Teachers know the importance of taking care of our body but did you know that you also need to take care of your brain?
You only have one brain (except maybe Einstein) so brain health needs to be a priority! Dr. Sanjay Gupta identifies five main contributors to brain health that people can control.
Often educators are so focused on others that they forget about their own health. You owe it to yourself and your family to not forget about your brain health.
Have a Vibrant Social Life
Who knew that the secret to brain health is talking to others? So while an 8-part Netflix series sounds tempting, it’s time to get off the couch and start interacting with people. Don’t miss the next group party or family game night because this is step one to brain health.
Take a hike. Literally not figuratively.
“Take a brisk walk with a close friend or family member and talk about your problems,” says Dr. Sanjay. Fitness and physical exertion is the only thing scientifically documented to help brain function. In this case, what is good for the body is good for the brain.
Get Restful Sleep
Do not be a night owl. It is not good for your brain! Or if you are, make sure to sleep in sometimes, too. Teachers have hectic lives but sleep is so important.
“Sleep is such a sophisticated activity that we spend a third of our life doing,” Dr. Gupta replied. “The brain is a remarkably complicated organ. When you go to sleep at night, it’s taking the experiences you had throughout the day and consolidating them into memory.
Nourish the Body
Food is good for you, luckily. But you need to eat smart. Try eating fruits/vegetables and a balanced diet instead of our favorite, a pizza and a diet coke. It just may work!
But if you had to add one food to your diet, what would it be?
“It’s berries,” said Dr. Gupta . “Berries, in terms of what they can do for the brain and some of these certain chemicals that they release, are probably gonna be one of your best foods. Just about any berry.”
So dive into berries!
Keep the Brain Stimulated
So you think crossword puzzles, video games and brain-training games are the answer? Sorry. They can be great. but it’s change that builds resiliency. You need the change.
“So, I wouldn’t just do crossword puzzles. The way that I think about it is, if you can get outside your comfort zone in some way every day, you’re probably harnessing other real estate in the brain that you don’t otherwise use very often.” Do something new or something that scares you every day!
Learn a new skill. Ever code?
For more information, check out this article:
https://www.brainandlife.org/articles/dr-sanjay-gupta-gives-advice-to-improve-brain-health
Do you have suggestions for your colleagues on Brain Health? Comment below.
Great content, thanks for teaching me about my brain health.
I think taking time for yourself, whether it is meditating or reflecting, are important habits to practice to alleviate stress, which is critical in brain health. Reflecting can build stronger connections to previous material, and meditating can help destress yourself.