26. October 2010 by John Schinnerer.

From Science Daily…

ScienceDaily (Oct. 24, 2010) — Seeing a child or a dog play is not a foreign sight. But what about a turtle or even a wasp?

Apparently, they play, too.

In fact, according to Gordon Burghardt, a psychology professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, many animals — not just dogs, cats, and monkeys — need a little play time.

“I studied the behavior of baby and juvenile reptiles for many years and never saw anything that I thought was play. Then I had an epiphany when I saw Pigface, a Nile softshell turtle, batting around a basketball at the National Zoo in Washington, D.C. I realized reptiles play, too,” said Burghardt.

Burghardt’s findings are discussed in the October issue of The Scientist. To read the article and view Burghardt’s videos of various animals playing, visit http://www.the-scientist.com/2010/10/1/44/1/.

The article, entitled “Recess,” highlights Burghardt’s five criteria for play. Burghardt is one of the first researchers to define “play” in people and also in species not previously thought capable of play, such as fish, reptiles and invertebrates. Topics raised in the article appeared in Burghardt’s book, “The Genesis of Animal Play — Testing the Limits.”

Burghardt sums up his five criteria in one sentence: “Play is repeated behavior that is incompletely functional in the context or at the age in which it is performed and is initiated voluntarily when the animal or person is in a relaxed or low-stress setting.”

According to Burghardt, by more accurately characterizing play and observing it throughout the entire animal kingdom, humans may better understand themselves.

“In animals we can evaluate more carefully the role of play in learning skills, maintaining physical and mental fitness, improving social relationships and so on than we can in people,” said Burghardt. “We can then develop ideas and apply them to people to see if the same dynamics are at work. For example, the role of play in lessening the effects of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder in children is being studied based on research in rats.”

Play has already helped therapy with disturbed children. Also, studies are under way on the beneficial role of active and intellectually stimulating leisure for retirees. Similarly, jobs that resemble play are highly coveted by humans.

“Human children and adults often want to do enjoyable self-rewarding activities and will work hard to have the opportunity to do so. For the luckiest people, their work is itself play when it meets the five criteria,” said Burghardt.

Burghardt’s research illustrates how play is embedded in species’ biology, including in the brain. Play, as much of animals’ psychology including emotions, motivations, perceptions and intellect, is part of their evolutionary history and not just random, meaningless behavior, he said.

“Play is an integral part of life and may make a life worth living.”

University of Tennessee at Knoxville (2010, October 24). Even turtles need recess: Many animals — not just dogs, cats, and monkeys — need a little play time. ScienceDaily. Retrieved October 25, 2010, from http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2010/10/101019132045.htm.

For full article, please click here.

For a free PDF copy of the award-winning self-help book, Guide To Self: The Beginner’s Guide to Managing Emotion and Thought, visit http://www.GuideToSelf.com.

Have a fantastic week!

John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

Founder Guide to Self, Inc.

Award-winning author, keynote speaker, mental health professional

Posted in Danville CA, Emotion & productivity, Emotion & learning, National speakers, Curiosity, San Ramon CA, Well-being, Managing anger, Free self-help book, Self-improvement book, Self-help book, De-escalating anger, Managing Sadness, Anger Management, Life coach, Guide to Self, Creativity, Dr. John Schinnerer, Managing stress, Emotional IQ, Anxiety, Managing Anxiety, Emotional mind, Guide To Self Beginners Guide To Managing Emotion, Happiness, Positive Psychology | Print | No Comments »

14. September 2010 by John Schinnerer.

John Schinnerer Ph.D.

Guide to Self, Inc.

What are some things that make you happy?

I started a list to share with my clients. This is a list that may be used to distract oneself from negative thoughts and feelings if one so desires. This is only a partial list. It is still in the infancy stage. I would love your input. Please add what makes you happy (or proud, or awestruck, or loved, etc.) below in the comments section.

Positive emotions might include happiness, pride, curiosity, awe, gratitude, hope, compassion, anticipation, interest, curiosity, love, pleasure, satisfaction, contentment or relaxation. Feel free to add any others!

The List of Experiences That Make You Happy

Birth of child

Birth of animal (e.g. puppies, kittens)

Competing in a game (e.g. soccer, tennis, water polo, football, baseball)

Winning a game

Playing the game with honor

Promotion at work

Promotion at school (e.g. higher grade)

Reaching a short-term goal (e.g. saving up $10 for a toy)

Reaching a medium-term goal (e.g. losing 10 pounds)

Reaching a long-term goal (e.g. earning $1 million)

Achieving a milestone (e.g. finishing high school or college)

Taking pride in watching your child attain a significant milestone (e.g. first step, first job, driver’s license, marriage, birth of grandchild)

Watching your child perform a big accomplishment (e.g. great grades, athletic accomplishment, academic degree, important job)

Being thanked by your child for being their parent (any show of gratitude by your child really!)

Observing the degree to which you have grown over the years (e.g. emotionally, mentally, physically, work-related)

Completing a book or manuscript or play

Finishing a work of art (e.g. poem, painting, sculpture, picture, movie)

Being in nature

Being fully in the present moment

Enjoying pleasant memories

Relishing future feats

Coming face-to-face with a non-threatening wild animal (e.g. sea turtle, deer, moose, but NOT a bear!)

