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How your brain functions in certain situations
MGH MAPP
Written by: Shantale Simon
11/4/25
Everyone's brains are different, from how they are shaped physically and how they make cognitive decisions mentally. No two people are alike, yes there are relative opinions that people may agree on but no two people can think and make decisions exactly the same way as another person. From pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, they state that many factors are in play like your environment, genetic contributions and even to the way those genes were made. Because people never have the same living situations it can cause them to act differently, if someone poor met up with someone rich, they wouldn't agree on certain outlooks in life. Your brain uses your prefrontal cortex and limbic system to work together, your prefrontal cortex uses logic based on what you've experienced in the past while your limbic system provides the emotional part. The reason why humans make decisions is because they want to avoid getting hurt, they don't want to have any negative emotions happen so they turn to the option that would give them the most dopamine. Like sometimes when a bully is having a rough time at home, they choose to bully someone else cause it makes them feel better, even though the decision is wrong. Decision making is a survival tactic that is used to help you be safe, humans use this so they can identify a threat and make sure they can protect themselves in the best ways possible. No one ever thinks the same because every situation can be seen in a different light, different people can see things a different way like some people can empathize with someone and defend them while others use the logical side and prosecute against them. The two major parts that people tend to use are their emotional side and their logical side, everyone uses both at least a couple times in their lives but some use one side more than others. Without this crucial skill people would not be able to spread knowledge around the world, there would be one certain system for everything and the population would be lower because they can't pick the right option that could help them survive the best.
11/4/25
Everyone's brains are different, from how they are shaped physically and how they make cognitive decisions mentally. No two people are alike, yes there are relative opinions that people may agree on but no two people can think and make decisions exactly the same way as another person. From pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov, they state that many factors are in play like your environment, genetic contributions and even to the way those genes were made. Because people never have the same living situations it can cause them to act differently, if someone poor met up with someone rich, they wouldn't agree on certain outlooks in life. Your brain uses your prefrontal cortex and limbic system to work together, your prefrontal cortex uses logic based on what you've experienced in the past while your limbic system provides the emotional part. The reason why humans make decisions is because they want to avoid getting hurt, they don't want to have any negative emotions happen so they turn to the option that would give them the most dopamine. Like sometimes when a bully is having a rough time at home, they choose to bully someone else cause it makes them feel better, even though the decision is wrong. Decision making is a survival tactic that is used to help you be safe, humans use this so they can identify a threat and make sure they can protect themselves in the best ways possible. No one ever thinks the same because every situation can be seen in a different light, different people can see things a different way like some people can empathize with someone and defend them while others use the logical side and prosecute against them. The two major parts that people tend to use are their emotional side and their logical side, everyone uses both at least a couple times in their lives but some use one side more than others. Without this crucial skill people would not be able to spread knowledge around the world, there would be one certain system for everything and the population would be lower because they can't pick the right option that could help them survive the best.
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https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fblogs.cfainstitute.org%2Finvestor%2F2019%2F07%2F02%2Femotions-and-decision-making-five-steps-to-improve-your-process%2F&psig=AOvVaw1JsyW7elmuaxeVjkZRtyUF&ust=1762441730399000&source=images&cd=vfe&opi=89978449&ved=0CAMQjB1qFwoTCKDY0pyl25ADFQAAAAAdAAAAABAL
The science behind ice baths
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Written by: Maya Carlsen
10/21/25 We've all heard of ice baths and saunas, but do they actually do anything? You can do an ice bath whenever you would like, but it is recommended that you take one after a workout. Why is that? After a workout of any kind, it is important to rest and take care of your body properly so it can heal. An Ice bath can help to reduce muscle soreness and inflammation. Ice baths improve circulation throughout the body. Ice baths can have a short and slight increase in your metabolism. If done consistently, the baths can also help your immune system. Just as ice baths have benefits for your body, there are also benefits for your mind. Cold water plunges have been shown to stimulate endorphins, which help to reduce and relieve stress and anxiety. You should only be doing ice baths for about 10-15 minutes. Saunas come with many benefits as well. Saunas are more made for relaxation. Saunas help our cardiovascular system a lot; they help to improve blood circulation, and they can reduce blood pressure. If you are having a lot of physical pain, a sauna can help since it improves circulation and blood flow to areas of your body that need it. Saunas also help to reduce stress hormones. Doing saunas regularly can also improve your overall sleep quality. The main thing that saunas do and are known for is it's detoxification. A sauna is a little hot steam room, and you will sweat in there. When we sweat, our bodies flush out and get rid of all those toxins in our bodies. Saunas can also help boost your immune system. Saunas are a great health benefit. Make sure they are done correctly, though. Don't stay in a sauna for too long; they are not meant for long sessions. The most time you can sit is about 30 minutes; most people do around 15-20 minutes. Another important thing is to stay hydrated and drink lots of water and electrolytes after the sauna, since you are sweating so much. |
This article gives you 11 reasons why saunas will benefit you!
