May 6th, 2013
Making Mother’s Day More Memory-Able: Brain Boosting Activities that Celebrate Moms

This Mother’s Day, why not plan some activities that bring the mothers (and everyone else) in your community the gift of better brain health? Here are some ideas for a few things to do that may be a bit different and will help everyone both celebrate the day and have a chance to exercise their brain in a fun way:

Flower Power Match: Play your own memory matching game using seed packets purchased at the garden store.  Purchase in pairs (two identical packets) at least 10 sets of flower, herb, or vegetable seeds. Remove the seeds (you can save them for another project) and cut out the front of the packets. If needed you can tape or glue the packet fronts to stiffer paper, such as card stock cut to size. Use your seed packet “cards” for a game of memory: Place the cards face down and having clients turn two up at a time. Is it a match? They keep the cards. Non-matching cards are turned back over and the next person then takes their turn. Keep playing until all the “cards” have been picked up. Need to up the ante? Time people’s turn, allowing 30 seconds to make their move, which will make it more challenging. Want to make it more accessible? Leave the packets picture side up, and have folks talk about the item (color, scent, special meaning, etc.) as they identify and pick up a pair.

Mom Songs: Have a sing-a-long that’s all about mom. Ask folks to think of a song that has a particular key word in the title or in the song lyrics. Then have everyone sing the song in whole or in part. Key words for Mother’s Day include: mom, mother, momma, son, daughter, love, family, as well as others you might think of yourself. Make this activity more accessible by bringing in “mom songs” for the group to sing together.

7 Words of Mommy Wisdom:  Wise advice from those in the know can be a valuable gift. What words of wisdom can your folks pass down to new moms (or parents) in just 7 words?  Provide them with a few examples (“sleep and shower when baby is napping”, “raise them well, then let them go”) to get started. Your clients can write their “7 Words of Mommy Wisdom” on index cards. Or have them use them in making Mother’s Day cards that they can also then decorate, which you can then distribute through a local maternity ward or prenatal clinic.

Mom Movie Night. Hold a movie night – or even a film series – that celebrates mothers of all kinds. Suggested films include Gypsy, Mommie Dearest, Stepmom, Mrs. Doubtfire, Divine Secrets of the YaYa Sisterhood or Terms of Endearment. Up the brainpower for this activity by holding a discussion after the film about the mother’s character and her impact in the film. Don’t forget the popcorn and other treats.

Happy Mother’s Day from all of us here at Total Brain Health!

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May 4th, 2013
May 2013 Science Update

This month, we’re going to focus on some new findings from the arena of computer-based brain training. As the field grows, new data is emerging regarding the usefulness of these programs. Here are some findings we have found interesting, and that we think you will also:

What Time of Day Should You Brain Train? Recent research from Lumosity suggests that timing may matter when it comes to brain training. In an analysis of data from  700,000 participants ranging in age from 20-80 years, they found that folks tended to do better on attention, working memory and speeded performance tasks in the morning, while performance on more complex, creative tasks was improved later in the day. Further analyses show that increased age seemed to diminish the time of day training effects, and showed preferences for training time across different age groups. Their findings, presented at the ESCoNS Conference in March have interesting implications for understanding the interaction of time of day and maximizing training benefits. It confirms early findings, which have suggested that we do better on certain types of cognitive tasks depending on the time of day (see Dr. Green’s interview on MSNBC on this topic by clicking here).

Computer Based Cognitive Training Shown Effective Over Memory Stimulation in Senior Living. A study of 53 senior living residents found that cognitive training significantly improved performance on several standard delayed recall tests when compared to a program of cognitive stimulation. The randomized controlled study out of the University of South Florida, compared the Dakim training protocol to the “Mind Your Mind” memory stimulation program. While small, the study suggests that continuous training that adapts demand to the individual’s ability may have some benefit over more general reminiscence programs.

 

 

 

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May 3rd, 2013
Make It a Memory-able Mother’s Day! 10 Unforgettable Gift Ideas

Moms matter a lot to our brain health. In fact, there is growing evidence of the critical role moms play in our brain’s development during not only our prenatal but also our early childhood years.  Not to mention all the attention she paid to your diet, schooling and emotional growth (and may even to this day).

So what can you give to the woman who gave you the gift of a healthy mind? How about something to help her keep her own brain sharp and vital?

