Outsmart Yourself: Brain-Based Strategies to a Better You

Overview

Change your bad habits by changing your mind. What if you aren’t as in control of your actions as you think? This course explores how your brain influences your decisions and offers strategies to “hack” your brain for better performance, healthier living, and breaking bad habits. With insights from neuroscientists, you’ll discover counterintuitive strategies that can help you live better every day.

Feeling the urge to procrastinate? Do nothing for 20 minutes, and you’ll feel ready to work. Want to enhance your athletic performance? Mental practice can be just as effective as physical training. Struggling with low mood? Fermented foods like yogurt may help.

Taught by Professor Peter M. Vishton, Associate Professor of Psychology at William & Mary, this course features 24 engaging lectures filled with practical strategies to strengthen creativity, improve problem-solving, enhance health, and boost overall well-being.

Video Lessons

01: Take Control of Your Automatic Brain

• Duration: 34 min

• Description: Examine the disconnect between our actions and our consciousness, and explore surprising conclusions about behavior and decision-making.

02: Beat Procrastination by Doing Nothing

• Duration: 30 min

• Description: Discover evidence-based strategies to reduce procrastination and understand the neurochemistry behind it.

03: Train Yourself like a Dog

• Duration: 32 min

• Description: Learn tips to modify your behaviors and habits, from simple tracking to behavioral psychology techniques.

04: Clean Your Kitchen, Improve Your Diet

• Duration: 29 min

• Description: Explore how neuroscience can inform healthy eating habits and curb unhealthy snacking.

05: Eat Slow, Eat Small, Eat Smart

• Duration: 28 min

• Description: Understand hunger cues and the impact of different foods on your body and health.

06: The Myth of Multitasking

• Duration: 31 min

• Description: Learn why focusing on one task at a time (monotasking) is more efficient and creative than multitasking.

07: Future You and Better Decisions

• Duration: 32 min

• Description: Explore the negotiation between your present and future self, and how to make better decisions.

08: How to Become an Expert on Anything

• Duration: 31 min

• Description: Discover strategies for practice and persistence to develop expertise in any skill.

09: Tune Up Your Brain with Meditation

• Duration: 31 min

• Description: Learn about the benefits of meditation and its effects on brain function.

10: Take the Sleep Challenge

• Duration: 30 min

• Description: Explore the importance of sleep for focus, creativity, and productivity.

11: Boost Insights and Creativity

• Duration: 32 min

• Description: Implement strategies to enhance creativity and problem-solving skills.

12: Enhance Performance with Imagery

• Duration: 31 min

• Description: Learn how mental training can improve physical performance through visualization techniques.

13: Overcome Your Aging Brain

• Duration: 31 min

• Description: Understand the aging brain and discover ways to mitigate cognitive decline.

14: Grow Your Brain Out of Depression

• Duration: 33 min

• Description: Explore methods to combat mild depression and improve mental health.

15: Hack Your Brain to Unlearn Fear

• Duration: 33 min

• Description: Learn how to overcome irrational fears and phobias through understanding and techniques.

16: Use Your Body to Alter Your Mind

• Duration: 33 min

• Description: Discover the connection between physical activity and mental well-being.

17: Suppress – Don’t Repress – Anger

• Duration: 31 min

• Description: Understand the mechanisms behind anger and how to manage it effectively.

18: How Little Things Cause Big Persuasion

• Duration: 31 min

• Description: Explore subtle methods of persuasion and how to recognize them.

19: How Framing Changes Decisions

• Duration: 31 min

• Description: Learn about techniques in sales and persuasion that influence decision-making.

20: How Language Changes Your Brain

• Duration: 32 min

• Description: Discover how language influences behavior and mental well-being.

21: How Your Brain Falls in Love

• Duration: 31 min

• Description: Explore the neuroscience behind love and attraction.

22: The Neuroscience of Lasting Love

• Duration: 33 min

• Description: Examine the emotional commitment of love and the brain systems involved.

23: How Your Brain Creates Happiness

• Duration: 33 min

• Description: Investigate the factors that contribute to happiness beyond material wealth.

24: Happy Brains Are Smart Brains

• Duration: 35 min

• Description: Learn tips for achieving happiness and making it a habit.