About the Train the Brain Campaign:

Train the Brain, Palm Health Foundation’s community health campaign, annually takes place from October 1-31. The goal of Train the Brain is to change the conversation around brain health by helping Palm Beach County residents understand that taking care of the brain is just as important as taking care of the body.  With information and resources provided, participants are encouraged to make changes in their thinking about mental health conditions, adopt brain health habits that integrate self-care behaviors into their daily routines and show compassion to individuals with acute and persistent mental health conditions.

Improved brain health leads to better health overall.  Our brains can’t do push-ups or run laps, but we can train our brains to minimize the harmful effects of stress and achieve balance in our lives. It’s important to learn how to feed, nurture and strengthen our brains while also eliminating activities that can cause the brain stress and ultimately lead to chronic health issues.

 

Train the Brain 2019: Brain Health in the Workplace

Each year, the Train the Brain campaign focuses on a unique aspect of brain health. This year’s theme is Brain Health in the Workplace. Recent studies confirm that the workplace is where many individuals experience the most mental stress. The cost to both individuals and their organizations is significant.

This year, Train the Brain participants can access a free Wellness Kit that will help organizations and individuals offer meaningful brain health events and activities during the campaign!

You can also participate in the campaign by attending any of the free brain health events offered throughout the month!

Here are some things you might not realize have a negative effect on brain health:

  • Multitasking can overload the brain and actually cause it to shrink!
  • Too much smartphone and internet use can exhaust your brain and inhibit deep thinking.
  • Sleep deprivation to the brain is the equivalent of being drunk – brain function and response speed worsen.
  • A stressful environment can reduce blood flow in the brain and lower its functioning.

But here’s the good news: there are so many brain health activities that can make the brain stronger! Even the smallest of changes to our daily routines and practices can lead to better brain health.  For example:

  • Learning a new hobby has been shown to increase brain function.
  • Participating in meaningful social activities (i.e. volunteering, visiting with friends and family) maintains and increases brain function.
  • We can train our brains to think positively and form happy thoughts to drive out negative, harmful ones.
  • Meditation rewires the brain and reduces stress, anxiety and depression.

Healthy Behaviors to Incorporate into Daily Life for Better Brain Health:

  • Take a break to stretch every day
  • Try a breathing exercise or meditation
  • Offer a random act of kindness to someone
  • Read or watch something funny
  • Turn off electronics 1 hour before bedtime
  • Choose water over sugary drinks
  • Take a walk in nature
  • Listen to music to relax
  • Think of 3 things you are thankful for
  • Call a friend

 

About Palm Health Foundation Palm Health Foundation is Palm Beach County’s community foundation for health. With the support of donors and a focus on results, the foundation builds strong community partnerships, respects diverse opinions, advocates for its most vulnerable neighbors and inspires innovative solutions to lead change for better health now and for generations to come. The foundation supports health equity for Palm Beach County residents of all backgrounds, heritage, education, incomes and states of well-being. Palm Health Foundation has invested more than $80 million in Palm Beach County health since 2001. For more information about Palm Health Foundation, visit palmhealthfoundation.org or call (561) 833-6333.

 

*Sources: Center for Brain Health & Reader’s Digest