older driver hands

istockphoto

This week the National Highway Traffic Safety Board captured some headlines with their report on older drivers that offered more grim news: drivers over 65 are far more likely to die in crashes at intersections, and are far more likely to be involved in accidents in intersections. Even as overall rates of traffic fatalities decreased, those for older drivers increased. The solution? Better roads and safety precautions but basically nothing to be done about the deteriorating vision and reflexes of older drivers that contribute to this crashes.

Or can it? [continue reading…]

math_problem

Image: istockphoto

While boys generally do better than girls in science and math, some studies have found that girls do better in arithmetic. A new study published in Psychological Science, a journal of the Association for Psychological Science, finds that the advantage comes from girls’ superior verbal skills.

“People have always thought that males’ advantage is in math and spatial skills, and girls’ advantage is in language,” says Xinlin Zhou of Beijing Normal University, who cowrote the study with Wei Wei, Hao Lu, Hui Zhao, and Qi Dong of Beijing Normal University and Chuansheng Chen of the University of California-Irvine. “However, some parents and teachers in China say girls do arithmetic better than boys in primary school.”

Zhou and his colleagues did a series of tests with children ages 8 to 11 at 12 primary schools in and around Beijing. [continue reading…]

What’s in a Chair?

Psychology practices come in all shapes, sizes and modalities. To many of you who have decided to visit a therapist for the first time this can be a step into the great “unknown”… and a trifle intimidating.

Television, movies and magazines have all done their part in feeding these expectations.

Over the next little while, I thought it would be useful to share a little more about us and our West-Coast Canadian practice Tri-City Psychology Services, and what better way to do this than by posting some photos.

We have worked in good, bad and positively ugly offices in our time. I often reflect on what must goes through a therapist’s head when they choose a space to work in, and exactly what criteria they consider, and in so doing they what they hope to convey from their chosen surrounding to their clients.

We have always believed that the space we work in has a profound effect on the client, for us the space had to be comfortable and functional to work in, and also reflect a peaceful tranquil and professional space that clients would relax in and feel instantly at ease. I think we have accomplished this and I will share some pictures over the next few days… and you can tell us what you think.reception

This is the waiting area in reception. Its a lovely cool, zenlike and tranquil space. The nic naks and other touches reflect something of the West Coast, and things we like (like the lovely Stendig calender on the wall).

ScreenTo break up the space we hit upon the idea of this lovely woven screen. It maintains the light and airy feel and provides a nice barrier between the waiting room, therapy rooms , bathroom and kitchen space.

The artwork reflects the West Coast feel, and the plants add to the ‘green’ fresh spa like environment.

We are lucky to have a fireplace, this really adds a cozy feel in the winter months. To enhance the fireplace we added a roughly hewn mantle, made from a rough cut piece of cedar… its rather splendid and has garnered lots of admiring compliments! Its a great place to display nic naks.
Fireplace

 

Are you a Desk Potato?

pain in the back

Image: istockphoto

You may feel productive putting in long days at the office. But while your mind is active, your body isn’t. There is a growing body of research that supports the idea that, regardless of your exercise routine after hours, the more time you spend sitting each day, the higher your risk of heart disease. Evidence suggests your hips, spine and shoulders suffer as well.

“It’s important to get up and move around throughout the day. Exercise not only helps with how you feel physically, but it also improves your mind and your memory.”” says Julia Henderson-Kalb, a Saint Louis University occupational therapist. “

While it’s not always feasible to hit the gym at lunchtime, some small changes to your routine can add up quickly to make a positive impact your health.

Henderson-Kalb suggests these simple habits to help you increase your daily activity in a substantial way.

Sit on an exercise ball instead of a chair. You’ll strengthen your abdominal and back muscles and improve your posture.

• Set an alarm to go off every hour to remind yourself to stand up and stretch. Get in the habit of walking around your office while you talk on the phone.

• Always take the stairs and use the restrooms on another floor.

• Park far away from the entrance to your office building. Wear a pedometer and aim to get 6,000-10,000 steps per day.

• Bring your lunch to work. Not only is it less expensive and can be healthier, but you’ll leave time in your day to take a lunchtime walk or exercise break.

• Bring light weights or exercise bands to the office and build an exercise routine into your day. Follow this link for specific exercises and a demonstration.

To hear more about the importance of avoiding sedentary work days, visit: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iz35RPBQlyI&feature=related

Source: Saint Louis University Medical Center