Center for Healthy Minds | 625 W. Washington Ave., Madison, WI 53703
Media Coverage
UW prof helps cultivate healthy minds during pandemic through YouTube meditations
Jun 01, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson has been offering regular virtual meditations alongside meditation trainers and experts on the Healthy Minds Innovations YouTube Channel throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
Insights from the Dalai Lama during quarantine
May 30, 2020
Center Founder Richard Davidson and ABC News’ Dan Harris speak with the Dalai Lama about meditation and how to relax and stay calm during the pandemic.
The Dalai Lama's simple advice to navigating COVID-19 isolation
May 27, 2020
His Holiness spoke with ABC News' Dan Harris in an interview for "Nightline" about how he is spending his time while self-isolating during COVID-19 pandemic. This is a clip from a recent video interview with Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson
The Dalai Lama’s Advice for Right Now
May 27, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson appears on a recent Ten Percent Happier podcast with His Holiness the Dalai Lama and Ten Percent Happier's Dan Harris
Dekila Chungyalpa on uniting faith leaders to bolster climate activism
May 26, 2020
Loka Director Dekila Chungyalpa is interviewed on the Go Simone podcast. She shares the back-story of the Loka Initiative and how it supports faith leaders with education, tools and resources in support of conservation and climate activism.
These Different Forms Of Meditation Take Both Fresh & Traditional Approaches On An Ancient Practice
May 21, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson shares tips for developing a meditation habit, and suggests that the best form of meditation is whatever form of meditation you actually do
7 benefits of meditation, and how it can affect your brain
May 19, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson shares tips for incorporating meditation into your life, and the research that explains how regular meditation may help
How to Maintain Motivation in a Pandemic
May 18, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson shares insights from research that shows altruistic behavior can enhance feelings of well-being.
Unique position as Badgers' director of meditation training offers Chad McGehee chance to explore mental performance
May 01, 2020
Chad McGehee, former Program Manager with Healthy Minds Innovations, joined UW Athletics in a new position focused on exploring mental performance with athletes
Healthy Minds Innovations calms an anxious world with live YouTube meditations
Apr 29, 2020
Healthy Minds Innovations has been offering live guided meditations each weekday to help people feel more calm and become more resilient during this challenging time. Center founder and director Richard Davidson shares insights from his live meditations.
It's OK to slow down: Why you don't have to optimize your coronavirus quarantine
Apr 13, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson shares advice for practicing appreciation and self-compassion during the COVID-19 pandemic
When stress hits you like a slap in the face, how do you respond?
Apr 07, 2020
Center founder and director Richard Davidson suggests leaving visual cues as reminders to practice mindfulness, even when you're under extreme stress
Mindfulness for Preservice Teacher Education
Apr 05, 2020
Postdoctoral Research Associate Matt Hirshberg talks about how mindfulness can help preservice teachers improve classroom skills.
What Can a Buddhist Monk Teach Us About Panic and the Brain?
Mar 26, 2020
The Center's new longitudinal MRI case study of a Buddhist monk suggests that daily meditation may slow down brain aging over time.
Turning Social Distancing Into a Positive
Mar 25, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about how social distancing can be seen as an act of generosity during the time of COVID-19
Daily meditation may help protect the brain from aging, study of Buddhist Monk's brain suggests
Mar 24, 2020
Newsweek highlights a Center study that scanned the brain of a Buddhist Monk, Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche, over the course of 14 years. Findings suggest daily meditation could help protect the brain from aging
How To Cope With COVID-19 Anxiety
Mar 24, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about acting with compassion through social distancing and how to manage anxiety during this challenging time
Daily meditation could slow aging in your brain, study says
Mar 20, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about a Center study that found daily, intensive meditation slowed a monk's brain aging by as much as eight years
Meditation may have shaved 8 years of aging off Buddhist monk's brain
Mar 17, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson shares details from a recent study of Yongey Mingyur Rinpoche's brain that suggests meditative practice may be associated with slowed biological aging
How meditation changes your brain
Feb 18, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks with the BBC about a Center research study with Buddhist monks that showed meditation can change the brain in enduring ways
Inflammation, Saunas, and the New Science of Depression
Feb 17, 2020
Affiliate Faculty member Charles Raison talks about depression and recent research on mind-body coherence and interventions
How Dekila Chungyalpa Draws on Faith to Protect the Planet
Feb 09, 2020
Dekila Chungyalpa, Director of the Loka Initiative, talks about how she has brought faith and environmentalism together to help lead interfaith climate activism.
