Knockout Karate Training in Delhi for kids, teens, adults. Boost self-defense, discipline, fitness, stamina. Start Karate Training in Delhi today now!

Are you ready to develop strength, focus, and self-discipline while learning one of the world’s most respected martial arts? Knockout proudly offers professional Karate Training in Delhi, tailored for kids, teens, and adults of all skill levels. Whether you're starting from scratch or refining advanced techniques, our expert-led karate classes provide the perfect mix of traditional martial arts wisdom and modern training methods.
Why Choose Karate?
Karate is more than just self-defense—it's a complete system that strengthens the body, sharpens the mind, and cultivates inner discipline. Through precise movements, sparring, and kata (forms), karate teaches respect, perseverance, and confidence. It’s ideal for anyone seeking personal development, mental clarity, and physical fitness.
At Knockout, we bring these benefits to life through structured Karate Training in Delhi that combines technique, philosophy, and progress.
What Makes Knockout the Best for Karate in Delhi?
Knockout stands as a trusted name in martial arts, known for delivering high-quality instruction and creating a positive, results-driven environment. Here’s why students and families choose our Karate Training in Delhi:
Certified, Experienced Instructors
Our instructors are professionally trained, highly experienced, and passionate about teaching karate. They ensure that every student receives proper attention, guidance, and support—whether learning basic stances or preparing for black belt testing.
Focus on Discipline and Personal Growth
Karate training at Knockout goes beyond the physical. We emphasize core martial arts values like discipline, respect, focus, and perseverance. Students not only become stronger physically but also grow in confidence, emotional control, and leadership.
Comprehensive Physical Training
Our program helps build:
Strength and endurance


Flexibility and coordination


Balance and agility


Effective self-defense skills


Each class is a well-rounded workout that contributes to overall fitness and well-being.
State-of-the-Art Facilities
Located centrally in Delhi, Knockout’s clean, well-equipped dojo offers a safe and motivating space for martial arts practice. With top-tier mats, training gear, and safety equipment, we provide an optimal environment for learning and improvement.
Training for All Age Groups
We offer specialized programs for:
Kids: Fun, engaging, and foundational karate instruction that instills discipline and confidence


Teens: Focused training to improve fitness, concentration, and self-awareness


Adults: Practical self-defense, fitness enhancement, and stress relief through structured routines


Classes are tailored to each age group and skill level, making training accessible and enjoyable for everyone.
Flexible Class Schedules
Knockout understands the importance of convenience. Our Karate Training in Delhi features flexible timings, with morning, evening, and weekend slots available to fit your lifestyle—whether you’re a student, a working professional, or a parent.
Real Benefits, Real Progress
Through consistent training, students at Knockout experience:
Increased confidence and focus


Improved posture and muscle tone


Better reaction time and coordination


Stronger sense of self-discipline and respect


Whether your goal is personal growth, competitive advancement, or simply getting fit, we have a program designed for you.
Limited-Time Enrollment Offers
Now is the perfect time to join Knockout! We’re offering exclusive limited-time promotions for new students enrolling in our Karate Training in Delhi. Start your journey today and unlock your true potential.
Begin Your Karate Journey with Knockout
Karate isn’t just about learning to defend yourself—it’s about becoming your best self, physically and mentally. Knockout provides the tools, guidance, and support you need to achieve excellence on and off the mat.
Sign up now for Knockout’s Karate Training in Delhi and experience the difference. Build strength. Embrace discipline. Live with purpose. Your martial arts journey starts here!

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Personal Development: Unlock Your Full Potential

Personal development is the key to unlocking your full potential. By focusing on self-awareness, setting clear goals, and embracing continuous learning, you can break through limitations and achieve lasting success. Cultivating habits that promote growth, resilience, and positive thinking helps you stay motivated and focused on your path. With dedication and a commitment to improvement, you can overcome challenges and unlock the best version of yourself. Start today! https://svenlightment.in/category/personal-development/

Personal Development: Unlock Your Full Potential

Personal development is the key to unlocking your full potential. By focusing on self-awareness, setting clear goals, and embracing continuous learning, you can break through limitations and achieve lasting success. Cultivating habits that promote growth, resilience, and positive thinking helps you stay motivated and focused on your path. With dedication and a commitment to improvement, you can overcome challenges and unlock the best version of yourself. Start today! https://svenlightment.in/category/personal-development/

