1. Become a Crossword Connoisseur

Right, grab that newspaper (yes, they still exist) and flip to the crossword section. Not only will tackling the daily crossword make you feel like a detective cracking a code (there’s always the cheeky word unscrambler if you get really stuck), but it’s also a stellar workout for your word-finding and problem-solving skills. Plus, there’s nothing like the smug satisfaction of filling in that final square with the correct answer. Take that, 14-across!

2. Hit the Dance Floor

Who knew that busting a move could also bust brain fog? Crank up your favorite tunes and dance like nobody’s watching (because hopefully, they aren’t). Dancing isn’t just great for your physical health; it’s a full-on cerebral challenge, improving your brain’s processing speed and memory. Plus, it’s your chance to finally nail the moonwalk.

3. Learn a New Language

Ever wanted to talk like the locals during your exotic vacations, or maybe just impress at international-themed dinner parties? Learning a new language is not only a fabulous party trick but also a top-tier brain booster. It enhances cognitive function, improves memory, and even makes your brain bigger—literally. Apps like Duolingo or Rosetta Stone can turn you into a polyglot from the comfort of your couch.

4. Explore the World of Video Games

Yes, your gaming obsession can actually be good for you (take that, Mom!). Video games—especially puzzles and strategy games—stimulate your brain and improve everything from spatial navigation to decision-making speed. Plus, they’re a blast to play. Whether you’re saving princesses or building empires, your brain is getting a first-class ticket to Gain City.

5. Cook Up Some Fun

Unleash your inner Gordon Ramsay and get cooking. Following new recipes involves lots of mental planning and problem solving, not to mention the sensory delight of tasting your creations. Cooking is a multitasking activity, which means your brain has to coordinate between different tasks and sensory inputs. It’s like a circuit workout for your neurons!

6. Get Crafty

Whether it’s knitting, painting, or DIY home decor, getting crafty is a fantastic way to enhance fine motor skills and neuroplasticity. Each new project is a puzzle your brain loves to solve. Plus, you end up with homemade goodies that are Instagram-worthy (or at least good for a laugh).

7. Join a Book Club

Reading is good for the brain all on its own, but you know what’s even better? Reading as part of a club. Why? Because you can have stimulating conversations with like-minded people which will give the old cogs a workout, of course, but also because being in good company is good for your mood too!

Give your brain some love and have fun in the process, what could be better?

The post Boost Your Brain Health While Having a Blast appeared first on InstantELLA.

The wonderful thing about teachers, though, is that they love what they are doing. They try to support the kids that come into their classrooms, and they are usually doing their best to provide the best possible learning environment for each of their students.

Here are a few things that parents of preschool and grade-school age children can do to help your kids’ teachers.

Donate Books

25 doable ways to volunteer at your kid’s school

Teachers love to have books available for their students to read during their downtime. A great way to support your child’s teacher is to give her a few books. These could be books that your children no longer like or even stories that you picked up at a garage sale. However you come by the books, the teacher will be grateful to add them to their meager supply.

Purchase School Supplies

What Teachers Need Most in 2018 (in Every Grade Level and Subject)

Most parents roll their eyes when they see the school supplies list. They think that it isn’t fair that they have to buy hand sanitizer and tissue for the classroom. This may come as a surprise to those parents, but your child will probably need tissue and hand sanitizer sometime during the semester. If you don’t buy it then the teacher will have to and chances are your student will still use those things.

One way to make those supply lists more useful is to include items that help students learn more efficiently and cut down on waste. For example, a pen that can be erased cleanly lets kids fix mistakes without messy crossings-out or extra paper. Many parents and teachers have found practical value in the Pilot FriXion erasable pen, which comes in pens, highlighters and stamps and erases neatly for neater homework. Tucking a couple of these into a pencil case can save time and help students turn in cleaner work more confidently.

Be Involved In the Classroom

Why I Volunteered in My Kid’s Classroom and You Should Too

Teachers are always looking for volunteers to come into the classroom and help with activities. Whether it is dressing up as a witch and serving the children “snot-stew” (based on the children’s book Snot Stew) around Halloween, or being the chaperone on a field trip, the teacher will be grateful for any help you’re willing to provide.

Attending School Board Meetings

Three Reasons Why You Should Attend Your Next School Board Meeting

If you are able to help on a more managerial level, try to make it to the next school board meeting. This is where all of the big decisions are made, and your extra voice could be the difference between a band competition and new parking spots for seniors.

