Great to see the @riotcleanup Twitter campaign in action on the news. Initially organised by a fellow Worthing resident Dan Thompson – see http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2011/aug/09/clean-up-riots?CMP=twt_gu
Twitter comments are now suggesting regular cleanup activities in local parks and community areas.
Volunteering in this way creates a great feel good factor and can have a positive impact on self -esteem, health and wellbeing. One of the riotcleanup volunteers on the BBC news described it as “strangely uplifting”.
Volunteering studies with young people have shown that it also increases a sense of community and social responsibility for the participants. – see http://www.ivr.org.uk/Institute+of+Volunteering+Research%2fVA+Documents%2fVA5_3%2farticle2_eley.pdf
As a previous committee member of my local park I’ve experienced the sense of involvement and satisfaction it can bring, alongside learning new skills and meeting new people.
Budget cuts are hitting charities with volunteering opportunities but for youths with 6 weeks holiday and nothing to do, perhaps it might help to have some organised community volunteering initiatives in place for next summer?
Social media such as Twitter and Blackberry Messenger (BBM) are being discussed alongside the current rioting in London and other cities in the U.K. http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-14442203
Their role in the current situation is under debate, but clearly society in general has a responsibility to understand and manage these tools so that they can be used with respect and balance alongside other forms of interaction and connection.
It’s been said that many teenagers can have over 1000 facebook friends and still feel lonely and disconnected.
Facebook depression is now a recognised term, perhaps because our brains have evolved as social organs that need the physical presence and attention of others in order to feel connected and valued. See http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/127/4/800.full
Social media provides interaction and as such is useful, but it shouldn’t entirely replace the physical connection that being with friends and family give us.
Individuals, parents and communities in general now need to recognise and encourage the importance of inclusion, connection, participation and a sense of belonging. Eating family meals together, belonging to community groups and neighbourhood initiatives, watching and playing in local sports teams, and cross generational engagement and support.
These activities and attitudes make a positive and essential contribution to our psychological wellbeing and need to form part of the current debate that is unfolding.
Ofcom has just released a report showing the extent of our use of smartphones such as the ‘Crackberry’.
http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/market-data-research/market-data/communications-market-reports/cmr11/
There is growing concern about the obsessive and addictive use of smart phones, social media and technology in general. There are even suggestions that this will essentially rewire our brains.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2020378/Facebook-Twitter-creating-vain-generation-self-obsessed-people.html
This is all new territory and as a society we’re having to develop new levels of ettiquette and emotional maturity to use these tools in a balanced and appropriate way.
I’ve no doubt that this will come in time as we learn to use them alongside a sense of perspective and respect for ourselves and others.
A few stories in the news today about the increased chance of younger generations reaching the age of 100.
Interesting also to note a recent study conducted in New York.
It seems that whilst a healthy lifestyle is still recommended, people who live to 95 or older are no more virtuous than the rest of us in terms of their diet, exercise routine or smoking and drinking habits, according to researchers at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University.
A liberating thought perhaps….?
See http://blogs.yu.edu/news/2011/08/03/lifestyles-of-the-old-and-healthy-defy-convention/
For inspirational talks from experts in their field, go to www.TED.com
It’s a fantastic resource on a huge range of topics and issues. They’ve just had their 5th birthday, and to celebrate they’ve compiled a list of their 20 most viewed videos. Take a look at http://blog.ted.com/2011/06/27/the-20-most-watched-tedtalks-so-far/
Recent research shows that a significant number of individuals with physical symptoms may benefit from psychological approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT).
Psychological therapies are helpful because they focus on improving people’s emotional state and functioning by helping them to understand, and where necessary change, how they think about and respond to their physical symptoms and life situation.
A significant number of GP surgery visits are considered to have a psychological component and as such would benefit from some form of psychological therapy and training.
See http://bit.ly/oAlREZ for more on the research.
The government is continuing with David Cameron’s initiative to include a Happiness Index in policy making decisions. The common themes being discussed are altruism, relationships, health, meaningful and fairly paid employment and the environment.
This is mirrored by the latest studies in neuroscience and mental health showing that the human brain is essentially a social organ, thriving on interaction with others, and contributing to, and feeling valued by other people.
This is supported by mood enhancing exercise, a connection with nature and having a sense of purpose and meaning in our activities.
For more see http://bit.ly/qh7nvf
New research shows that developing an optimistic attitude to life can have positive benefits to our health. The good news is that optimism and gratitude are thinking styles that can be developed. See http://bit.ly/qtvgrI
Results of a new piece of research showing the effectiveness of counselling approaches on weight loss.
http://bit.ly/oLomMW
Posted in Eating, Thoughts
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