Library of Neural Connections

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Level Up from Habits to Rituals

Rituals help us manage losses—providing a sense of control—in an unstable world. By adopting a ritual mindset, we elevate our habits beyond their automatic machinery.

Featured Insights

Nudges to Improve Patient Experience

Find out about how our Chief Behavioural Scientist co-designed three nudges with the Health Quality & Safety Commission to improve the patient experience at hospitals across New Zealand.

3 Wellbeing Insights To Tackle Micro Stressors

The World Health Organisation has labelled stress as the "health epidemic of the 21st Century”. Many seemingly unrelated symptoms like fatigue, anxiety, mental health, poor memory, low libido, gut problems, high blood pressure and Type 2 diabetes all have stress as a key driver. The big question is how do we manage our stress triggers through new habits, routines and behavioural cues.

Neuroscience lessons to enhance gratitude practices

With each subsequent repeat of a gratitude practice, the pro-social neural circuits become more easily activated. An effective practice goes beyond activating circuits in our brain , but also activation of particular circuits in our heart shifting the body's physiology into a more relaxed state.

Tensions of The Placebo Effect

After a hearty laugh reflecting on our own misperceptions, the deeper psychological question to examine is — “What is the function of our delusions?”. Understanding the purpose behind them can give us the tools to dismantle harmful delusions and embrace the useful ones.

Dynamic vs Diligent Experiments

Have you heard about the neuroscience processes of 'tuning' and 'pruning'? Did you know that your brain may hold a secret blueprint to unlock your growth mindset?

Mind your behaviour change language

When we use words to share our abstractions, we can better perceive each other’s realities and synchronise on what is 'normal'. In this reflection on the power of norms, we explore the role of words and concepts in shaping our perceptions of what is socially acceptable behaviour.

Visualisation, Setting goals and Saving the Change

My upcoming book #moneymindsets explores the power of visualisation, setting goals with intention and counting what matters to improve our financial wellbeing

Two Truths and a Lie about Habits

When we start to effortlessly take actions in anticipation of a future reward, we develop a habit. The formation of neural circuits make some habits more likely to occur and other actions less likely. This is how good and bad habits are birthed.

Humanity-centered behavioural design

Join Ruth and Vishal's conversation on the emergence of behavioural design, focussing on evolving from behaviour change at the individual level to reimagining change at the system level.

Blueprint to Unlock your Growth Mindset

Have you heard about the neuroscience processes of 'tuning' and 'pruning'? Did you know that your brain may hold a secret blueprint to unlock your growth mindset?