Therapy AI is an advanced tool designed to make mental health support more accessible and personalized. It uses artificial intelligence to guide users through mental wellness exercises, self-reflection prompts, and evidence-based techniques like cognitive-behavioral therapy. Accessible 24/7, Therapy AI allows users to explore and manage challenges such as stress, anxiety, and relationship concerns on their schedule. Through secure and private communication, the AI offers a judgment-free space for self-expression, helping users identify thought patterns, set achievable goals, and build resilience over time. By analyzing user inputs, Therapy AI tailors its responses to fit individual needs, providing personalized suggestions that become more insightful as interactions continue. While it isn’t a replacement for professional therapists, Therapy AI serves as a valuable support tool, offering immediate feedback, promoting emotional well-being, and fostering self-awareness. Its goal is to make mental health support a regular, approachable part of everyday life.
https://wellzy.io

What role do self-awareness and self-reflection play in personality development

The development of the personality is not possible without self-awareness. These are the foundations upon which character and identity of an individual is built. Self-awareness, self-reflection, and a variety of other factors are all important in the complex and dynamic process of personality development. This essay will examine the importance of self-awareness, self-reflection, and their interaction in relation to personality development. We will also explore the different stages of life that they influence. https://www.sevenmentor.com/best-personality-development-and-soft-skills-training-courses-in-pune.php


The Foundations of self-Awareness:
Understanding the concepts of self-awareness, self-reflection and personality development is important before diving into their role in personal development.

Self Awareness is the ability to understand and recognize one’s thoughts, feelings and desires. It also includes strengths, weaknesses and motivations. Self-awareness is a crucial aspect of consciousness, and it is the prelude to self-reflection. Self-awareness enables individuals to understand their experiences and how they affect their emotions and behaviors. Self-awareness allows people to differentiate themselves from others and understand their values, beliefs and uniqueness.



Self Reflection is a process that involves examining thoughts, feelings, and behaviors with a more introspective and contemplative approach. Introspection, critical thought, and objective evaluation of actions and experiences are all part of the process. Self-reflection is a way to encourage individuals to reflect on their own experiences and make informed decisions about their growth. Self-reflection is a deliberate and conscious form of self-awareness.

RESILIENCE-
Embracing Life's Hardest Moments as Learning Opportunities.
Six ways to see life's hardships as merely "school fees."

When I think of the hardest moments of my life, ironically many have turned out to be blessings in disguise. While this is not the most severe example, one, in particular, was being pretty much kicked out of my PhD program at the University of Georgia in 2016. This was after I quit all my jobs in California (despite good momentum), packed my car full of my belongings, and drove across the country over a week, thus forfeiting my intern license to practice therapy in California (an unlicensed therapist is now called "associate", but before 2019 it was "intern").

The program in Georgia turned out to not be the right fit for me despite my best efforts. I mainly went because they offered to cover my tuition and pay me to study there, but I didn't vet the program carefully enough. The whole year was riddled with exhaustion, anxiety, insecurity, fear, insomnia, and exclusion. I was in therapy myself for most of the year to cope, and the only thing that made it tolerable was a lot of support from my family and friends. I was utterly devastated when I went back home; it felt like my career was over. Fast forward to today, however, and I can see that getting driven out of the Georgia program was one of the best things that ever happened to me. As the saying goes, "Fate loves irony." I thank all my professors in perpetuity for making me see what I couldn't back then: I'd thrive in the right program. In 2017, when I transferred to a doctoral program in San Diego, I began to succeed and now my business and career are doing exceptionally well.

I am deeply grateful I wound up in San Diego and happy that I didn't stay in Georgia in hindsight. I wouldn't have left, though, it I wasn't driven out! Ironically, the research and writing training from the University of Georgia significantly helped me develop my academic, professional, and personal writing. I worked hard in Georgia and it paid off: The learning and growth I experienced were unparalleled. It also helped me apply for and win scholarships. Almost half of the courses I took at Georgia counted towards my doctorate in San Diego, helping me save money and graduate earlier.

