September is National Preparedness Month, a time designated for people to plan ahead for emergencies at homes, businesses and in communities.  September is almost over, but it’s important to always be prepared for a disaster. We often think of ways to prepare physically for emergencies—storing bottled water, having a first aid kit and making a contact list of family and friends. It’s also possible to prepare psychologically. Each disaster is different and requires some flexibility to expect the unexpected. Yet, there are issues and emotional reactions that are consistent in most disasters and can be anticipated.  The more you understand how an emergency can affect your thoughts and feelings, the better…

Can’t focus? Maybe it’s the wrong time of month Feeling a little sluggish and having trouble concentrating? Hormones might be to blame according to new research from Concordia University published in the journal Brain and Cognition. The study shows that high estrogen levels are associated with an inability to pay attention and learn – the first such paper to report how this impediment can be due to a direct effect of the hormone on mature brain structures. “Although estrogen is known to play a significant role in learning and memory, there has been no clear consensus on its effect,” says senior author Wayne Brake, an associate professor at Concordia’s Center…