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8 Time Management Strategies for the New School Year
So how was your summer? Did you get to take a family vacation? Were you able to spend quality time with friends or relatives? How far down your summer reading list did you get? After a jam-packed summer filled with trips and activities, do you feel like you need a break from your break? You’re not alone. If your summer vacation was supposed to be relaxing but wasn’t, we’ve got some time-saving tips that can help you and your kids head into the new school year fresh…and even refreshed. Following these practical principles can help set up your child for a successful school year: 8 Effective Time Management Strategies for Kids and Parents 1. Customized Study Session Take a moment to reflect on the previous school year. What worked well and what didn’t? What successes can you capitalize on for the new school year? For example, did you learn that your child studies better after running around outside for a few minutes? Then allow them to let off some steam before cracking open a book. Does your child concentrate better with or without music? Whatever motivates your child, create the conditions that will support their ability to focus and get the most out of their study session. 2. Plan Together There are many things you can do to help your kids get ready for the school year. Try shopping for school supplies with your kids. Allow them to select binders and folders in their favorite color or style. Buy each child their own planner and have them organize it their own way. Involving your kids in the planning stages can relieve some of your stress and help them get excited about returning to school. 3. Streamline Your Mornings Strategize how to simplify the before-school hours for everyone in your family. The night before, select outfits, make lunches and organize everything your kids will need for school the next day. This will help make morning preparations more efficient and less stressful. 4. Know Your Brain Type The preparation for learning begins long before your child sets foot inside a classroom. It starts inside their brain. Identifying your child’s brain type will make it easier for them to learn. There are 16 different brain types. To discover your child’s brain type, fill out the free Brain Health Assessment. It only takes 5 to 7 minutes to complete. (And yes, adults can take it too). 5. Productive Study Space Determine the best place in the house for your children to study. Create a comfortable space where they can keep school materials organized. Any quiet area with adequate lighting and a writing surface can work as a study space. Make sure the study zone is out of the earshot of a TV and free of devices or other distractions. 6. Give Them A Break If your child becomes exhausted from intense studying or if it’s been a while since they got up to stretch their legs, give them a break. Although it sounds counterintuitive as a time management strategy, research demonstrates that taking breaks actually improves focus and efficiency. If your child concentrates on a particular task for too long, their cognitive control system can begin to fail. By switching their attention to something else for a brief period, they can return to their original task with renewed focus. 7. Quality Sleep Getting at least 7 hours of sleep each night has been shown to help your child’s brain function at optimal levels. When your child doesn’t get enough sleep, they have overall decreased blood flow to their brain, which can disrupt thinking, memory, and concentration. One of the best ways to improve your child’s study habits (and grades) is to make sure their mind is sharp and well-rested. 8. Healthy Snacks Rather than wasting time making after-school snacks, prepare healthy snacks in advance. Store snack bags of celery sticks and apple slices in the refrigerator or serve your kids snap peas or baby carrots right out of the bag or container. For more variety, purchase an organic vegetable tray, which should provide several days’ worth of healthy snacking for your kids. If your kids are picky eaters, disguise healthy treats as something fun, like this delicious penguin snack. Study time is precious, so make the most of it. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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How to Help Your Child Succeed in the New School Year
Ready or not, summer break is winding down and the new school year is almost here! A new school year means helping your child adjust to new classrooms, new teachers and new challenges. Getting through this transition can be difficult, but there are practical strategies for helping your child adjust to the newness and get prepared to succeed in school. The time to plan for a successful school year is now. Though laying out a calendar can be beneficial for everyone in the family, it can be especially helpful if you have a child who struggled in school last year. So, how can you ensure your child heads off to school with the best possible foundation? Following these 3 tips can help your kid start off fresh this fall… 3 Ways to Set Up Your Student for Success 1. Optimize Your Mornings Strategize how to simplify the before-school hours for everyone in your family. The night before, select outfits, make lunches and organize everything your kids will need for school the next day. This will help make morning preparations more efficient and less stressful. 2. Establish a Study Space Determine the best place in the house for your children to study. Create a comfortable space where they can keep school materials organized. Any quiet area with adequate lighting and a writing surface can work as a study space. Make sure the study zone is out of the earshot of a TV and free of devices or other distractions. 3. Get Nutritional Support Aside from giving your children nutritious, organic foods, a great way to help optimize their health is with high-quality dietary supplements. These supplements should include ultra-pure, clinically proven ingredients that provide the vitamins, essential minerals, and other nutrients important for energy, focus, learning, and memory. At BrainMD, we offer a wide array of brain directed nutraceutical ingredients in supplements designed to assist students in reaching their full potential. Here are 5 natural supplements to help you or your child succeed in school: Kids’ NeuroVite Multivitamin Chewables Kids’ NeuroVite Multivitamin Chewables provides the vitamins and minerals that are needed for healthy minds and active bodies.