Books Archives - GoodFitFam

Graphic novels are a great way to teach adolescents and adults social communication. Lorena Alvarez’s brilliant graphic novel, NightLights, demonstrates subtle but complex nonverbal language. The novel’s captivating visuals paint a landscape rich with social interactions. Did you know 84% of our communication is non-verbal language? It’s the downfall of using text messages when trying to start a romantic relationship.

From NightLights by Lorena Alvarez

Scenes such as the one above demonstrated the hidden rules of social communication. These are the rules we don’t talk about but are supposed to know. There are a number of distinct social interactions we can pull from this single scene. They range from positive to negative, and some ambiguous ones up for interpretation.
For example, Who is already in trouble? Who is about to get into trouble?
Who has exciting news and how do we know?
Which girl is interested in hearing this exciting news?

This artwork pairs emotion with explicit tone via text.

Nightlights follows a young girl struggling to find confidence and fighting off negativity. There is a distinct similarity yet opposition in the metaphoric character, Morfie. A subtle distinction that introduces internal perspectives. The possibilities for teaching social communication and thinking are endless.

The story is a gripping metaphor. Vague enough for many readers to layer their own personal experiences. There are many graphic novels to choose from for all ages but Nightlights deserves to be highlighted. I have used this one with a wide range of clients. It has captured their attention as well as mine time and time again; allowing for repeated exposure which provides scaffolding opportunities and application of learned skills.

A masterpiece in graphic novel literature and therapeutic materials!

Enjoy!!!!

Weightlifting Reduces Cancer Risk and other notible Headlines

DO YOU EVEN LIFT?
Study Finds that Weight Training reduces Cancer Risk by up to 40 Percent
Turns out the guy with the highest muscle strength is 30 to 40 percent less likely to get cancer. It’s is likely though that those are the people who don’t smoke, eat less saturated fats are more likely to be fit, but it’s pretty clear it’s stupid to ignore strength training.

WHEN YOU EAT MAY BE MORE IMPORTANT THAN WHAT YOU EAT
Time-Restricted Feeding is a Preventative and Therapeutic Intervention again Diverse Nutritional Challenges
I heard Hugh Jackman on Howard Stern a few years ago, speaking out how he in great shape to play wolverine. He, of course, had a trainer but also had a diet where he ate a giant pile of calories within a small window of time, something like 10a-6p or possibly even less. It worked for him, but according to this study it may be a way to reduce obesity without necessarily reducing cravings.

AN ARGUMENT AGAINST E-BOOKS
Our (Bare) Shelves, Our Selves
Dolly Parton has been preaching this for a long time and has an amazing program to support the idea owning books is one of the best things you can do for your child. It’s probably one of those Freakonomic things that people who have lots of books care more academically, but the study is still noteworthy.

A KEY TO IMMORTALITY
Coffee Tied to Lower Risk of Dying Prematurely
So we already learned that lifting helps prevent cancer, but now studies show you can live a longer and more anxious life by drinking coffee.

DO YOU EVEN LIFT? 2X a week?
Lifting Weights, Twice a Week, May Aid the Brain
Your brain and your muscles work in harmony, so when muscles grow so does the brain. When you age, your muscles shrink and so does your brain. A study published in The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society tested women aged 65 and 75 proved keeping your muscles active is important in keeping the brain sharp.
Edit: There’s an even newer study and explanation in today’s NY TIMES.

Teaching Social Thinking With Graphic Novels

Pump Iron to Reduce your Cancer Risk