Focus less on a Parkinson’s “cure,” and more on helping us get through the day. Key points We are so obsessed with finding the cure to Parkinson’s and other chronic illnesses that research priorities often ignore the needs of those who, like me, will not live long enough to experience that magic bullet. Yes, search […]

Anxiety is an important survival behavior in need of discipline. Key points Counseling seeks to modify or eliminate anxiety in a few months or years, a trait that took 300,000 years to become part of our DNA. Good luck with that change. Why It’s Difficult to Eliminate Anxiety Our DNA is reluctant to give up […]

We think of repetition as boring. Yet it is crucial for mastering everything. Key Points Repetition: The Neurological Secret Sauce We think of repetition as boring. Yet it is crucial for mastering everything. Updated January 18, 2025 | Reviewed by Davia Sills How can a composition of fat, water, proteins, carbohydrates, and salts—combined with roughly […]

Unless we can understand the dynamics of falling, it’s going to happen again. Key Points How We Can Prevent Life-Threatening Falls in Elders Unless we can understand the dynamics of falling, it’s going to happen again. Posted December 4, 2024 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma Whether you’re a senior or caring for an older parent, […]

You can eliminate anxiety on your own by doing three simple activities. Key Points Three Behavioral Strategies to Control Anxiety You can eliminate anxiety on your own by doing three simple activities. Updated October 16, 2024 | Reviewed by Lybi Ma Anxiety is coming out of the closet, openly discussed by celebrities and everyday people […]

How should you respond when someone shares a terrible diagnosis? Key Points Caring Responses to “I Have Cancer, Parkinsons, Alzheimer’s” How should you respond when someone shares a terrible diagnosis? Posted August 19, 2024 | Reviewed by Monica Vilhauer Ph.D. Almost 20 million people in the United States live with cancer, Parkinson’s, or Alzheimer’s—the three […]

Personal Perspective: These misconceptions are based on fear of becoming old. Key Points While walking behind a young couple, I observed a striking scene: they had been forced to slow their pace as they trailed an elderly gentleman moving slowly in a crowded street. Unable to pass him, the couple exchanged annoyed looks and even […]

Get rid of clutter and your brain will function better.Key points How often have you looked at a pile of laundry in the living room, dirty plates in the kitchen, or unpaid bills on your desk and thought, “I’ll take care of them later; they’re unimportant.” Maybe to you, but not to your brain—which struggles […]

Four proven psycholinguistic strategies.Key points Do you remember the children’s rhyme “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” It is one of the worst pieces of advice given to children and the cause of countless adult breakups. Words—not sticks and stones—are the greased rails upon which most relationships move […]

Sometimes, the more we hope, the less likely it will occur. Key points Hope has prevented us from preparing for the “worst” since man developed the ability to think. Even fish have an advantage over us: They don’t hope; they act. We should be at least as smart as fish. Some practitioners of positive psychology […]