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
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
Future 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
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
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
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
Nutrition
- Food for Mood, Food for Thought, and Food for Staying Healthy
- Part 2: Food for Mood, Food for Thought, and Food for Staying Healthy: Brain Healthy Grocery Shopping
- Part 3: Food for Mood, for Thought and Staying Healthy: Brain Healthy Snacks
- Part 4: Food for Mood, for Thought and Staying Healthy: Boosting Brain Health and Immunity
- Part 5 -Food for Mood, Thought and Staying Healthy: 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
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
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
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
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
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