Health & Rehabilitation in Psychology
THE ROLE OF OUR EMOTIONAL/BEHAVIORAL SELVES
IN HEALTH, WELL BEING & RECOVERY FROM MEDICAL PROBLEMS
More and more over time, we have become, as a profession and a society
in general, more aware of and sensitive to the importance of our
psychological self in recovery from illness (such as medical
rehabilitation after brain injuries, strokes and other conditions),
prevention of illness (by using a variety of techniques, including
relaxation, exercise and brain training) and in better handling the
aspects of our complex lives.
"Health psychology" is a growing field in the medical world and daily
life. Friends and colleagues of mine, whom I respect greatly, have
become skilled at such varied alternative therapies as Reiki,
meditation, T'ai chi, and other useful strategies. My personal
challenges with weight loss have taught me a lot about the functional
side of behavior as have the struggles of friends, colleagues and
patients with smoking cessation, diet, managing medical conditions and
moving through life healthy enough to enjoy it.
This can mean trying new things; it can mean kick boxing, mountain
hiking or snowboarding--it can also mean greater efforts to get up from
our desk and devices, take a walk, enjoy a ball game (a personal
favorite) or kicking a soccer ball around. I really do appreciate the
Nike slogan, "Just do it," and, from that, there is evidence that changing our behavior first can be very helpful in changing our mood or reducing anxiety...
I am honored to be returning (after a 25 year hiatus) to teaching at the
College of New Jersey this Fall (2011), teaching "Health Psychology."
Please come back and visit this site for updates about what I have
taught and learned from my students, beginning in late August.