Stimulate Your Neurons

    A group of SKACD teachers went to Boston in April and heard Dr. Amen as a keynote speaker.  His website offers information on brain care, ADHD students and other educationally relevant topics.

A sampling of Dr. Daniel Amen's ways to to "optimize brain function and break bad habits" (www.brainplace.com)

BRAIN DO'S

Wear a helmet in high risk situations

Drinks lots of water

Take a gingko biloba, Vitamin E and ibuprofen everyday

Think positive healthy thoughts

Surround yourself with great smells

Learn diaphragmatic breathing

Have meaning, purpose, excitement and stimulation in your life

Don't be another person's stimulant

Make naturally oppositional children mind you the first time, through a firm, kind, authoritative stance

Make beautiful music a part of your life

Move in rhythms

Take head injuries seriously, even minor ones

Do Full brain evaluations for people who do terrible things

BRAIN DON'TS

Isolate a developing baby

Ignore concussions

Smoke, drink much caffeine or alcohol

Hit a soccer ball with your head

Be around toxic smells

Be around toxic people

Isolate yourself when you feel worried, depressed or panicky

Think in black-or-white terms

Focus too much on what other people think of you (odds are they aren't thinking about you at all!)

Go to Dr. Amen's website and read his article on Music and the Brain - Sing Whenever/Wherever You Can