St. George’s Episcopal School stresses social and emotional learning
Jan 21, 2020
Teachers at St. George’s Episcopal School in New Orleans share their experience with the Center's Kindness Curriculum
Compassion Training Could Help Parents And Their Children
Jan 15, 2020
Julie Poehlmann-Tynan, a Center faculty member, talks about the impacts of compassion on young children and parents
UW-Madison researchers use video game to teach kids mindfulness
Jan 13, 2020
Center scientists share the impact from a study where kids played a video game to train mindfulness
Are we morally obligated to meditate?
Jan 10, 2020
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson shares insights from research on how developing the skill of compassion can help us be happier while making others happier too.
Are Politics and Climate Change Giving You Existential Anxiety?
Jan 06, 2020
Pelin Kesebir, a scientist at the Center, shares perspective on the history of existential anxiety and how to cope with it
Five Ways to Improve Your Mental Health in 2020
Jan 03, 2020
CNN shares strategies from Center Director Richard Davidson to build gratitude and improve emotional health.
Seven Personal Management Tips To Help You Save Time
Dec 16, 2019
Richard Davidson's thoughts on well-being are featured in this Forbes article on personal management
A Kid In A Refugee Camp Thought Video Games Fell From Heaven. Now He Makes Them
Dec 11, 2019
Games where a player takes on another person's perspective or becomes immersed in a specific environment can be beneficial in building positive interpersonal relationships, according to Tammi Kral, a research assistant at the Center.
Can compassion help heal patients — and providers?
Nov 20, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson discusses a research study at the center that focused on compassion training.
Can a Trip-Free Psychedelic Still Help People With Depression?
Nov 07, 2019
Affiliate Faculty Charles Raison is featured talking about his upcoming research study that looks into how psilocybin helps people with depression and whether access consciousness plays a role.
Why We Hate Documentary
Nov 03, 2019
The work of the Center for Healthy Minds was featured in the final episode on hope of the Discovery Channel documentary Why We Hate
Center for Healthy Minds offers 'Kindness Curriculum' to parents and teachers
Oct 14, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about the Kindness Curriculum, developed by researchers at the center, and how it can help children learn how pay closer attention to their emotions and behave more altruistically.
The Kindness Curriculum
Oct 10, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson shares insights about the Kindness Curriculum, which is a free resource available to teachers and parents of young children.
The Science-Backed Benefits of Practising Mindfulness
Oct 03, 2019
An overview of research-backed benefits of mindfulness that includes mention of Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson's research on long-term meditators
The Third Story Podcast: Richard Davidson
Sep 17, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson appears on the Third Story podcast and discusses how happiness and compassion can be learned, and why now is a crucial time for research,
Can Changing Your Mind Change the World?
Sep 04, 2019
Based on Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson's lecture at the World Bank’s Science of Learning Expert Series, the article discusses the four constituents of well-being – awareness, connection, insight, and purpose
Researchers Develop Mindfulness-Based Kindness Curriculum for Preschoolers
Sep 04, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about the Kindness Curriculum and how it can help preschoolers pay closer attention to their emotions
UW-Madison Professor Develops Kindness Curriculum
Sep 03, 2019
Center Founder Richard Davidson discusses the Kindness Curriculum and how it can help preschool-aged children develop kindness as a skill.
What Meditation Does To Your Brain When You’re Annoyed, According To Experts
Aug 28, 2019
Center Founder Richard Davidson talks about how meditation changes the brain over time with ongoing practice
Two studies reveal benefits of mindfulness for middle school students
Aug 26, 2019
Two MIT studies show potential benefits of mindfulness training for middle school students. Center Founder Richard Davidson shares his thoughts on the research.