As my personal example demonstrates, life is a total rollercoaster; what seems like good or bad news now can turn out to be the opposite in the future. Every now and then you are able to discover a new high, a ceiling-breaking moment, whereas in other moments you may feel like you're falling deeper and deeper into hell. While these experiences can be incredibly tough, they present us with valuable opportunities to trust life and cultivate personal growth and learning.

Here I briefly underscore six key ways we can turn life's hardest moments into powerful learning and growing opportunities. Most of our hard moments really can be "school fees." If you work at this mindset shift like your life depended on it (as it kind of does), you can set yourself up to never really lose at the game of life.

1. Embrace Resilience
Resilience is the ability to bounce back from adversity and possibly also grow stronger in the process. It is a fundamental quality that enables us to turn life's hardest moments into learning opportunities. When we face difficulties, instead of succumbing to despair, we can choose, as hard as it may seem in the moment, to embrace resilience. This means recognizing our own inner strength and determination to overcome challenges. You likely know you have done it in the past and can do it again. What's something that you've mastered that you didn't think you would be good at in the past?

Hardship often reveals our true resilience, forcing us to confront our fears and doubts. Each time we endure a difficult experience, we build resilience, making us better equipped to handle future challenges. By acknowledging and appreciating our resilience, we learn to adapt and thrive in the face of adversity.

2. Take the Opportunity for Reflection and Self-Examination
Turning life's hardest moments into learning opportunities requires self-reflection and examination. When we encounter difficulties, it's essential to take a step back and ask ourselves tough questions. What led to this situation? What can we learn from it? How can we grow from it? Reflecting on our experiences allows us to gain valuable insights and wisdom. As long as we derive learning, meaning, understanding, and insight from it, even the worst things that happen to us can become gifts and sources of strength and wisdom over time. The lesson is likely cheap if you don't let it happen again!

As we reflect, we may discover our own biases, blindspots, or areas needing improvement. This self-awareness is a powerful and necessary tool for personal growth. By acknowledging our mistakes and learning from them, we can make better decisions and become more compassionate individuals.

3. Cultivate Empathy
Life's challenges often bring us into contact with the suffering of others. Experiencing hardship firsthand can foster empathy and compassion for those going through similar difficulties. This newfound empathy can lead to a desire to help and support others in their times of need. I'm sure I would be a terrible therapist if I didn't ever go through hardships: I would have no idea how my clients feel or what they need to hear.

Turning our pain into an opportunity to connect with others on a deeper level can be incredibly rewarding. By offering our understanding and support, we not only help others but also create a sense of purpose and fulfillment in our own lives.

4. Develop Problem-Solving Skills
As ironic as this may sound, life would be incredibly boring and possibly meaningless if we had no problems to solve. Difficult moments often require us to think critically and find solutions to complex problems in ways we wouldn't otherwise. These challenges can be seen as opportunities to develop and refine our problem-solving skills. When we encounter obstacles, we are pushed to explore new perspectives, seek creative solutions, and make informed decisions. Without obstacles, we wouldn't ever discover what we're truly capable of and a lot of our potential would be squandered.

By actively engaging in problem-solving during tough times, we become more adept at handling future challenges with confidence and competence. These skills are transferable to various aspects of our lives, contributing to our personal and professional growth.

5. Reevaluate Priorities
Hardship has a way of reshaping our priorities and helping us distinguish between what truly matters and what is superficial. Life's toughest moments can prompt us to reevaluate our values, goals, and aspirations. We may realize that some of our previous ambitions were misaligned with our authentic selves. In my Georgia example above, while my career backslid temporarily, I am fortunate to have been able to strengthen my relationship with friends and family, ironically, in ways that wouldn't have been possible if I hadn't gone through that. By using these moments as an opportunity to recalibrate priorities, we can make more meaningful life choices. This can lead to a greater sense of fulfillment and a life that aligns with our core values and desires.

6. Appreciate the Ups and Downs
There is no dark without light, and there is no hot without cold. Without the difficult moments, we would not fully appreciate the moments of joy, success, and achievement. These challenging times provide context and depth to our experiences, making the highs not only possible but more meaningful. In this spirit, I am perpetually thankful that I went through that experience in Georgia to appreciate more of my blessings in the present.

