EngAGE Your Brain

This week, March 15-21, is global Brain Awareness Week. This time fosters public enthusiasm and support for brain science while spreading the word about the importance of brain health and its critical role in helping us live healthier, more productive lives. Use this dedicated week to intentionally support, strengthen and protect our minds and bodies while honoring what they may need at this time.  ...

No Brainer Day is observed on February 27 each year to give your brain a rest. Essentially, this is a day to remind us that many problems we encounter on a daily basis have easy solutions, once we relax and aim to tackle them. This makes our ideal option appear like a no brainer! Read on for fun ways to engAGE Your Brain while celebrating this whimsical holiday! ...

Since February is American Heart Month, this seems like a great time to focus on the heart-brain connection. The brain and heart are dependent on each other, communicate with one another, and are connected. What does the mind-heart connection mean to you? For many, we associate various attributes and actions to the heart such as being a symbol of love (our love center) , caring (having a golden heart or big heart), wisdom (time for a heart-to-heart), spirit (a change of heart), emotional truth (broken heart or follow your heart), among others. Physiologically, the heart communicates with the brain in four major ways via the nervous system, hormones, pulse waves, and energetically. With every heartbeat, nearly 25% of your body’s blood goes to the brain. ...

The virtual brain health event covers three categories: physical activities with mindful fitness experts, cognitive engagement-based lectures with industry experts and personal, well-being programs with expert practitioners who will share information about the impact brain science has on people’s lives. ...

One of the positives of 2020 was an opportunity to review aspects of life that were not serving us well. I ask that you take a few moments to consider the following for your brain care and wellness as you enter 2021:
 What aspects of your life would you like to return to post-COVID-19?
 What aspects of your life would you like to reinvent, repurpose and refold back into your life following the pandemic? ...

Feeling down? Dr. Krystal Culler reminds us that there are many ways to find small uplifts in our daily lives. Seek these moments out and work to be present in them when they occur. After all, happiness is our inside work but we can benefit from other boosts in our environment and the way in which we live our lives: Reach out to others, stay active, rest well, nourish to flourish, meditate, spend time outdoors, and express gratitude. These actions can spark inspiration to find happiness in your day and create moments of joy for yourself. ...

It's a common myth of aging that the brain lacks the ability to grow new neurons after childhood or adolescence. Our brains do not know our age! Exposure to new information in an enriched environment is key to spark neurogenesis, the growth of new neurons. Brain health is 70% lifestyle and 30% genetics. Tips to promote neurogenesis and a brain-healthy lifestyle include a healthy diet, physical exercise and natural movement, limiting alcohol consumption and smoking, and meditation. ...

So many of us worry from time to time that 'we're losing it.' We can't remember why we walked into a certain room, can't recall someone's name, can't find our keys, etc. Not to worry! Welcome to EnGAGE Your Brain, Boomer's newest blog by Doctor of Behavioral Health and Social Gerontologist Dr. Krystal L. Culler, DBH, M.A. Her vision for this blog is to provide a reliable resource of information for brain wellness, healthy aging and memory care. Her blog entries will translate current research into actionable steps that readers can implement into their daily lives today! ...