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Homework, Sleep, and the Student Brain

how does homework keep your brain active

At some point, every parent wishes their high school aged student would go to bed earlier as well as find time to pursue their own passions -- or maybe even choose to relax. This thought reemerged as I reread Anna Quindlen's commencement speech, A Short Guide to a Happy Life. The central message of this address, never actually stated, was: "Get a life."

But what prevents students from "getting a life," especially between September and June? One answer is homework.

Favorable Working Conditions

As a history teacher at St. Andrew's Episcopal School and director of the Center for Transformative Teaching and Learning , I want to be clear that I both give and support the idea of homework. But homework, whether good or bad, takes time and often cuts into each student's sleep, family dinner, or freedom to follow passions outside of school. For too many students, homework is too often about compliance and "not losing points" rather than about learning.

Most schools have a philosophy about homework that is challenged by each parent's experience doing homework "back in the day." Parents' common misconception is that the teachers and schools giving more homework are more challenging and therefore better teachers and schools. This is a false assumption. The amount of homework your son or daughter does each night should not be a source of pride for the quality of a school. In fact, I would suggest a different metric when evaluating your child's homework. Are you able to stay up with your son or daughter until he or she finishes those assignments? If the answer is no, then too much homework is being assigned, and you both need more of the sleep that, according to Daniel T. Willingham , is crucial to memory consolidation.

I have often joked with my students, while teaching the Progressive Movement and rise of unions between the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries, that they should consider striking because of how schools violate child labor laws. If school is each student's "job," then students are working hours usually assigned to Washington, DC lawyers (combing the hours of the school day, school-sponsored activities, and homework). This would certainly be a risky strategy for changing how schools and teachers think about homework, but it certainly would gain attention. (If any of my students are reading this, don't try it!)

So how can we change things?

The Scientific Approach

In the study "What Great Homework Looks Like" from the journal Think Differently and Deeply , which connects research in how the brain learns to the instructional practice of teachers, we see moderate advantages of no more than two hours of homework for high school students. For younger students, the correlation is even smaller. Homework does teach other important, non-cognitive skills such as time management, sustained attention, and rule following, but let us not mask that as learning the content and skills that most assignments are supposed to teach.

Homework can be a powerful learning tool -- if designed and assigned correctly. I say "learning," because good homework should be an independent moment for each student or groups of students through virtual collaboration. It should be challenging and engaging enough to allow for deliberate practice of essential content and skills, but not so hard that parents are asked to recall what they learned in high school. All that usually leads to is family stress.

But even when good homework is assigned, it is the student's approach that is critical. A scientific approach to tackling their homework can actually lead to deepened learning in less time. The biggest contributor to the length of a student's homework is task switching. Too often, students jump between their work on an assignment and the lure of social media. But I have found it hard to convince students of the cost associated with such task switching. Imagine a student writing an essay for AP English class or completing math proofs for their honors geometry class. In the middle of the work, their phone announces a new text message. This is a moment of truth for the student. Should they address that text before or after they finish their assignment?

Delayed Gratification

When a student chooses to check their text, respond and then possibly take an extended dive into social media, they lose a percentage of the learning that has already happened. As a result, when they return to the AP essay or honors geometry proof, they need to retrace their learning in order to catch up to where they were. This jump, between homework and social media, is actually extending the time a student spends on an assignment. My colleagues and I coach our students to see social media as a reward for finishing an assignment. Delaying gratification is an important non-cognitive skill and one that research has shown enhances life outcomes (see the Stanford Marshmallow Test ).

At my school, the goal is to reduce the barriers for each student to meet his or her peak potential without lowering the bar. Good, purposeful homework should be part of any student's learning journey. But it takes teachers to design better homework (which can include no homework at all on some nights), parents to not see hours of homework as a measure of school quality, and students to reflect on their current homework strategies while applying new, research-backed ones. Together, we can all get more sleep -- and that, research shows, is very good for all of our brains and for each student's learning.

7 Reasons Why Homework is Good For Your Brain?

Why Homework is Good For Your Brain

Homework is an essential part of learning in school. But how much Homework should kids be doing? And what kind of Homework is best for children? Here are some reasons Homework benefits your child’s brain development.

Homework, when used appropriately, can be beneficial for the brain. Homework allows students to practice and reinforce what they have learned in class. It can help to improve memory retention and comprehension of the subject matter. Additionally, homework can teach students essential skills such as time management, self-discipline, and perseverance, which are essential for success in academics and later in life.

Research suggests that homework can positively impact academic achievement, particularly in high school. A meta-analysis of studies conducted over 25 years found that homework moderately positively affected student achievement in high school. The study also found that the effect of homework on achievement increased as students progressed through high school.

However, it is important to note that homework’s benefits depend on how it is assigned and executed. Too much homework can be counterproductive and lead to burnout, stress, and exhaustion. Homework should be assigned in moderation, with clear expectations and guidelines for completion.

When used appropriately, homework can be a valuable tool for improving academic performance and developing important skills.

Table of Contents

Let us see 7 reasons Why Homework is Good For Your Brain.

Many benefits are associated with doing the home assignments; however, it should be done in moderation.

A properly planned and executed homework plan will help you develop your brain and improve your child’s memory power.

1. It helps students learn how to study effectively

Research shows that students who do more Homework tend to perform better academically than those who don’t.

In fact, one study found that high school students who did at least 20 minutes of Homework every night scored higher on standardized tests than those who didn’t.

Another study showed that elementary school students who were assigned Homework performed better on reading comprehension tests than those who weren’t.

