Posts Tagged With ‘ Dr. Ron Kaiser ’

Among an oversupply of bad news that gets reported on a daily basis, there is occasionally some really good news. One of those positive developments is associated with lifelong learning. Studies in recent years have found that approximately 75% of Americans engage in at least one educational activity annually to seek extra knowledge beyond that which is required for work. While some of these activities include non-required courses, workshops, etc., that enhance their employment opportunities, much of the learning that takes place is for general interest, learning a new skill or hobby,... Continue Reading

When meeting with a new patient or client for the first time, I routinely ask several questions beyond the obvious demographic ones. One of those questions is, “What do you do for fun?” You would be surprised at how many times the question leaves somebody dumbfounded – as if it is a trick question that can’t be answered spontaneously. Others forthrightly state that, “I’ve never thought about it.” Perhaps the most distressing response for me is some variation of, “I’m not sure that I know how to have fun.” If a young child grows up in a supportive and safe environment,... Continue Reading

While medications are often necessary to control or cure certain diseases, there is no medication that provides the range of benefits that accrue from spending time outdoors and enjoying fresh air and sunlight. An overwhelming body of research has identified numerous healthy outcomes that correlate with spending time in nature – including improving mood, enhancing self-esteem, reducing stress and anxiety levels, and even improving cognitive skills and immune function. Furthermore, exposure to fresh air and sunlight can help regulate the sleep cycle and enhance the quality of your... Continue Reading

Back when I was in graduate school 50 years ago, Ambiguity was a hot topic. I don’t think that graduate psychology students today spend too much time on the topic as newer concerns and concepts evolve all the time and receive greater emphasis, but I still consider tolerance of ambiguity to be an important issue to informally assess in working with individuals. Being comfortable with ambiguity definitely enhances your chances of success in a creative career. It also helps when you are in a situation that calls for brainstorming, and it can even be beneficial when taking an essay test. The... Continue Reading

As listeners to the REJUVENAGING® with Dr. Ron Kaiser podcast know, some recent episodes have been sponsored by NutriSense, a company that promotes healthy living though their glucose monitoring program that includes wearing a monitor for a specified period of time and getting regular feedback about your blood sugar levels along with individualized nutritional support. It is designed for people who are interested in preventive health, as opposed to those who have diabetes or other diagnosed glucose disorders. As is the case with any product that I endorse, I used it myself and learned... Continue Reading

Researchers who study a particular topic don’t always agree with each other’s conclusion, but one subject on which there is universal agreement is the importance of movement. A sedentary lifestyle ranks right up there with smoking and obesity as health destroyers and longevity reducers. Movement has not only been found to be good for your body but also good for your brain. The Centers for Disease Control has identified several cognitive benefits from physical activity – including improved thinking, learning, memory, and problem-solving. In addition, it can help improve mood and... Continue Reading

Assertiveness is the skill of being able to stand up for your rights without aggressively violating the rights of others or passively accepting what you know to be wrong. When a salesperson bullies you into paying for a product that you know to be substandard and that you don’t need, that person is being aggressive. If you accept it and pay for it, you are being unassertive. When my professional peers and I were going through our training about a half-century ago, assertiveness training was “the new kid on the psychology block”. I fully expected it to become a permanent staple... Continue Reading

In the world of advertising, one of the most iconic slogans that exists is Nike’s, “Just Do It!” Together with its famous “swoosh,” it has made Nike one of the most recognizable brands on the planet. The slogan also has an inspirational message that reminds us to not get stuck obsessing about a decision – but rather get started. Just doing it creates momentum that moves you forward rather than being unproductive. We don’t always have to have it all figured out before we can start. As important as that message is, some of us have a rather different problem; being able to... Continue Reading

Historically, according to the Centers for Disease Control, up to 40% of premature deaths from major diseases could be prevented with lifestyle modifications. In addition, most illnesses are stress-related. These figures don’t even take into account the Covid-19 pandemic that resulted in a higher proportion of severe illness and death from the disease among individuals with pre-existing health conditions. While obviously not all health problems are preventable, these figures should scare you if you are not managing your lifestyle adequately. We now have the science to know that what... Continue Reading

Because so many things that we deal with in psychology cannot be physically measured, the field lends itself to various interpretations about all sorts of things.  There is no equivalent of an EKG or MRI or blood pressure cuff to objectively measure empathy or resilience or even love.  As a result, there is no uniform psychological theory that is adhered to by all psychologists. One of the issues that divides various practitioners in the field is the importance of the past.  Like most psychologists who have been trained since the latter third of the 20th century, I tend to place... Continue Reading