https://mcpress.mayoclinic.org/healthy-aging/the-science-behind-ice-baths-for-recovery/ https://www.goodrx.com/well-being/alternative-treatments/sauna-benefits?srsltid=AfmBOor6sKuIV9WB5pt0hz78PBkLPl3e8tglKOfBJrv6R9NkzPgEbNpq 
Picture credits from
Clearlight Saunas Ireland
Picture creds from
Walmart
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Is hiking useless?
From www.self.com
Written by Kaiya Mercurio
10/17/25
Lace up your shoes and go embark on a journey by HIKING! Hiking isn't just a hobby it is so much more. There are so many benefits to this activity and Arizona has the most awesome spots! If you are someone like me then most physical activities just aren't your favorite but I will say one thing I really do enjoy is hiking. I haven't had many chances to visit many hiking spots in Utah just yet but when I lived in Arizona there were some crazy hikes.
Hiking doesn't just have physical benefits such as building muscle, improving heart health, and decreasing risk of respiratory problems but also mental benefits like boosting mood, reduces stress, calms anxiety and according to a study done by Stanford researchers actually improves your sensory perception. Also hiking can be a super social activity. I love going with my friends or family. I think it makes it 10x more fun when you're doing an activity like this with other people.
Now when it comes to actually hiking you have to be careful because if you choose an ugly spot the hike will be way less enjoyable. My favorite spot in Arizona to go hiking is Sabino Canyon. Sabino has so much variety and was overall very easy. Obviously the most well known hiking spot in Arizona is the Grand Canyon. I'm sure you all have either been there or even just know of it but coming from someone who is actually from Arizona that place is the WORST! I love the outdoors and amazing sights but I genuinely thought the grand canyon was super overrated and not worth a trip. Now even though the Grand Canyon isn't worth it some other places are. Bear Canyon is another great place to go for hikes but the hike to seven falls is so beautiful. Seven falls is exactly how it sounds. It's an amazing waterfall with a pool at the end and when you reach the fall you HAVE to get into the pool.
Overall we all just need to relax and go on a nice hike here and there.
10/17/25
Lace up your shoes and go embark on a journey by HIKING! Hiking isn't just a hobby it is so much more. There are so many benefits to this activity and Arizona has the most awesome spots! If you are someone like me then most physical activities just aren't your favorite but I will say one thing I really do enjoy is hiking. I haven't had many chances to visit many hiking spots in Utah just yet but when I lived in Arizona there were some crazy hikes.
Hiking doesn't just have physical benefits such as building muscle, improving heart health, and decreasing risk of respiratory problems but also mental benefits like boosting mood, reduces stress, calms anxiety and according to a study done by Stanford researchers actually improves your sensory perception. Also hiking can be a super social activity. I love going with my friends or family. I think it makes it 10x more fun when you're doing an activity like this with other people.
