Keep Your Brain Fit

There are lots of ways to keep the “mommy brain” or “pregnancy brain” in check.

Have you ever heard someone say they are suffering from “mommy brain” or “pregnancy brain”? Although this isn’t an official diagnosis, the lack of sleep, stress, limited adult interaction during the day for those who stay home, and multitasking of parenting can most definitely leave someone feeling a little mushy up top.

If you have found yourself feeling this way, the good news is, you don’t have to stay that way. Just like you head to the gym to work out your muscles, you can work out your brain. But how?

Dr. Amy Mechley, a family physician with Direct Primary Care in Cincinnati, offers some information and tips for parents who want to improve their mental fitness.

When asked what activities and lifestyle choices will help parents keep their brains sharp, he suggested parents engage in reading, puzzles such as crosswords and meditation.

Why is it important to keep your brain sharp? It is the simple adage that if you don’t use it, you lose it. Look at how many people are now struggling with mental math, like calculating a tip in a restaurant. We need to exercise our brain just as much as our physical body. The two are so intertwined.

Just like the body, the brain needs to be stimulated and challenged regularly to stay vital. All actions start as thoughts. A clear and focused brain can be the spark that moves mountains! When they say it’s all in your head, in many ways, it is. The brain influences every system and has an effect on every cell.

What are some simple activities parents can incorporate into their days to improve their mental fitness? Neuroplasticity is the brain's ability to reorganize itself by forming new neural connections throughout life. Great studies have found that physical activity enhances the ability of the brain to learn new concepts. Aerobic activity in general improves brain function. I recommend the following:

Learn a new instrument alongside your child. You can have them teach you after their lessons — a great confidence builder for your child and two for the price of one!

Do mental math out loud in front of your kids — even better while you are skipping rope or dribbling a ball. They will learn how math can be used daily, and you will be working both the parietal and frontal lobes of your brain.

Learn a new language from an app while peddling a stationary bike.

Be still. Meditation has been shown to improve brain health all the way down to the chromosomes. There is a dose effect: more often is better, but even a little goes a long way.

Juggle. Not your work-life balance, but actual balls in the air!

Use your non-dominant hand when picking up toys, zipping up coats or changing a diaper. If possible, try it for a whole day.

Learn a new dance. Yes, even The Floss will not only help your brain, but you’ll also get a few good laughs, which is still the best medicine.

WORDS BY JENNIFER THOMPSON

What are some lifestyle choices that will help improve brain health? Good nutrition. Whole foods, lots of veggies, fruits, legumes and whole grains. Eat “clean” and avoid processed foods and sugar. Poor diet has been identified as the top contributor to early death for years in the United States.

Stay engaged socially. It’s easy to let your friends and family take a backseat when you’re in the active stages of parenting. Live, person-toperson conversations engage all areas of the brain. Studies show that maintaining a social life reduces the incidence of dementia.

Get restorative sleep when you can — sorry, parents of newborns! Most of us need 7 to 8 hours a night. Do not donate sleep to mindless TV or screens.

If you find yourself feeling a little foggy, or not quite as sharp as you once were, there is hope. Mommy brain does not need to take residence any longer. Try incorporating some of these tips, and lifestyle choices, into your day — and in no time you will find yourself in tip-top mental shape, as you build up your brain from flab to fab.

CHILDCARE & PRESCHOOL The Campus at Kids First We have FULL DAY Kindergarten! Located inside the nationally acclaimed Kids First Sports Center, The Campus offers the premier early learning experience for children ages 6 weeks through Kindergarten. As the only early learning center in the area that makes physical education a top priority, The Campus at Kids First gives your child an academic edge by integrating a world class physical education (including gymnastics, basketball, yoga and soccer!) curriculum in to the daily schedule, at NO additional cost! Our carefully selected and loving teachers utilize a relevance-based curriculum combined with child-directed play to make learning FUN and start each child on their journey to becoming a life-long learner. • 7900 E Kemper Rd, Cincinnati, OH 45249, theCampusKF.com, Phone: (513) 629-KIDS, info@theCampusKF.com

Chai Tots Early Childhood Center Academic excellence via a unique blend of Jewish and Montessori education offering strong academics, stressing life skills, interpersonal relationship skills and nurturing a love for life-long learning. Individualized curriculum customized for each student, expansive naturally lit rooms, low student ratio. Specials include yoga, music, Hebrew, Spanish, dance, drama, art and Tae Kwon Do. Flexible schedules, before and aftercare, web cams and after-school enrichment available. Transportation available to/from Mason schools. Limited space - now enrolling! • 7587 Central Parke Blvd., Mason, OH 45040, Phone: (513) 234-0600, ChaiTots.com, Ages/Grades: Infant, Toddler, Preschool, Kindergarten (6 weeks-6 years), Enrollment: 60

YMCA of Greater Cincinnati The YMCA of Greater Cincinnati offers state licensed before and after school care at over 85 locations throughout Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky. • 1105 Elm Street, Cincinnnati, OH 45202, Contact: Trish Kitchell, VP Youth Development, Phone: 513-362-YMCA, Fax: 513-651-3540, Email: tkitchell@MyY.org, MyY.org, Grades: Ages 3-12, Enrollment: Stop by any YMCA of Greater Cincinnati location or check with your local school district.

