Supporting Our Brain Health!
On behalf of the Brain Health Initiative (BHI) we are sending positive thoughts of wellness to each of you. The COVID-19 pandemic could, directly and indirectly, impact every person in numerous ways, including brain health at the individual and community level. As the Brain Health Initiative team came together to think through how best to provide support during this crisis, we were driven by the numerous stresses (brain health risk factors) individuals are and may experience and need to build resilience against.
During this time of uncertainty, BHI remains firmly committed to our mission of promoting and protecting brain health and fighting brain illness across the lifespan, through science, innovation, education and action. A trauma like the coronavirus outbreak, and the resulting stress, can threaten brain health in the moment and also can create numerous long term risk factors for future brain illness. With this awareness, the Brain Health Initiative is working to bring preventative resources and action steps to the Florida Suncoast region.
Boosting brain health is always essential, and especially during times of distress. The question is not whether we will get through the ordeal that lies ahead— because we will. The important questions, from the Brain Health Initiative perspective, are how well we can work together to protect the greater good, to promote brain health during this period, to prevent the potential spiral of brain illness, as well as how much we will learn from this unprecedented challenge and make necessary changes for the future.
What You Can Do Today: Brain Health Protective Factors Information and Tips
- Week of March 30-April 4, 2020
- Post 1: Introduction to Brain Health Boosts
- Post 2: Social Engagement While Social Distancing
- Post 3: Talking to Kids About COVID-19
- Post 4: Physical Activity for a Healthy Brain
- Post 5: Music and Films to Boost Brain Health: Happiness
- Post 6: Brain Health Boost-A Week In Review
Week of April 6-11, 2020
Post 7: Boost Your Immunity-Get A Good Night’s Sleep
Post 8: Food for Mood, Food for Thought, and Food for Staying Healthy
Post 9: Viruses Don’t Discriminate-Ways to Promote Tolerance During COVID-19
Post 10: Building Brain Healthy Resilience During Times of Change
Post 11: Music and Film to Boost Brain Health: Hope, Renewal, Optimism and Goodness
Post 12: Brain Health Boost- Week 2 in Review
Week of April 13-18, 2020
Post 13: Brain Health Benefits from Kindness and Compassion
Post 14: Parents You Are Doing A Great Job
Post 15: Cognitive and Creative Stimulation Boosts Brain Health
Post 16: Part 2: Food for Mood, Food for Thought, and Food for Staying Healthy: Brain Healthy Grocery Shopping
Post 17: Music and Film to Boost Brain Health: Music to move your heart, mind, soul and body
Post 18: Brain Health Boost-Week 3 in Review
Week of April 20-25, 2020
Post 19: Brain Healthy Lifestyle: The Arts- Experiencing, Appreciating, Creating
Post 20: Laughter Boosts Brain Health-No Joke
Post 21: Part 3: Food for Mood, for Thought and Staying Healthy: Brain Healthy Snacks
Post 22: Brain Healthy Practice: Reframing-Thoughts and Words Matter
Post 23: Music and Film to Boost Brain Health: Perseverance
Post 24: Brain Health Boost-Week 4 in Review
Week of April 27-May 2, 2020
Post 25: Brain Development Matters Even During COVID-19
Post 26: Couples and COVID-19: A New Kind of Togetherness
Post 27: Part 4: Food for Mood, for Thought and Staying Healthy: Boosting Brain Health and Immunity
Post 28: Brain Health and Watching the News: How Much is Too Much?
Post 29: Music and Film to Boost Brain Health: Wisdom and Courage
Post 30: Brain Health Boost-Week in Review -Week 5
Week of May 4-9, 2020
POST 31: Part 2: Brain Development Matters Even During COVID-19
POST 32: Protecting Brain Health- Dealing with the Grief of What is Still to Come
POST 33: Brain Healthy Lifestyle: Creativity and Creating Your Living Message
POST 34: Brain Health Requires Caring for Mind, Body and Soul During COVID-19 and Beyond
POST 35: Celebrating Mothers and Brain Health Boost in Review-Week 6
Week of May 11-May 16, 2020
POST 36: Part 3 -Brain Development Matters During COVID-19 and Beyond
POST 37: Part 5 -Food for Mood, Thought and Staying Healthy: Fish Helps You Think-Across The Lifespan
POST 38: Stress of High School or College During COVID-19
POST 39: An Attitude of Gratitude Amplifies Brain Health
POST 40: Brain Health Boost-Week in Review- Week 7
Week of May 18-23, 2020
POST 41: Brain Health Matters and Walking Makes a Difference
POST 42: Finding Meaning and Purpose During COVID-19
POST 43: Part 4- Social Connection Builds Child Brain Development
POST 44: Emotional Protective Equipment Boosts Brain Health
POST 45: Brain Health Boost- Week in Review-Week 8
Week May 25-May 30, 2020
POST 46: Physical Activity Boosts Brain Health and Immunity
POST 47: Nature Boosts Brain Health
POST 48: Part 5- Child Brain Development Matters- Recharge: Take Time for Yourself
POST 49: Brain Health Boost-Week in Review-Week 9
Week of June 1-June 6, 2020
POST 50: Brain Health Matters: At the Individual and Community Level
POST 51: Brain Health Matters and Florida is Reopening
Week if June 8-13, 2020
POST 52: Brain Health Matters: Activism Makes A Difference
POST 53: Brain Health Matters During Tumultuous Times
Mindful Moments — Mind Body Exercises
Lakewood Ranch, in collaboration with the Brain Health Initiative and their meditation expert, Trish Hart of Hart Mind Body Solutions, will be providing weekly ‘mindful moments’ throughout April to help kick-off your week with a healthy brain boost!
