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our brains play a major role in regulating our muscle movement and strength. For example, a 2014 study authored by the executive director of the Ohio Musculoskeletal and Neurological Institute found that participants with one arm immobilized in a cast could avoid some loss of wrist strength simply by thinking through the process of flexing their wrist. Even with studies like this, the jury’s still out on whether mentally moving yourself through an exercise while you do it actually improves muscle recruitment on its own. So far, research is promising. Of course, as with all things that sound too good to be true, there’s a catch — thinking about working out is by no means a replacement for actually getting physical exercise. If you have to choose one over the other, you’ll get better results from doing physical activity over doing mental activity every time. But all is not lost. This practice of thinking about engaging the correct muscles as you go through an exercise is a fantastic way to create better form, which goes a long way toward better results. Actively focusing on the muscles you’re trying to engage can be the difference between a mediocre movement and a perfectly executed one. That means you’ll get the benefit you’re looking for much faster. By focusing on your form, you’re also less likely to rely on the wrong muscles, which can result in pain and injury.
The mind-muscle connection phenomenon is still mostly theoretical because the human brain is a mystery in so many ways. But there doesn’t seem to be much downside to engaging the mind-muscle connection, so we’re encouraging our patients to try it out and give “getting in the zone” a whole new meaning.
Snowed In for Christmas? It’s Board Game Time!
Oh, the weather outside is frightful, but the games are so delightful …”
Those might not be the exact lyrics from the famous Christmas carol, but it’s true that decks of cards and various board games get many families through the holiday season. You can only rewatch “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” so many times before the jokes grow stale. While new movie releases can be fun, many have been stalled this year because of the pandemic. Luckily, board games are still coming out on schedule. If you’re on the hunt for alternatives to Monopoly, Clue, and Scrabble, check out these fresh 2020 games, which all come recommended by the experts at Thrillist. 1. THE ALPHA: A NATURE LOVER’S DREAM GAME If your childhood dream was joining a wolf pack like Mowgli in “The Jungle Book,” this is the board game for you! The Alpha is a beautifully illustrated strategic game where players act as pack leaders and compete with other players to acquire territory and snag the best food. Gameplay is done in rounds that include four stages: stalk, chase, resolve, and advance. The game is rated for 3–6 players ages 10 and up.
2. HALF TRUTH: BRILLIANT MINDS MEET HERE If you’re a fan of Trivial Pursuit, you’ll love Half Truth. At its heart, it’s a trivia game, but it ups the stakes by giving players the opportunity to bet on how many correct answers they’ll get. Really though, there’s only one thing you need to know about this game, and Thrillist said it best: “It’s the brainchild of legendary Magic: The Gathering creator Richard Garfield and 74-time Jeopardy! winner Ken Jennings.”What a pedigree! Everyone 12 and over will want a seat at the table. 3. GETCREWD: A PLAYGROUND FOR MOVIE BUFFS getCrewd is a card game that comes in a retro-style film can, and that single trait speaks volumes. In this PG-13-rated game, you play a film producer in search of the perfect actor, director, and crew to make your movie happen. However, the deck will keep throwing obstacles in your way, including everything from flash floods to writers’ strikes. If you have a competitive side, you’ll love this mad scramble to the finish line.
With these games in your cabinet, you won’t even notice the snowbanks outside!
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