Healthy Living Prevents Alzheimer's

An AP/Columbus Dispatch article entitled "Study: Healthy Living Can Prevent Alzheimer's" reveals that simple life changes, such as not smoking, exercising regularly, eating healthy, and maintaining an active mental life through such things as education can help prevent Alzheimer's in later life. The research revealed 7 different factors that impact future dementia. Would you be willing to make some simple life changes now, in order to prevent Alzheimer's in your future? How can this information be incorporated into future health programs for all adults?

Playgrounds Too Safe?

NY Times article entitled "Can a Playground Be Too Safe?" This article discusses the changes made in playgrounds over the last 50 years, and then explores the psychological impact this has made on our children. Specifically, studies have found that children who have semi-"dangerous" playgrounds to explore can overcome fears such as fear of heights or of dangerous places. Should playgrounds have more "exciting" and potentially dangerous equipment? How has our litigious society impacted the way children play? Is a playground a good place to develop emotional and mental well-being?

The Therapist Will "See" You Now

NY Times article entitled "The Therapist Will See You Now, Via the Web." This article discusses the possibility of internet- based psychotherapy, and how it might occur. Most insurance companies do not pay for web-based therapy, and many therapists are concerned about the ability to accurately understand emotions over long-distance technology. Would you be willing to see a psychologist via the internet, even if they lived in another state? What ethical implications might that have?

The Therapist Will "See" You Now

NY Times article entitled "The Therapist Will See You Now, Via the Web." This article discusses the possibility of internet- based psychotherapy, and how it might occur. Most insurance companies do not pay for web-based therapy, and many therapists are concerned about the ability to accurately understand emotions over long-distance technology. Would you be willing to see a psychologist via the internet, even if they lived in another state? What ethical implications might that have?

Internet Use Affects Memory

NY Times article entitled "Internet Use Affects Memory, Study Finds." This article explores how use of the internet affects how people remember information. The study identifies several interesting pieces of the internet/memory connection, including that people are more likely to remember information if they do not think they will remember it later, and they also are more likely to remember where they store the information on their computer. How might this affect learning in your life? How could you use this information to impact your memory?