To learn, study and retain information we need to optimise the body systems that underpin this performance. Below are some ways to improve the brain-gut connection to help your child study better:
Gut Health
What you eat impacts how your brain works and one way this is mediated is through the role of the gut microbiota. Food is medicine – think of it like this – what, how and when you eat are opportunities to optimise your brain, how it works and ultimately how you feel.
If you can fix the gut you can go some way to fixing your brain.
Digital Exposure
Did you know that within the first 15 minutes of waking up 4 out of 5 adults reach for their smartphones? If you are aged between 18 and 24 that percentage rises from 79% to 89%.
Modern technology is overused and this affects our young people disproportionately, they are more vulnerable given that their brains are still developing and they are the top users of technology.*
Meditation
Meditation changes the brain, it reinforces a Task Positive Network over a Default Mode Network (thought to be responsible for mind wandering).
Moving meditations to incorporate include yoga and tai chi and research generally shows that both of these practices are beneficial for the brain. Proposed benefits of yoga are that it enhances frontal lobe function and reduces emotional reactivity.
The Restorative Power of Sleep
Sleep restores and resets the brain. Sleep is so important, it is literally a brain-wash every 24– hour cycle. Sleep architecture with distinct phases needs to be preserved over each night cycle in order for the brain to lay down memory.
What to do:
- Improve gut health – Increase fibre intake by eating whole fruits and vegetables – this feeds your gut bugs, add fermented foods or try Akesi Probiotic+ Powders or probiotic tonic range. We find families can incorporate a daily dose of Akesi Berry with enjoyment.
- Exercise – aerobic exercise stimulates the brain to grow more neurons and make more neural connections, and this happens at all ages!
- Combine exercise with meditation and try a walking meditation – our favourite is Padraig O’Morain’s – A mindful walk in 7 stages.
- Digital hygiene – limit screen usage prior to sleep (blue light) and no devices in the bedroom.
- Consider sleep hygiene – what does this mean? Try a multifactorial approach with practices that include wind-down routines, bedroom lighting, noise reduction and specific eating patterns to improve sleep quality.