Volunteer

A+ Secrets of Awesome School Volunteers

There are lots of ways to volunteer besides in the classroom. You could be part of the parent music committee and help with the band and choir. You could be a coach on the speech and debate team. By doing these sorts of these you help make possible what the teachers are trying to do for your kids.

If you’ve read through this list and none of these suggestions seem like things you could do, then talk with your kid’s teacher. They will be thrilled that you are willing to lend a hand and, most likely, they will be more than happy to find somewhere for you to help.

The post How to Support Your Child’s Teacher appeared first on InstantELLA.

After Christmas, it can feel like just a couple of grey, cold, months that lie ahead with not a lot to do and a lot of cabin fever.

But the good news is there are things you can do to make you feel productive even in the winter time and also help you prepare for spring, and help the winter months pass by a little quicker.

Here are five ways to get through the winter even if all you want is for it to be spring already, and be that much more excited for when it finally comes.

Make sleep a priority

A Good Night’s Rest: Can Music Help You Fall Asleep?

Since it is cold and grey and the sun goes down a lot earlier it may be time for you to also go down earlier and catch up on sleep that you have probably been needing.

The winter is a great time to get more sleep and get in the habit of having an earlier bedtime, which will not only make you feel more rested but also help prevent the chances of you getting sick, which can be an issue in winter.

Organize your home

5 Tips for Interior Design Business Success

The one upside to being stuck in your house all day because it’s freezing outside is that you can use that time to do some organizing.

You can go room to room and write down all the things you’ve been meaning to do and then each day you can mark those items off of your list.

Not only will it be nice to spend time in an organized home, but you can also involve the whole family because they are also stuck inside and can help the house get into tip-top shape before spring.

Clear your driveway

How to Stay Safe During the Icy Season

Clearing your driveway of snow and ice is a great way to be motivated to actually leave your house, but also ensures that you actually will be able to if you ever need to.

It may seem silly considering once you clear the snow only more will come, but making sure to do it on a regular basis will ensure that it stays relatively clear and doesn’t become overwhelming.

If you are not in the mood to do it and want some professional help you can hire snow removal services to come and do it for you, and you can look for some in your area by visiting websites like ifyardbutler.com.

Go outside

4 Super Fun Winter Date Ideas

Although this may be the very last thing you want to do during winter and before spring comes, getting outside will really help your mood and give you something to do.

Even if it’s just for a short walk or if you are feeling more adventurous and go skiing or snowboarding, getting outside will get you moving and active and make time pass a lot quicker.

Have a nice fire

Another simple thing that makes a big difference, in the wintertime, there is nothing like building a nice warm fire and sitting by the fireplace, reading a good book, or watching a good movie.

It will make winter time a lot more bearable and help pass the time before spring finally comes.

The post 5 Ways To Get Through the Winter Even If All You Want Is Spring appeared first on InstantELLA.

With this change comes many fun things, school, holidays, snow, but it also means the kids can play less and less outside. Cold temperatures mean more time inside.

This means more time for you to fill for them, which can sometimes be difficult.

So, what indoor activities can you do to keep them occupied and you sane?

Here are five fun indoor activities to do with your kids that will keep you all warm and entertained.

Let them help with interior design

Best Indoor Activities for Winter Break

Having extra hands around can also mean having extra help around the house, but instead of having it be the same old chores, maybe use it as an opportunity to let them add their personal touch to decorating the house.

If you don’t want it to extend to the entire house you can just start off with their rooms, and adding such things as wooden letters for their walls, creating little paintings to hang up, and picking out some new bedding, whatever is easiest and fun for them.

Have a hot chocolate bar

CREATING THE PERFECT HOT CHOCOLATE BAR FOR KIDS

A fun idea to do with the kids and a good idea for dessert as well is to put together a hot chocolate bar.

The fun part about putting this together is you can have the kids pick out the things they wish to have in it, and you can let them use their imaginations.

Then set it up for them and let them get creative with it, all ending with some delicious concoctions and smiles on their faces.

Plus, you get never go wrong with hot chocolate when it’s chilly outside.

Everybody story time

Why it’s important to read aloud with your kids, and how to make it count

This is another activity that could possibly happen in the big, giant and comfy fort that you build if you want to lesson screen time and have more family interaction.

