IN YOUR DAILY DOSE today is research from Texas A&M School of Public Health that addresses the needs of students in the classroom and improving their ability to learn. How can this information impact your ability at work?

IN MAKING CHANGES today are strategies you can use with your children for school work and for yourself at work to improve your performance and creativity.

IN FACT OR FICTION you’ll discover if chocolate is really as good for you as the news has led you to believe.

In The News

Research, led by Ranjana Mehta, Ph.D., assistant professor at the Texas A&M School of Public health, has provided the first evidence that students have neurocognitive benefits to using standing height desks in the classroom. When given the choice of standing or sitting, students performed best when they could stand.

Mehta says, "Test results indicated that continued use of standing desks was associated with significant improvements in executive function and working memory capabilities," Mehta said. "Changes in corresponding brain activation patterns were also observed."

SOURCE: http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/01/160114113635.htm  

Daily Health Tip

Standing and movement during the day has also been studied as preventive measures against heart disease and stroke. Children also have an increased risk of heart disease and cardiovascular disease when sitting for lengthy periods of time.

Making changes to both your work day and your child’s can improve performance, creativity and reduce health risks.

Making Changes

1.  Stand frequently during the day. Stretch, go get water, talk with a co-worker face-to-face instead of over the phone. These little things help to keep your blood moving and reduce your health risks. They also improve your productivity and creativity during the day.

2. Talk with your boss about a standing desk at work, or a device on your desk that you can use to elevate the computer to standing height on occasion during the day. These devices reduce your health risk and improve the blood supply to your brain.

3. Work with your student at home to provide them with a way to do their homework standing up, since they’ve been sitting long hours at school.

4. Encourage increased activity levels for both yourself and your student. Exercising together increases the potential that you’ll both do the work.

My Daily Affirmation

I am comfortable with my weight.

I am happy with my current weight and believe I can maintain it. I accept myself at this size and acknowledge my beauty.

Fact Or Fiction?

Chocolate has been in the news as the newest healthy, sweet indulgence. But, is it as healthy as you might believe?  

Turns out it’s the flavonols in the chocolate that are healthy for you - but not the additional sugar, carbs and milk added to the chocolate. That’s why the darker the chocolate you eat, the healthier it is. Dark chocolate - 70% cocoa and above - has less sugar.

Have a wonderful day!

Your Healthy Life America Team