![]() In the stages of sleep leading up to REM (rapid eye movement), cerebrospinal fluid-a clear liquid surrounding the brain and spinal cord-washes over your brain in waves. In other words, the system gets a little gummed up. This buildup is counterproductive-especially for neural connections. Throughout the day, various molecules and proteins begin to accumulate in your brain. Sleep also gives your body time to help keep your brain clear of toxins. It’s like you’re restarting a computer-some data is stored on the hard drive, but the short-term memory, which is often responsible for slowing the computer down, is reset. Some information is committed to long-term memory and some is dumped. While you’re asleep, your brain sifts through the day’s information, deciding what is and isn’t important. The Role of Sleep in Optimizing Brain Function That work happens subconsciously, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t understand more about what’s going on. ![]() When you are sleeping or engaging the DMN, your brain is hard at work. It’s important to note that cognitive rest does not mean your brain isn’t working. Basically, your mind is allowed to wander or zone out. This is just a fancy way of saying that your brain’s energy is no longer being exerted on conscious tasks. ![]() During these periods, your brain engages the default mode network (DMN). The other type of cognitive rest occurs when you are not actively engaged in a task that requires a lot of attention. But it turns out, eight hours of sleep is not the only type of rest your brain needs to keep functioning at its best. And it’s true, scientists do recommend that all adults try to get a full eight hours of sleep each night. Ask any two people how much sleep is considered optimal and they’ll probably give you the same answer: eight hours. The importance of a good night’s sleep is one of the most frequently touted health facts. But the truth is, cognitive rest plays a vital role in optimizing brain functionality. In a world obsessed with productivity, idleness is often cast in a negative light-it’s equated to laziness and sloth. Or, in other words, give your brain a break. So what’s the solution? In the face of so many looming tasks, what can you do to boost productivity? The answer is a bit counterintuitive: instead of spending every waking moment focused on completing to-do’s, take some time to unfocus. To make matters worse, the more you have to do, the harder it becomes to focus on a single task. And, honestly, there’s a good chance you do. Between bills, work responsibilities, and the demands of your relationships, you might feel like you have hundreds of tasks to take care of each day. In the hubbub and hurry of today’s world, it can be hard to find a peaceful moment of cognitive rest. After initial rest, you can start to gradually increase activity as tolerated and guided by your doctor.ĭownload this information in an easy-to-read flyer that can be printed, shared, or hung up in homes, schools, offices, classrooms, etc. (Formatted to print at 11”x17” or 8.Cognitive Rest: Learn Why Your Brain Needs More Downtime For best results, avoid cognitive and physical activity that provokes severe symptoms for a few days after a concussion. Too much physical or mental activity immediately after a concussion may provoke severe concussion symptoms and may prolong recovery. The wrong way: Divert energy to other activities In the first few days after concussion, reduce activities that require substantial brain and physical energy - such as school, work, sports, video games and social media - to allow symptoms to decrease and your body to deliver extra fuel to the brain to support recovery. Meanwhile, the blood flow that delivers fuel to the brain decreases. Right after a concussion, the brain needs extra fuel to repair damaged brain cells. The right way: Maximize energy for repair After a concussion, the brain needs rest so it can heal properly.
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