8 Habits of Mindful Leaders
Aug 16, 2019
The Enterpriser's Project mentions Center Founder Richard Davidson's book, "Altered Traits" in addition to habits of mindful leaders
What Meditation Looks Like In Your Brain, According To Experts
Aug 11, 2019
Richard Davidson, among other researchers, are quoted on the effects of meditation on the brain.
Social and emotional learning and neuroplasticity: Why it matters
Aug 02, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson wrote the forward for The Blue DOT magazine on the topic of neuroplasticity and the ability to develop well-being as a skill.
Parental guidance - Dane County hopes to help inmates be better parents
Jul 11, 2019
Affiliate Faculty member Julie Poehlmann-Tynan discusses the complications that families face when a parent is incarcerated and the impacts on a child's development
EXCLUSIVE: ‘I’m not the only one who has a mom in jail’: Camp reunites locked-up mothers with their kids
Jul 11, 2019
Affiliate Faculty member Julie Poehlmann-Tynan discusses the importance for children to build positive relationships with an incarcerated parent
Innovators in Diversity and Inclusion Named to Madison Magazine's 2019 M List
Jun 24, 2019
The Loka Initiative has received a 2019 M List award from Madison Magazine, and was selected for the initiative's innovative contributions toward diversity and inclusion
The New Science Behind Mindfulness Podcast
Jun 19, 2019
BB&R Consulting Group interviewed Center Founder Richard Davidson about research at the Center for Healthy Minds
Can Meditation Help Enable Human Flourishing?
Jun 11, 2019
Medium discusses research featured in Center Founder Richard Davidson's book, "Altered Traits."
Aging Is A State Of Mind
Jun 06, 2019
Center researcher Pelin Kesebir discusses how gratitude can help cultivate a positive experience with aging
How the Brains of Master Meditators Change
May 30, 2019
Richard Davison joins The Ezra Klein Show to discuss what he learned from bringing the Dalai Lama to his lab.
You Can Change Your Emotional Style
May 07, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davison talks about the six emotional styles, and how to change your default style
The Six Emotional Styles
May 07, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson discusses the six emotional styles.
Yes, the Internet is Destroying Our Collective Attention Span
May 03, 2019
Founder Richard Davidson talks about the effect of digital stimuli on attention span.
Festival Of Faiths: Psychologist Richard Davidson Says You Can Learn Emotion
Apr 25, 2019
Richard Davidson discusses research that shows we can learn how to be more compassionate, kind and resilient, just like any other skill.
Mom's Everyday: Mindful parenting
Apr 24, 2019
Hosts discuss research from the Center for Healthy Minds that talks about how mindful parenting practices can open up communication with adolescents.
Understanding the Power of Meditation
Apr 19, 2019
This Brainfacts.org article features quotes from Richard Davidson from the Center for Healthy Minds about mindfulness as a learned skill.
New Evidence Shows Meditation Changes the Brain for Better: Silicon Valley's Latest Trend
Apr 04, 2019
This article talks about neuroplasticity and references a 2014 paper written by Richard Davidson and Antoine Lutz
Meditation: Well-being, Like the Violin, is Acquired by Training
Apr 04, 2019
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson talks about research that supports training well-being as a skill
The Best Science-Backed Mindfulness Practices for Stress
Mar 25, 2019
Center researcher Matt Hirshberg shares insights from a recent study that looks into which mindfulness practices work to manage stress.
UW-Madison Ranks 1st In The Nation For PhD Graduates
Mar 07, 2019
Affiliate Faculty Member Simon Goldberg talks about the high number of PhD graduates at UW-Madison
Elevate by Psych Congress Aims to Reshape Mental Health Care Through Education
Mar 04, 2019
Affiliate Faculty Member Charles Raison speaks about the Elevate by Psych Congress Conference.
The Science of Happiness
Feb 26, 2019
Research from the Center suggests that happier people's brains are more active in the left prefrontal cortex and we can rewire our brains for happiness.
