Best practices to improve brain health for a successful school year

RENO, Nev. (KOLO) -We’re officially at the halfway point of the first week of school. There are some ways families can prioritize brain health that can make a difference this school year.

The Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health recommends having your child take advantage of recess. When they are moving and running around it allows for an increase in blood flow and oxygen to the brain. Physical activity also benefits memory, enhancing learning along with a child’s mood and thinking.

Pack a brain-healthy lunch filled with antioxidants. Staying social is also recommended for brain health. Have your child join a club, volunteer, or even help out with tasks at home.

Kat Hartley is the Project Manager for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health, and they shared that having a strict sleep schedule is also important,

“The brain is not just up there by itself, it’s impacted by our bodies. When we get a good night’s sleep this is a chance for the brain to go through a scrub cycle. It puts together neurons, all that new learning, and it gets rid of stuff it doesn’t need and it’s so vital even to our immune system,” Hartley said.

Picking up a hobby like learning a new language or how to play an instrument is another way to benefit the brain.

Putting the electronics down earlier is recommended for kids. It will help them wind down and feel ready for the next day

For more information on brain boosting practices, click here.

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