Dr. Maya Shankar

What they find is that when they elongate the exam, but they actually make the last few minutes slightly less painful, people are much more likely to return for follow-up visits.

What they find is that when they elongate the exam, but they actually make the last few minutes slightly less painful, people are much more likely to return for follow-up visits.

which is kind of astonishing because the overall amount of time that you are in some level of discomfort is actually longer, but the intensity of that pain is less at the end.

which is kind of astonishing because the overall amount of time that you are in some level of discomfort is actually longer, but the intensity of that pain is less at the end.

And that can weigh in in a pretty significant way in terms of how you construct that memory.

And that can weigh in in a pretty significant way in terms of how you construct that memory.

And I think this is so important for all of us because when we think back on experiences, we might not be coding them super accurately, right?

And I think this is so important for all of us because when we think back on experiences, we might not be coding them super accurately, right?

And if we're aware of this bias, then we can think back differently on

And if we're aware of this bias, then we can think back differently on

you know, ended that like setting for that test.

you know, ended that like setting for that test.

Those last five minutes were so brutal, but actually there were moments of joy there.

Those last five minutes were so brutal, but actually there were moments of joy there.

I remember learning something new.

I remember learning something new.

I remember feeling like my curiosity was ignited.

I remember feeling like my curiosity was ignited.

And so kind of reminding ourselves to take that full experience into account or making sure that when we do want to repeat a behavior, we end the experience on a high, on a positive note.

And so kind of reminding ourselves to take that full experience into account or making sure that when we do want to repeat a behavior, we end the experience on a high, on a positive note.