Former Badger Football Star Chris Borland Returns to Campus to Talk Meditation
Feb 21, 2019
Former Badger football star Chris Borland joined Chad McGehee at University of Wisconsin-Madison to talk football and meditation
The Benefits of Positive Thinking—and How You Can Do More of It
Feb 15, 2019
This Health article features research from Richard Davidson and the Center for Healthy Minds about training your brain to improve compassion
A Neuroscientist on Love and Learning
Feb 14, 2019
Center founder Richard Davidson sits down with Krista Tippett to discuss his groundbreaking research
15 Ways to Give Self Care a Try
Feb 01, 2019
Assistant scientist Pelin Kesebir at the Center says that keeping a gratitude journal is one way to practice self-care.
Integrating Wellness Into Everything We Do
Feb 01, 2019
Assistant scientist Pelin Kesebir says that writing down three good things that happened to you every day for a certain period of time has the potential to change your long-term outlook
Mindfulness Can Relieve Stress, but What Techniques Work Best? Clues in New UW Research
Jan 14, 2019
Center researcher Matt Hirshberg discusses his recent research project to discern whether different mindfulness practices have different effects on people
Is Buddhism Scientific or Religious?
Jan 07, 2019
Center faculty John Dunne ponders the assertion that Buddhism is more like a science of the mind than a religion
How To Attract Abundance In Your Life
Dec 20, 2018
This Forbes article features research from Richard Davidson and the Center for Healthy Minds
First Residential School In Asia-Pacific Region For Special Children
Dec 10, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson shares insights on how secular version of meditation practices can be beneficial for children to learn to pay attention and to regulate their emotions which lead to better performance in schools
A Neuroscientist On Vanquishing Anger From Our Minds
Dec 07, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses how much anger is too much anger--and how we can make change by transforming anger into compassion and love
A Neuroscientist On What Anger Does To The Mind
Dec 01, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses how anger isn't the only way to confront injustice or respond to someone who has treated you badly.
Can Going to a Sauna Make Me Happy?
Nov 30, 2018
Citing research from Center faculty member Charles Raison, this article shares how heat may produce a significant antidepressant effect
Hacking Inner Peace
Nov 29, 2018
In an article discussing the links between meditation and a form of therapy called neurofeedback, Center founder Richard Davidson says that there isn't enough scientific evidence to assert that neurofeedback can be helpful to people meditating
Is Our Constant Use of Digital Technologies Affecting Our Brain Health? We Asked 11 Experts.
Nov 28, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson shares his concerns about the impacts of technology, specifically the increase in distractability, the national attention deficit we all suffer from, and the consequences that arise from this.
4 Ways to Stay Motivated When You’re in a Rut
Nov 25, 2018
In one of four ways to stay motivated when you're in a rut, Center founder Richard Davidson suggests being kind to yourself. Self-criticism, he says, can lead to ruminative thoughts that have a negative impact on the body.
Mental Hygiene - Madison Researcher Uses Modern Neuroscience to Study Kindness, Compassion & Happiness
Nov 19, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson shares his philosophy that people can develop mental hygiene skills and nurture qualities like kindness to improve well-being.
Meditation Is a Powerful Mental Tool—and For Some People It Goes Terribly Wrong
Nov 14, 2018
Center founder and director Richard Davidson comments on the pros and cons of using meditation in health contexts.
The Growth of Yoga and Meditation in the US Since 2012 is Remarkable
Nov 09, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses why people are turning to meditation and cites the increasing levels of anxiety and stress in American culture
Technology of the Future Should Care for Our Well-Being
Nov 09, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson pens an article about the urgent need for humane technology
Faith Matters: Religion & Spirituality Spotlight 2018
Nov 09, 2018
In a spotlight of books featuring conversations about faith and the planet, Center faculty John Dunne is featured as co-editor of the Dalai Lama's book about ethics and climate change.
A Lot More Americans Are Meditating Now Than Just Five Years Ago
Nov 08, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses the increasing use of meditation in the United States, as noted in a report by the CDC.
Colleges Teach Students How to Think. Should They Also Teach Them How to Thrive?
Nov 04, 2018
Can the course titled "The Art and Science of Human Flourishing," developed jointly by University of Virginia, Pennsylvania State University and the University of Wisconsin-Madison improve well-being in college students?
Well-Being is a Skill
Oct 31, 2018
During a webinar hosted by Amir H. Imani, Center founder Davidson explains how mental training to cultivate well-being can have a positive impact on happiness, creativity and productivity in the work place and at home.