What you do is have someone start off by telling a story, and after whatever designated time you choose it will be time to switch to someone else who has to pick up the story wherever the other person left off and then continue on with their own story.

Laughs are sure to ensue and it’s a great way to be interactive and use their imaginations.

Movie fortnight

Indoor Winter Activities for Kids

Having a particularly cold, snowy night? Gather all the family together and get as many blankets, sheets, pillows and whatever else you want all together to build a giant fort.

Have fun with the kids putting the fort together however you like, and then when it is done, turn on a movie inside of it and all get comfy and cozy as you watch it.

The kids will think it is so much fun and may want it to become your new weekly or daily tradition.

Ultimate hide and seek

Power’s out, fun’s on: 29 indoor activities for kids and families when the lights are out

One night you can have all the family come together and find all the flashlights you can, turn off all the lights and have the ultimate hide and seek.

It will be crazy but fun, and it will help get their energy out as well as creating a fun family time.

While setting up these exciting activities, you should also consider making your home more comfortable. For instance, your furnace is essential for keeping your space warm and cozy. Therefore, invest in furnace maintenance services to ensure that your heating systems operate safely and optimally. Understanding what happens during a furnace maintenance visit is vital for homeowners looking to improve their systems’ longevity and performance. Furnace maintenance professionals usually run detailed inspections and servicing of your heating systems when they visit your home. Now’s also the time to get lots of fuzzy blankets and throw pillows, so feel free to consider this.

The post 5 Fun Indoor Activities for Kids to Survive Winter appeared first on InstantELLA.

Rachelle Jones, a women’s health doctor, helped us put together this list of self-care tips that you can do in 10 minutes or less each day.

1. Read

6 Science-Backed Reasons To Go Read A Book Right Now

Take a few minutes to read something that you enjoy. Whether it’s a magazine, a book, a blog, or even a Facebook post, take some time for yourself to sit and read something just for you.

2. Call a Friend

How long has it been since you called your best friend? Call a friend up and talk to them for a few minutes. They’ll appreciate the sentiment and you’ll feel much better after you’ve caught up with your friend.

3. Color

Colour Me Good: Ryan Gosling by Mel Elliott – Best Sellers in Coloring Books for Grown-Ups

Adult coloring books are all the rage. Pick on up for yourself, or print off a few pages of one, and sit down for 10 minutes or less and just color. Don’t worry about anything else except the task at hand. Let your mind relax as you fill the colors in the lines.

4. Meditate

All you need is a few minutes to meditate. Meditating is especially helpful if you find yourself stressed out or anxious a lot. If you’ve never meditated before, try a guided meditation with an app like Calm. This will help you clear your mind and focus only on yourself while shutting off all other stressors.

5. Listen to Music

Music isn’t what we do, it’s who we are!

Music can be very therapeutic. Find a quiet place to relax for a few minutes and listen to two or three of your favorite songs. You’ll feel rejuvenated after this much needed break.

6. Go Outside

It’s official – you CAN walk away stress: Scientists discover how a stroll can soothe the brain

Go for a short walk outside – or just go outside and sit. Allow the air to refresh your senses and clear your mind as you take in the nature that surrounds you.

7. Journal

Find a quiet place and write down your thoughts. Journaling allows you to reflect on everything that you are thinking and feeling. Write down positive thoughts and things you are grateful for.

The post 10 Minutes To Better Self-Care appeared first on InstantELLA.

Don’t be overwhelmed just yet. If you play your cards right, summer vacations can be a time of fun, learning and rediscovery of your own youth! Here’s how you do it.

Create a Routine

It does not end with planning a drive down to the beach or renting the perfect beach-house getaway. I’d recommend chalking out a schedule, planner or routine of activities even before summer starts. That way you will not only be prepared on day #1 but you would have been able to pre-register and save a spot for all those outdoor summer activities as well, you know what they say about the early bird. Obviously, having a plan would also ensure you’re making the best use of time and opportunities during this vacation.

A quick tip on planning the summer for your kids – include a mix of activities because children get bored easy and love variety. While a large part of summer is about the kids, it’s not all about them. Remember that you need to be relaxed and having fun too. Don’t cram your calendar with activities 24/7. Not only will that burn you out (and may burn out the kids too) but it leaves no room for re-adjustment or tweaking, and that’s no fun! Lol. Take on only as much as you’ll logically be able to handle and save room for downtime.