* We chose the nutrient ingredients best documented for kids’ safety and long-term health.* This science-based formulation provides generous amounts of nutrients essential for making energy (magnesium, the B vitamins), to support the brain’s maturation (methylfolate, methyl-vitamin B12, choline), for the electrical activity of the retina and the brain (lutein, zeaxanthin), to form healthy muscles and bones (vitamins D and K), for healthy immunity (vitamin A, zinc) and for the many other functions that power healthy growth of mind and body.* Your child will LOVE the taste of the orange-flavored penguin chewables, which are free from sugar, dairy, gluten, corn, eggs, and artificial colorings or flavorings.* Attention Support Attention Support is scientifically designed for those who struggle with staying focused and attentive.* Pycnogenol is the most clinically researched of all herbals and has improved attention, as well as test grades, in university students.* Choline is a conditionally essential nutrient that helps make acetylcholine, the brain’s main attention, and memory neurotransmitter.* Vitamins B6, magnesium, and zinc all further reinforce attention, learning, and memorization.* Attention Support gives your brain the nutrients it needs to keep on top of challenges and allow you to stay focused and productive.* Brain & Memory Power Boost Brain & Memory Power Boost contains potent, essential nutrients and herbals proven to support a broad range of brain functions.* The combination of ingredients in this formula promote the brain’s basic energy generation and utilization functions, support its need for blood flow, and help sustain its nerve pathways via the trillions of synapses that ensure connectivity between its nerve cells.* Supporting these multiple functions can translate into healthy brain performance.* This all-star lineup of potent nutrients and herbals can help enhance circulation to your brain, facilitate its information processing, and provide it with protection against toxins.* Focus & Energy Focus & Energy was designed to help fight mental fatigue and promote mental sharpness, productivity, and endurance.* This breakthrough supplement features high-purity, standardized concentrates of an incredible array of adaptogens – green tea, ashwagandha, Rhodiola and Korean ginseng – all revered in traditional cultures and proven through modern clinical research to improve mental performance when under stress.* Also included is choline, supporting the brain’s acetylcholine system for both focus and endurance.* This diverse array of powerful ingredients makes Focus & Energy an essential choice for enhanced mental focus and sustained energy to help cope with life’s daily challenges.* NeuroLink Proper neurotransmitter balance is essential for healthy brain function.* BrainMD’s NeuroLink provides an exclusive blend of nutrients that support a diverse array of such key transmitters as adrenaline, noradrenaline, dopamine, serotonin, GABA, and glutamate.* This formula can help you maintain a positive mood.* It can also assist you in coping with stressful challenges by helping your brain transmitters and stress hormones stay in balance.* NeuroLink can help you think more clearly, feel happier, and experience greater well-being.* At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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What Can I Do to Get Better Grades?
Do you feel like you should be getting better grades? Does schoolwork stress you out? Are you spending more time studying than the A students in your class, but aren’t getting the same results? If you answered yes to any of those questions, Dr. Daniel G. Amen’s new book, Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades, was written with you in mind. Packed with simple, practical tips, the book will help make studying easier so that you’ll actually start to enjoy the learning process. With schools becoming more competitive and technology becoming increasingly distracting, today’s students face a minefield of obstacles to academic progress. Doing well in school isn’t just a matter of smarts or more studying: it takes good habits, practical tools, and a healthy brain. Brain Basics The human brain is the most complex and wondrous organ in the universe. Your ability to succeed in school comes from many different areas of your brain. If you want to perform better in the classroom, you must first learn about your brain. Did you know: The brain has about 100 billion neurons (brain cells) Each neuron is connected to other neurons by up to 10,000 connections The brain has more connections than there are stars in the universe A piece of brain tissue the size of a grain of sand contains 100,000 neurons and over a billion connections talking to one another The brain weighs about 3 pounds, yet it uses 20 to 30 percent of the calories you consume, 20 percent of the oxygen you breathe, and 20 percent of the blood flow in your body Optimize Your Brain Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades takes you on a brief tour of your brain, to familiarize you with each brain region and its specific functions and potential problems. Even subtle brain issues can get in the way of achieving your academic goals. The great news is that you aren’t stuck with the brain you have. Learning how to optimize your brain is the first step to becoming a better student. Know Your Brain Type The preparation for learning begins before you ever crack open a book or set foot inside a classroom. It starts with your brain. If your brain is healthy, it will be much easier for you to learn. If your brain is unhealthy, it will be harder for you to advance in your studies. Understanding your brain type is critical to getting the help you need. In Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades, Dr. Amen outlines 16 different brain types and details the “dos and don’ts” of the 5 primary brain types. To discover your brain type, take the free Brain Health Assessment and share it with your family and friends at school. It only takes 5 to 7 minutes. Get Organized Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades guides you in how to create an organizational structure that will increase your effectiveness and reduce your study time. Included are 3 effective organization principles designed to help you maximize your study sessions. Comprehensive Guide The book covers a wide range of topics including helpful note-taking methods and proven test-taking tips. Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades also dedicates an entire chapter to how memory works and provides 6 tools for building a better memory. Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades offers science-based strategies that can help you study more effectively, learn faster, and stay focused so you can achieve your academic goals. This practical guide will help you: Discover your unique brain type and learning style Kick bad habits and adopt smarter study practices Get more out of your classes with less overall study time Memorize faster and remember things longer Increase your confidence and beat stress Not Just for School Whether you want to learn a foreign language before going on vacation, take a finance course so you can increase your investing know-how, or simply ace your tests with less effort, you can benefit from the insights in this book. The principles in Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades are practical and can be applied to almost any learning situation. Since technology has completely changed the way students learn, Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades offers many tech tips to help unleash your learning potential. 3 Tech Tips to Help You Become a Successful Student 1. Daily Encouragement Program Siri, Alexa, or another digital assistant to give you encouragement at regular intervals throughout the day or right before a big test. A simple “You’re doing great!” can give you a much-needed confidence boost. 2. Maximize Your Productivity Download a productivity app and use it to analyze how much time you spend on your homework versus on social media. To maximize your productivity, use a Fitbit or other tool to track how much of your day you dedicate to sleeping, eating, studying, working, or participating in sports or leisure activities. 3. Don’t Miss a Word If a teacher speaks too rapidly for accurate note-taking, record lectures on your smartphone and use voice transcription to create a first draft of your notes. Be sure to go through the transcription to correct any mistakes. For underachievers, stressed-out studiers, and students from middle school to college and beyond, Change Your Brain, Change Your Grades gives you the knowledge and tools you need to get the best out of yourself. For more about Dr. Amen’s other books, or our full catalog of brain health supplements that can boost focus, energy, and memory, please visit us at BrainMD.
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5 Tips for Boosting Your Attention the Natural Way
Do you have trouble concentrating in class or during meetings? Do you get antsy when listening to a speaker for an extended period? Does your mind drift from one random thought to another, never really focusing on the topic at hand? If you answered yes to any of these questions, you might have an attention problem. In today’s busy world, giving our complete focus to just one thing or person is becoming increasingly difficult. Attention issues not only impact performance in school, work, relationships and daily tasks, they also affect the way we function as human beings and how we perceive the world. Despite traditional thought on the subject, the rapid rise of attention problems afflicts more than just the young in our society. A growing number of adults are finding it harder to remain organized, stay on task, and complete projects. Here are some common warning signs for those who struggle with their attention and focus… Impulsivity Distractibility Restlessness Forgetfulness Shifting attention Procrastination Since attention issues are not just a single or simple problem, coping is not a one-size-fits-all solution. But there are natural ways to approach this problem and boost your total mental performance in the process. Coping with Attention Issues Attention problems remain one of the most misunderstood and incorrectly treated issues today. Unfortunately, many people use ineffective or harmful strategies (such as abusing substances, overcommitting to work or activities, toughing it out or ignoring it altogether) in dealing with their focus challenges. Attention concerns can be aggravated by a variety of factors, including poor diet, environmental toxins, lack of sleep, stress, and limited physical activity. Unaddressed attention challenges can have alarming consequences and are associated with higher incidences of academic problems, low self-esteem, job failure, incarceration, obesity, and divorce. The good news is that there are many things you can do today to have better focus. One of the best ways to support your attention is with high-quality, brain-healthy supplements… Attention Support Trouble concentrating? Can’t sit still? Attention Support can help you relax, stay calm, and increase your attention span – all at the same time.* Increase your (or your child’s) potential with Attention Support’s natural focus boosters.* Its ingredients were picked for their clinically proven benefits to attention, concentration, calm, and overall self-control.* Clinical child and adult psychiatrist and brain imaging expert, Dr. Daniel Amen, worked with the BrainMD team to carefully select the well-studied ingredients in Attention Support. Working through multiple action pathways in the brain, its nutrients and herbals can help your distractible brain circuits self-correct to better stay on track.* “I’ve seen the attention of my patients go down over the last 30 years with the constant distractions we all face from the Internet and multiple gadgets. I designed Attention Support to give children and adults something natural that would actually help support their attention in multiple ways.” – Daniel G. Amen, MD Here’s what you get with Attention Support: Choline – a vitamin-like nutrient that supports the brain’s production of acetylcholine, a key neurotransmitter for attention, learning and memory.