Here are ten of our favorite gift ideas for this Mother’s Day, all certain to keep your mom’s brain happy and healthy:

  1. Keep Mom Moving. Moms everywhere can boost their brain health by staying physically active. Yet even the most brain healthy exercise routine can use a bit of shaking up now and then. Introduce mom to some new grooves with a Wii Console she can use for new workouts, or a great new exercise CD. How about something that will get her juggling more than schedules? An introductory juggling set may be just the ticket. Or perhaps you’d like to go retro and get her a hula hoop.
  2. Get Her Game On. Games are a great way to stretch our minds and can provide a wonderful way to spend time with your mom. Give her a coupon for a “Family Game Night” and pick a new game you can all enjoy. Try Bananagrams (still a favorite in our family), Super Big Boggle or Set, a great card game that challenges our visual perception and reasoning. Or try a new game, such as “Last Word” – which every mom should have, right?
  3. Take a Walk Down Memory Lane. Give mom the gift of capturing her memories to share with family members for years to come. Make a videotape of her recounting stories from her childhood (and yours). Or give her one of the several memory books that can act as a guide to help her note down important moments.
  4. Get Her Ducks in a Row. Help mom stay on top of all she has to do. Give her a gift membership to an organizer website, such as Cozi. Or simply set up a Google calendar with everyone’s schedules. Is she always scrambling for her keys and sunglasses? Set her up with a “forget me not spot.” Gift her with a beautiful bowl or box that can hold those items she is always losing in a spot by the door or on her desk at work.
  5. Help Mom Relax. What mom can’t use a bit more R and R? Treat mom to her own shiatsu massage pillow. Is she always on the go? Try a mini electronic massager to keep handy in the car or at her desk.  Or why not bring a little lavender into her life? Lavender oil, shown in studies to reduce anxiety, can be the perfect little something to help her chill out. A lavender pillow can also be a lovely gift certain to soothe her nerves at the end of a long day. Or try a wonderful relaxation CD that she is certain to love.
  6. Stretch her Mind. Is mom nervous about her neurons? Are you? Check out a book certain to boost her brain IQ, such “Your Best Brain Ever,” Dr. Green’s latest collaboration with National Geographic, or our “30 Days to Total Brain Health,” full of quick exercises she can do in just a few minutes each day to get on the road to a healthier brain. Think she’d enjoy a voyage through the quirky world of memory champions? “Moonwalking with Einstein” may be just the ticket for a fun summer read.
  7. Brain Boost her Diet. While there is no diet proven to boost our brainpower, studies have shown that keeping a healthy weight and following a well-balanced diet may lower our risk for serious memory loss. Get mom thinking of ways to liven up her daily diet with a great vegetarian cookbook drawn from Mediterranean traditions (linked in some studies to reduced dementia risk), such as Plenty. Try a terrific Indian cookbook as a way to adding more turmeric, shown in some studies to be of benefit to brain health, to her cooking routine.
  8. Give Her Some Company. Staying social is great for our minds, offering us not only the opportunity for keeping our thinking sharp but also the comfort of companionship. Organize a night out together, or send mom off for some time with the girls. Try a gift coupon to her favorite restaurant, tickets to an interesting lecture or theatre performance.
  9. Help Make a Family Heirloom. Here’s a gift that will help mom make history. Offer mom your time in creating something your family can have for generations to come. Set aside time to research and document your family tree together, using her knowledge, documents or even web-based services such as ancestry.com. Put the information you discover in a book or better yet a family tree display that can be shared. Or make a book together of all mom’s favorite family recipes to share with the rest of the family, using a book publishing site where you can include not only the recipes but family photos.
  10. Get Mom Online. Is your mom internet savvy? Research has shown that folks who are adept at searching online also do better on tests of brain function.  Why not create a coupon book for mom offering hours of instruction to help her get connected? Set her up on Facebook or Google with her kids and grandkids or teach her how to search online.  Treat her to a year of brain fitness training online with a site such as Lumosity. Or take it a step further and set her up with a cool gift such as an IPad and include instruction at your local Apple Store as part of the present.

Wishing you and your mom a very happy Mother’s Day from all of us here at Total Brain Health!

 

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April 10th, 2013
Spring on Our Minds

April brings the early days of spring, and with it a renewed awakening of our senses. The outdoors beckons, with the glow of a warming sun, budding foliage, the bright color of spring flowers, and the call and echo of the birds. What a potential feast for our minds!

Spring is a wonderful time to challenge ourselves to renew along with the world around us. Why not try something stimulating that will waken our thinking selves from the slumber of winter? Here are some simple, easy activities you can use to get into that “spring” state of mind:

Here are some activities that are sure to help “spring” your mind forward this month:

-       Poetry Jam. April is National Poetry Month.  Why not celebrate by holding a Poetry Jam? Set up an evening and invite others to bring a poem to share. You can even encourage them to pen their own. Try simpler forms of verse, such as a limerick or haiku. Check out the Academy of American Poets for great resources on poetry, including their “Poem a Day” program, where you can sign up to receive a poem in your inbox each day.

-       Art in the Park. Take some time to draw the flowers. Is there a garden at your location, or a park nearby? Go ahead and take part of your lunch or better yet your day and hold your own art class. Look for colored pastels (or even crayons) as well as a large drawing pad or paper. Can’t get outdoors? Treat yourself to a bouquet of spring flowers and sketch at your desk.

-       Spring Cleaning. Spring brings an urge to throw open the windows, clean out the closets and start afresh. Try even a few small spring cleaning projects, be it reorganizing your clothing for the warmer weather, a much needed cleaning out of the cupboards, or even tackling that catch-all drawer.