Conclusion
As corny as it sounds, it couldn't be truer: life's hardest moments, even if it may seem impossible at the moment, are not devoid of purpose. They are profound opportunities for growth, learning, and self-discovery. Embracing resilience, self-reflection, empathy, problem-solving skills, and reassessing priorities can help us navigate and transform adversity into valuable life lessons. When we view life's challenges as opportunities to learn and evolve, we empower ourselves to become more resilient, compassionate, and wise individuals. In doing so, we find that even in the darkest of times, there is the potential for growth and the opportunity to turn pain into strength. Mastering that skill is nothing less than a superpower.

ADHD-
Giving Voice to Adult ADHD.
What it's really like to live with adult ADHD.

KEY POINTS-
True understanding of ADHD usually comes when it affects someone's life or someone around them.
For people unfamiliar with ADHD, the stories of people with ADHD and their experiences can shed light on it.
Several interview studies explored the experiences of adults with ADHD with diagnosis, treatment, and coping.

Is it difficult to figure whether adult ADHD is a negative or a positive? Do others' doubts about ADHD affect you? Read what other adults with ADHD have to say about it.
Apart from having something touch one’s life or the life of a loved one, enlightenment and changing human minds and beliefs often happens through hearing and empathizing with the accounts and stories of people facing those difficulties1—in this case, adult ADHD.

Several qualitative studies using interviews and accounts of the lived experience of adults with ADHD have been published in recent years, including a psychiatrist-in-training’s personal and professional experiences with his own ADHD.2-5 A singel post will not do justice to the nuances of these accounts, but here are some takeaway themes that resonated with me.

Issues with recognizing ADHD and help-seeking
Adults with ADHD often struggle for a long time before seeking help, often due to social stigma about ADHD. The process of getting a specialized evaluation for adult ADHD itself is often difficult and laborious, which is another impediment.

The fact that attention problems are highly context-specific—such as adults with ADHD being able to focus well on interesting topics—creates doubts in their minds and in the minds of others about the relevance of ADHD despite undeniable problems in their lives, not to mention that ADHD involves much more than attention problems.

Impulsivity problems are frequently cited in accounts of adults with ADHD and hyperactivity is often minimized because it is experienced as an internal sense of restlessness. Such examples of not fitting the stereotype of what ADHD looks like and stigma further delay recognition (especially for women with ADHD).

Many adults with ADHD eventually seek help at the encouragement of others in their lives.

The experience of “chaos,” difficulties structuring one’s time, and the corresponding emotional effects (anxiety, agitation, and mood lability) are commonly cited problems. Emotional dysregulation may lead adults with ADHD to first seek help for mood and anxiety issues based on the assumption (now understood to be mistaken) that emotions are not associated with ADHD.

There are common reports of ambivalence about an ADHD diagnosis. For some adults, the reaction is positive, including relief and clarity. For others, there are negative and sometimes resistant reactions to a diagnosis, such as regret for lost opportunities. Most late-identified adults with ADHD go through a re-examination process of their sense of self-identity. Ultimately, though, the eventual ADHD diagnosis is generally not regretted and, in fact, is seen as validation of their circumstances.

The psychiatrist-in-training expressed the realization that “high functioning does not exclude dysfunction.”

Coping experiences
A consensus was that ADHD makes “everything a little harder.”

Everyone in these qualitative studies cited the use of some form of time management and organizational strategies to manage adult ADHD.

Another common theme was setting up ADHD-friendly environments and systems to support coping and well-being.

Increased self-awareness and accurate understanding of ADHD helped reduce self-blame as well as to identify personal strengths and aptitudes. For some, this included a sense of courage and resilience that grew from navigating difficulties, setbacks, and even failures.6

On the other hand, many adults found their difficulties with adjusting to new situations and roles to be stressful—such as a new job, moving, or parenthood.

Treatments and support
Medications, psychosocial treatment, various accommodations, and support groups adapted to adult ADHD were reported as helpful options with positive effects on functioning.

The psychiatrist-in-training with ADHD avoided ADHD medications for a while due to their negative reputation in his field, though he later found them to be very helpful. He still noted that despite their obvious benefits for his ability to focus, he had side effects in which he felt they inhibited his “real me” personality, at times.

