Brain Care: Part 5 - This One Is Fun!

Time to read: 37 seconds

Me, doing something new. A self-driving car!

We are well into fall. I hope you are settled into your fall routine and feeling more at ease. Today is the last element to enhance neuroplasticity, novelty.

The brain likes to be stretched, to do and learn new things. Using your brain keeps your brain flexible into the future. It’s easy to add new things into your life.

Here is your simple challenge:

• Take on a new project at work (bonus: work and novelty together)
• ead books (each book takes you to a new world)
• Walk a different route with your dog. See and think about new things.
• If you have time, develop a new habit…learn to play piano or knit or grow tomatoes.
• Join a new activity with other people. That will yield new conversations and generate new interests and friendships.
• Make a new recipe for dinner.

Adding new things to your life doesn’t have to be time-consuming. Simply figure out ways to add new elements to things you already do. Your brain will thank you.

Welcome to fall. Your brain is all set to go!

Brain Care: Part 4 - Ah…Sleep

Time to read: 37 seconds

We’ve covered movement, food, mindfulness, and now it’s time for a fan favorite….SLEEP.

Recent research has shown that sleep is even more important than we thought. Your brain and body MUST have adequate sleep. This is good news because who doesn’t love to sleep?

If your sleep is great…keep going. If you want to improve your sleep, here is your simple challenge: sleep more.

• Go to bed a teeny bit earlier
• Create a bedtime routine
• Make sure your bed and bedding are comfy
• Adjust the temperature in your room
• Listen to a sleep meditation (it’s a BOGO…meditation and sleep!)
• Nap

So tonight, hit the hay and really sleep. Sleep is not a luxury. It’s a necessity.

If you are enjoying back to basics, tell your friends! They can sign up here.

Brain Care: Part 3 - Mindfulness

Time to read: 37 seconds

Gorgeous vintage teapot

I talked about movement and food. The third element of neuroplasticity (brain flexibility) is mindfulness.

Mindfulness can mean a meditation practice. It can also mean simply becoming more present in your life.

Here is your simple challenge: become more mindful.

• Add tiny slivers of mindfulness to your day. Notice the sparkle of the sun on the water, the smell of cut grass, or the taste of your salad.
• Pause for a mental break. Even 30 seconds is enough to influence brain flexibility.
• Meditate. 1 – 5 – 10 minutes. Sit quietly. Use a meditation app. Let go of any pressure that there is a right way to meditate.

If you are enjoying back to basics, tell your friends! They can sign up here.

Brain Care: Part 2 - Fuel Yourself!

Time to read: 1.16 minutes

Last week, I talked about the first element of neuroplasticity: movement.

The second is nutrition.

Your brain needs fuel to function optimally. I work with an exercise physiologist, and she recommends you eat every 2.5 to 3 hours and never let yourself become overly hungry. You get to eat all day!

Although there are no bad foods (yes, you can eat Doritos), the recommendations around brain-fueling food are consistent and clear... vegetables and fruit, sources of protein, and a bit of fat.

• Here is your simple challenge: fuel your brain.
• If you let yourself become hungry, feed yourself more often.
• Add a favorite vegetable to your daily menu.
• Add fruit to your breakfast.
• Experiment with eating at different times of day and see how you feel. Then do what makes you feel sharp and alert.

Food is my favorite so I particularly like this challenge. Making tiny changes to your eating habits is easy. Just one little step at a time.

If you are enjoying back to basics, tell your friends! They can sign up here.