2. It helps them develop better time management skills

According to research, doing Homework has improved children’s ability to manage their time effectively.

This skill is beneficial when managing other responsibilities such as chores, sports, and social activities.

Learning to stay organized and plan your day along with Homework helps children develop discipline, which will help them in the long run.

3. It helps them improve their concentration

Doing Homework can help students develop better study habits and focus. They will learn how to prioritize tasks and set goals.

Students who do their Homework regularly tend to perform better academically than those who skip classes or procrastinate.

Since Homework is done after school, it allows students to learn the concepts better at leisure and conform to their home, thus enhancing their concentration on their studies.

4. It helps them understand the importance of organization

In addition to helping students improve their academic performance, doing Homework can also help them become more organized.

Students learn how to manage their time effectively and organize their work by completing assignments.

This skill is beneficial when they start college because they must balance schoolwork with extracurricular activities.

5. It helps them become more independent learners

Doing Homework can also help children develop self-discipline and independence.

They learn to take responsibility for their learning by taking ownership of their tasks and responsibilities.

As they gain confidence in completing projects independently, they feel less dependent on others.

6. Sharpens their memory

Homework is a way to revise what was taught in the classroom by teachers.

Students doing their Homework at home tend to put their memory into action by trying to remember what was taught in school, thereby sharpening the memory power.

7. Research on the Topic

Not everything is taught in school or in a classroom. There are some concepts and topics which will need much more research.

You will have access to the internet, Youtube, and parents in the comfort of your home.

These tools and people can help you clear your doubts on specific topics and help you understand more details.

This habit of researching and finding answers is an excellent way to sharpen the brain and thus positively affect the future of the child .

Homework was invented since it was believed that students lost the learning given in school once they returned home.

While deliberating on ideas on how to ensure classroom learning is not lost, Homework was invented.

Homework has a lot of positive benefits when given in the proper context and intention. Teachers and Schools should understand the degree and magnitude of Homework that needs to be assigned to children.

While providing a home assignment in moderation is beneficial to the child’s growth, too many home assignments and projects can negatively affect the child and lead to them hating this concept or even create fear of what will happen if the work is not done well.

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Is homework good for your child's brain?

  • By Arun Rath

homework

Hades2k / CC BY-SA 2.0

Around this time of year, as days get longer and the weather more inviting, kids who hate homework hate it with a passion. That’s not new.

But homework-hating kids have been gaining allies in the grown-up world in recent years, with authors of books with titles like "The Homework Myth," and "The Case Against Homework," arguing homework is a waste of time — or worse, just plain bad for kids.

But what does science have to say?

If you want to talk to a neuroscientist about homework, Harris Cooper of Duke University is the guy. Not only does he study how kids study: He studies the studies of how kids study. Back in the '80s, he went through all the research he could find about homework and achievement. Turns out they're connected — but Cooper says with kids, you can’t take a one-size-fits-all approach.

"Both the amount and type of homework does and should vary as a function of the child’s age," Cooper says.

At the grade school level, there’s not much to show that homework helps prime the brain.

"Young children have a limited attention span," Cooper says. "In particular they have trouble tuning out distractions and most parents will know that, so that if homework assignments go on for too long, it’s not surprising to discover that a child’s brain is wandering off."

But the research shows that, gradually, as kids get older, homework starts to pay off — and the optimum amount of time spent on homework increases with age.

"So I’ve been to schools and school districts where I’ve shown the curves that suggest that in elementary school the curve is pretty flat, in middle school it optimizes, tops out at about the 60-90 minutes and then in high school it tops out at about 2 hours," Cooper says. "And many years ago I had a teacher walk up to me and say that sounds like the 10-minute rule— and I says, 'Yep, you know, you’re right.'"

Long before Cooper published his research, the "10-minute rule" had been conventional wisdom among teachers.

"To decide how much homework their children should be taking home, they take the grade level and multiply by 10," Cooper says. "This is a part of teachers' craft, knowledge, and it is consistent with the limited research, but it is consistent with the research that we have."

Despite the fact that neuroscientists and teachers agree on this point, in the last 60 years, there’s actually been an increase in homework for the earliest primary grades.

"That’s largely a function of teachers feeling greater pressure because of end-of-grade tests in the third grade — kids should be able to read by then — and also because of research that shows early reading is very important to later success," Cooper says.

Over the same period, older kids also saw their homework load increase, Cooper says, thanks to competition to get into the best colleges.

Dover-Sherborn High School began a program to reduce student stress in 2014. The school's guidance director, Ellen Chagnon, says college pressure pushes students to go far beyond the basic academic requirements.

"We have students who do a whole lot of homework because they're taking challenging classes that have more homework. Then they’re involved in different sports, extracurriculars, tutoring, lessons, whatever it might be, so their days are feeling very full," Chagnon says.

The school has now taken an inventory of how long it takes students to complete all the different assignments they’re given, and teachers coordinate with each other to make sure students aren’t overloaded across multiple classes.

"Some teachers are giving a no-homework night here and there, where before, they felt maybe they couldn’t do that because the pressure you always must give homework," she says. "But some of them are bringing something they might have assigned to homework into their school class, doing a warmup activity with it, or a closing activity with it kind of interweaving it that way, too."

Chagnon hopes these changes will let the kids enjoy life while they keep learning, or, in other words, restore a sense of balance.

A version of  this story  first appeared on  WGBHNews.org .