Psychological effects of adult ADHD
Many individuals reported a sense of low self-esteem or a “less than” self-view, at some point.

Individuals had diverse ways to view and describe their ADHD:

ADHD as a difference or trait versus disorder.
ADHD as a limiting label versus self-identifying with ADHD.
ADHD as an interface of both negative and positive aspects.
Ultimately, most individuals in the qualitative studies reported learning to approach various tasks and roles differently to account for the effects of ADHD and with a greater sense of optimism.

The effects of others’ opinions
There were accounts of citing ADHD symptoms and related difficulties to others (including helping professionals) and having them be trivialized, dismissed (“You’re in college. You can’t have ADHD"), or attributed to negative characteristics, such as “laziness.”

Such negative messaging was described as contributing to masking problems, avoidance of help-seeking, being overly apologetic to avoid criticism, and a sense in at least one case of viewing others as “putting up with me.”

The psychiatrist-in-training noted that, once diagnosed and treated, he could be more empathic with patients and their experiences of medication side effects, not just patients with ADHD. He also cited the stigma about ADHD in behavioral healthcare, including individuals (including other doctors) who choose to pay out of pocket for behavioral health services covered by their insurance to avoid their psychiatric diagnosis coming to light in some manner.

Summary
The number of individuals providing accounts in these published studies is not large. However, they are enough to start giving voice to adult ADHD. Their voices will hopefully echo through classic data-driven studies to help others hear and see adults with ADHD and help them obtain effective help and support.

PERSONALITY-
3 Rules to Power Through Your Turbulent Twenties.
Don’t just roll with the punches, take charge.
Reviewed by Lybi Ma

Being in your twenties and early thirties can be an intense experience for the toughest and most driven of individuals. Today, with the added pressures of social media, hustle culture, and a volatile mental health crisis, early and mid-adulthood can feel like a never-ending roller coaster. It may force you to question yourself:

“Am I the only one who feels so unprepared for this phase of my life?”
“I have never failed at so many things in my life. When will my self-confidence bounce back?”
“Everyone expects me to suddenly act like an adult but I’ve never felt further from adulthood. How will I learn to bridge the gap?”
Like any other challenging phase of your life, you have to simply ride certain parts of your 20s and early 30s out. However, this time does provide us with a unique opportunity to expand, grow, and embrace ourselves like no other time in our life.

If you find yourself or a loved one struggling to take charge of this important decade, here are three research-backed tips to get things on track.

1. Follow your gut
Being inexperienced and enthusiastic, young people are vulnerable to unsolicited advice and external influence. A study published in Personality and Individual Differences lists the ability to decline external influence as a key part of the maturational process. Young and callow adults are more likely to conform to other people’s expectations and standards for them.

To live a life aligned with your own cognitions, emotions, values, and beliefs, one first has to know what they are. You can follow these three steps to get in touch with your authentic self:

Be curious but not accepting of all opportunities. You learn little without making any mistakes. However, saying ‘yes’ to everything might have the opposite effect. The healthier middle path entails asking more questions, consulting multiple people, and indulging your spontaneity with caution.
Reflect on your decisions and their consequences. The pace of your life during your twenties can make reflection seem like an inconvenience but it might be the best investment of your time. Reflection builds self-awareness.
Establish boundaries. This will help you bring much-needed stability to your life. Having healthy boundaries with your partner, co-workers, friends, and family is probably the strongest indicator that you are living life on your own terms.

2. Play the field
For a lot of people, their twenties are the first time they experience a long-term relationship. Some may even begin to look for ‘the one’ (if they prefer monogamy). Therefore, developing the skill of dating and romantic experimentation can prove to be extremely helpful for this stretch of life.

Picking someone you want to spend the rest of your life with cannot be a split-second decision, no matter how much romcoms try to convince us otherwise. The courage to put yourself out there, being vulnerable with another person, and maybe even failing a few times can, at the end of the day, be an immensely enriching experience.