Now when it comes to actually hiking you have to be careful because if you choose an ugly spot the hike will be way less enjoyable. My favorite spot in Arizona to go hiking is Sabino Canyon. Sabino has so much variety and was overall very easy. Obviously the most well known hiking spot in Arizona is the Grand Canyon. I'm sure you all have either been there or even just know of it but coming from someone who is actually from Arizona that place is the WORST! I love the outdoors and amazing sights but I genuinely thought the grand canyon was super overrated and not worth a trip. Now even though the Grand Canyon isn't worth it some other places are. Bear Canyon is another great place to go for hikes but the hike to seven falls is so beautiful. Seven falls is exactly how it sounds. It's an amazing waterfall with a pool at the end and when you reach the fall you HAVE to get into the pool.
Overall we all just need to relax and go on a nice hike here and there.
From Healthline
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From Visit Utah
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How to deal with school stress
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Written by: Shantale Simon (Editor of entertainment 1)
9/12/25 For students from as early as middle school, the stress of school has affected many people including me. But students don't have the best habit of keeping on track and when they are far behind catching back up. Now there are many ways to go about this, it just depends on who the person is. Like meditation and stretching is a great way to relax your mind and focus on something else. |
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From user @etsy on pinterest
Another good thing is to plan ahead and make schedules, not too strict but as a guide for what to expect for the upcoming days or even weeks. There are also a lot of causes for this stress, as Harvard's summer program indicates that many students are stressed because “Your body is changing. You may be grappling with your sexuality or gender identity. Add to that the academic demands of high school and throw in the pressures of social media, and the tension mounts.” Which for most cases is in fact true, dealing with academics and the stress of your social life is hard to balance. Now one of the best ways to manage stress is to keep healthy habits, which basically means eating three meals a day or getting the recommended amount of sleep. Teenagers are one of the biggest age groups that don't get either of those, causing their body to not be able to handle all that's coming towards you because your body can't get what it needs.
From user @mymymypins on pinterest
Now there are some easier ones like keeping a journal, most teens don't really want to vocalize their feelings but putting something out there so you're not cooped up inside your own head is an amazing thing to do. Even just setting some time for yourself to do something that you enjoy whether it's baking, painting, you name it, doing something you genuinely enjoy is a game changer if you are stressed. If you change your mental mind set by being more open and willing to accept failure because no one is perfect and even students with the most perfect grades end up not getting into colleges or things they dreamed of. Being considerate of that, what matters is that you are trying. Physically just being active and taking care of your body also makes it to where your body can handle that stress instead of using coping mechanisms.
My skin-care routine
OK, so skin care is obviously a very talked-about topic just because it is like a universal subject, so I thought hey! I might as well drop my routine. So subtle flex here, but I very very very rarely get pimples or breakouts and a lot of people ask what I use, so today is your lucky day.
So my favorite GO TO product is always going to be OXY pads. I literally loveeeee this brand, and I've been using it every day since I was like 8/9. My entire family uses this product like everyone else, and I think we all have good skin, so there's some evidence. You can tell it works because it has that burn that you know is working for your skin. It picks up oils like crazy, but the con to that is it will definitely dry your face up, so having a good moisturizer is sooo important….
My FAVORITE moisturizer! So I've used a lot of face lotions and feel like they were all either too dry or wayyy too greasy, but I found the only one I actually love. I use the Byoma gel cream/moisturizer. This product is surprisingly cheap compared to other brands' face lotions, and it costs $11. It feels so refreshing on my face after using the Oxy pads, and it makes my skin so glowy. Also, it seems like a small bottle, but it literally lasts me months.
OK, so technically those are the only two products I use on my skin, and they genuinely work like a charm, but I will say I remove my mascara and sometimes makeup with micellar water. I struggled for a really long time trying to find a way to remove my mascara like I was getting so creative, but it was also destroying my lashes. I found that micellar water and cotton rounds were the easiest and gentlest way to remove mascara. I lose minimal lashes, and it comes off very easily.
That is the complete skin care routine! Keep in mind that everyone's skin is different, so this routine may only work for me, but I do love sharing with you all! I think everyone should try these products just to see how their skin reacts, because I do believe these are great products.