* Choline also contributes methyl groups that help the brain make neurotransmitters and maintain its circuitry.* Per FDA guidelines this formula is classed as an excellent source of choline.* Magnesium – a mineral essential for life yet lacking in most people’s diets. Magnesium is fundamental to the brain’s ability to generate energy, maintain its nerve cell connections, and conduct the electrical activity that underlies all its functions including focus, memory, mood and behavior.* PhosphatidylSerine (PS) (soy-free, from sunflower) – highly concentrated in the brain and a natural building block for the trillions of nerve cell connections that make the brain work.* Clinically proven to support healthy attention, learning and overall mental focus.* Pycnogenol® – a powerful antioxidant concentrate sustainably harvested from the French maritime pine tree.* Promotes delivery of blood to the brain and is demonstrated to improve attention in clinical trials with kids, university students and seniors.* Vitamin B6 – an essential cofactor for several enzymes involved in the production of neurotransmitters linked to attention and healthy mood control, especially when used together with magnesium.* Zinc – another essential mineral, required by at least 100 enzymes and for crucial antioxidant protection of the brain.* Zinc has consistently enhanced children’s attention and behavior in clinical trials.* Attention Support is extremely well tolerated and was developed for both kids and adults.* Children 4 years and older can take 3 caps per day, preferably between meals. Adults can take up to 6 caps per day, or more as guided by a nutritionally-informed physician. Attention Support contains no soy, milk/dairy, gluten, wheat, yeast, eggs, corn, sugars, or artificial colors or flavorings. Being calm, focused and making better decisions can lead to a greatly enhanced quality of life. Imagine the joy of accomplishing things on a consistent basis. It all starts with giving your brain the nutrients it needs, so that its self-regulating processes can keep on top of challenges and allow you to stay focused and productive.* In addition to nutritional support, there are many other ways to naturally help with attention issues. Here are just a few… 5 Tips for Boosting Your Attention 1. One-page Miracle A One-page Miracle (OPM) can help you make better choices, which will enable you to achieve more in life. Write down the specific goals you have for each major area of your life. Then ask yourself every day, “Is my behavior getting me what I want?” This simple but profound activity can aid the process of turning your thoughts into reality. Click here for tips on how to create your own OPM. 2. Meditation and More Decades of clinical research has shown that prayer, meditation, visualization, and self-hypnosis can calm stress, enhance overall brain function, and improve focus, mood, and memory. Taking 5 to 10 minutes twice a day to focus on your breathing, gratitude, a beautiful scene in nature, or scriptures can have a tremendous impact on your life. 3. Shut Out Distractions Get rid of distractions when you prepare to study or focus on a project. Put your phone on airplane mode and turn off your devices. Although multitasking may seem like the best way to get things done, even people practiced at multitasking typically don’t do it very well. Taking occasional tech timeouts can help you find balance, so you can focus on the most essential areas of your life. 4. Better Focus Foods The sugar-filled, pesticide-laden, high glycemic Standard American Diet (SAD) leads to increased distractibility, decreased energy, and greater illness. For people who struggle with attention and focus, a diet high in fiber, with high-quality protein and healthy fats (especially omega-3s and monounsaturates), can have a powerfully positive effect on brain function. It’s especially important to eat protein with each meal and snack, which helps to stabilize blood sugar levels and maintain focus. 5. Take Time to Have Fun If your attention is scattered by a million things, it might be time to take a break. We all need time to recharge our batteries and self-care is often the best thing you can do to refocus your thoughts and emotions. Get a massage, read a new book, or listen to your favorite music. Engage in meaningful and beneficial activities on a regular basis. Do work that you enjoy and have fun with your loved ones. Focusing on positive people and activities can help you achieve balance both mentally and physically, so make time for what matters most in your life. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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What Do Sugar And Cocaine Have In Common?
Why Is Sugar Bad For You? This should come as no surprise…sugar is not your friend. Refined sugar is 99.4 to 99.7 percent pure calories, with no vitamins, minerals, fats, or proteins – just carbohydrates that spike blood sugar, followed by an insulin response and a subsequent sugar crash, leading us to the desire for more. There are ways to control these cravings. The Negative Effects of Sugar Eating sugary foods makes people hungry and tired, and causes them to gain weight. Refined sugar is void of minerals needed for enzymes, can cause mineral deficiencies, interferes with the actions of calcium and magnesium, increases inflammation, increases erratic brain cell firing, and has been implicated in aggression. Additionally, sugar consumption has been associated with mood and attention issues, increased triglycerides, lower HDL, and higher LDL cholesterol; it also feeds cancer cells. Brain imaging studies showed sugar causes increased slow brain waves, and a study at UCLA showed that sugar alters learning and memory. Did you know that the average American eats about 140 pounds of sugar a year? And the fact that sugar is often disguised behind the labels of “organic,” “cane,” “raw,” or “unprocessed” doesn’t change the insulin response in your body when you eat it. Whether it comes from a beehive, a maple tree, or any other natural source, sugar is sugar. When you eat sugar, your blood sugar spikes, insulin is released, then blood sugar drops, and you crave it again and again. When your blood sugar drops, your body sees it as a state of