How to change your life in six minutes a day

I’m always looking for advice on behavior change and habits. It’s fascinating stuff. How can you get yourself to do the things you want to do but then for some reason don’t. Lately, I have seen several sources advocating to create an exercise habit as a first step to successfully creating other desirable habits. Here…

How to collaborate with your mind

You may have noticed that I am especially interested in the psychology of behavior change.   Why is it so hard to do, and continue doing, some things- even the things we think, and say we want to do? It turns out there are probably many subtle reasons that conspire against us to prevent behavior…

Dr Kate MD, Kate Killoran

Which do you hate more the dentist or the gynecologist?

I am often compared with the dentist as the most dreaded appointment people face. Visiting the gynecologist or dental work, which do you dislike the most? Since I have been on both sides of the speculum, of course, I know why women dislike it. But it doesn’t have to be that way. As you should…

You know what to do, so why aren’t you doing it?

There is no shortage of diet and eating advice out there. Virtually all of it is about what food you should eat. I think most of us know what to do, despite the differing, even conflicting, advice from popular diets. Instead of what, let’s talk about how. How is much more interesting and challenging anyway.…

Is this the year for success with your new year’s resolution?

Happy New Year! Hard to believe 2018 is already two weeks old. Are you among the many that started the year with a new year’s resolution? And did that new year’s resolution involve your diet? Are you hoping to lose weight, get fit, and eat “healthier”? How’s that going?   US News and World Report…

Running at the Tri for a Cure

Have you heard of the 7-minute workout?

You know you should exercise. Yet you still struggle to get it done. You can’t seem to find the time, have various injuries, or any number of other excuses.   I think it comes down to not liking it enough. If you like something, you will make time for it.   Much like meditation, you…

Maybe I should start smoking

2017 is off to an atrocious start. For me, this has nothing to do with politics. I was diagnosed with cancer, again. An entirely separate kind of cancer unrelated to my original cancer. For someone who does the things usually recommended for good health, two cancer diagnoses in less than four years, both before age…

Making the most of the worst thing ever

As much as I like writing, especially writing about health, science, and medicine, it is a challenge to come up with interesting topics to write about on a regular basis. Since the election, it has been impossible for me. I have not been able to think about anything else. Paying attention to self-care and wellness…

Sleep like a baby, or a new parent

You are sleeping better than you think

Ahh, sleep, beautiful, wonderful, at times elusive sleep. Who doesn’t want to sleep well? Is there anyone who doesn’t like sleeping? Lying all cozy in bed, dozing on and off. Or that feeling of a solid night of sleep when upon waking you feel completely rejuvenated, ready for anything. It’s awesome. Too bad so many…

How do you win with weeknight meals?

Summer is over. School has started. The equinox is here. Fall has officially begun. The weather is cooler, especially at night and the days are noticeably shorter. I look forward to September in Maine because it is a lovely month, usually very sunny and warm but not too hot or humid. It’s not summer, though.…