MindMenders SOI Brain Training Center

10/02/2025

The new MindMenders website is now live, thanks to the exceptional work of Tiffany Monier from Creative Tree Consulting. Her expertise was instrumental in effectively presenting the breadth of my professional services. I invite you to visit the website and share it with colleagues who may benefit from exploring its resources and information.

Discover personalized brain-based therapy to improve learning, attention, and cognitive skills for all ages with Mind Menders in Carrollton, TX.

08/07/2024

With school around the corner, I thought I would tell parents about a PBS special to watch with your kids...especially teenagers, before school starts. It is available on line and is only about 50 minutes long.
10 HOURS OF SLEEP: That is what teenagers need in order to grow brain cells at a rapid rate that is only matched in infancy!! That is why infants and toddlers sleep more. Their brains are rapidly growing brain cells. Teenagers can also gain a massive number of brain cells but ONLY IF THEY GET 9.25-10 HOURS OF SLEEP!! Later in life, you can still grow brain cells, just not at a rapid rate. Watch this 53-minute PBS special WITH your teenagers: FRONTLINE | Inside the Teenage Brain | Season 2009 | Episode 11 | PBS
https://www.pbs.org/video/frontline-inside-teenage-brain/
I showed this film to my students one year right before Daylight Savings Time changed and gave us an extra hour of sleep. This was back when our high school day started at 7:30 am. Most students were not awake until about third period. After seeing the film, I challenged my students: when the time changed, to continue to go to sleep at the regular time disregarding the time change, for one week. I figured no one took me up on that challenge because what do I know? The week after the time change, one young lady in my algebra 2 class kept raising her hand. I kept calling on her because she seldom raised her hand in class, and she knew the answers. Before the class ended, I praised her in front of the class for being so engaged in class. To my surprise, she said, “Ms., I did like you said, and I have been getting an extra hour of sleep at night for a week!” When I got up from the floor, I praised her for doing that and explained that it really made a difference. It only lasted for another week or so, but it proved a point, at least to me.

What’s behind teen’s seemingly inexplicable behavior?

07/22/2024

Happy Brain Health Day! Take care of your brain...it's the only one you get!! Notes from Dr. Mayank Saxena on how to keep our brain healthy: Maintaining brain health is essential for overall well-being and cognitive function. Here are some tips to help support and promote brain health: 1. Stay Physically Active: Regular exercise improves blood flow to the entire body, including the brain. Aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise per week, along with strength training exercises. 2. Eat a Healthy Diet: Consume a well-balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins, and healthy fats. Omega-3 fatty acids found in fish, flaxseeds, and walnuts are particularly beneficial for brain health. 3. Stay Mentally Active: Engage in activities that stimulate the mind, such as reading, puzzles, learning new skills, or playing strategy games. Continuous mental stimulation helps maintain cognitive function. 4. Get Adequate Sleep: Aim for 7-9 hours of quality sleep each night. Sleep is crucial for memory consolidation, cognitive function, and overall brain health. 5. Manage Stress: Chronic stress can negatively impact the brain. Practice stress-reduction techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, yoga, or mindfulness to promote emotional well-being. 6. Stay Socially Connected: Regular social interactions are associated with better cognitive function. Maintain relationships with friends and family, join clubs, or participate in group activities to stay socially connected. 7. Protect Your Head: Wear protective headgear during activities that carry a risk of head injury, such as biking, skating, or playing contact sports. Head injuries can contribute to cognitive decline. 8. Limit Alcohol and Avoid Smoking: Excessive alcohol consumption and smoking can have detrimental effects on brain health. Limit alcohol intake and avoid smoking to support overall well-being. 9. Manage Chronic Conditions: Control and manage chronic conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and high cholesterol. These conditions can affect vascular health, which, in turn, impacts brain health. 10. Stay Hydrated: Drink an adequate amount of water to support overall health, including proper brain function. Dehydration can negatively affect cognitive performance.