emergency, causing you to crave food as a way to fix the situation. Sugar is the fastest way to do that aside from the alternatives. That is why when you eat sugar, you crave it more – similar to how a drug addict craves his drug. “Drug Dealers” in the Food Industry In the 1970s, a mathematician by the name of Howard Moskowitz discovered that the perfect combination of sugar, salt, and fat would optimize the human brain’s pleasure experience. He coined it the “bliss point.” Fast-forward a few decades, and we now know that triggering the bliss point not only increases sensory experiences like taste and texture, but also activates an area deep in the brain, called the nucleus accumbens, which is associated with motivation and pleasure. The nucleus accumbens is the same part of the brain that is activated by certain drugs such as cocaine, methamphetamines, nicotine, and morphine! In other words, the job of food designers is to create foods that hook your brain, just like addictive drugs. Now new research published in the British Journal of Sports Medicine backs that up by demonstrating that sugar has a similar effect on the brain to powerful illegal drugs and that it can be as addictive as cocaine! Furthermore, they say, cutting out sugar can cause cravings, binges, and withdrawal symptoms - like a drug addict going cold turkey. But here is the good news: Once you let go of sugar, your cravings may subside. Within a short time (usually several days) of eliminating sugar, many amazing things begin to happen in your body. Your hormones begin to regulate. Your hunger/satiation signals normalize. You begin to enjoy the taste of real (unprocessed) foods. Fruit tastes sweeter and vegetables more flavorful. And by eliminating sugar, which contributes to lack of focus and inattention, you have a greater ability to focus on making the healthiest eating choices. To help deal with sugar cravings, consider trying BrainMD’s Craving Control which can support your willpower to help you stay in control. Containing six active ingredients that work synergistically to help calm the craving centers in the brain, Craving Control can diminish the frequency and intensity of your cravings, helping you to more effectively achieve better control over your behavior. What Customers Are Saying About Craving Control “I purchased Craving Control for my daughter who was really having problems regulating her food impulses. She has more balance in her choices of food and is a lot happier with herself for making better choices and succumbing less to spontaneous cravings!” by Jannie “Craving Control took the edge off my cravings so I feel in control of my food choices. I take 2 capsules in the morning and another 1 in the mid-afternoon. I have been taking the supplement for about 1 month and not noticed any decrease in effect. I highly recommend the product for people wanting to change their diet.” by Steffi “So glad there's a healthy option to help me with my cravings. I especially like the fact that this supplement is helping me not have those sugar cravings that destroy my willpower without your help!” by Joy
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5 Ways to Help Students Combat Negative Thoughts
“I’m so stupid.” “I’m always messing things up.” “No one wants to be with me.” Sadly, these types of negative beliefs are common for many kids. They become ingrained in their brain from the cruel things others say and from the bullying many of them are forced to endure. Getting picked on not only impacts emotional and social functioning, it also can have biological consequences that extend into adulthood. Kids and young adults are faced with a host of challenges at school. Besides the pressure to perform academically, they are inundated with unhealthy stereotypes and bombarded with negative messages on social media. Many give in to peer pressure and develop harmful habits and behaviors that can adversely impact their lives. Of course, not all negativity comes from external sources. Many kids are plagued with self-doubt, are insecure socially and have poor self-esteem and body image. Also, they may struggle with anxious or depressive thoughts. The Power of Thoughts What we think has a powerful effect on our lives. While it’s common to trust everything we think, the truth is our thoughts constantly lie to us. For instance, we may incorrectly assume things about other people or may inaccurately interpret how others view us. Our thoughts become our beliefs if we think them often enough. The unfortunate reality is that many kids beat themselves up with self-defeating thoughts. Whether it’s from mistakes or critical things others have said, negative thoughts can spontaneously pop into their head, sometimes days or even weeks after the hurtful event. When pessimistic thoughts occur at random times, your child might be experiencing automatic negative thoughts. What Are Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs)? When negative thoughts enter the mind without warning or invitation, they’re called Automatic Negative Thoughts (ANTs). Here are the 9 types of ANTs and a brief description of their harmful effects: “All or Nothing” Thinking- Thoughts that are all good or all bad. “Always” Thinking- Thinking in words like always, never, no one, everyone, every time, everything. Focusing on The Negative- Only seeing the bad in a situation. Fortune Telling- Predicting the worst possible outcome to a situation with little or no evidence for it. Mind Reading- Believing that you know what another person is thinking even though they haven’t told you. Thinking with Your Feelings- Believing negative feelings without ever questioning them. Guilt Beatings- Thinking in words like should, must, ought, or have to. Labeling- Attaching a negative label to yourself or someone else. Blame- Blaming someone else for your problems. Whenever a negative thought pops into your head, combat it with these 4 questions: Is it true? Can I absolutely know that it’s true? How do I react when I think that thought? Who would I be without that thought? Or, how would I feel if I didn’t have that thought? Killing Your ANTs: Whenever ANTs creep into the mind, they must be killed. You kill them by talking back to them; if you don’t, ANTs can feast on your emotions and create anxious or depressive