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How to Stay Awake While Studying

Last Updated: January 16, 2024 References

This article was co-authored by Jennifer Kaifesh . Jennifer Kaifesh is the Founder of Great Expectations College Prep, a tutoring and counseling service based in Southern California. Jennifer has over 15 years of experience managing and facilitating academic tutoring and standardized test prep as it relates to the college application process. She takes a personal approach to her tutoring, and focuses on working with students to find their specific mix of pursuits that they both enjoy and excel at. She is a graduate of Northwestern University. There are 13 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 359,823 times.

Studying is hard work, and all that work often makes you tired! Sometimes, studying through your fatigue is part of the road to success and getting good grades in school. Fortunately, there are things you can do to help increase your energy and focus .

Here are 16 tricks to help you stay awake while you’re studying.

Study somewhere that’s not too comfortable.

Feeling too comfortable makes you more drowsy.

  • If you like to study at home, make yourself a dedicated study space . This could be a corner of your room with a desk and a chair or a kitchen table. Wherever you can concentrate without being too comfortable is great!

Change your study spot every day to boost your memory.

This keeps you out of a single comfort zone that can make you tired.

  • Choose locations that fit your studying style and personality. For example, if you study best in silence, pick a library or quiet room, whereas if you prefer background noise, opt for a cafe or common area.

Turn on bright lights if you’re studying late at night.

The right lighting helps your brain focus on the data it’s absorbing.

  • If your space doesn’t have much lighting, relocate to a brighter area, if possible.

Eliminate outside distractions if you can’t concentrate.

Things like noises...

  • You can also turn your phone off, leave it in a different room, or put it on “Do Not Disturb” mode, so you don’t receive any texts or notifications.
  • If you’re easily distracted by surfing the Internet, use an app or Internet browser extension that lets you set controls to block certain websites for a set period of time so you aren’t tempted.

Listen to upbeat music to keep your brain alert.

The right music can help your brain process and retain new info.

  • If you’re in a public place, use headphones to listen to the music of your choice.
  • Look for upbeat playlists online or on a music app. You can also find premade playlists with music specifically for studying.

Read out loud to engage your brain.

You’re less likely to fall asleep if you listen to your own voice.

  • If you don’t want to read everything out loud, you can also try talking to yourself when you study. For example, when you finish studying a topic, say out loud: “Okay, I finished studying for my history test, now I can study for the English exam!”

Chew mint gum while you study to wake up your brain.

Mint is linked to enhanced cognitive function.

  • Keep a pack of mint-flavored gum in your backpack or pencil case so you always have it with you when you’re studying.

Eat foods that are high in protein for longer-lasting energy.

Protein gives you energy without making you sleepy like carbs do.

  • Avoid sugary foods or drinks, like cookies or soda, along with carb-heavy foods, like potato chips. These might give you a quick boost, but you’ll crash later on.
  • Try to eat every 2 to 3 hours, even if it’s just something small, to avoid low blood sugar, which makes you feel sleepy.

Drink lots of water to fight fatigue.

Stay hydrated...

  • Avoid alcohol, particularly on days when you're studying or the day before. Drinking alcohol regularly can negatively affect your brain function along with dehydrating you.

Drink a caffeinated beverage if you want an instant boost.

Caffeine...

  • Be aware that coffee and other caffeinated drinks can actually be dehydrating, so you should drink water with them, too.
  • Avoid drinking coffee or consuming anything with caffeine, like chocolate, soda, or tea, within 6 hours of when you plan to go to bed or you may have trouble falling asleep.
  • Don’t consume more than 200 mg of caffeine in a day. Too much caffeine can be very dangerous for your heart and can also worsen existing conditions, like anxiety or depression.
  • Avoid energy drinks and pills that contain caffeine and/or chemicals. While quick fixes are tempting, they can have dangerous side effects, like increased anxiety or even heart problems. [10] X Research source

Study in 25-minute intervals if you like having scheduled breaks.

Try what’s known as the Pomodoro technique to keep yourself on track.

  • Use your 5-minute breaks to relax and recharge your brain. Do something unrelated to what you’re studying, like stretching out your body or watching a funny YouTube video.
  • Take a longer 30-minute break after you complete 4 intervals.
  • Try to keep each total study session to no more than 5 hours long. If you study for longer than that, you’ll likely get burnt out.

Take a 10- to 20-minute nap if you’re really tired.

Short naps...

  • If possible, choose a spot that’s quiet and dark to take your nap, which will help you get better quality sleep.
  • Make sure you're getting at least 7 to 9 hours of sleep each night, too. Naps are a good boost but they aren't a substitute for uninterrupted sleep.

Exercise for 15 to 20 minutes to get your blood flowing.

This improves your concentration and mood.

  • If you can, do your exercise outside for even more benefits. Fresh air is an instant energy boost. Instead, you can meditate for 10 minutes.
  • You can also find ways to incorporate exercise into your studying. For instance, swap your chair for a stability ball to work your core while you sit, or do stretches at your desk while you read.
  • If you’re studying in intervals, try taking an exercise break after each one. For example, after studying for 25 minutes, do 5 minutes of bodyweight exercises like pushups and jumping jacks.

Switch topics every 30-60 minutes to stay focused.

The variety helps your brain refocus on the new subject.

  • If you’re studying in timed intervals, switch the topic you’re studying after each interval.
  • If you're only studying for 1 class, like English, change the specific material you're reviewing if possible. For instance, start with Shakespeare, then move to Chaucer.

Organize a study group if you get tired of working alone.

This makes studying less boring and monotonous.

  • Keep your study group to 3 to 6 people. Too many people can become distracting or difficult to manage.
  • Stay on task by setting group goals for each study session, like finishing 2 chapters of a textbook or covering 1 topic. Otherwise, it may be tempting to just waste time talking or goofing off.You can also do meditation for 10minutes

Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep every night.

