Supporting Your Brain Health!
If you are looking for more information about how to live a brain healthy lifestyle, check out our Brain Health Boosts!
The BHI began publishing Brain Health Boosts! in response to the COVID-19 pandemic in order to share brain health information and resources to the region’s during this time. 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 worked to bring preventative resources and action steps to the Florida Suncoast region.
Now that the world is begging to return to “normal”, the BHI will continue to provide Brain Health Boosts because boosting brain health is always essential. Brain Health Boosts cover current events as they are relevant to brain health, as well as resources specific to supporting brain health protective factors.
Brain Health BOOSTS: What You Can Do Today To Protect Your Brain Health
Brain Health Boosts are organized by brain health pillar (protective factor).
Cognitive Stimulation
- Cognitive and Creative Stimulation Boosts Brain Health
- When Reopening Schools, Brain Health and Development Make a Difference
- Staying Focused and Avoiding Digital Distractions Makes a Difference
- Focusing on the Essentials for Back to School Makes a Difference School
- Improving Your Memory Makes a Difference
- Poetry and Creativity Can Stimulate Brain Performance
- Forgetting is a Normal Part of Remembering
- Racism Impacts Learning, Behavior and Lifelong Health
- Reducing Brain Drain During the Summer Months
- Reading Provides a Lifetime of Brain Health Benefits
- Creativity and Brain Health
- Brain Training Can Boost Brain Fitness and Performance
- Playing Games Promotes Brain Health
- Pick a New Hobby- Your Brain With Thank You and Reward You
- Feed Your Mind With These Brain Healthy Books by BHI Experts
- Development of Executive Function Key to Brain Healthy Life
- Processing or Playing Music is an Ultimate Brain Performance Workout
- Repetition Enhances Young Children’s Development
- Keep Students’ Brains Sharp This Summer with Reading Lists, Tips
- Keep Your Brain Sharp with New Experiences During Summer Vacation
Emotional Well-being
- Brain Health Benefits from Kindness and Compassion
- Laughter Boosts Brain Health-No Joke
- Brain Healthy Practice: Reframing-Thoughts and Words Matter
- Protecting Brain Health- Dealing with the Grief of What is Still to Come
- Self-Esteem and Mind-Body Intervention
- Emotional Protective Equipment Boosts Brain Health
- Child Brain Development Matters- Recharge: Take Time for Yourself
- An Attitude of Gratitude Amplifies Brain Health
- Focusing on Optimism Makes a Difference
- Fear and Normalcy During COVID-19
- Managing Back-to-School Anxiety Makes a Difference
- Training your Brain to be Happy Makes a Difference
- Nurturing Self-Esteem Can Make a Difference
- Leading with Kindness Makes a Difference
- Holiday Shopping Anxiety Makes a Difference
- Giving Thanks Makes a Difference
- Brain Health Matters:Kindness Makes a Difference
- Finding Happiness Makes a Difference
- Being A Loving Parent Makes A Difference
- Laugh Your Way to Brain Health
- Power of Positive Thinking
- Social Media Designed to Help Train Your Brain
- Cheering Up Others Can Boost Your Spirits and Protect Brain Health
- Let Go of Regrets to Improve Brain Health
- Being Someone to a Child Makes a Difference
- Take Time to De-stress This Summer
- Plan a Family Brain Break
- Brain Healthy Habits Lead to Happier Life
- Using Social Emotional Learning to Challenge Dangerous Social Media
- Sharing a Tradition of Gratitude is Brain Healthy
- Successful Pursuit of Happiness Linked to Good Health, Long Life
- Strategies Address Youth’s COVID-related Brain Health Issues
- This is Your Brain. This is Your Brain in Love.
- Experiencing Mental Exhaustion? Give Your Brain a Break
- Do Spring Cleaning in Your Mind For Refreshed Outlook on Life
- Beyond Health and Happiness Lies Human Flourishing
- Expressing Compassion During Times of Tragedy
- Daily PDF May Hold Key to Students’ Success, Development
- Educators Can Recharge Their Brains by Heeding to Their Bodies
- Classroom Mindfulness Provides Better Atmosphere for Learning
- Use Play Activities to Reinforce Mindfulness in Children
General Health
- Brain Health and Watching the News: How Much is Too Much?