thoughts. Whenever an automatic negative thought enters your mind, train yourself to recognize its type and write it down. Talk back to the ANT – this takes away its power so you can gain control over your moods and start feeling better. Killing ANTs can reduce stress and improve your child’s outlook on life. In addition to taking brain-directed supplements, eating healthy foods, getting plenty of rest, water, and exercise – correcting negative thinking to reduce internal stress is key! Here are 5 ways to decrease negativity and increase positivity in your child’s life: 1. Snap to It- To prevent recurring negative thoughts, have your child wear a rubber band on their wrist. Whenever a negative thought enters their mind, train them to snap the rubber band (not too hard to where it leaves a red mark). Over time, this action will help trigger a response in their brain to switch gears from the negative thought to a positive one. 2. Shift Their Focus- If you recognize that your child is in a rut of negative thinking, help them shift their attention to something else by: spending time with a friend, reading a book, solving a crossword puzzle, or listening to soothing tunes. One of the most effective ways to prevent your child from thinking about something negative is to shift their focus to something positive. 3. Get Them Moving- If your kids are stuck in a funk, get them outside. Take your kids to a park where you can toss around a frisbee or just let them run around and let off some steam. Physical activity stimulates mental activity and improves blood flow to the brain, so get your kids up and moving. 4. Open Lines of Communication- If you notice that your child is stressed out from excessive schoolwork or demanding extracurricular activities, make sure you’re keeping the lines of communication open by asking how their day went. It may be that there’s a deeper problem, i.e. bullying, that you need to address with the school’s staff. Failing to engage your child in conversation may make their problems worse. Always make sure good communication exists in your home. 5. Focus on Strengths- It’s natural for kids who deal with negative patterns of thought to only focus on the bad things in their life and to overlook the positive. Be intentional in encouraging your child to stay active in sports, clubs and hobbies that they do well. You will improve your child’s outlook when you focus on their strengths rather than dwelling on their weaknesses. You can help your child learn how to reduce stress by killing their ANTs and embracing more positive, accurate thoughts. Better choices can lead to a better life! At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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6 Common Attention Issues & Solutions for Staying Focused
Do you have trouble concentrating in class or during meetings? Do you get antsy when listening to a speaker for an extended period? Does your mind drift from one random thought to another, never really focusing on the topic at hand? Did you stop to check your cell phone at any point while reading this paragraph? In today’s busy world, giving our complete focus to one thing or person is becoming increasingly difficult…and is somewhat of a lost art. Attention issues not only impact performance in school, work, relationships and daily tasks, they also affect the way we function as human beings and how we perceive the world. And lest we think that the rapid rise of attention problems only afflicts the young, a growing number of adults are finding it harder and harder to remain organized, stay on task, and complete projects. Short attention spans are a national health crisis that continues to grow – yet it remains one of the most misunderstood and incorrectly treated maladies today. Here are some common complications for those who struggle with their attention and focus... Do You Have Any of These 6 Common Attention Issues? Impulsivity Impulsivity can cause serious predicaments at school and work. Blurting out answers, speaking tactlessly or disrespectfully, and saying things without thinking are typical for impulsive people. For those who struggle with impulsivity, the mouth is often engaged before the brain, which can cause a whole host of problems. Distractibility Inability to focus while reading, participate in small groups, follow what teachers or other public speakers are saying, or perform well at tasks can all have negative effects on school, work and relationships. Having a short attention span and being easily distracted can affect nearly every aspect of your life. Restlessness Overactivity in kids can cause many complications in the classroom: children can be restless, disruptive, and annoying to other kids (not to mention the teacher). Restlessness in little kids, teens and adults can be a distraction to others in the class or at work who notice their constant movement (i.e., legs shaking, shifting weight in a chair, etc.). Forgetfulness This prevalent struggle can cause hardships in the classroom, office or at home. Forgetting to bring books home, leaving your laptop at work, and forgetting where you placed your keys are common complaints of absentmindedness. Shifting Attention Some people have trouble shifting their attention from one thing to another. They tend to get stuck or over focus, which can interfere with their ability to effectively take notes, track what’s being discussed in a lecture, or keep up with the normal flow of conversation among a group of friends. Procrastination Many people with attention issues wait until the last minute to complete their tasks for school or work. If it isn’t the night before, they can’t get their brain engaged enough to get the work done. Procrastination can cause work to be done poorly, partially or not at all. Poor attention isn’t just a single and simple issue. Coping is not a one-size-fits-all solution. Here’s a look at the worst and best ways to improve your attention: Worst Ways to Cope with Attention Issues Tough It Out Unaddressed attention challenges can have alarming consequences and are associated with higher incidences of academic problems, low self-esteem, job failure, incarceration, obesity, and divorce. Medication Fix Attention concerns can be aggravated by a variety of factors, including diet, environmental