If you’re not sleeping well, it’s harder to stay awake while you study.

  • Note that this is how much sleep the average person needs. Some people need a few more hours to feel rested and others do fine with less. The most important thing is to be consistent with your sleep. If you feel good with 6 hours of sleep a night or need up to 9, that’s fine too.

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  • ↑ http://lsw-international.com/how-to-stay-awake-alert-while-studying-without-coffee/
  • ↑ https://www.opencolleges.edu.au/informed/features/how-does-the-brain-learn-best-10-smart-studying-strategies/
  • ↑ https://www.aiuniv.edu/blog/2016/may/stay-energized-for-late-night-studying
  • ↑ https://success.oregonstate.edu/learning/ready-set-concentrate
  • ↑ https://www.fastcompany.com/3022942/the-surprising-science-behind-what-music-does-to-our-brains
  • ↑ https://www.indiatoday.in/education-today/featurephilia/story/how-to-stop-falling-asleep-while-studying-17-tips-to-keep-you-awake-for-board-exam-preparation-1648066-2020-02-19
  • ↑ https://sites.psu.edu/siowfa15/2015/09/17/does-chewing-gum-while-studying-help-you-remember/
  • ↑ https://www.cnn.com/2017/04/26/health/energy-drinks-health-concerns-explainer/index.html
  • ↑ https://learningcommons.ubc.ca/the-pomodoro-technique-study-more-efficiently-take-more-breaks/
  • ↑ https://www.nbcnews.com/better/health/how-take-nap-will-actually-boost-your-energy-ncna793681
  • ↑ https://www.auamed.org/blog/12-ways-exercise-study/
  • ↑ https://news.fiu.edu/2013/12/8-study-tips-that-will-help-you-overcome-finals-week/70573
  • ↑ https://www.rasmussen.edu/student-experience/college-life/how-to-organize-use-study-groups/

About This Article

Jennifer Kaifesh

Medical Disclaimer

The content of this article is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, examination, diagnosis, or treatment. You should always contact your doctor or other qualified healthcare professional before starting, changing, or stopping any kind of health treatment.

Read More...

To stay awake while studying, chew some gum since it will increase blood flow to your brain and give you a boost of energy. If you’re snacking while studying, eat high-protein foods that provide lasting energy like trail mix, beef jerky, or string cheese rather than sugary foods that will make you crash. Since staying hydrated can help you fight off tiredness, drink at least 8 ounces of water every 1 to 2 hours. Exercise is another great way to get reenergized, so take a break and go for a short walk to wake up your muscles and get your blood flowing. If possible, walk outside since fresh air is a great energy booster. When choosing where to study, pick somewhere with lots of lighting so you don’t get drowsy working in a dim room. For more tips, including how to study in intervals to stay alert, read on! Did this summary help you? Yes No

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7 Brain Exercises to Strengthen Your Mind

Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

how does homework keep your brain active

Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, is an award-winning physician-scientist and clinical development specialist.

how does homework keep your brain active

Brain exercises are activities that are designed to maintain and strengthen cognitive abilities such as working memory, processing speed, and executive function.

While you might know that you need to exercise your body, did you know that it might also be important to exercise your mind? You've probably heard the old adage "use it or lose it." Many researchers do believe that this maxim applies to your brain health.

Brain training is often touted as a way to sharpen your mind and even boost intelligence. While many cognitive scientists suggest that the claims surrounding brain training are both exaggerated and misleading, there is an abundance of research suggesting that certain types of activities can be beneficial for your brain's health.

Take Care of Your Body to Take Care of Your Mind

If you want to take care of your mind, you need to start by taking care of your body.

Research has time and time again shown that people who engage in healthy behaviors such as exercise and proper nutrition are less susceptible to the cognitive declines associated with the aging process.

One study suggested that exercise can protect your brain from shrinkage as it ages . Researchers have also found that exercise can promote neurogenesis , or the formation of new brain cells, in the brain's hippocampus.

One study published in 2013 looked at healthy behaviors in nearly 2,300 men over the course of thirty years. Researchers looked at the participants' behaviors and cognitive abilities starting in middle age and tracked their progress throughout old age.

The researchers found that men who practiced certain healthy behaviors were around 60% less likely to experience cognitive impairment and dementia as they age.

These healthy behaviors included not smoking, maintaining a healthy BMI, regularly exercising, consuming lots of vegetables and fruits, and consuming a low to moderate amount of alcohol.

So if you want to build a better mind, start by working on your physical health first. Go for a walk, start incorporating more fresh fruits and vegetables into your diet, and try to give up any bad habits like excessive alcohol consumption or tobacco use. Some of these might be more difficult than others, but your brain will thank you for years to come.

Draw a Map of Your Town From Memory

While you might feel like you can navigate the streets of your neighborhood with your eyes closed, try challenging your brain by actually drawing a map of your town or neighborhood from memory. No cheating! Try to include major streets, major side streets, and local landmarks.

Once you are done, compare your memory map to a real map of the area. How did you do? Are you surprised by some of the things that you missed? If you found this activity too easy, try drawing a less familiar area from memory, such as a map of the entire United States or Europe, and try to label every state or country.

Navigating your way to the supermarket or doctor's office might seem simple and almost automatic when you are behind the wheel of your car. However, forcing yourself to remember the layout of your neighborhood as well as draw and label it helps activate a variety of areas of your brain.

