To request an interview, contact me by email (kmcg @ stanford "dot" edu).

"Interview with Kelly McGonigal, PhD." Integral Yoga Magazine Fall 2008

As editor of the International Journal of Yoga Therapy (published by the International Association of Yoga Therapists), Kelly McGonigal is on the cutting edge of the Yoga therapy field. Here, she shares, from her unique vantage point, her views on the field of Yoga therapy and professional development for Yoga therapists.

"Welcome to the Fitness Revolution." Experience Life October 2008

“The appeal of these classes is the authentic relationship between the movement and the music,” says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a mind-body psychologist and fitness instructor at Stanford University. “The experience taps into our primal need for moving our body to a rhythm.” As a result, your brain releases a flood of feel-good neurotransmitters and endorphins that we would associate with the high of a rock concert, a great party or singing at church.

"The Debt-Stress Connection." Web MD August 12 2008

Debt or money is such a pervasive and difficult kind of stress because it's so interconnected with other areas of our lives, says Kelly McGonigal, PhD.

"The Limits of Self Control." The Denver Post July 13 2008

Kelly McGonigal, who teaches psychology at Stanford University, analyzed 27 studies. She reports that willpower is a mind- body response, not merely a mind-set; it's limited; it's trainable; and using it depletes resources in the body, lowering blood glucose levels and causing fatigue.

"Your Health Depends on Friends and Neighbors." MSNBC June 17, 2008

Kelly McGonigal, a health psychologist at Stanford University, said she’s not surprised that stronger social bonds play a big role in better health regardless of a person’s genetic makeup. “People who do not view the world as a supportive place are far more likely to have a fight-or-flight emergency response to minor stressors and challenges,” McGonigal said. “Over time, this chronic heightened stress reactivity makes the body vulnerable to a wide range of health problems, from the everyday cold to cardiovascular disease.”

"5 Ways to Boost Your Will to Workout" Arthritis Today June 2008

"Research shows that if you’re feeling worn-down, you can restore your willpower,” says McGonigal.  There are ways to recover the strength to exercise or do any other task that requires discipline. Try these five tips....

:"The Power of Connection." Fit Yoga June 2008

Yoga teacher and psychologist Kelly McGonigal, PhD, reports that Americans are more socially isolated than ever before. In 2004, the average American had just two people to talk to about important matters; research shows that socially isolated individuals are 25 times more likely to die over a nine-year period than more socially connected people. Further, low levels of social support are associated with increased risk of death from cardiovascular disease, cancer, and other infectious diseases.

McGonigal suggests these meditations to help you feel a deeper sense of connection with yourself and others....

"Blogging for Health." Health June 2008

The impulse to write your way through a crisis is very healthy, according to Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a Stanford University psychologist. Writing about a stressful experience is one way to feel in control of it, which in turn lessens stress. "It's one of the most effective ways of making sense of what often feels senseless and overwhelming."

"The 101 Best Things to Do for Your Body--Now!" Women's Health May 2008

So we rifled through our Rolodex, called more than 70 top authorities on health and wellness, and asked each of them the same question: What are the most important things a woman can do to stay healthy? [Ditch facebook and connect face-to-face. "Having a strong social network improves immune function, protects heart health, and wards off depression and anxiety."]

"What to Do with 20 Minutes." Women's Day April 15 2008

Try a simple yoga pose, says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, health psychologist and
yoga teacher at Stanford University: Set a timer for 20 minutes. Lie on your
back, facing a wall, and slide your legs up the wall until they can rest
comfortably. Support your neck with a small rolled-up towel. Close your eyes
and place your hands on your belly to feel it rise and fall as you breathe.
In 20 minutes, you¹ll be surprisingly refreshed.