- Brain Health Requires Caring for Mind, Body and Soul
- Hearing Health and Safe Headphone Habits Make a Difference
- Inflammation’s Effects on Childhood Development Make a Difference
- Viruses Don’t Discriminate-Ways to Promote Tolerance During COVID-19
- Slowing or Preventing Alzheimer’s With a Healthy Lifestyle Makes A Difference
- Supporting the Development of Our Teens Makes a Difference- At School
- Understanding How Children Spread COVID-19 Makes a Difference
- Vaccines Make a Difference
- Drinking in Moderation Makes a Difference
- Creating New Habits Make a Difference
- Connecting Brain and Body-Early Childhood Development- Part 1
- Connecting Brain and Body-Early Childhood Development- Part 2
- Heart Health Makes a Difference
- Blood Pressure is a Brain Health Risk Factor
- Brain Awareness Week Matters
- When Brain Health Matters, Thinking FAST Makes a Difference
- Risks and Benefits of Drinking as You Age
- Annual Brain and Body Checkups Make a Difference
- Treating High Blood Pressure is Good for Your Brain
- Take Care of Your Teeth, Protect Your Brain
- COVID-19 and Your Brain Health
- Keys to Protecting Men’s Health: Exercising Brain and Body
- Safe Vacation Travel Practices
- The Brain-Skin Connection
- Vaccinations Help Protect Your Brain Health
- Brain Health IS Women’s Health
- COVID’s Impact on Youth Brain Health
- Tips for Caring for Someone with Alzheimer’s
- Hand Washing Boosts Immunity, Brain Health
- Changing Seasons Can Impact Your Brain Health
- Mind Matters of the Heart to Keep the Brain Healthy
- Education Key to Care of Alzheimer’s and Dementia Patients
- Brain Fog Lingers for Some After COVID-19 Recovery
- Be Safe, Responsible When Cleaning Out the Medicine Cabinet
- Adult ADHD and Brain Health and Performance
Home, Nature and Environment
- Talking to Kids About COVID-19
- Parents You Are Doing A Great Job
- Couples and COVID-19: A New Kind of Togetherness
- Nature Boosts Brain Health
- Early Experiences and Environment Make a Difference on Lifelong Health
- Supporting the Development of Our Teens Makes a Difference- At School
- Supporting the Development of Our Teens Makes a Difference- At Home
- Working At Home With Brain Health in Mind Makes a Difference
- Brain Health Matters and Sunlight Makes a Difference
- A Healthy Environment Makes a Difference
- Brain Health Benefits of Having a Pets
- Brain Health Benefits of Gardening
- A Healthy Home Makes a Difference
- Measuring the Impact of Red Tide on Brain Health
- Going Back-to-School Brain Healthy
- Celebrating the Sunshine State
- Clean Drinking Water Vital to Health of Developing Brains
- Rooms Full of Houseplants Offer More Than a Pretty Environment
- Get Outside to Improve Brain Health
Meaning and Purpose
- Finding Meaning and Purpose During COVID-19
- Activism Makes A Difference
- Using Science and Humanity Makes a Difference
- Your Participation in the Brain Health Pilot Study Makes a Difference
- Leading to Motivate During COVID Makes a Difference
- Spirituality and Purpose Make a Difference
- Helping Others Helps Your Brain Health
- Supporting Families Affected by Alzheimer’s
- A Day for Thanks, and a Day for Giving
- Sharing a Tradition of Gratitude is Brain Healthy
- Climate Change is a Brain Health Problem
- Finding Inspiration in the New Year
- Volunteering Time and Talent Does a Body and Brain Good
Miscellaneous Protective Factors
- The Arts- Experiencing, Appreciating, Creating
- Creativity and Creating Your Living Message
- Experiencing, Appreciating and Creating the Arts Part 2
- Music Makes a Difference and Brain Health Matters
- Celebrating Women Makes a Difference
- Nurses are Crucial in the Healthcare System
- Building a Brain Healthy Community
- Surviving and Thriving During Times of Transition
- Early Experiences Can Shape Our Future
- Self-Care is Important Too!
- Seniors Benefit from a Brain Healthy Lifestyle
- Future Generation Leading Brain Health Revolution
- Talking to Kids About Drugs
- Advances in Alzheimer’s Brings Hope
- Monitoring Brain Health Aids Alzheimer’s Diagnosis and Treatment
- Resolve to Protect Your Brain Health
- Train Your Brain to Help Make Those Resolutions Stick
- Research Unlocking the Secrets of Super-Agers and Their Super Brains
- Cultivate Your Best Brain; Consider Adopting the Perennial Mindset
- Understand Danger of Brain Injury to Prevent Long-Term Damage
- Brain Awareness Week is Here
- Appreciation for Teachers Can Start with Brain Health
Nutrition
- Brain Healthy Grocery Shopping Guide
- Brain Healthy Snacks
- Boosting Brain Health and Immunity
- Fish Helps You Think-Across The Lifespan
- Gut Health Makes a Difference
- How We Shop for Food Makes a Difference
- Food Makes a Difference In Your Teen Athlete’s Mood
- Baking Makes a Difference
- Getting Teens to Eat Fruits and Vegetables Makes a Difference
- Eating Right as we Age Makes a Difference
- The Best Way to Fortify Your Brain
- Eating Right for a Healthy Brain
- Blueberries Pack a Powerful Brain Health Punch
- Enjoy a Brain Healthy Picnic
- Breakfast is Important For Your Brain
- “Eat Real” for Brain Health
- Eating Vegan for Better Brain Health
- Holiday Overeating Affects Your Waistline, and Your Brain Health
- Mindful Eating Holds Key to Long-Term Healthy Habits
- Does the Wave of New Beverage Brands Boost Brain Health?