While the experience of dating is unique for everybody, there are a couple of science-backed tips you can keep in mind to hone your skills:

Date someone smarter than you. They don’t have to be an Ivy League graduate or have a Ph.D., however, they should challenge you on an intellectual level. Dating an intellectual match can help you grow, ensure better communication, and add longevity to your relationship.
Be a mindful partner. Even when you are exploring your options, being curious about and tuned in to your partner’s desires, emotions, and needs is essential. According to psychologist Tasha Seiter, focusing on how you love is more integral to your love life than who you pick.

3. Patience, grasshopper
There is no way to fast-forward or skip through your twenties. It might be helpful to remember though that the specific circumstances you encounter during this phase might never come back. Being a time of transition, however, it can still feel tumultuous and never-ending.

The biggest favor you can do yourself during your twenties and early thirties is to repeatedly reinforce to yourself that you are not ‘falling behind’ or ‘running out of time.’ According to psychotherapist Jennifer Coren, author of the book I Love Me More, you experience during this phase the caterpillar-to-butterfly effect. The things you go through during your twenties might solidify the pillars of your character.

“We’re not wasting time; we’re not losing time,” she advises to anyone struggling through their twenties. “We’re figuring out how to make peace with the time we have. When you validate the transitional experience itself and the process of life – of finding meaning right where you are as who you are – you will find yourself more secure, happy, and filled with abundance.”

Why We Are Not Zombies
An evolutionary perspective on consciousness.
Reviewed by Abigail Fagan

KEY POINTS-
Psychologist Nicholas Humphrey presents a theory of the evolution of consciousness in his new book.
Humphrey argues that only mammals and birds have consciousness.
He argues that evidence for consciousness is "qualiafilia", that is, seeking pleasurable experiences.
Human consciousness has been called the last unexplored continent. We all have experiences, thoughts and feelings. From an early age, we also develop self-awareness, which is the ability to reflect on our thoughts and feelings. These are everyday phenomena, but three big questions arise: How does consciousness arise? What does it consist of? What is the point of having a consciousness? A new book by British psychologist Nicholas Humphrey, titled Sentience: The Invention of Consciousness, attempts to answer these questions.

Regarding the first question, everyone seems to agree that the brain is required. In recent decades, research has provided us with some knowledge about which parts of the brain are involved in different consciousness processes and how damage can lead to limitations in function. For example, damage to the visual cortex can lead to 'blindsight'. This means that the patient experiences themselves to be blind, but because other pathways for visual information are still functioning, the patient can avoid obstacles and even duck if something is thrown at them. As a young researcher in the 1960s, Humphrey studied a rhesus monkey that had its visual cortex removed. However, the monkey could be trained to do more and more things as if it could still see.

This later led his boss, neurologist Larry Weiskrantz, to identify blindsight in human patients. These patients have normal consciousness experiences in the other senses, but their visual experiences are gone. It is conceivable that an individual could lose the experiences of the other senses as well but still act appropriately in many situations. Such an individual would be close to what is called a zombie, that is, someone who acts in a human-like way but lacks consciousness. Although such patients have not been detected, they would have a very limited repertoire of actions.

Regarding the question of what consciousness consists of, the first thing to note is that sensory impressions are combined with emotional components to form a unit. T. S. Eliot writes that consciousness is like "music heard so deeply that it is not heard at all, but you are the music while the music lasts". The senses and the emotions can be seen as the different instruments in an orchestra that together form a coherent sound. Some people may lack one of the instruments, but the music can still be melodious. Other animal species have other instruments that make their music different from ours: dolphins and bats have echo-navigation and some birds can sense the Earth's magnetic field. So, one way to answer the question of what consciousness consists of is to say that is it like music, a chord of tones.

Humphrey distinguishes between sensations and perceptions. A sensation is what is given by the sensory receptors – an uninterpreted impression, while a perception is what is filled in by different mechanisms in the brain – an interpreted impression. What we perceive is usually not sensation, but rather what we expect from the patterns we have learned. Sensory mechanisms therefore play a double role. When I hear the song of a blackbird, the sensation answers the question "What is happening to me?" while the perception answers the question "What is happening in the world?"

Sensations are linked to a particular sensory domain: such as vision and hearing, while perceptions are a combination of various sensory impressions. The reason for this is likely that perceptions, as they are about what is in the world, are more useful if they are available to all thought processes and are not limited to any particular sense.