"What to Do Besides Eat [While You Watch TV]." My Family Doctor March/April 2008

Stretch! A single commercial (about 30 seconds) is the perfect length
of time to hold a stretch, and after several commercial breaks you'll
have reduced stress and tension in the whole body.
—Kelly McGonigal, PhD, health psychologist, yoga instructor, Stanford
University

"Laugh Out Loud: It's Good for You." Energy Times March 2008

"The act of laughing out loud vigorously has benefits similar to a workout," says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health psychologist at Stanford University. "It increases heart rate and stimulates deep breathing."

"Mind & Body: The Cold War." Runners World February 2008

Problem: You're stressed. As a result, your body produces hormones that slow disease prevention. Deep breathing and yoga can help you have a healthier stress response, says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a yoga instructor and Stanford University psychologist. Solution: Try this breathing technique....

"Got Debt? Financial Stress May Be Making You Sick." Money Matters February 2008.

If handled improperly, debt can quickly spiral out of control and lead to financial and emotional distress.... However, there are some conscious steps individuals can take to help reduce stress and chip away at debt, according to Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist and at Stanford University.

"Boost Brain Power with Balance Training." On Fitness January/February 2008

Balance training “forces the nervous system to solve new problems,” says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health educator at Stanford University. “In ‘use it or lose it’ fashion, this process (neuromuscular facilitation) keeps neurons in the brain healthy and forming new connections."....Balance drills also drive up "mindfulness" which, according to recent studies, "helps prevent age-related cognitive decline and loss of neurons," says McGonigal.

"Weight Training for Seniors ." On Fitness January/February 2008

"Greater ease in everyday life -- the ability to stay engaged and independent should be one of the primary training goals with seniors," says McGonigal. "Seniors often shy away from strength training -- they are either intimidated or don't understand why it is important. Seniors are more likely to continue with a program that begins at a low intensity. A low intensity introduction increases seniors' self-efficacy for strenght training, which makes a big difference in motivation and commitment."

"Music Mellows ." Heart-Healthy Living  Winter 2007

“The primary health benefits of music come from its mood-boosting effects,” says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health psychologist and educator at Stanford University who teaches people how to use music to improve their health. “A positive mood triggers a wide range of physiological responses: lowered heart rate and blood pressure, improved immune response, and reduced experience of pain,” she says.

"Benefits of Membership ." Women's Health   December 2007

It's always good to go after your own goals -- but sometimes it pays to tap the power of the sweaty masses. "Being around people with a similar goal amplifies your enthusiasm," says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a health psychologist and fitness instructor at Stanford University. "You want to keep up with the group. And the dedication, strength, and stamina you need to get through a workout are reinforced because your co-exercisers assume you have them. Subconsciously you feed off that."

"Gym-goers and Clubs Realize the Rewards of Fitness Friendships." MSNBC November 2007

Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist at Stanford University who teaches yoga and group fitness, wrote an article earlier this year in the IDEA Fitness Journal, a trade publication, urging fitness instructors to promote social connections with their clients. She says the benefits of fitness friendships are many. "Social connection amplifies the health benefits of exercise," she says. "It strengthens the immune system, protects the cardiovascular system, improves mood and makes you more resilient to stress. Social connection boosts motivation to work out and makes the experience more fun."

"Health & Wellness: Relax and Renew Yourself." Martha Stewart Weddings Fall 2007

Perhaps you can't avoid frayed nerves when you're planning a wedding, but you can use mind-body techniques such as yoga or meditation to keep from being overwhelmed. Try these examples from Kelly McGonigal, a yoga instructor and health psychologist at Stanford University....

"Chief Exercise Officer." Women's Health   October 2007

Women were five times more apt than then men to come up with their best ideas while sweating. "Women may be more likely to experience this creative boost if men are treating exercise as a competition, with themselves or others," says Kelly McGonigal, PhD. How to switch on that inner light bulb? Vary your routine to keep your mind sharp, and crank up your iPOD -- it'll boost your mood and limit distractions.

"Creating an Emergency Plan." IDEA Fitness Journal October 2007

When confronted with stressful situations, our bodies go through powerful emotional and physiological changes. When we go into this state of high physiological arousal, we tend to default to well-rehearsed reactions, explains Kelly McGonigal, PhD. "If you have a well-planned response, you will automatically respond well," she says. "Calming down won't be necessary; you'll be on effective autopilot."

