Description: Which is more stressful, catastrophic life events or daily stresses (hassles)? One on one, of course catastrophic life events are more stressful but which stressors, all in all, take more of a toll on us physically and psychologically? Classic stress research by Richard Lazarus found that in the long run daily stresses or hassles… Read more »
Posts Categorized: Adult Development and Aging
SuperAgers: Born or Made?
Description: Do you have an aging relative who is still remarkably sharp mentally, who can remember details of many things, is quick to respond to comments with humour and insight and who, from a mental point of view seems much younger than their years? Well, if so, there is a name for that sort of… Read more »
Sence of Purpose = Longer Life: Advice for Living Well
Description: Based on what you know or on what you think is likely to be true name some things adults can or should do to increase their lifespan. I bet things like eating well, regular exercise and moderation in things like alcohol intake are on your list. But what about psychological (cognitive things)? I don’t… Read more »
Is Parenting Universal?
Description: Imagine (if it is not the case for you already) that you are about to become a parent for the first time and you are trying to figure out how you are going to approach the challenges and, hopefully, joys, of being a parent. Boil it down to one or two questions by starting… Read more »
Walking and Dementia
Description: Dementia associated with aging is a serious concern. Dementia is a general term for impairments in memory, thinking, and decision making in ways that can interfere with everyday activities. It can be related in injury, Alzheimer’s disease, changes in blood flow with age and any number of other issues. There are some treatments that… Read more »
Dog Ownership and Psychological Wellbeing
Description: Quick question. Is having a dog good for you psychologically? Don’t do any searching on the question, just go with what you have heard or recall. Answer? Good for you, right? Maybe you have heard that regular time with dogs extends the lives of elderly people or that dog companions help their human friend… Read more »
Happiness and Aging: A New Look at the Data
Description: You have heard, I hope, of the supposed power of providing random acts of kindness to others, even strangers, haven’t you? However, have thought much about why that might be a good thin g to do? We may have heard from parents, teachers and others that it is a good thing to be kind… Read more »
Aging and Fake News: A Big Deal?
Description: Who is most susceptible to fake news? Children? Young adults? Middle aged adults? The elderly? Let’s leave children out of the question for now as their fake news exposures and uptakes are, at least to some extent, their parents’ concern. What about the elderly? ON the one hand they have less access to the… Read more »
Gender and Wisdom?
Description: Think about what you have read, learned or heard about wisdom. It is not a characteristic typically applied to young people, is it? In fact, it is one of the few positive things associated with aging and with advanced age in particular. Why is that? What is it about wisdom that leads us to… Read more »
New Life Stages or Just Changed Life Stages?
Description: Ok, quick, think of a typical 22-year-old. What are they like? Yes, they are all different but step back for a minute and generalize. Now do the same with a typical 66-year-old. Now, with each of those generalizations in mind don’t compare them to one another but, instead, compare them to what each generalization… Read more »