Positive Mental Energy Tips from Darcy, CPSC School Counselor (click for bio)
Think of our brains as amazing machines, controlling all that happens in our bodies both on a conscious and an unconscious level. The “workers” in our brains are neurons, about 100 billion of them that fire messages between cells. Our neurons have a very high need for energy. In effect, our brains need food! There are a number of factors that can compromise the ability of neurons to do their job. In addition to environmental pollutants, poor nutrition, limited exercise and stress are among the factors that can impede positive mental energy.
Keeping all of this in mind, consider the following ideas for some simple ways to maintain and increase healthy positive energy:
1. Reduce stress
-In June, Darcy led a Wellness Team discussion about kids and stress. First, she helped the group distinguish between stress and anxiety, words often used interchangeably in reference to kids. The group then divided into pairs and compiled lists of stressors for CPSC kids. An interesting observation is that in a long list of stressors, academics was only mentioned once and at the very end. Strategies for reducing stress:
2. Exercise
- A report from the Institute of Medicine, a unit of the National Academy of Sciences, found that exercise can significantly improve children’s cognitive abilities and academic performance not to mention their health. Take a family walk after dinner, go for family bike rides, or leap frog together!
3. Reading, brain games, and puzzles
-Active thinking and problem solving has been show to increase brain function.
There are countless ways to play games with your kid. Cell phones alone can provide many “thinking” game options. Card games and memory games are easy and fun. If your child is not reading yet, read to him or her and discuss the stories.
4. Eat whole foods
-This ensures the most efficient ways of using nutrients that fuel the brain. Examples of this would be eating foods in their most natural states such as eating an apple instead of eating apple pie. Involve the kids in planning meals or even planting gardens for the food your family will eat!
Online resources:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/feed-your-brain/201301/mental-energy-starts-fueling-your-brain
and
http://inspiredhealthandhappinessblog.com/2011/12/5-tips-for-children-increase-mental-focus-attention-energy-capacity/
Keeping all of this in mind, consider the following ideas for some simple ways to maintain and increase healthy positive energy:
1. Reduce stress
-In June, Darcy led a Wellness Team discussion about kids and stress. First, she helped the group distinguish between stress and anxiety, words often used interchangeably in reference to kids. The group then divided into pairs and compiled lists of stressors for CPSC kids. An interesting observation is that in a long list of stressors, academics was only mentioned once and at the very end. Strategies for reducing stress:
- Reducing or removing stressor when possible
- Getting enough sleep
- Eating well
- Talking about situation with someone you trust
- Exercising
- Writing in a journal
- Taking time to relax, or doing something you like
- Build in something you look forward to doing
- Soothing music
- Stress reducing technique such as breathing, counting, mindfulness
2. Exercise
- A report from the Institute of Medicine, a unit of the National Academy of Sciences, found that exercise can significantly improve children’s cognitive abilities and academic performance not to mention their health. Take a family walk after dinner, go for family bike rides, or leap frog together!
3. Reading, brain games, and puzzles
-Active thinking and problem solving has been show to increase brain function.
There are countless ways to play games with your kid. Cell phones alone can provide many “thinking” game options. Card games and memory games are easy and fun. If your child is not reading yet, read to him or her and discuss the stories.
4. Eat whole foods
-This ensures the most efficient ways of using nutrients that fuel the brain. Examples of this would be eating foods in their most natural states such as eating an apple instead of eating apple pie. Involve the kids in planning meals or even planting gardens for the food your family will eat!
Online resources:
http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/feed-your-brain/201301/mental-energy-starts-fueling-your-brain
and
http://inspiredhealthandhappinessblog.com/2011/12/5-tips-for-children-increase-mental-focus-attention-energy-capacity/