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Social

Interaction

Social interaction and mental stimulation with interesting new activities seem to have a protective effect against dementia or increased forgetfulness with aging. Connections between brain cells are built as we learn, and tend to get lost wi less use as we age. More severe forms of dementia that involve cell death is not a normal part of aging.

 

Learning new information and experiencing new things helps keep our brain function as we age. Attending a group class in person or online can stimulate the mind and provide social interaction.

 

Maintaining an active and healthy lifestyle and getting adequate sleep and exercise are helpful for health and immune function throughout life and may help make interactions with others more pleasant. Sleeplessness or poor sleep quality can increase irritability and risk of accidents. 

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Physically and mentally possibly, thinking about someone you care about, may have a healing effect by soothing the fear/stress response. (G3.10) Increasing opportunities and funding for extracurricular activities helped reduce substance abuse in teens in the nation of Iceland.

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For more information:

  • Adult Children of Emotionally Immature Parents: How to Heal from Distant, Rejecting, or Self-Involved Parents, by Lindsay C. Gibson, PsyD, (New Harbinger Pub., Inc., 2015, Oakland, CA) (G3.10). 

  • See: G3.3 & G3.4, Relaxation and Stress, (effectivecare.info)

  • Sleep and Health, (transcendingsquare.com).

  • How Iceland Got Kids to Say No to Drugs, The Atlantic, (theatlantic.com).

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Where can I take free or low cost online educational courses?
  • EdX.org - EdX.org

  • Saylor.org - Saylor.org

  • Coursera.org - Coursera.org

  • FutureLearn.com - FutureLearn.com

  • KhanAcademy.org - KhanAcademy.org

  • AcademicEarth.org - AcademicEarth.org

  • Open Yale Courses - oyc.yale.edu

  • Open Enrollment Harvard courses - extension.harvard.edu, fee may be required.

  • UoPeople.edu - UoPeople.edu - University of the People - tuition free model, low cost degrees. Scholarships may be available for the low cost fees that are still required.

  • Udemy.com - Udemy.com

  • For a brief description of the sites see "10 MOOC WebSites to Start Your Free Onine Education,"studentcompetitions.com (9 are listed here, one didn't have a current link, except FutureLearn, see section 5.8 MOOCs, effectivecare.info, for a description and other resources).

  • ed.ted.com - ed.ted.com, a lesson plan building site by TedTalk videos, for students or educators with examples based on TedTalks and animated graphic videos.

  • icivics.org - icivics.org, lesson plans and free resources about government, civic activities and developing a civic attitude; for educators to support classroom and online learning activities; founded by Former Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor; donations accepted to help support free quality civics education for all students.

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Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes within the guidelines of fair use. While I am a Registered Dietitian this information is not intended to provide individual health guidance. Please see a health professional for individual health care purposes.

Planet Earth or Planet Oceana?

The majority of the planet is covered in water. Technology and our daily actions can help us protect it.

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