The brain also fills in the minds of others – we perceive their feelings, thoughts, and desires. This is known as mentalizing or mind-reading. The capacity is particularly noticeable in a conversation where we often anticipate what the other person will say. The capacity is necessary for us to cooperate effectively with each other.

According to Humphrey, our ability to reflect on our own thoughts, feelings and decisions, known as self-consciousness, is a prerequisite for mentalizing with others. However, others, like philosopher of religion Martin Buber, reverse the order and argue that you-consciousness precedes self-consciousness. Child psychologists Colwyn Trevarthen and Stein Bråten support this perspective, stating that newborns cannot separate the experience of itself from the experience of their mother until a sense of self emerges later on.

Many of the processes that create consciousness can be described as simulations that generate new phenomena. In particular, our perceptions of light and sound extend in time, even though these stimuli are instantaneous. For example, when we hear a melody, we perceive the pattern of the melody because previous notes remain in our minds for a while. Such an extension allows us to perceive music.

Already in his earlier book, A History of the Mind, Humphrey theorizes that consciousness is a form of simulation that creates internal loops. For instance, when we hear a lion’s roar, we need to keep the idea of the lion in our minds for a while to prepare. By looping the perception of the lion in our mind, we can achieve this. In his latest book, Humphrey expands on the theory, although gaps in the explanation of how the simulations evolved remain.

The third question of what is the point of having consciousness requires an evolutionary explanation. Humphrey argues, somewhat controversially, that there cannot be creatures with a partial consciousness, and thus, there must be a clear boundary in the course of evolution when consciousness emerges. He speculates that warm-bloodedness is required for consciousness. One reason he gives is that nerve impulses become faster as their body temperature increases. Cold-blooded animals become passive when their body temperature drop, but warm-blooded animals can evolve larger brains due to their greater efficiency.

Mammals and birds are warm-blooded and Humphrey believes that only these groups of animals are conscious. He argues that they are the animals who actively seek out positive experiences, which he calls “qualiaphilia” after the concept of qualia, which in philosophy refers to subjective experiences.

A recently published example of animals seeking pleasurable experiences comes from psychologist Adriano Lameira and linguist Marcus Perlman, who studied films of chimpanzees, gorillas and orangutans spinning on ropes. They conclude that the apes do this to achieve an "altered mental state". This expression is too ambitious. Children like to roll down hillsides just for the sensation of being dizzy. Therefore it is likely that the spinning behavior in apes is not a sign of a more sophisticated consciousness, but rather a desire to experience pleasure.

As evidence for qualiaphilia in mammals and birds, Humphrey cites their playfulness, which is something done for fun. But he may be wrong here: play has also been observed in several other animal groups, such as turtles, crocodiles and octopuses, which are not warm-blooded. For example, if an alligator is given a choice between food or a new toy, it often chooses the toy, which is a clear sign of qualiaphilia.

3 Secrets to Healthy Relationships.
Relationship failures hurt but provide valuable growth to improve connections.
Reviewed by Vanessa Lancaster

KEY POINTS-
Relationship losses can teach us valuable lessons and pave the way for healthier future connections.
Expressions of gratitude help us cope better with adversity while making others feel appreciated.
Amplifying the good qualities not only pleases others but also makes us feel happier.

A client, I’ll call Anna, arrived at her therapy session with me in tears. Over the past year, Anna had been dating a man I’ll call Jim. The two had met through an online dating app. Anna was thrilled to meet someone who shared her interest in outdoor activities like hiking and indoor activities like reading books.

Anna often conveyed her ambivalent feelings about Jim. She said his messiness, perpetual lateness, and tendency to get distracted “drive me nuts.” The couple argued when Anna criticized Jim for these qualities. Jim broke up with Anna saying, “It seems you want a different kind of person. You always want to change me. It makes me feel unappreciated. I can never make you happy.”

After the breakup, Anna felt devastated and lonely. She remembered all the qualities she loved about Jim. His sense of humor, thoughtfulness, generosity, intelligence, and physical appeal delighted her. I asked her how often she praised him for these qualities.

“I didn’t want to seem too into him. I held back a lot of my positive feelings because I was afraid to scare him off,” she said.

