Recovery Now reminds you that you can create change and science can help
Behavior-change is pretty straightforward in concept but perplexing in execution. Even behavioral scientists who spend their waking hours immersed in social science research don’t have it all figured out and that’s a good thing because that means that these scientists get together once in a while and have entertaining but informative discussions that we can all benefit from. One such discussion is linked below in a Freakonomics podcast episode. The behavior-change revolution will not be televised, but it will be a podcast.
Recovery Now reminds you that exercise can improve brain functioning
As if we need more reasons to exercise. Actually, most of us do need more reasons to exercise, so add memory improvement to that list. The University of Maryland study published in The Journal of the International Neuropsychological Society presents evidence of brain changes occurring after a single moderate workout that could lead to long-term improvement in memory function. Drawing a blank, do a plank! There is a bit more to the process so check out the article linked below.
ASD is a condition causing a person is able to have problems with social interaction and communication. In addition to challenges socializing and communicating, individuals with ASD have repetitive, and/or restricted behaviors and/or interests. Most people notice the symptoms and behaviors of ASD begin to interfere with daily life early on in life (before age 2) however sometimes this disorder goes on undiagnosed for years. ASD includes a wide spectrum of functioning, symptoms and behaviors ranging from mild to severe impairments. Mild types of ASD may include problems with social interaction, feeling “awkward” with others and challenges in establishing healthy and rewarding relationships (both friendships and romantic relationships). More severe ASD can cause a person to have difficulty speaking to others and understanding any type of social interaction.
How do I know if my loved one or I have ASD?
If you suspect that you or your child may have ASD there are diagnostic assessment tools conducted by our psychologist that can determine your diagnosis. Meeting with one of our clinicians is a first step to understanding your diagnosis.
How can therapy help?
Therapy can be very helpful for those with ASD and their families. Learning behavioral modification techniques, as well as communication and social skills can help to alleviate the impairments caused by ASD. Additionally, family therapy can be helpful in fostering better communication, strategies for daily living and building rewarding relationships between all family members. Lastly, those with ASD may suffer from other mental health problems such as anxiety, depression, OCD, relational problems and more. These co-occurring mental health problems are highly treatable with therapy.
“All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.” The article below featured in The Atlantic revisits the benefits of play as an important part of a child’s development; assisting in areas of memory, cognition, social skills, and maybe even mental health. Although we understand that play does pay, it appears that children are playing less than years before and it could be related to our cultural fixation that our kiddos get into Stanford. Take the math book out of Juliana’s hand for a moment and let her know the top of the jungle gym has just suddenly transformed into the mast of her pirate ship.
Most of us want to increase our physical activity. Some of us are equipped to do super lunges while shoulder pressing a Buick Skylark over our heads but for those of us that prefer less vigorous activity, walking works just fine. Below is a link to an article from the Mayo Clinic that features the benefits of walking as well as some strategies to make those walks more effective.
We’ve all been stressed and anxious (high zone), other times we are detached and numb (low zone). The Community Resiliency Model™ refers to the middle area between those highs and lows as the “Resilient Zone.” The “Resilient Zone” is the middle place where we experience calmness but we are able to be alert and attune to the world around us. Below is an image featuring 10 strategies that you could use if you begin to experience the high or low zones and you’d like to get back to the “Resilient Zone.”
We’ve probably all heard a coworker, friend, or family member attribute their new found peace to the practice of gratitude. Maybe at times we are even able to do it ourselves. The article below shares the benefits associated with the principle of gratitude.
How much time at our jobs are we really working? Maybe you spent two hours answering time sensitive emails but then spent one hour in a rousing argument with your cubicle-mate about which is the best Police Academy movie (By far it’s Police Academy 4: Citizens on Patrol). Maybe you shouldn’t feel guilty about that one hour Police Academy debate because it could promote alertness, creativity, and productivity. Check out the link below and read about the benefits of “active rest.”
“The most beautiful people we have known are those who have known defeat, known suffering, known struggle, known loss, and have found their way out of those depths” – Elisabeth Kubler-Ross