Learn Something New

This brain exercise requires a bit of commitment, but it is also one that just might give you the most bang for your buck. Learning something new is one way to keep your brain on its toes and continually introduce new challenges.

In one study, researchers assigned older adults to learn a variety of new skills ranging from digital photography to quilting. They then did memory tests and compared the experimental groups to control groups. Those in the control groups had engaged in activities that were fun but not mentally challenging such as watching movies and listening to the radio.  

The researchers found that only those participants who had learned a new skill experienced improvement on the memory tests.

They also discovered that these memory improvements were still present when tested again a year later.

Some things you might want to try include learning a new language, learning to play a musical instrument or learning a new hobby. Not only will you be stretching your mind, but you will also be continually learning something new as you keep expanding your skills and becoming more accomplished.

Try Using Your Non-Dominant Hand

Up next is an interesting brain exercise that one neurobiologist suggests might help "keep your brain alive."

In his book Keep Your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises to Help Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness , neurobiologist Lawrence Katz recommends using your non-dominant hand to strengthen your mind. Because using your opposite hand can be so challenging, it can be a great way to increase brain activity.  

Try switching hands while you are eating dinner or when you are trying to write something down. It will be difficult, but that is exactly the point.

The most effective brain activities are those that are not necessarily easy.

Studies from 2019 suggest that people who are socially active are also at a lower risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer's disease.  

Socializing tends to engage multiple areas of the brain and many social activities also include physical elements, such as playing a sport, that is also beneficial to your mind.

Even if you are an inveterate introvert , seeking social interactions can be beneficial to your brain in both the short and long term. Some ideas for staying socially engaged include:

  • Signing up for volunteer opportunities in your community
  • Joining a club
  • Signing up for a local walking group
  • Staying in close touch with your friends and family

One brain exercise you might not have considered might actually be extremely effective—meditation. Mindfulness meditation, in particular, is often espoused by positive psychologists for its beneficial effects.

Research suggests that mindfulness and meditation are associated with greater neuroplasticity, reduced brain aging, and improved cognitive abilities.

If you ready to try this brain exercise, you can read a quick guide to practicing mindfulness meditation . You can also check out some handy tips for incorporating mindfulness into your everyday life .

What About All Those Brain Training Games?

 Getty Images

Chances are probably pretty good that you've at least heard, or even tried, some of the many brain training games, websites, and apps that are out there. Many of these tools claim that these computerized brain exercises can increase your mental flexibility, keep you mentally sharper as you age and even make you more intelligent.

While there is still plenty of debate about whether or not these claims are true, there is a chance that playing these types of mental games might is good for your brain.

How much exactly is still up for debate. If you think you would enjoy such games, you can find a nice list of brain training resources that you might want to check out.

If, however, you already spend too much time staring at your computer screen or smartphone, your time is probably much better well spent going out for a stroll, enjoying a new hobby or even visiting with a friend. All of these activities can have major long-term effects on the health and vitality of your brain.

Frequently Asked Questions

The best exercise for your brain is moderate to vigorous physical activity. Research suggests that aerobic exercise is best for cognitive ability, while resistance training is the most helpful for memory and executive function. Aim to get 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity and two days of muscle-strengthening exercise.

Try incorporating brain-strengthening activities throughout your day. Get some exercise, do a crossword puzzle while you eat breakfast, and read a book before bed. Practicing good self-care, including ensuring you are getting adequate sleep and eating a balanced diet, may also be helpful.

Some ideas include memory card games to boost short-term memory, doing jigsaw puzzles to strengthen working memory, and learning something new to help enhance overall memory.

If you want to sharpen your brain, focus on doing brain exercises that target some of the areas measured by IQ tests, such as working memory, executive function, and spatial reasoning. Helpful brain exercises can include Sodoku, Scrabble, brainteasers, and mazes.

Max Planck Institute for Human Development and Stanford Center on Longevity. A Consensus on the Brain Training Industry from the Scientific Community .

Yuki A, Lee S, Kim H, Kozakai R, Ando F, Shimokata H. Relationship between physical activity and brain atrophy progression .  Med Sci Sports Exerc . 2012;44(12):2362-2368. doi:10.1249/MSS.0b013e3182667d1d

Liu PZ, Nusslock R. Exercise-mediated neurogenesis in the hippocampus via BDNF .  Front Neurosci . 2018;12:52. doi:10.3389/fnins.2018.00052

Elwood P, Galante J, Pickering J, et al. Healthy lifestyles reduce the incidence of chronic diseases and dementia: evidence from the Caerphilly cohort study .  PLoS One . 2013;8(12):e81877. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0081877

Park DC, Lodi-Smith J, Drew L, et al. The impact of sustained engagement on cognitive function in older adults: the Synapse Project .  Psychol Sci . 2014;25(1):103–112. doi:10.1177/0956797613499592

Palmer MD. Keep Your Brain Alive: 83 Neurobic Exercises to Help Prevent Memory Loss and Increase Mental Fitness, by Lawrence Katz and Manning Rubin .  Activities, Adaptation & Aging . 2016;40(1):80-80. doi:10.1080/01924788.2016.1144015.

Sommerlad A, Sabia S, Singh-manoux A, Lewis G, Livingston G. Association of social contact with dementia and cognition: 28-year follow-up of the Whitehall II cohort study . PLoS Med . 2019;16(8):e1002862. doi:10.1371/journal.pmed.1002862

Lardone A, Liparoti M, Sorrentino P, et al. Mindfulness meditation is related to long-lasting changes in hippocampal functional topology during resting state: A magnetoencephalography study .  Neural Plast . 2018;2018:5340717. doi:10.1155/2018/5340717

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. How much physical activity do adults need ?