toxins, and limited physical activity. People who solely rely on medications to treat their attention problems might only find temporary relief of their symptoms or might even encounter side effects. Overcommit Yourself Filling your schedule with too many activities or distractions can make the condition worse. Simplify your schedule and develop an effective treatment plan that will work best for your lifestyle. Best Ways to Cope with Attention Issues Educate Yourself Learn more about attention issues and determine which ones you’re dealing with. Get professional help if necessary. This will assist you to accurately identify the areas that you’re struggling with so that you can take the appropriate steps to solve the problem. Find Quality Care What works for one person with attention concerns might not work for another – or could even make symptoms worse! Make sure you’re working with a qualified practitioner that truly cares about your individual health and well-being. Comprehensive Strategy to Optimize Attention and Focus Address your complaint comprehensively, including proper testing, diet, supplementation, and therapy. Find professionals open to the most comprehensive options for providing you with the support you need using the least toxic, most effective means possible. There are many things you can do today to have better focus and energy. One of the best ways to support your attention is with high-quality, brain-healthy supplements… Focus & Energy Every now and again, everyone feels tired or unfocused. BrainMD’s Focus & Energy was designed to gently prevent fatigue without making you feel drained later, to promote mental sharpness, and to improve your mental (and physical) productivity and endurance. This supplement features a high potency green tea extract that intensifies oxygen and nutrient delivery to the brain, as well as an array of highly energizing traditionally proven herbs. This breakthrough supplement features standardized concentrates on an incredible array of "adaptogens," traditional plants proven to improve mental performance when under stress. Sensoril® ashwagandha has multiple impressive clinical trials. Rhodiola grows in the most extreme climates, and this concentrate is the most clinically validated. Asian (Panax) ginseng often is felt almost immediately, and this concentrate is loaded with brain-active ginsenosides. Focus & Energy is formulated by BrainMD's MD-PhD team specifically to reinforce the brain and body’s ability to fight fatigue and adapt to stress. It also contains choline, a vitamin-like nutrient that helps the brain make the key transmitter acetylcholine and has other metabolic pathways that promote endurance and vigor. If you’re looking for a natural energizer, Focus & Energy helps fortify your body with specially selected nutrients that provide enhanced mental focus and sustained energy. And unlike the energy rush, you can get from your stimulant of choice (coffee, diet soda, caffeine pills), there’s no later dramatic drop in mood and energy with this dietary supplement. Focus & Energy is safe, natural and non-habit-forming. To be successful in today’s world, you need a clear mind and sharp focus. We’re dedicated to providing the highest purity nutrients to give you the attention, total focus, and energy you need to do the things you love. At BrainMD, we’re dedicated to providing the highest quality supplements to improve your physical health and overall well-being. For more information about Focus & Energy and our full list of brain healthy supplements, please visit us at BrainMD. *These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This content is for informational purposes only. It is not meant to substitute for medical or healthcare advice from a physician, nor is it intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Consult your healthcare provider before beginning a new health regimen.
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A Sugar-Free, Caffeine-Free Energy Boost
You’re halfway through your long road trip and feel your eyes getting heavy. It’s 2PM and your ability to focus on work seems to have completely escaped you. After a less-than-optimal night’s sleep you just can’t get your brain going to knock out that to-do list. Have you ever been there? What do you do? It’s in these moments that most people reach for a caffeine-packed energy drink or giant (probably sugar-filled) cup of coffee. Don’t be too proud if you use a sugar substitute instead, that may not be much better for you. What if there was another way to boost your energy and focus without adding calories to your diet or harming your brain? Meet: Rhodiola rosea. What is it and where is it from? Rhodiola rosea is a plant that is found mainly in arctic environments and high altitudes in the northern hemisphere including parts of Europe, Asia, and North America. The underground stem contains the nutrients commonly used in supplementation. Many different cultures have used rhodiola, historically referred to as “golden root,” for centuries, to help with energy, fatigue, and a variety of other health issues. How can Rhodiola Help You? Rhodiola rosea has been studied for many different benefits including physical performance and mental performance, and has been shown to have immense therapeutic potential. Rhodiola rosea's consistent benefits include countering fatigue, sharpening attention, and increasing mental capacity. It doesn’t just help your brain though; it has also been shown to help energy levels when exercising. This incredible root has even been found to have a beneficial effect on mood. Additionally, rhodiola has strong antioxidant properties to fight free radicals and has been shown to be a powerful adaptogen which helps the body adapt to and resist stress. Where can you get it? Think this energy-supporting, wonder-root sounds too exotic to get your hands on? Think again. Rhodiola rosea can be found at a clinical dose in BrainMD’s Focus & Energy. Supported by rhodiola rosea and four other ingredients like the powerful Asian ginseng root extract and decaffeinated green tea extract, Focus & Energy can help to promote concentration, energy and a healthy response to stress. So next time you hit the road, or the afternoon wall, reach for Focus & Energy instead of those unhealthy beverages.