7 Mental-Health Hacks You Should Do Right This Second
Oct 18, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson shares a quick hack for calling attention to positive features of your day
Harnessing the Power of Video Games to Teach Children Empathy
Oct 15, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses the video game Crystals of Kaydor and the implications of teaching kids empathy through video games.
All In Your Mind: How Mindful and Meditative Practices Are Gaining Mainstream Momentum
Oct 08, 2018
Center researcher Cortland Dahl explains how meditation trains the brain to think and observe with intention.
Science Says Happiness Can Change Your Brain
Oct 06, 2018
Center collaborator Matthieu Ricard discusses the science behind happiness, citing the work of Center founder Richard Davidson.
The 4 Keys to Well-Being According to Neuroscience
Oct 03, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson shares the four keys to well-being: resilience, outlook, awareness and generosity.
Meditation Is Not The Cure Everyone Would Like It To Be
Oct 01, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses the need for more quality research studying meditation, as well as warning the public against considering meditation a cure-all
No Major Deficiencies Noted in Wisconsin Athletics' Safety Review But 'There Are Places Where We Can Improve'
Sep 29, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson contributed to a safety review of University of Wisconsin-Madison athletics
50 Everyday Habits That Reduce Your Risk of Dementia
Sep 18, 2018
This article focused on brain health cites research from the Center for Healthy Minds
Depression In Pregnancy—How To Keep It From Harming the Baby
Sep 17, 2018
Research from the Center suggests that a mother's mental health impacts a baby's brain development after birth
Can Video Games Actually Teach Kids Empathy? New Study Says Yes
Sep 10, 2018
Researchers from the Center for Healthy Minds have discovered a video game designed to teach children empathy can change young brains and improve social behavior.
Can Video Games Change Your Brain? UW Research Suggests Games Can Build Empathy
Sep 10, 2018
Research from the Center for Healthy Minds shows video games may have the power to help children develop empathy
Scientists Used Video Games to Teach Children Empathy
Sep 07, 2018
Researchers from the Center for Healthy Minds found that video games can teach adolescents prosocial skills
Can A Video Game Build Empathy? UW Researchers May Have Found A Way
Aug 10, 2018
Center founder Richard Davidson discusses the groundbreaking discovery that a video game can build empathy skills in adolescents.
Upcoming Events
Meditación en Vivo, en español
June 8, 5:00PM
to
5:00PM
En estos tiempos de estrés y agitación, Daniela nos compartirá ideas y una práctica para fomentar nuestro bienestar en tiempos del COVID-19.
Remarkable Scientific Discoveries about the Power and Practice of Meditation
June 11, 10:00AM
to
11:00AM
Center Founder and Director Richard Davidson will join the Mentora Institute's Intersections Webcast to discuss why meditation may be among the most valuable aids available to us in these tumultuous times.
Mindful Healthcare Speaker Series
June 17, 11:00AM
to
1:00PM
Center founder and Director Richard Davidson will be a featured speaker on June 17th for the Mindful Healthcare Speaker Series, an online event supporting healthcare professionals.
Latest News
Dalai Lama and Center Founder Richard Davidson share message of hope, determination, and “education of the mind”
June 2, 2020
Humanity has an opportunity to transform negative emotions like fear and anxiety into determination and compassion for others, according to His Holiness the Dalai Lama. This message of hope is front and center in the Dalai Lama’s recent video conversation with Dan Harris, ABC News anchor and co-founder of Ten Percent Happier, and Richard Davidson, University of Wisconsin–Madison professor and founder of the Center for Healthy Minds.
Healthy Minds Innovations calms an anxious world with live YouTube meditations
May 5, 2020
Healthy Minds Innovations offers a live meditation every weekday during the COVID-19 pandemic. The sessions start at various hours to ensure that people in different time zones can participate.
Center for Healthy Minds Launches New Mental Health Research in Response to COVID-19 Pandemic
May 1, 2020
The Center for Healthy Minds is launching new studies to understand how the COVID-19 pandemic affects mental health and whether certain skills can help reduce stress and improve emotional well-being in a wide range of people across the United States.