Stankov L, Lee J. We can boost IQ: Revisiting Kvashchev's experiment .  J Intell . 2020;8(4):41. doi:10.3390/jintelligence8040041

By Kendra Cherry, MSEd Kendra Cherry, MS, is a psychosocial rehabilitation specialist, psychology educator, and author of the "Everything Psychology Book."

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how does homework keep your brain active

  • For now, the evidence for specific 'brain training' programmes remains inconclusive.
  • If you do games and puzzles because you enjoy them, then certainly continue.
  • In terms of what might offer the most benefit to help keep our thinking skills healthy as we age, research still has a lot of questions to address. But taking up new activities is probably worthwhile.
  • We can’t say for certain which activities might definitely help keep your thinking skills sharp, but doing hobbies and activities that we enjoy is important for quality of life and wellbeing anyway.

Use it or lose it?

Chicken or egg, brain training on trial, do more of the same, or do more.

The belief that 'exercising' our brains through mentally stimulating activities like puzzles, games and hobbies makes a lot of sense – if we want our brain to stay in peak condition, we should use it.

In fact, one of the theories about reducing or delaying cognitive ageing is referred to as the 'use it or lose it' theory. It’s a popular idea, but is it that straightforward?

Studies of cognitive ageing often get people in older age to complete various tests of their thinking skills and provide details about the activities they regularly take part in. Almost all of those studies find that the people who do more mentally stimulating activities have better thinking skills in older age.

Why is this? One possibility is that the mental demands involved in taking part in stimulating activities keeps people’s thinking skills sharper. However, it could be the other way round: that people who have retained their thinking skills better in older age are more able to keep taking part in more mentally demanding activities. Even in studies that follow people over time, it is often difficult to tell these options apart.

And there’s a third possibility - that people who do more mentally stimulating activities in older age are those who had higher thinking skills to begin with, that is, from childhood onwards.

It’s clear from a number of studies that mentally stimulating activities are associated with better thinking skills in later life but we are still building the picture as to why and how, and what sort of activities lead to real benefit. More research is needed on different types of activities to test this.

The 'use it or lose it' idea is behind the growing market for so-called 'brain training' products. These are often computer-based games or tasks specifically designed to be mentally stimulating. The products are popular but there is controversy over whether brain training really does protect thinking skills in later life.

A group of leading research experts has argued that evidence that brain training can help combat cognitive decline as we grow older is limited. Their view was that people who play these games get better at them but might not see improvements in their thinking skills more broadly.

In January 2016, one of the biggest companies selling these products was fined by the US government Federal Trade Commission for making claims that weren’t supported by evidence and that, in the Commission’s words, 'preyed on consumers’ fears about age-related cognitive decline'.

Various broader research studies have looked beyond the effect of specific brain training programmes, or specific types of games and puzzles.

For activities to be effective in maintaining or improving our thinking skills as we age, they might need to challenge us in new ways according to these studies. That is, the most beneficial activities for us in later life might be doing things we’ve never done before.

One of the biggest studies had participants learning either digital photography or quilting, for example. The results suggested that the people in these 'productive-engagement' groups experienced benefits in terms of their memory performance.

Although the evidence on the benefits for our thinking skills is still incomplete, there are good reasons anyway for taking up entirely new activities – benefits such as increased engagement with other groups of people and the development of new skills.

There is evidence to say that keeping our social relationships active and doing hobbies and activities that we enjoy are important to maintaining quality of life and wellbeing in older age.

  • Your brain - what it is and what it does

Mentally engaging activities

Read more about the ways to stimulate your brain and challenge the way you think in a new report from the Global Council on Brain Health.

Find out more

how does homework keep your brain active

About the author

Dr Alan Gow  is an Associate Professor in Psychology at Heriot-Watt University and works with large studies of ageing and health at the Universities of Edinburgh and Copenhagen. His research centres on lifestyle factors that might protect or harm the ageing brain and testing real-world activities as a way to support healthy cognitive ageing.

Key references

  • Gow, A.J., Corley, J., Starr, J.M. and Deary, I.J., 2012.  Reverse causation in activity-cognitive ability associations: the Lothian Birth Cohort 1936 . Psychology and aging, 27(1), p.250.
  • Park, D.C., Lodi-Smith, J., Drew, L., Haber, S., Hebrank, A., Bischof, G.N. and Aamodt, W., 2014.  The impact of sustained engagement on cognitive function in older adults: the synapse project . Psychological science, 25(1), pp.103-112.
  • Vaportzis, E., Martin, M. and Gow, A.J., 2016.  A Tablet for Healthy Ageing: the Effect of a Tablet Computer Training Intervention on Cognitive Abilities in Older Adults . The American Journal of Geriatric Psychiatry.
  • Simons, D.J., Boot, W.R., Charness, N., Gathercole, S.E., Chabris, C.F., Hambrick, D.Z. and Stine-Morrow, E.A., 2016.  Do “brain-training” programs work? . Psychological Science in the Public Interest, 17(3), pp.103-186.

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Kelsey Kidd, C.N.P.

Kelsey Kidd, APRN, C.N.P., M.S.N.

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6 tips to keep your brain healthy

  • Dementia/Alzheimer's Disease
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Changes to your body and brain are normal as you age. However, there are some things you can do to help slow any decline in memory and lower your risk of developing Alzheimer's disease or other dementias.

Here are six things I recommend to my patients in order of importance:

1. exercise regularly..