Have any ideas for mind-springing activities? Feel free to share, we’d love to hear from you!

Happy memories!

Dr. Green and the Total Brain Health staff

 

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April 10th, 2013
“Spring in Mind” Activities to Share

April brings the early days of spring, and with it a renewed awakening of our senses. The outdoors beckon, with the glow of a warming sun, budding foliage, the bright color of spring flowers, and the call and echo of the birds. What a potential feast for our minds!

Spring is a wonderful time to challenge our clients (and ourselves) to renew along with the world around us and try something stimulating that will waken their thinking selves from the slumber of winter.  Here are some simple, easy activities you can use to get your clients into that “spring” state of mind:

-       Poetry Jam. April is National Poetry Month.  Why not celebrate by holding a Poetry Jam? Set up an evening and invite clients to bring a poem to share. You can even encourage them to pen their own. Try simpler forms of verse, such as a limerick or haiku. Check out the Academy of American Poets for great resources on poetry, including their “Poem a Day” program, where you can sign up to receive a poem in your inbox each day.

-       Art in the Park. Take some time to draw the flowers. Is there a garden at your location, or a park nearby? Set up an informal art class outdoors, and let your clients take some time to draw the budding spring flowers.  Provide colored pastels (or even crayons) as well as some large drawing pads or paper. Can’t get outdoors? Bring a bouquet of spring flowers indoors instead.

-       Spring Cleaning. Spring brings an urge to throw open the windows, clean out the closets and start afresh. Help clients with small spring cleaning projects, be it reorganizing clothing for the warmer weather, a much needed cleaning out of the cupboards, or even a public project where all can take part, such as reorganizing a library or activities area.

Have any ideas for mind-springing activities? Feel free to share, we’d love to hear from you!

Happy memories!

Dr. Green and the Total Brain Health staff

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April 10th, 2013
Brain Science Update | April 2013

National Study Suggests ADHD May be Over-diagnosed in Children. A recent study released by the New York Times found that 11% of school-age children in the U.S. have at one point been diagnosed with Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, with about 2/3rds of those diagnosed receiving a prescription for stimulants such as Ritalin or Adderall. The data, from a survey of parents by the Centers for Disease Control and analyzed by the New York Times, shows a 41% increase in the diagnosis of ADHD in the past decade. The New York Times further reports that sales of stimulants used to treat ADHD have more than doubled in the past 5 years, from $4 billion in 2007 to $9 billion in 2012. These findings confirm a trend that experts in the area find troubling, and suggest further investigation is necessary.

The BRAIN Initiative: White House Announces Funding for Next Generation Research. The Obama Administration recently announced that it will dedicate $100 million dollars in initial funding of the BRAIN Initiative. This exciting multi-center program is aimed at mapping structural and active brain function. The project will use novel nanotechnologies to further our understanding of the brain, which can lead to improved modeling for brain function, illness and treatment.

 

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April 8th, 2013
Too Cool Alert! TBH Fair Program goes Virtual on Second Life

TBH Coach Lynne Berrett is taking our brain health fair program into the virtual world of Second Life. Opening April 28th, the fair is part of a larger Virtual Ability Mental Health Conference on Second Life, a free 3D virtual world site.  We are proud to have our program go where no brain health fair has gone before! For more information about the Second Life TBH Fair, you can contact Lynne directly at musicandhappiness@gmail.com.

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April 5th, 2013
Functional Girl Blog Features Our Brain Healthy Gift List!

Thanks to Functional Girl for sharing our tips for brain healthy gift ideas! The piece “Give the Gift of Better Brain Health” has all our favorite tips for brain  smart gifts that keep on giving. You can check out the article by clicking here.

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March 24th, 2013
“The Real Memory Challenge”: Dr. Green’s Piece for Huffington Post -TED Weekends

 

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What makes a super power memory? Can we all become memory champions? What should we really be talking about when it comes to remembering better? This weekend Huffington Post and TED hosted “The Key to Memory,” a conversation among leading experts on all things memory. You can read Dr. Green’s piece, “The Real Memory Challenge,” as well as other contributors such as Joshua Foer and Dr. Gayatri Devi.

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March 21st, 2013
Brain Science Update | March 2013

Rates of Alzheimer’s Disease Expected to Increase 40% by 2025

The Alzheimer’s Association released their 2013 Alzheimer’s Disease Facts and Figures Report this past week. Data included in the report includes new figures on the economic impact of care-giving, which totaled $203 billion in 2012 and is expected to increase annually.

New Study Explains the Role of Novel Experiences in Neuro-Protection

A study published in the March 6th issue of Neuron explores the neurochemical basis for the role that new experiences may play in protecting our brain’s health. Research in mice showed that those animals who were able to freely explore their environment had more plasticity in their brains and were better able to resist toxic effects of agents that have been associated with Alzheimer’s disease.

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