Did you get enough sun this summer? Worried about your Vitamin D levels now that vacations are over, school’s starting, and you’re indoors more?
Why the Beach Makes Us Happy
Summer is winding down, but the beach makes us happy all year round. Barry Yeoman included some of my beach-related research in his article for Coastal Living Magazine in 2013, and I recently reread and enjoyed his lovely and informative article on Why the Beach Makes Us Happy.
Neuroscientist Barbie
If there’s a Barbie Neuroscientist, then she’s likely an expert on play! Real neuroscience tells us that Barbie dolls are great tools to develop empathy and social skills, but aren’t necessarily providing specific career and life choice instructions for us.
Bald Barbie and Why Representation Matters in Play
For generations, Barbie has been a tool and toy for self discovery. As she has diversified her look, she’s provided millions of children the opportunity to develop empathy and compassion for themselves and for others who may look different.
Vacation Indulgences
Sometimes the indulgences of vacation can cause more troubles than they solve… and end up ruining the stress relief you were seeking on your getaway. Here are a few strategies to have more fun and come home from vacation happier than when you left!
The Value of Vacation Planning
Vacations are supposed to be an outlet to reduce stress… so how do we make sure they don’t cause more stress! Good planning is essential to the success of a vacation. Here are a few ideas to tweak vacation planning efforts for the best experience possible.
Shark attacks and the stress of summer vacations
Sometimes stress is a good thing. Perhaps stressing out about sharks might actually help you enjoy your vacation even more…
Take care of you first
Today I am reminding you that you are worth taking care of. You matter. You are important. Stress management is like first aid or the oxygen masks on an airplane. Take care of yourself first. You cannot best help others before you help yourself.
Blue Mind
As the summer heats up, I’m rereading some of my own research as it connects with water. Dr. J Nichols referred to my research several times in his book: Blue Mind: The Surprising science that shows how being near, in, on, or under water can make you happier, healthier, more connected, and better at what you do. I highly recommend it for your summer reading!
Dad Brain
In celebration of Father’s Day I’m reviewing some of the top ways that father’s brains are altered and shaped by the experience of having children.
Summer vacation stress management
In this video clip I talked about the role of planning your vacation, balancing your indulgences, and a few communication strategies for low-stress travel.
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.
The Stress Relief of Cuteness
Cute images, like baby animals, can actually reduce stress, improve memory and foster a sense of kama muta. So even while there are plenty of stresses brought on by the changing season, the cuteness factor of spring might actually offer us some stress relief!
Daylight Saving and Sleep Awareness
This coming week, following the start of Daylight Saving Time, more than any other in the year, highlights how dangerous it is to lose sleep.
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?
Brain Awareness Week
Brain Awareness Week is an international campaign to raise public awareness of the benefits and breakthroughs in brain research. Beyond the focused week, resources are available year-round to help you engage the brain whenever it suits best!
Rare Disease Day: Our journey with alopecia
Rare diseases are, well, rare. But with over 7,000 of them affecting over 300 million people globally, chances are good that you know someone with a rare disease. If you don’t yet, meet my daughter Gwen, who has alopecia universalis.
Spending Money as Stress Relief?
Why does spending money feel so good? Is there science behind “retail therapy”?
TV as stress relief?
Television is a great hobby. And it can even relieve some stress. But what happens when reducing stress from one thing causes stress in another part of your life? What happens when relaxing by watching tv (or TikToks, or social media, or playing video games) starts to cause problems?
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.