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6 Tips For School Success
Ready or not, summer break is winding down and the new school year is almost here! Did you know that children, teens, and young adults spend more than a third of lives in school or working on schoolwork? Many parents do not realize that success, or failure, at school starts at home. Studies have linked poor academic performance to factors such as obesity, poor sleep patterns and nutrition, and a lack of parental support. The good news is that those same studies also show improved performance for students who live in homes where predictable routines, healthy habits, and good communication exist. Believe it or not, NOW is the time to plan for a successful school year. While this can benefit all children, it is particularly important if your child struggled in school last year. So how can you ensure your child heads off to school this fall with the best possible foundation? 6 Top Tips to Help Your Child Thrive 1. Focus on what has WORKED in the past. Spend some time thinking about last year. What was good about it? What came easily for your child? Every success your child has ever had can be translated into an academic skill. If your child planned a successful sleepover with friends this summer, he or she can learn to plan out their homework. If he or she found a way to remember to take care of the animals, then chances are he or she can find a way to remember to turn in their homework. 2. Learn to be the ultimate planner. Talk through organizational systems with your child – what worked and what didn’t? Consider color-coding binders and folders, buy each child their own planner, and have them organize it all. Shop for school supplies together. Getting kids involved in the planning stages can smooth the transition to school. 3. Create the right study space. It’s time to determine where your kids can study – and where they can’t. Work with your child to create a space where he or she can keep school materials organized. Any quiet area with good lighting and a writing surface can make a study space so long as it’s out of TV earshot. 4. Figure out how to streamline mornings. Think about what would make before-school hours simpler for everyone. Practice picking out clothes and making lunches the night before. Organize and gather everything together that your kids will need to walk out the door in the morning before going to bed. 5. Adopt a school schedule early. For many kids, summer is a time for staying up later and sleeping in as well as grazing throughout the day. Have your children begin to start adjusting their eating and sleeping schedules to school-year hours. 6. Support focus and thoughtfulness. Having a short attention span affects nearly every aspect of school, including a student's ability to follow teachers in lectures, participate in small groups, attend while reading, and perform consistently on class assignments and tests. Additionally, blurting out answers in class, speaking tactlessly or disrespectfully to teachers, and responding impulsively on quizzes or tests is also a recipe for academic challenges. BrainMD’s Attention Support can help your child relax, stay calm, focus, and make better decisions – all at the same time. All its ingredients were picked for their clinically proven benefits to attention, concentration, calm, and overall self-control. Listen to what other students are reporting: “College students like myself need all the help we can get to maintain a sweet GPA. These six ingredients working together keep the "green lights lit" on all the roads throughout my mind. Last October came the invitation from Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. Attention Support definitely is a factor in my continued academic success. Cheers!” by Harry “Prior to this supplement, my daughter was unable to sustain her attention long enough to actually learn something. Her grades are much better now & she's even on the honor roll.” by Michael “It's been a full year since I've been giving this to my daughter. She is now more focused and more attentive to the task at hand. She stopped forgetting to write her name on test papers. She has not forgotten any assignments anymore. Her math grade is 85 without us helping her. She's happier and her self-confidence is back. Her grades have now steadied to A- and B’s.” by Ingrid “I homeschool my granddaughter who, in the past has had difficulty sitting through even an hour of school time quietly without fidgeting. In just the short time since she has been taking Attention Support I have seen a dramatic improvement. Even she has noticed that it's easier for her to complete her work.” by Terri “My son's attention span is very short, his teacher noticed a difference in his attention and grades within a week of taking this product. If he notices his supplement is getting low he reminds me to order this product. He also notices a difference in his own body. Great product.” by Grace “Our son has several neurological concerns. We brought him to the Amen Clinic in VA and he was started on Attention Support and one other supplement. Within 2 weeks I was getting emails from his school teachers sharing how well our son was dealing with transitions, challenges and multi-tasking. Thank you for this wonderful product!” by Pamela
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Are You Severely Sleep Deprived?
You have been staring at the ceiling for hours now. The more you think about needing to fall asleep, the more you toss and turn, and all those ANTs start circling. When you wake up the next morning feeling exhausted or defeated, it’s the right time to create a healthier sleep life. Extreme Sleep Deprivation Directly Affects Your Health Many workaholic Americans have an emerging mindset that it's socially acceptable – even mandatory – to get less rest. They may participate in “work binges” and settle for 4-5 hours of sleep per night. That is just not an adequate amount of brain rest for most of us. Truth is, extreme sleeplessness can potentially triple the risk of death from all causes, and is associated with cognitive decline, says Daniel G. Amen, MD in Change Your Brain Change Your Life. Sleeping less than six hours has also been associated with: Lower overall blood flow to the brain Hindering your mood, focus, and memory for days after Increase of appetite, which increases risk for unwanted weight gain Low mood or feelings of anxiousness Loss of motivation and willpower Holistic Treatments for More Soothing Slumbers As this harmful cycle continues, asking your doctor for sleep medication may sound like the only option. However, at Amen Clinics we look at a healthy sleep regimen in a holistic manner, integrating natural healing therapies with the sleeping medications people may already be on. Helpful, night-time supplements can make a difference to your quality of life. They often contain melatonin, GABA (a calming neurotransmitter), magnesium, vitamin B6 and herbal valerian root, used for centuries as a sleeping supplement. Invest in Your Rest – You Deserve It Try these healthy habits alongside a night-time supplement to ensure quality rest and a healthy lifestyle change. Exercise early in the day to increase blood flow to the muscles and your brain as a natural, calming stress reliever Limit caffeine consumption to early afternoon, this gives your body time to wind down Zap all your ANTs (automatic negative thoughts) Limit technology before bedtime, pick up a book instead Meditate for 10 minutes before you hit the sack Free yourself from alcohol and drugs that interfere with optimal sleeping patterns. Learn how to become a real Brain Warrior. Hear more about how to solve your sleeping struggles on one of Amen Clinic's Facebook Live Chats.
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