Exercise has many known benefits, and regular physical activity also benefits the brain. Multiple research studies show that physical active people are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

These benefits result from increased blood flow to your brain during exercise. It also tends to counter some of the natural reduction in brain connections that occur during aging, reversing some of the problems.

Aim to exercise several times per week for 30 to 60 minutes. You can walk, swim, play tennis or do any other moderate aerobic activity that increases your heart rate.

2. Get plenty of sleep.

Sleep plays an important role in your brain health. Some theories state that sleep helps clear abnormal proteins in your brain and consolidates memories, which boosts your overall memory and brain health.

Aim for seven to eight consecutive hours of sleep per night, not fragmented sleep of two- or three-hour increments. Consecutive sleep gives your brain the time to consolidate and store your memories effectively. Sleep apnea harms your brain's health and could be why you may struggle to get consecutive hours of sleep. Talk with your health care team if you or a loved one suspects you have sleep apnea.

3. Eat a Mediterranean diet.

Your diet plays a large role in your brain health. Consider following a Mediterranean diet, which emphasizes plant-based foods, whole grains, fish and healthy fats, such as olive oil. It incorporates less red meat and salt than a typical American diet.

Studies show people who closely follow a Mediterranean diet are less likely to have Alzheimer's disease than people who don't follow the diet. Further research is needed to determine which parts of the diet help brain function the most. However, we know that omega fatty acids found in extra-virgin olive oil and other healthy fats are vital for your cells to function correctly, appear to decrease your risk of coronary artery disease, increase mental focus and slow cognitive decline in older adults.

4. Stay mentally active.

Your brain is similar to a muscle — you need to use it or lose it. There are many things that you can do to keep your brain in shape, such as doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku, reading, playing cards or putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Consider it cross-training your brain. Incorporate different types of activities to increase the effectiveness.

Most health care teams don't recommend the paid brain-training programs available. These programs often overpromise results or focus on memorization skills that aren't useful in everyday life. Your brain can get just as good of a workout through reading or challenging yourself with puzzles. Finally, don't watch too much TV, as that is a passive activity and does little to stimulate your brain.

5. Remain socially involved.

Social interaction helps ward off depression and stress , which can contribute to memory loss. Look for opportunities to connect with loved ones, friends and others , especially if you live alone. Research links solitary confinement to brain atrophy, so remaining socially active may have the opposite effect and strengthen the health of your brain.

6. Keep your blood vessels healthy.

The health of your arteries and veins is important to your heart health but it is also critical for brain health. Get your blood pressure, blood sugar and cholesterol checked regularly and take steps to keep your numbers within a normal range.

Increase your physical activity, eat a Mediterranean diet and decrease your sodium consumption to lower blood pressure and cholesterol values. Finally, tobacco and alcohol use are impactful on brain health as well, so only drink alcohol in moderation and don't smoke. Moderate drinking is defined as up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

Kelsey Kidd is a nurse practitioner in Neurology in Mankato , Minnesota.

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5 ways to keep your brain active during the summer holidays

What a year it has been! Hopefully your heads are all a little fuller than they were… you have the whole summer ahead to get them nice and empty before next year starts… Even the wise words of Albus Dumbledore from the world-famous Harry Potter series confirm the impression that most parents and teachers already had: a long break from studying such as the summer holidays can cause a significant loss of the knowledge acquired during the school year and make the return to the usual routine more traumatic . What can you do to keep your brain in shape over the summer? It might surprise you, but the answer is not homework! Here are five ways to keep your brain active during the long school-free time ahead of you.

1.      Lose yourself in a book

For many students, reading feels like a chore : far too often, school ends up driving them away from reading instead of giving them a lifelong love of books . But the freedom of choosing what books to read and the luxury of reading for the sheer enjoyment of it makes reading a book (or two, or ten) for yourself a completely different experience . Reading books is an excellent brain workout . Whether it teaches you new vocabulary or simply ensures you are not out of practice once you go back to school, reading on your own time is a pastime no educator can frown upon—and if you have an ebook reader , you can bring an entire library to the beach without loading up your suitcase!

2.      Get creative

Speaking of writing, putting pen to paper – or fingers to keyboard – is only one of the many ways to pursue your own creative projects . Write, draw, compose music, take photos of all the interesting things you see: whichever means of expression you prefer, traditional or digital, creativity is food for your mind , and during the holidays, when you can escape the restrictions of assignments and rest easy in the knowledge that your efforts will not be graded, your creative freedom increases tenfold .

3.      Mens sana in corpore sano

Exercising in hot weather brings to mind unpleasant scenarios of sweat and sunstroke, so do remember to stay safe, apply sunscreen and choose the appropriate hours of the day for your athletic endeavours, but even the heat should not stop you from keeping your body moving . The link between an active lifestyle and an active brain is scientifically proven: exercising promotes the creation of neural synapses and may improve your academic performance as well as your results in sports—and besides, your PE teacher will certainly approve. Keep track of your exercise regimen the old-fashioned way or download a fitness app —either way, try not to be a couch potato this summer, and your whole body will thank you for it, including your brain.

4.      A change of scenery

Travel does not necessarily mean visiting a luxurious tropical island at the other end of the world. If you lack the time or resources for an extended trip to a costly location, there are cheaper solutions a little closer to home that can be just as interesting. Whether your holiday is geared towards the beauty of nature – camping or hiking, for instance – or of man-made art – visiting museums or your country’s national landmarks –, accumulating new experiences makes for a great story to tell when you go back to school (or live on social media if you cannot wait to share it) and keeps your brain engaged . Trying new foods and seeing unfamiliar places are a worthy challenge for your mind .