Written by: Kaiya Mercurio
9/3/25
So my favorite GO TO product is always going to be OXY pads. I literally loveeeee this brand, and I've been using it every day since I was like 8/9. My entire family uses this product like everyone else, and I think we all have good skin, so there's some evidence. You can tell it works because it has that burn that you know is working for your skin. It picks up oils like crazy, but the con to that is it will definitely dry your face up, so having a good moisturizer is sooo important….
My FAVORITE moisturizer! So I've used a lot of face lotions and feel like they were all either too dry or wayyy too greasy, but I found the only one I actually love. I use the Byoma gel cream/moisturizer. This product is surprisingly cheap compared to other brands' face lotions, and it costs $11. It feels so refreshing on my face after using the Oxy pads, and it makes my skin so glowy. Also, it seems like a small bottle, but it literally lasts me months.
OK, so technically those are the only two products I use on my skin, and they genuinely work like a charm, but I will say I remove my mascara and sometimes makeup with micellar water. I struggled for a really long time trying to find a way to remove my mascara like I was getting so creative, but it was also destroying my lashes. I found that micellar water and cotton rounds were the easiest and gentlest way to remove mascara. I lose minimal lashes, and it comes off very easily.
That is the complete skin care routine! Keep in mind that everyone's skin is different, so this routine may only work for me, but I do love sharing with you all! I think everyone should try these products just to see how their skin reacts, because I do believe these are great products.
Written by: Kaiya Mercurio
9/3/25
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GOOD LEG STRETCHES FOR YOU TO DO (PLUS ILLUSTRATIONS!)
By Chloe Francis, Editor of Entertainment 2
I’ve been doing Mixed Martial Arts for about two years now, and something emphasized deeply in martial arts is stretching. Having good flexibility is important not only for kicking high and swinging hard, but also for everyday life. If you slip on ice and fall into a split position, you don’t want to tear your hamstring. So here are some good ones. Hold these as long as you comfortably can before moving on to the next one—this isn’t an endurance test, just a way to open up your muscles and joints.
Sit on the floor with your legs out to a V. Reach down, grab one side, and hold. If you want, just hold with one hand and reach your other hand out to the sky. This opens your lungs. When you’re done with that side, do the same on the other side.
When you’re done with those two, put your hands in front of you on the floor and push forward as much as you can.
I’ve been doing Mixed Martial Arts for about two years now, and something emphasized deeply in martial arts is stretching. Having good flexibility is important not only for kicking high and swinging hard, but also for everyday life. If you slip on ice and fall into a split position, you don’t want to tear your hamstring. So here are some good ones. Hold these as long as you comfortably can before moving on to the next one—this isn’t an endurance test, just a way to open up your muscles and joints.
Sit on the floor with your legs out to a V. Reach down, grab one side, and hold. If you want, just hold with one hand and reach your other hand out to the sky. This opens your lungs. When you’re done with that side, do the same on the other side.
When you’re done with those two, put your hands in front of you on the floor and push forward as much as you can.
After that, put the palms of your feet together and bring them close to you. Use your elbows to gently push down your knees. This helps open up your hips.
After that stretch, go into a lunge position. Push your back leg as far back as you can and use your hands for balance. Keep your front foot right under you and flat to the floor. After this, either push your front foot into the splits if you can, or fall back, sit on your back leg, stretch your front foot in front of you, and reach down to grab it. Repeat all of this on the other side.
Finally for the floor stretches, put one leg in front of you at a 90-degree angle from your chest, and put the other one behind you at a 90-degree angle to make a sort of “Z” shape. Lean towards your front leg. Repeat on the other side.
And that’s it for my usual routine! I hope this helped someone out there, and it was good to share. Have a lovely day!
9/29/25
SOURCES: Francis’ personal accounts, Tiger Rock Martial Arts
All photo credits are from Chloe Francis (myself)
SOURCES: Francis’ personal accounts, Tiger Rock Martial Arts
All photo credits are from Chloe Francis (myself)