MONTESSORI Children’s Meeting House Montessori School Children's Meeting House Montessori School has been proudly educating students from preschool through 6th grade using the principles of the Montessori philosophy since 1972. CMH offers a variety of preschool, enrichment and before/after school options to meet each family’s needs. Partner with our devoted staff of experienced and Montessori trained teachers throughout your child’s most developmental years. CMH – where learning happens, naturally. Find out more or schedule a tour on our website. • 927 O’Bannonville Road, Loveland, OH 45140, Contact: Casey Reed, Director, Phone: 513-683-4757, Email: reed@cmhschool.com, cmhschool.com, Grades: Preschool through Sixth grade, Enrollment: 150

Country Hills Montessori Providing programs for 3 to K. Small, individualized classes with low student-teacher ratios, under the guidance of Montessori certified teachers, in an inter-generational environment. Multiple Locations in Eastgate, Oakley, Harrison and West Chester Ohio and in Ft. Thomas and Union, KY. Visit chmschools.com for all location addresses & phones. • Contact: Susan Schreiber, Owner, Email: susan@chmschools.com, chmschools. com/, Grades: 3 - K

Little Sprouts Montessori Preschool & Kindergarten Little Sprouts Montessori nurtures the natural curiosity and enthusiasm of children, helping them develop a lifetime love of learning. Our goal is to empower children to discover and hone their strengths as they explore the world. We recognize the importance of individualized education, and maintain a 1:6 ratio. • 7131 Plainfield Road, Deer Park, OH 45236, Contact: Christie Sawyer, Phone: 513-697-9021, Email: csawyer@ leavesoflearning.org, little-sprouts.org, Grades: Preschool & Kindergarten, Enrollment: Families choose mornings two to four days per week (T/TH and/or W/F), and/or afternoon sessions on Tuesday and Thursday.

Mercy Montessori Center Mercy Montessori is Cincinnati's first Catholic Montessori elementary school and provides students with a personalized education. Mercy

offers a sliding scale tuition model, in-school swimming instruction starting at age three, and attracts students from over 60 zip codes. Mercy educates the whole child and develops a strong foundation for learning. • 2335 Grandview Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45206, Contact: Amanda Grimm, Admissions Director, Phone: (513) 475-6700 ext. 210, Email: agrimm@ mercymontessori.org, mercymontessori.org, Grades: Preschool - 8th Grade, Enrollment: 296

Montessori Academy of Cincinnati Our goal is to instill a love of learning in each child and to assure a solid grounding in the basics of education that will help each student achieve his potential. We provide an outstanding, experienced staff, low student-teacher ratios, a nurturing, student-centered approach, and on-site before-school and afterschool care. • 8293 Duke Boulevard, Mason, Ohio 45040, Phone: 513-398- 7773, Email: info@montacademy.org, montacademy.org/, Ages/Grades: 18 months through 8th grade

The New School Montessori Cincinnati's only school accredited by the American Montessori Society. Centrally located and surrounded by wooded play yards and gardens, students benefit from a nurturing environment where Montessoricredentialed staff support high academic and personal achievement. Full-day, half-day with healthy lunches included in tuition. ISACS and AMS accredited program. • 3 Burton Woods Lane, Cincinnati, OH 45229, Contact: Ceara Comstock, Phone: (513) 281-7999, Email: ceara.c@newschool montessori.com, newschool montessori.com, Grades: 3-year-olds through Grade 6, Enrollment: 144

NON–PUBLIC Guardian Angels School Guardian Angels School provides students in preschool through eighth grade with a faith-filled experience focused on academic excellence, whole child education, and attention to each child’s unique learning needs. As a school, we push all of our students to earn their HALO through being Honest, Accountable, and a Leader to Others. • 6539 Beechmont Ave., Cincinnati 45230, Contact: Mr. Corey Stoops, Principal, Phone: 513-624-3141, gaschool.org, Grades: Preschool - Grade 8

The Summit Country Day School Founded in 1890, The Summit serves students from 18 months to Grade 12. Full- and half-day Montessori programs for ages 18 months-age 6 begin the academic journey followed by a college-preparatory program (Grades 1-12). The Summit educates students spiritually, academically, physically, socially and artistically while offering the academic excellence and one-on-one guidance of a top-tier Catholic independent school. • 2161 Grandin Road (Hyde Park), Cincinnati, OH 45208, Phone: 513-871- 4700, ext. 261, Email: pearl_e@summitcds. org, summitcds.org

SPECIAL NEEDS Springer School and Center For nearly 50 years, Springer School and Center has empowered students with learning disabilities to lead successful lives. Springer offers a day school for students ages 6-14 and outreach programs and learning disability resources for students, parents and teachers in the Greater Cincinnati area. The Springer Experience. Success Starts Here. • 2121 Madison Road, Cincinnati, OH 45208, Contact: Jill Wieging, Associate Admissions Director, Phone: 513 871-6080 ext. 211, Fax: 513871-6428, Email: jwieging@springer-ld.org, springer-LD. org, Grades: 1 through 8, Enrollment: 200

TUTORING Kumon Math & Reading Centers Preschool through high school: Kumon’s time-tested self-learning program uses engaging worksheets and guidance from an on-site instructor to present new concepts and materials, giving children an academic advantage in the classroom and throughout life. To learn more, attend a free orientation at a Kumon Math & Reading Center near you – locations in Anderson, Blue Ash, Loveland, Springdale, and West Chester. Call 1.800.ABC.MATH or visit kumon.com for more information.Join Kumon’s parent community at facebook.com/kumon for helpful tips.

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