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Brain ClassesBrain ClassesWelcome from Mike LoganBrain ClassesI could see brain classes in community college schedule books soon, perhaps as a continuing education class, and as research continues to advance what we can legitimately claim for brain fitness, perhaps even four year schools or graduate schools would include a brain class, or an improve your brain class.Research is advancing the concept rapidly, and brain salons and brain fitness programs are popping up at senior centers around the country. What might a brain class include? Brain Classes-Physical ExerciseI have not seen a brain fitness blog or website yet that does not speak to the benefits of physical exercise for brains of all ages. In fact, the new current administration may be moving toward a position that health care is a right, not a privilege, and Paul Burghardt, Ph.D. says ..."In his editorial, Redwoood agrees. In fact, he specifically mentions nutrition, exercise, stress-reduction and social support as ingredients for true prevention. He points out that while the Obama administration has acknowledged these factors as important, it remains to be seen whether this will be backed up by any budgets or whether it is just lip-service, as it has been for decades in the current healthcare system." So a brain class would definitely speak to the need for physical fitness and the other ingredients mentioned above that are part of brain fitness. Brain Classes-NeuroplasticityNeuroplasticity is the ability of the brain to rearrange itself, actually its synaptic connections, in response to novel challenge, with novel being a very important word.As a counselor, reading another book about counseling will not increase synaptic connections. Learning a new language or starting piano lessons would encourage neuroplasticity, which is very good for the older brain. Don't have to master it folks, just do it, for the brain to benefit. All the neurons involved in the circuit learn to fire together, and the more active the circuit is, the longer the brain keeps it. Brain Classes-NeurogenesisNot too long ago neuroscientific dogma said that brains do not grow new neurons past age five or so. That appears to be an overturned dogma, and we can grow new neurons. Neurogenesis can be encouraged with, you guessed it, novel challenge, exercise, nutrition, stress management, and good sleep.You will want to rush out for some dark chocolate for its phytochemicals. (But not milk chocolate!) Brain Classes-NutritionThe best foods for our brains and our bodies are foods eaten as they are grown, preferrably locally grown.Processed foods have the nutrition milled out of them, are filled with appetite stimulants, msg, which is an excitotoxin, and high fructose corn syrup, and processed foods contribute significantly to obesity, which is not good for your brain. Processed foods are built, engineered actually, for long shelf life, not nutrition. Brain Classes-Novel ChallengeNovel challenge can be supplied by commercially available brain software, like the following programs, which I use as part of my brain fitness training.Lumosity is an online subscription program, perfect for halftime or between calls or between clients. Regular quick, brain brightening exercise on your schedule, with increasing challenge as you improve. Posit Science is the granddaddy of brain fitness programs, if one can call a few year old concept a grandaddy. There is one program for vision and one for auditory neuro-circuits. Keep them all firing. And Mind Sparke Brain Fitness Pro is a program which can increase your IQ score. Please read the research. It is excellent.
Would You Share Something That You Are Grateful For?
When I was beginning my personal growth journey, a wise person told me that when I was feeling resentful or afraid or sad, that I should remember the phrase "gratitude is the attitude" when I was ready to feel better. That phrase has helped me feel better tens of thousands of times. |
Did You See That Recent Reference to the Self-Healing Brain?
Brain Fitness and Neuroplasticity Exercises
Stretch Your Axons and Flex Your Dendrites?
There are something like 450 different models of counseling and/or psychotherapy. Of that number, perhaps 10-15 models enjoy any professional support or research credibility.
However, every one of those models involves your brain.
Want to make your brain more effective?
Brainfit for Life, by Simon Evans, Ph.D. and Paul Burghardt, Ph.D.
Mind Sparke Brain Fitness Pro Impulse Control
For your New Years Day Resolutions! Warning-has a side effect of increased IQ.
How is Your Attention? Try Your Hand at the Stroop Test.
To test your attention using the stroop test, read the color the word is printed in rather than the text of the word. So the text could be the word red, but if the word red is printed in blue, then the correct response if blue.
Ultimate Brain Fitness Program
Neurogenesis and Neuroplasticity
Replacement Parts for Your Brain?
Neurogenesis is the term used to describe the recently discovered capacity of the human brain to grow new neurons.
That is right, our brain is not physically fixed, it is constantly changing, losing some neurons, growing some neurons, making or deleting connections, and we can encourage that growth by attending to the Pillars Of Brain Fitness.
Those pillars are;
Physical Exercise
Nutrition
Sleep
Stress Management
Novel Learning Experience
Ultimate Brain Fitness Program
Want the Book On Brainfitness?
Chocolate is a Wonderful Counseling Tool, Don't You Think?
Looking for Information On the Grieving Process?
Many of the visitors to this site are looking for information about grief and grieving, and many have utilized the information found in
Back to Life! A Personal Grief Guidebook to plot their progress through the grieving process. Jennie's work has been a gift to many.
Thankyou for coming to visit me, please leave me a note about topics you might like me to cover.
Mike