"The Comedy Cure." Reader's Digest  September 2007

A little lightheartedness can lead to a more positive approach in everyday situations, says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, a Stanford University psychologist. She teaches guided laughter, a group technique in which you prep your body for the physical work of laughter to reap the benefits: joy and social interaction. "All the efforts we put into reducing stress we ought to put into laughing," says McGonigal.

"Handling Criticism." Current Health (a magazine for teens) Fall 2007

“Constructive criticism helps someone to change a behavior or improve performance,” says Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist at Stanford University in California. Destructive criticism, on the other hand, is hurtful and is sometimes used to make the criticizer feel better about himself or herself, she adds. If you think the criticism is valid and believe the person’s intention is sincere, ask specific and non-defensive questions like, “How do you think I should handle it next time?” McGonigal suggests. Then work on the behavior.   

"Between Poses." The New York Times August 23, 2007

The question is: What responsibility does a studio or a teacher have if one student is making another uncomfortable? Some instructors like Kelly McGonigal, 29, who teaches at Stanford University and at the Avalon Art and Yoga Center in Palo Alto, Calif., take matters into their own hands.

The Washington Post. July 24, 2007.

Live online discussion (60 minutes) with psychologist Kelly McGonigal. Topic: Stress, Debt, and Health. Full transcript available.

"In Over Your Head? Ask Your Body." The Washington Post July 24 2007

Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist at Stanford University who studies stress, called debt a "toxic version" of stress, the kind that "feels uncontrollable, is chronic in time, [and] is the most difficult kind of stress." Constant worrying over debt causes a "lingering feeling that something bad is going to happen to you, so you're having this brain-body experience of stress all the time. It can lead to catastrophizing" -- worsening a situation by imagining bad outcomes -- she said.

"Suburban Dwellers May Feel Immune to Violent Crime." Baltimore Examiner June 7 2007

Kelly McGonigal, a psychologist at Stanford University in California, said people who live in the suburbs feel most threatened after they hear about violent crimes. “The people who experience the greatest stress and fear from reports of crime actually have the lowest risk for it.”

"Forgive Yourself."Yoga Journal  December 2006

"Online Yogis." November 2006 issue of Yoga Journal's My Yoga Mentor

For some, the right book can serve as therapist and cheerleader. For others, the search for the perfect book becomes a way to avoid action and personal growth, says Kelly McGonigal, PhD, psychologist at Stanford University. "Some books are so comforting that reading them becomes a substitute for thinking about what needs changing," she explains.

"An Attitude of Gratitude." Yoga Life  Summer 2006

"Yoga Therapy." Pacific Sun Magazine May 2006

"In my own experience as a yoga teacher and psychologist, I see the greatest impact on emotional suffering. Many of my own students are dealing with depression, anxiety, and body-image issues. When yoga is helpful for psychological issues, it seems to be because the practice of yoga interrupts patterns of both the body and mind. We’re challenged to experience our bodies in a different way – as strong, as powerful, as able to feel pleasure and ease - and to pay attention to what is actually happening in the moment, instead of letting our minds run off on typical patterns of self-criticism or worry."

Yoga Peeps Podcast February 2006

Follow the link to listen to a 60-minute audio interview with Kelly McGonigal,

"Already Stressed?" The Stanford Daily, January 13 2005

She also warned students not to sacrifice their current health and sanity to worry about a hypothetical future. “The best way to prepare to be happy in the future,” McGonigal said, “is to practice being happy now.”

Yoga instructor Kelly McGonigal, PhD, provides tips for personalizing your yoga practice and sticking with it.

To request an interview, contact me by email (kmcg @ stanford "dot" edu).

The Association for Psychological Science (APS) has increased its commitment to communciating the findings and applications of psychology research in the popular media. For more information about how researchers and journalists can collaborate, read this call to action.