We need to pay just as much attention to our learning hygiene as we do to our physical hygiene. We keep our bodies clean (most of the time), and some of us work to keep in shape (sort of). Similar effort needs to be spent keeping our brain and body in condition to learn. You can’t learn anything if basic physiologic needs are unmet or compromised.

Boot camp for your brain

Most people need six to eight hours of sleep daily to effectively function. The right amount of sleep for your body is not optional. Aside from being pretty goofy, people who lack sufficient sleep demonstrate clearly defined phenomena including:

• Daytime drowsiness
• Decreased ability to function
• Heightened sensitivity to pain
• Inability to concentrate
• Slowed reaction times
• Perceptual distortions
• Irritability
• Anxiety

This is far from an all-inclusive list. The lesson here is, since you know you need sleep, plan it. Protect your sleep time as much as you treasure your play time. Develop smart sleep habits.

Hooray for exercise!

Physical activity is a great stress reliever, and dealing with stress allows us to direct more valuable energy to learning. Physiologic and psychological stresses confront us all. Someone coughs in our face, and we need to fight off disease. Our boss is a mini dictator. All of our instructors think their class is the most important item in the universe. And don’t get us started on the family issues. Sound familiar?

Daily exercise moderates the effects of prolonged stress, makes you feel better, increases your energy and ability to cope, and, most importantly, dramatically increases your ability to concentrate and learn!

Don’t forget: Thirty to forty-five minutes of exercise a day earns colossal dividends.

You want to select types of exercise that appeal to you and that strengthen, increase flexibility, and enhance cardiovascular functioning. Running, biking, and swimming are obvious choices. Less intuitive options include yoga (one of the best!) and brisk walking.

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