Who Knew!: Neuroscience and Mindfulness take on Stress in the Real World, and WIN!

by Andra Smith

231 pages, Paperback

Published December 22, 2023

About the author

Andra Smith has been a professor in the School of Psychology at the University of Ottawa for 20 years. She received her BSc and MSc from Carleton University and her PhD in Neuroscience from the University of British Columbia. Her main focus for research is using brain imaging (fMRI) to understand executive dysfunction in many vulnerable populations. She has studied cancer patients, cannabis use in youth, Multiple Sclerosis, effects of oral contraceptives on the developing brain, concussion, cardiac arrest, childhood sexual abuse, and several others. The highlight of her research has been studying the neurophysiological impact of mindfulness and providing empirical evidence that it works and how. Andra has received various awards for her teaching and her supervision of graduate students. She wrote her first book about the course, Neuroscience of Mindfulness: Neurons to Wellness, she taught to 4th year university students. This resulted from her passion to provide everyone with tools to manage the stressors that we face in our everyday lives. Understanding our brain can help. Mindfulness can too.

Reviews

[Elina · Rating 5 out of 5]

“No matter what we have gone through or how we have reached this moment, we get to choose how we are in the world.”

In her new book, neuroscientist Dr. Smith shares how mindfulness can be a valuable tool for all of us. She offers a profound, yet simple, approach to life, including how to better manage stress, that can be used every day by applying mindfulness to train our brains to focus on how we respond and relate to everything around us.

Exercises include paying attention to every sensation when performing mundane, routine tasks, thereby converting them into valuable connections with nature, our bodies, ourselves; taking stock of our gratitude for things we’d otherwise overlook or take for granted; addressing oneself with gentleness and compassion when otherwise we would tend to harshly self-critique.

Valuable tools that can be practiced daily to enhance quality of life, decrease stress, and improve interpersonal connections. Who Knew! A book to be read and shared with loved ones.