5.      Keep learning

And of course, if you are not busy enough already, you can attend summer classes or apply for a seasonal job or volunteering : you will learn new skills that will look good on your future curriculum , meet new people , and step out of your comfort zone . If you like hanging out at the pool, get certified as a lifeguard; if you are an animal lover, help the local shelter. The choices are endless and you can learn something from them all—and learning, in school or out, is the best summer treat your brain can ask for.

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how does homework keep your brain active

how does homework keep your brain active

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how does homework keep your brain active

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how does homework keep your brain active

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how does homework keep your brain active

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IMAGES

  1. Your #brain on homework #infographic

    how does homework keep your brain active

  2. 10 tips to keep your brain active

    how does homework keep your brain active

  3. 5 Proven Tips for Keeping Your Brain Active, Engaged and Improving

    how does homework keep your brain active

  4. How to Keep your Brain Active

    how does homework keep your brain active

  5. How to Keep Your Brain Mentally Active

    how does homework keep your brain active

  6. How to Keep Your Brain Healthy: 8 Ways to Strengthen Your Smarts!

    how does homework keep your brain active

VIDEO

  1. Brain Health: Optimize & Protect Your Memory & Mental Acuity

  2. Use your brain..? 🤔 || #shorts

  3. use your brain 🧠 #shorts

COMMENTS

  1. Homework, Sleep, and the Student Brain

    The Scientific Approach In the study "What Great Homework Looks Like" from the journal Think Differently and Deeply, which connects research in how the brain learns to the instructional practice of teachers, we see moderate advantages of no more than two hours of homework for high school students.

  2. 7 Reasons Why Homework is Good For Your Brain?

    Table of Contents Let us see 7 reasons Why Homework is Good For Your Brain. 1. It helps students learn how to study effectively 2. It helps them develop better time management skills 3. It helps them improve their concentration 4. It helps them understand the importance of organization 5. It helps them become more independent learners 6.

  3. Is homework good for your child's brain?

    Turns out they're connected — but Cooper says with kids, you can't take a one-size-fits-all approach. "Both the amount and type of homework does and should vary as a function of the child's age," Cooper says. At the grade school level, there's not much to show that homework helps prime the brain. "Young children have a limited attention ...

  4. How Exercise Protects Your Brain's Health

    They could do aerobic exercise (three times a week for 45 minutes per session), eat a heart-healthy Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet, combine aerobic exercise with the DASH diet or receive health education.

  5. 16 Ways to Stay Awake While Studying

    Download Article This keeps you out of a single comfort zone that can make you tired. Rather than always studying in the same place, switch it up every time to improve your concentration and help your brain remember information better. For instance, one day, study at a coffee shop, then the next day, study at home in the kitchen. [2]

  6. 9 Ways to Stay Awake While Studying

    3. Sit upright. It might be tempting to get comfortable while studying, but it won't help you stay awake. Lying down is associated with increased activity in the parasympathetic nervous system ...

  7. 13 Brain Exercises to Help Keep You Mentally Sharp

    1. Have fun with a jigsaw puzzle Whether you're putting together a 1,000-piece image of the Eiffel Tower or joining 100 pieces to make Mickey Mouse, working on a jigsaw puzzle is an excellent way...

  8. 7 Brain Exercises to Strengthen Your Mind

    Medically reviewed by Shaheen Lakhan, MD, PhD, FAAN Brain exercises are activities that are designed to maintain and strengthen cognitive abilities such as working memory, processing speed, and executive function. While you might know that you need to exercise your body, did you know that it might also be important to exercise your mind?

  9. 22 brain exercises to improve memory, cognition, and creativity

    mental rotation. working memory. reasoning. The study concluded that doing jigsaw puzzles regularly and throughout life may protect against the effects of brain aging. 7. Playing sudoku. Number ...

  10. Brain exercises: How to keep your brain active

    The belief that 'exercising' our brains through mentally stimulating activities like puzzles, games and hobbies makes a lot of sense - if we want our brain to stay in peak condition, we should use it. In fact, one of the theories about reducing or delaying cognitive ageing is referred to as the 'use it or lose it' theory.

  11. Tips to keep your brain healthy

    1. Exercise regularly. Exercise has many known benefits, and regular physical activity also benefits the brain. Multiple research studies show that physical active people are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lower risk of developing Alzheimer's disease.

  12. 5 ways to keep your brain active during the summer holidays

    Here are five ways to keep your brain active during the long school-free time ahead of you. 1. Lose yourself in a book. For many students, reading feels like a chore: far too often, school ends up driving them away from reading instead of giving them a lifelong love of books. But the freedom of choosing what books to read and the luxury of ...

  13. Are stressed-out brain cells the root cause of neurodegenerative

    Many neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, are characterized by the accumulation of protein clumps, or aggregates, in the brain, which has led scientists to assume that the protein tangles kill brain cells. The search for treatments that break up and remove these tangled proteins has had little success, however.

  14. How Does Homework Keep Your Brain Active

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  15. How Does Homework Keep Your Brain Active

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  19. How Does Homework Keep Your Brain Active

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  20. How Does Homework Keep Your Brain Active

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  21. How Does Homework Keep Your Brain Active

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  22. How Does Homework Keep Your Brain Active

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  23. How Does Homework Keep Your Brain Active

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  24. How Does Homework Keep Your Brain Active

    How Does Homework Keep Your Brain Active. A professional essay writing service is an instrument for a student who's pressed for time or who doesn't speak English as a first language. However, in 2022 native English-speaking students in the U.S. become to use essay help more and more. Why is that so?