- Florida Oranges Contribute to Brain Health
- Limit Chronic Inflammation Through Diet, Protect Your Brain Health
- Eating More Fruits and Vegetables Could Lengthen Your Life
- Do Detoxes and Cleanses Work to Rid Your Body of Toxins?
- Blood Sugar Levels Can Impact Brain Performance
Physical Activity
- Physical Activity for a Healthy Brain
- Walking is Good for Brain and Body Health
- Physical Activity Boosts Brain Health and Immunity
- Exercise Makes a Difference in Treating Depression
- Better Balance Makes a Difference
- National Take a Hike Day Makes a Difference
- You’re Never to Old to Exercise
- Taking a Walk Makes a Difference
- How much Exercise is Enough to Enhance Brain Health and Optimize Performance?
- Moving for Brain Health and Wellness
- Walking for a Healthier Brain
- High-Intensity Workouts a HIIT with Some Seeking Better Brain Health
- The Core Supports Brain Health, too!
- Yoga’s Many Benefits Extend Directly to the Brain
- Cycling Keeps the Brain Rolling Right Along
Sleep
- Boost Your Immunity-Get A Good Night’s Sleep
- Time Change and Sleep Make a Difference
- Clearing Your Mind for Sleep Makes a Difference
- Too Much or Too Little Sleep Makes a Difference
- “Springing Ahead “Makes a Difference and Brain Health Matters
- How Much Sleep Do You Need?
- Genetics of Napping
- Restorative Sleep is Key for Brain Health Across All Ages
- Alcohol Effect on Sleep Quality
Social Connection
- Social Connection is Important for Brain Health
- Social Connection Builds Child Brain Development
- Brain Health Matters: At the Individual and Community Level
- Social Engagement Makes a Difference-Youth
- Connections with Acquaintances Make a Difference
- Connecting with our Kids Makes a Difference
- Connected Parenting Makes a Difference-Part 1
- Connected Parenting Part 2- Quality vs Quantity in Screen Time Makes a Difference
- Being Neighborly Can Prevent Loneliness
- Staying Engaged is Key to Happy Retirement
- Living Alone Without Being Lonely
- Helping Others Helps Your Brain Health
- Respect for Others Promotes Brain Health
- Peer Pressure Begins in the Brain, Can Be Positive Force for Teens
Stress Resilience
- Building Brain Healthy Resilience During Times of Change
- Brain Development Matters Even During COVID-19
- Part 3 -Brain Development Matters During COVID-19 and Beyond
- Stress of High School or College During COVID-19
- Brain Health Matters During Tumultuous Times
- Avoiding Quarantine Fatigue Makes a Difference
- Building Resilience to Coronavirus and Hurricanes Make a Difference
- Resilience to Election Stress Makes and Difference
- Managing Stress Makes a Difference
- Olympic Athletes Train Their Bodies and Brains
- Build Your Resilience to Stress
- ‘Tis the Season for Holiday Stress
- Calm Your Mind to Reduce Risk of Brain-Triggered Stress Reactions
- Play Builds Resilience During Times of Stress
Music and Film to Boost Brain Health
- Music and Films to Boost Brain Health: Happiness
- Music and Film to Boost Brain Health: Hope, Renewal, Optimism and Goodness
- Music and Film to Boost Brain Health: Music to move your heart, mind, soul and body
- Music and Film to Boost Brain Health: Perseverance
- Music and Film to Boost Brain Health: Wisdom and Courage
Other
- Introduction to Brain Health Boosts
- Brain Health Boost-A Week In Review
- Brain Health Boost- Week 2 in Review
- Brain Health Boost-Week 3 in ReviewBrain Health Boost-Week 4 in Review
- Brain Health Boost-Week in Review -Week 5
- Brain Health Boost – Week in Review and Celebrating Mothers-Week 6
- Brain Health Boost-Week in Review- Week 7
- Brain Health Boost- Week in Review-Week 8
- Brain Health Boost-Week in Review-Week 9
- Let’s Get 2021 Started with Resilience
- Accurate Information and Outreach Make a Difference
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.
Brain Health Playlists
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 Based Public Health COVID-19 Lectures and Resources
Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health calendar of weekly lectures
McClean Hospital, Harvard School Affiliate COVID-19 Mental Health Resources and Webinars
Harvard Medical School COVID-19 Webinars (especially for physicians, nurses, and other healthcare providers)
Harvard School of Graduate Education- Confronting the Coronavirus Outbreak