Nearly everything we’re going to cover in this blog is in some way connected to how the brain works. So I’d like to give you a quick crash-course on the human brain. “Neuroscience” is a daunting label for a subject that’s actually quite accessible. Even if you don’t have any background in science, you’ll still be able to understand the essentials of brain science. With that understanding, you’ll be able to use neuroscience to improve your life, and the lives of your children.
Brain Health Basics
Success in school and life is enhanced by having a healthier brain, and there are many simple things we can do to take care of our brains. Improving the physical health of the brain often leads to improvements in many areas of life, including school. Although it’s possible to improve while ignoring brain health, it’s surely easier to improve when we are mindful of brain health.
As always, this isn’t about perfection. So the question to ask isn’t, “Is my brain healthy?” but rather, “How can I help my brain become healthier?” The following list is an excellent place to begin:
- Eat well.
- Sleep plenty.
- Drink water.
- Exercise often.
- Learn constantly.
- Find quiet time.
- Breathe deeply.
- Pursue meaningful goals.
- Create loving relationships.
- Have fun.
I will go into detail on all of these tips in later posts. Stay tuned!
Chris Loper has been working as a tutor and academic coach since 2014, racking up over 10,000 hours of experience supporting students.
Along with Greg Smith, Chris is the cocreator of Parenting for Academic Success (and Parental Sanity) – a five-part course offered every summer.
Chris writes the popular self-improvement blog Becoming Better, where he also offers habit coaching, helping busy adults with habit formation and productivity.
Chris’s most recent endeavor combines his academic and habit-formation expertise to help students thrive in college. Visit SmartCollegeHabits.com to learn more.
In 2021, he published a humorous memoir titled Wood Floats and Other Brilliant Observations, a book that blends crazy stories with practical life lessons, available on Amazon and through most local bookstores.
He lives in Issaquah, WA where he is the owner of South Cove Tutoring.