10-15 minute video clips featuring Trish Hart who will provide a ‘mindful moment’ to implement into your Monday routine.
‘Mindful moments’ will include brief meditations, affirmations, short readings, yoga practice tips, and more!
RSVP and invite your friends and neighbors to be notified when a new video is posted on Monday mornings.
Keep Calm and Carry On — Live Community Meditation
Lakewood Ranch, in collaboration with the Brain Health Initiative and their meditation expert, Trish Hart of Hart Mind Body Solutions, is hosting virtual meditation sessions free through May14 to the community each Thursday at 7 pm EST.
Join us via Zoom or connect through our Facebook live stream.
RSVP to the event and invite friends and neighbors to relax along with you! Keep the connection while you practice social distancing.
Can’t make it? We’ll be posting the full meditation session after it ends so you can follow along at any time. Be sure to RSVP so you’ll get the post notification.
Fit- Tip Fridays
Staying indoors or being in quarantine does not mean you have to sacrifice your health & fitness routine!
Lakewood Ranch and Anchor Fitness & Performance are coming together to help you focus on your goals, simplify your routine and maybe even teach you something new about fitness. Videos will be posted at 10 am on Friday mornings through May 15 and will be followed by a brief Q&A session via live stream.
Graham Anderson, owner/trainer at Anchor Fitness will teach us a new ‘fit-tip’ every Friday throughout April, including stretching techniques, upper and lower body workouts and more!
We didn’t forget about the kiddos! We’ll be including a few ‘fit-tips’ for your kids to challenge themselves right along with you. Practice your ‘fit-tip’ indoors or outside (keep aware of social distancing!).
Join our live stream following the video lesson for a live Q&A on fitness with Graham Anderson (Q&A to begin at approximately 10:15 am).
All of our ‘fit-tips’ will be posted here as well as our Facebook page and Youtube channel so that you can follow along at any time.
Film Recommendations
- Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
- Boyhood (2014)
- Movies that feature music or musicians: Walk the Line (2005); The Blues Brothers (1980); Love and Mercy (2014); Almost Famous (2000); A Star is Born (1937; 1976; 2018); Amadeus (1984); or Sound of Music (1965).
- Movies about perseverance: Finding Nemo (2003); Finding Dory (2016); Free Willy (1993)
- Wizard of Oz (1939)
- Movies that celebrate mothers: Mrs. Doubtfire (1993); Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood (2002); StepMom (1998); Forrest Gump (1994); Little Women (2019)
- Movies that Teach Gratitude: Mr. Holland’s Opus (1995); It Could Happen to You (1994); It’s A Wonderful Life (1946)
Harvard T. H. Chan School of Public Health Weekly Lectures
Other Resources and Upcoming Events
- –Art Works Anywhere, sponsored by Van Wezel
Van Wezel Professional Teaching Artists create simple, how-to videos. New videos are posted to the channel weekly. Whether it’s for creative expression, or to support school-based learning online, #ArtworksAnywhere is a perfect way for families to engage and learn together.
–June is Alzheimer’s Awareness Month. Download a flyer that describes opportunities this month to travel with dementia experts on the Alzheimer’s Association Virtual Brain Bus. Experts will explore and discuss the benefits of early detection, early diagnosis, brain health, risk reduction, how to receive an accurate diagnosis and the latest advancements in Alzheimer’s research.
–Neurodharma. What is happening in the brain and body when we are as wise, strong, happy, and loving as any person can ever be? Find out in Neurodharma – the new book from Brain Health Initiative’s faculty Dr. Rick Hanson.
- –Tidewell Community Hope Line
- To help meet the emotional-health needs of the community during COVID-19, local hospice provider, Tidewell Hospice, is offering the Tidewell Community Hope Line. This is not a crisis hotline but a “hope” line for people who need help dealing with today’s challenges. The service is available 24/7 and is staffed by Tidewell grief specialists, social workers, and spiritual care advisors. The line can be reached at 855-930-HOPE (4673) or 941-556-HOPE (4673). (La Línea de Esperanza para La Comunidad esta disponible en Español.) Assistance is also available via email at communityhope@tidewell.org
–Changing Lives Together – CareLine
It’s common to feel stressed or anxious during these challenging times. Many people are experiencing increased levels of stress, fear and anxiety. The need for social distancing makes it harder to access our normal social supports. Being in contact with people who can relate to your experiences is comforting. Centerstone’s CareLine can help you learn about coping skills, find resources, and feel supported. If you or someone you know needs to talk, the team at Centerstone is available to help: Free and confidential; 24/7 CareLine; 941-782-4300/ #CstoneNeverQuits
- –Meaning and Purpose – A COVID-19 Mental Health Survival Guide: Watch Harvard Medical School Affiliate, Dr. Christopher Palmer, director of McLean’s Department of Postgraduate and Continuing Education, as he discusses strategies for giving your day-to-day life more meaning, structure, and purpose to help combat feeling overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic. Watch here.
- –Listen to a podcast on the impact of spirituality, meaning and purpose on brain health, hosted by one of the BHI’s partners, the Academy for Brain Health and Performance, and featuring neurotheologist, Dr. Andrew Newburg.
– Global Stress Summit. Virtual, (live and recorded) free event featuring experts to help you understand and master stress.