Amishi Jha

Dr. Amishi Jha, a cognitive neuroscientist and mindfulness expert, shares compelling insights on attention and focus. She explains how modern distractions hijack our minds and offers a transformative solution: just 12 minutes of daily mindfulness can enhance mental performance. Amishi breaks down the three types of attention—selective, alerting, and executive—and debunks the multitasking myth, advocating for 'monotasking' instead. Listeners will learn practical tips to retrain their brains and cultivate presence, ultimately emphasizing that attention is the key to a more meaningful life.

Amishi Jha, a professor of psychology at the University of Miami and director of contemplative neuroscience, delves into the fascinating world of attention and the brain. They explore how attention is studied and the shortcomings of brain-training games. Jha highlights the intrinsic nature of mindfulness and its neurological benefits. The conversation covers the link between thought and emotion, smartphone distractions, and the importance of mind wandering. Throughout, they discuss evolving mindfulness practices that can reshape our brain networks for enhanced focus and awareness.

Dr. Amishi Jha, a psychology professor at the University of Miami and author of 'Peak Mind,' explores the science of attention and mindfulness. She discusses achieving a 'peak mind' to combat distractions and the importance of meta-awareness. Listeners will learn about mindfulness techniques, the distinction between multitasking and monotasking, and the impact of attention training in high-stress environments like the military. With insights on mind-wandering as a creative tool, Jha emphasizes fostering a healthier relationship with our thoughts.

Amishi Jha, a psychology professor at the University of Miami and author of "Peak Mind," delves into the intricacies of attention and mindfulness. She explores why our minds wander, revealing its potential benefits for memory consolidation. Amishi emphasizes the importance of meta-awareness, helping us understand how our constructed realities shape perceptions. Fun insights include why dreams can be bizarre yet emotionally potent, and practical tips for mindfulness practices that enhance focus while managing stress.

Amishi Jha, a leading researcher in attention and mindfulness, discusses how our brains handle focus in an increasingly distracting world. They explore the failures of brain-training games and the neurological benefits of mindfulness and meditation. Amishi emphasizes the significance of attention in emotional regulation and the impact of smartphones on our cognitive capacities. Through rich insights, they reveal how mindfulness can transform our relationship with thoughts, enhance present-moment awareness, and foster emotional resilience.

Amishi Jha is a neuroscience expert and professor at the University of Miami, focusing on attention science. In this conversation, she addresses our ever-distracted minds and offers strategies for improving focus in a noisy world. Jha highlights the effects of digital distractions and stresses the importance of mindfulness meditation. She introduces techniques like the 'find your flashlight practice' to enhance emotional resilience and leadership. Jha emphasizes leveraging neuroscience for better mental clarity and suggests adaptability in both personal and professional realms.

Dr. Amishi Jha, a neuroscientist and author of "Peak Mind," dives into the fascinating world of attention and mindfulness. She explains how our attention can be overwhelmed but not broken, emphasizing the need to understand its three key systems: the flashlight, the floodlight, and the juggler. Jha highlights the significance of reframing thoughts, the relationship between stress and attention, and the value of micro-moments in life. Her insights suggest that mindfulness is not just a trend but a crucial tool for reclaiming our focus.

In this insightful discussion, Dr. Amishi Jha, a psychology professor at the University of Miami, and Dr. Daniel Amen, a leading brain health expert, share powerful strategies for mastering your mental state. They unveil a five-step process called the Neurocycle, designed to transform negative thought patterns into positive change. The duo explores the vital connections between physical activity, brain health, and the challenges posed by social media. Listeners will gain practical tools to enhance mindfulness and resilience in an increasingly digital world.

Dr. Amishi Jha, a psychology professor at the University of Miami and author of Peak Mind, shares insights on mastering attention and finding focus. She discusses the 'peak mind' concept, balancing action and reflection, and reveals the three modes of attention: flashlight, floodlight, and juggler. Dr. Jha emphasizes mindfulness practices as essential tools for enhancing cognitive function and well-being. The conversation also highlights self-awareness, the pitfalls of positive thinking in stress, and the value of mind-wandering as an opportunity for growth.

Through state-of-art science, learn how to reduce distractibility, rumination, and catastrophic thinking with 12-15 mins of targeted mindfulness training. Many of us struggle with hyper-vigilant minds that overwhelm our nervous system.  We then often overcompensate by habitually tuning out, causing us to miss important information from our bodies and our relationships. This becomes especially true under high stress, which can wreak havoc on our ability to attend and be present where it matters most in our lives. In today’s episode, co-host Dr. Ann Kelley talks with neuroscientist and author, Dr. Amishi Jha about her research findings on attention, concentrations and focus. Dr. Jha summarizes years of research findings on the neural bases of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion, resilience, and performance. Through her work, she and her team have identified some of the most efficient and effective mindfulness skills that have will calm our minds, increase our focus and attention, and even improve our mood and sense of well-being. It literally changes the way our mind is wired. “… everything can feel like a caution sign in the world when you’re on high alert. That can lead to anxiety disorders, and is very common within PTSD. But most of the time, people don’t think of that as an attentional challenge. And I’m saying it actually is – changing how we pay attention may soften the costs of a hypervigilant mind …” Join our Therapist Uncensored online community as a TU Neuronerd and help support getting this content out to the world. For deeper dives into topics and extra episodes, join our online community for as little as $5 a month and get deep-dive content, ad-free feed, discounts on anything we produce, and unique study opportunities. About Dr. Amishi Jha Amishi Jha presenting at the PopTech convention (2010) Dr. Amishi Jha, Ph.D. is a Director of Contemplative Neuroscience and Professor of Psychology at the University of Miami. Prior to her current post, she was an Assistant Professor at the Center for Cognitive Neuroscience at the University of Pennsylvania. She received her B.S in Biological Psychology from the University of Michigan, her Ph.D. in Psychology (Cognitive Neuroscience) from the University of California–Davis, and her post-doctoral training at the Brain Imaging and Analysis Center at Duke University in functional neuroimaging. With grants from the Department of Defense and several private foundations, she leads research on the neural bases of attention and the effects of mindfulness-based training programs on cognition, emotion, resilience, and performance in education, corporate, elite sports, first-responder, and military contexts. Time Stamps 9:25 – What is “attention”? 10:09 – Analogy of the brain as a “flashlight” 20:33 – Inspiration for “Peak Mind” 27:16 – So why mindfulness? 29:40 – Hypothesis on the evolution of the brain 43:09 – Where/How to start implementing daily mindfulness Resources Dr. Amishi Jha’s Website “How to Tame Your Wandering Mind” – Ted Talk Amishi’s Book – “Peak Mind” Amishi Jha Episode – For transcript click here