Happy July 4th Eve! Hasn’t this week felt slow and fast all at the same time?! I had a conversation with a friend and we spoke about the way time is now warped because we do not celebrate holidays in a traditional manner due to social distancing. But, we also discussed the creativity of people with celebrating the holidays with new social distancing measures. For example, car parades, virtual egg hunts, and Zoom parties!
I hope you and your family have a great way to celebrate July 4th with this new normal! Some options I can think of—You Tube fireworks show in the background (similar to the Yule log!), Zoom BBQ where each family member or group makes their favorite dish and play some virtual games via Zoom, or just relaxing with family at home with a private dinner.
I am sure whatever you choose will be enjoyed because we have become great at embracing the little things.
This past week has felt busy in the news department. Here are my finds:
Occupational Therapy
School-based practice and related services during COVID. This video provides strategies and practices in providing related services through remote and distance methods for continuity of learning during COVID: School-based practice and related services during COVID
Mark your calendars! AOTA is having its third listening session Thursday, July 16, from 7:30 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. ET. This session will be hosted by AOTA President Wendy Hillibrand, PhD, MPH, OTR/L, FAOTA, and Black members of the OT practitioner community. This is a great opportunity to let your voice be heard to impact change in the profession and organizations that serve occupational therapy practitioners. Link to register can be found here: AOTA Listening Session 3
Surge in need for occupational therapy following COVID-19, follow link: OT Needed! for a great story to show the direct need for occupational therapy during this COVID crisis.
Touching story of an occupational therapy student and how he was supported after the loss of a loved one: Power of Chosen Family
Research
Social Media as Occupation: Implications for occupational therapy practice. What is the role of occupational therapy with social media? Social media has helped make great strides in our society. But, there are some limitations. How can we as occupational therapy practitioners use social media as a tool while limiting the negative effects? This article gives a great summary of just how to do that! Click on this link: Social Media as Occupation: Implications for occupational therapy practice
Free research articles! All articles in Issue 1 of this Australian Journal of Occupational Therapy are free!! Yes, please! I am going to read: Fall prevention in primary care using chronic disease management plans: A process evaluation of provider and consumer perspectives. I will also read: Occupational therapist use of the ‘Timed Up and Go’ test in a Memory Clinic to compare performance between cognitive diagnoses and screen for falls risk.
Potpourri
Evidence-based tricks to be happier! Click Be Happy! to find out what works to make you have a happier outlook on life. Bonus the article also has an option to listen rather than read the tips! These tips are also amazingly easy to implement in your daily life, always a plus.
Yoga and sleep here: Yoga poses for better sleep. Nothing is better than a good night’s sleep and these poses can be used to get a full 8 hours!
Foods linked to better brainpower: Coffee is on the list! Any way I can promote the benefits of coffee, I am there for it. Whether it is delivering care or studying, having the right stock of brain food can help performance. Making poor food choices during key times can wreak havoc on your digestive system and negatively affect cognitive performance.
Pre-historic Road Trip: Follow Emily as she goes on an archaeological dig. What does she find? How does she discover what the remains reveal about the creature? Click to find out: Tiny Teeth, Fearsome Beasts
I hope you have a great July 4th!
Turquessa.
OT Research Corner 