“So, you thought he’d be scared off by too much admiration?” I asked.

“Yeah. I guess that sounds really stupid now,” she replied.

“No, you don’t sound stupid. It sounds like you were afraid to share the good feelings you had for Jim but not afraid to share the critical feelings,” I said.

Anna shared terrible online dating experiences that made her cynical and distrustful. She felt she had to remain guarded and not get too close. Focusing on Jim’s irritating qualities made her feel less vulnerable. Unfortunately, it made Jim think he could never make her happy, and he ended what might have been a promising relationship.

Rejection can feel devastating. Dreams about a happy, healthy future relationship can seem out of reach. Yet relationship failures can teach us valuable lessons to help us identify our deepest needs and how we can improve. During times of loss, it helps to reach for a lifeline.

Lifelines Out of Rejection and Loneliness
Loneliness can leave us feeling as if we are somehow defective, unlucky, or unlovable. It often makes us physically hurt. Yet there are lifelines everywhere if we look for them. Here are two ways to begin:

Acknowledge the pain of rejection and loss. Take the time you need to cry, stare at the wall, and rage at your misfortune. Recognize that emotions are signals to alert you of something important you can learn. The painful feelings can help you clarify what you truly need. While taking responsibility for your part in the relationship failure may sting, that understanding can help you grow and improve. Remember that all feelings are temporary. The hurt will pass.
Ask for help. Ask someone, like a therapist, or a loved one, to listen to your story. We all benefit from witnesses to our suffering. Someone can hold us in our grief. Provide comfort when we hurt. It may be challenging to ask for help, but in the act of asking, we aim toward healing and hope. Hopefulness is healthy.
We all have the power to strengthen our relationships with friends, family, and romantic partners. Each relationship failure can point the way to greater self-awareness and self-improvement. Your deeper appreciation can fuel a more satisfying connection when you finally find that special someone.

Three Secrets to Healthy Relationships
The human brain has a natural negative bias to help us ward off threats. Yet the healthiest relationships feel abundant with joy, humor, playfulness, celebration, and admiration. Find pleasure in your loved one’s happiness. Join in celebrations of achievements. These moments of joyful connection help us cope better through the hard times. They infuse our relationships with vitality.

Gratitude: When you appreciate the kindness of others, you strengthen your attachments. When you can appreciate who and what you have, you improve your ability to cope with life’s challenges. Gratitude fosters emotional agility and improves mental health and happiness (Gloria et al. 2016). It’s not enough to just feel grateful. Sharing your gratitude with others supercharges your relationships with positivity. When you share your appreciation, it inspires others to do the same.

Amplify the good: Our relationships flourish when we magnify the positive qualities we notice in others. We also feel happier when we recognize and amplify the good around us. Amplify the good by noticing it. Let your mind linger in the good longer. Then mention that good in all your relationships. Look for opportunities to share what you admire about others. This strengthens our attachments to one another and improves the quality of our relationships (Gordon et al., 2012).

Commitment and meaning: Our work, family, social obligations, and responsibilities provide purpose beyond selfish desires. Maintaining our commitments makes our relationships stronger. Obligations and commitments offer us a sense of significance and meaning. Those in more committed relationships report feeling more happiness than those without a strong bond of commitment (Dush et al., 2005, Schneider, 2022).

If you feel lonely, start with gratitude for yourself. Appreciate your unique experience and one-of-a-kind specialness. Write a letter of gratitude to yourself. You can marvel at your senses, the capacity to observe nature, listen to music, and engage in the world with your arms, legs, hands, and feet. Write daily journals and or letters of gratitude. Don’t neglect to acknowledge your weaker connections with people. You can also appreciate a helpful neighbor, a friendly barista, or a warm and caring doctor. Research shows writing about gratitude will help you recover from loss more quickly (Wong et al., 2018).

We can look for lifelines out of loneliness from outside (therapists, self-help books, friends, and family) and inside (gratitude, amplifying the good, upholding our commitments). Our human brain is designed to cope and adapt. It holds magnificent power we can harness for survival and happiness. Just gently aim it in the direction you wish to go. You may be surprised how far your mighty mind can take you.