Receiving an award or honor
Being in the zone/fully engaged

Being appreciated for your hard work

Being appreciated for your unconditional love

Sexual pleasure

Savoring a delicious meal or drink

Savoring sunsets

Taking in a full moon

Anticipating an upcoming pleasurable event

Exercise

Reuniting with a person you haven’t seen in years

Hugs

Looking forward to your thoughts!

Best,
John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

Founder Guide to Self

Anger management classes now being offered online at http://drjohnsblog.wordpress.com.

Get a free copy of John’s award-winning self-help book (Guide to Self) at www.GuidetoSelf.com!!!

Posted in Optimal Human Functioning, Self-compassion, Positive expectations, Danville CA, Curiosity, Alamo CA, San Francisco Bay Area, Free self-help book, Courage and Anxiety, keys to happiness, Well-being, Gratitude, Hope, Guide to Self, Emotional IQ, Creativity, Dr. John Schinnerer, Managing stress, Staying calm, Customer Engagement, Mindfulness, Resiliency, Emotional mind, Happiness, Positive Psychology | Print | No Comments »

13. August 2010 by John Schinnerer.

It’s August 12th! Less than 2 weeks left before school starts!

You know what time it is!

Time for Back to School Rehab!

Teacher: ‘So students, did everyone have a wonderful Summer?

Okay, glad to hear it.

Now I know you’ve spent the past 3 months playing video games, tweeting and texting on your phones, and fondling the remote control mindlessly, so it’s time for some brief solution-focused group therapy.

How many of you can focus on one thing for longer than 3 seconds?

How many of you have heard of a handheld wireless tool called a ‘book?’

Let’s see a show of hands please….hold them up. Okay, 2 of you.

In that case, let’s talk about addiction.

Johnny, I need you to stop moving your thumbs.

Yes, just use your thoughts, dear. Really, you can stop fidgeting using your mind!

I know it’s difficult, dear. Just give it a try.

The withdrawals from your iPhones, video games and laptops seem just as bad as nicotine detox.

Addiction is when you can’t stop thinking about where your next fix is coming from. So if all you can think about is getting home to fire up WOW or COD, you just might be addicted!

Call of Duty (COD)

Addiction is when you spend all your energy focusing on how your going to get your next fix. So if you are counting the seconds from first period to the end of the school day while worrying about playing Angry Birds on the iPhone, you just might be addicted!

Remember, quitting technology cold turkey can be brutal.

So if you need a fix during the school day, we were just got in some brand new Kindles. You can use them in the meantime to quiet those nasty eye twitches and finger tics.

Alright. I’m glad we had the chance to have this little chat. There’s the school bell.

ON YOUR MARK…

GET SET…

LEARN!’

Enjoy!

John Schinnerer Ph.D.

Posted in Gender differences, Parenting adolescents, SRVHS, San Francisco Bay Area, De-escalating anger, Real Men Real Emotion, Free self-help book, Emotional terrorists, Anger management therapy, Self-help book, Visual Attention, Psychological Humor - Jokes, Guide To Self Beginners Guide To Managing Emotion, School psychology, Creativity, Dr. John Schinnerer, Parenting, Emotional management, Danville CA, Emotion & learning, Psychology humor, Managing stress | Print | No Comments »

5. August 2010 by John Schinnerer.

A beautifully done reminder that love trumps anger. Remind yourself of what and who you love. Think of a person whom you find easy to love. Use that feeling to ‘paint’ another with whom you struggle or are having issues. Transfer the love across people!

Enjoy the longing gazes of your wife or husband!

John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

Guide to Self Inc.

Posted in San Francisco Bay Area, Emotion & productivity, Danville CA, Well-being, De-escalating anger, Apologies, Men and Women, Anger management therapy, Science of love, Curiosity, Tips to help anxiety, Emotional IQ, Creativity, Happiness, Guide To Self Beginners Guide To Managing Emotion, Anger Management, Emotional management, Depression, Dr. John Schinnerer | Print | No Comments »

2. August 2010 by John Schinnerer.

This weekend, my wife and hosted a party with several families, all of whom had three plus children.

The older boys (ages 10-15) went out to play a game called ‘Bigger and Better’. This is a game where you start with something small (and worth little) from your bedroom. Then you go door to door and ask neighbors if they are willing to trade your item for an item that is either ‘bigger’ or ‘better’.

It seems to be a constructive, positive activity to keep the boys occupied safely.

They began the night with one size D battery. I don’t even know if it was charged or not!

About an hour and a half later, we got a phone call. The boys needed a ride as they had successfully traded their way up from the battery to a working 32″ color TV, a BBQ and a Jonas Bothers poster. I think the poster was part of a package deal as there are no real JoBro fans at home!

Not a bad way to entertain the boys. We’re not sure who gets the TV - maybe a charity!

Have a great Sunday!

John Schinnerer, Ph.D.

http://www.GuideToSelf.com

Teaching anger management tools to men

Posted in Executive coach, Emotion & productivity, Parenting adolescents, Well-being, Anger management therapy, De-escalating anger, Danville CA, Raising optimistic children, Emotional IQ, Creativity, Happiness, Anger Management, Men's emotions, Dr. John Schinnerer | Print | No Comments »