Healing Brain Seminar: June 1990

THE HEALING BRAIN SERIES
Healthy Pleasures

The New Science of Mood Medicine

A One-day Seminar with
Daniel Goleman, Ph.D.
Robert Ornstein, Ph.D.
T. George Harris
Herbert Benson, M.D.
James Pennebaker, Ph.D.
James Lynch, Ph.D.

Saturday, June 9,1990
New York Society for Ethical Culture
2 West 64th St. at Central Park West
New York, NY

Rediscover the Pleasure Principle!

Imagine a medical treatment that lowers blood pressure, decreases heart disease and cancer risk, boosts immune function, and blocks pain—a treatment that’s safe, inexpensive, readily available, and whose main side effect is that it makes you feel good.

It’s not a miracle drug. These and other benefits appear to come from pleasure itself. And this prescription is filled in the internal pharmacy of the brain.

Join a distinguished faculty of researchers and clinicians for an exciting (and pleasurable) day exploring the new science of mood medicine.

What you’ll learn from this seminar:

• Why pleasure, positive mood and contact with others are critical to psychological and physical health
• Why pleasure and positive mood are critical to psychological and physical health
• How psychological and emotional states may affect immune function
• How to mobilize positive beliefs, expectations, and emotion
• How to blend techniques from cognitive therapy, relaxation training, and successful behavior modification practices into an effective, enjoyable health promotion program

Healthy Illusions
Daniel Goleman, Ph.D.
Somewhere we got the idea that facing the “truth” about ourselves is the best route to mental health. Psychologist Daniel Goleman discusses the more clinically proven benefits of occasionally telling ourselves tall tales. Hear the evidence on positive illusions, healthy denial, an inflated sense of self-importance, baseless optimism, and other “healthy lies.”

Daniel Goleman, Ph.D., writes on behavioral sciences for The New York Times and is author of Vital Lies, Simple Truths: The Psychology of Self Deception, and The Meditative Mind.

The Pursuit of Happiness
Robert Ornstein, Ph.D.
Positive moods and happiness can have beneficial health effects. And we can learn to control our moods and increase our happiness. Discover the tricks of the mind: Why money doesn’t increase happiness, and small daily pleasures do. Why having an unhappy past can be used to boost your mood. How telling yourself a good story can improve your well-being.

Robert Ornstein, Ph.D., is the President of The Institute for the Study of Human Knowledge and a writer, lecturer, and researcher in the human sciences. His books include The Amazing Brain, The Psychology of Consciousness, The Healing Brain, and Healthy Pleasures.

The Mind-Body Connection
T. George Harris
The most exciting development in the health sciences has been the discovery of the intimate connections between mind and body. T. George Harris has been able to view this emerging research as the editor of Psychology Today and American Health magazines. Here he shares some of his perspective.

T. George Harris is one of the most innovative magazine editors in the country. He helped develop Psychology Today and founded American Health.

The Relaxation Response and the Maximum Mind
Herbert Benson, M.D.
Relaxing is a healthy pleasure in itself, and you need it to live life to the fullest. Dr. Benson shows how activities of mind and body are enhanced by learning to use the relaxation response.

Herbert Benson, M.D., is an Associate Professor at the Harvard Medical School and author of The Relaxation Response, The Mind/Body Effect, and Your Maximum Mind.

Untold Stories
James Pennebaker, Ph.D.
Confession is not only good for the soul—it’s good for the body. Confiding in diaries or to a close friend may not only make us feel good, but may improve immune functioning and health.

James Pennebaker, Ph.D., Professor of Psychology at Southern Methodist University, has written numerous scientific papers and a forthcoming book on confession and health (Morrow).

The Pleasure of Company
James Lynch, Ph.D.
We humans need each other. The healing power of families and friends are demonstrated to us in our everyday lives. Touch, communication and psychological support are important to our good health. Learn how the pleasure of company can enhance your sense of self and well-being.

James Lynch, Ph.D., is Director of Life Care Health Centers, Towson, Maryland. He is a psychologist and author of The Language of the Heart and The Broken Heart.

Program Coordinator: Charles Swencionis, Ph.D.