Having said that here are a couple of activities you and your kids can include in your summer routine.

Interactive Learning

Summer is all about Fun and so is Interactive Learning.  It involves a PC, tablet or other devices, interactive software, immediate answers to queries, virtual rewards and badges/ titles for performance and even online competitions. Sound like a video-game? Yes, because it pretty much is and that is exactly why kids find it so much fun. Except they’re learning along the way too.

American educational technology companies like IXL, through their online tools and website, offer students a chance to practice educational material. Often affiliated and recommended by the Public-School System, they provide students an engaging yet focused environment in which to excel. Sign-ups are free, through the affiliated school and students like my kids can use them throughout the year. Hint: even during summer

Registering your kid(s) at the Local Library’s online Summer Reading Programme is another great example of interactive learning. These programmes include several other exciting activities that go along with reading. My kids, for example read “The giving Tree” and then completed the lesson by planting a sapling in our backyard. They also enjoyed building their original Legos after reading a book on Lego design; and made their own tin can- robots after attending a book reading at the library which focused on robots and machines. Find IT Virginia and similar free online resources provide opportunities for e-reading and learning.

The possibilities are truly endless and I would have killed to have these opportunities growing up, but am happy my kids have them now. Better late than never.

The great outdoors

Physical activity is as important as mental health. My husband and I start our day with a jog around the neighborhood, while the kids do 2 laps each on their bicycles. It doesn’t matter who beats who to the house first, but we all return awake, alive and hungry. Whoever gets home first kills time playing some good old-fashioned basketball outside.

We take it easier on the weekends and substitute the jogs and bike rides for a day of mini-golf, bowling or the park.

And while a trip to the beach is a must, if you’re looking for local activities, Facebook Events  and Groupon Coupons could be a good place to start. Explore local events and workshops , take the kids to the amusement and water parks or the local fare, state-parks and museums, buy putt-putt, laser-tag, roller-skating and arcade game coupons for the family on Groupon at a discounted rate. Save some money, Explore, and thou shall find!

And don’t forget, your own backyard can be an ideal place to spend some time – if you’ve got a pool, make sure you search for a pool service near me to keep it clean and hygienic, but even without a pool, your own outdoor space can be a fantastic place for some truly wonderful adventures. 

Help Around the House

With great fun comes serious responsibility. If you haven’t already, take this time to teach the kids the nuances of laundry, doing the dishes, helping fix a meal and generally cleaning up after themselves.  It will go a long way in teaching them responsibility and preparing them for success as adults. Initially, I used to get a lot of pushback from my kids. It started with the “do we have to?”  but after gentle persuasion it’s slowly shifting to “can I help?”. Why surely, you can!!

Get a Pet

Now’s as good a time as any to get a pet for your kids to play with. My kids brought home 2 hermit crabs – Hermie and Sebastian – from the beach this summer. They had been after us for a while to get them a dog or cat. Since these cute little crabs are low maintenance, we figured it would be a good compromise. The bonus is the kids learn a little responsibility. They have researched how to take care of the hermit crabs and decorated the crab tank on their own with minimum supervision from us adults. Who knows, if the crabs survive a couple years, they might earn their puppy or kitten one day.

Indoor Fun

Ever heard the phrases “What do I do now?” or “I’m bored” from your kid(s), implying that you as the adult, are automatically supposed to come up with a solution to fix the ‘boredom’? Not anymore. This year I invested in arts & crafts, board-games, books, Legos and DIY projects to keep the kids engaged and entertained all summer long.

Some of the more interesting games that both kids and adults can play include, Connect Four, Jenga, UNO, Scrabble, and Monopoly. These never get old. Lego building is another activity that the boys and my husband enjoy and have organized several competitions around them.

We have family game nights where in addition to playing board games we all descend into the basement for a game of Pool or tag team Video Gaming. Other nights we chill over Netflix. Choosing Trilogies and other movie series like Aliens, The Godfather or Star Wars may work well during the summers when you can watch the series back to back and the kids don’t have school the next day.

Execute the Routine

Having created a schedule, it’s important to execute. The easiest way to do this is working as a team. After drafting the schedule, my husband and I discussed it with the kids to get their feedback and buy-in. Once everyone agreed, I had the kids replicate the schedule on a calendar in their room. Now they too share responsibility in keeping track of daily and weekly activities.

While some kids can be stubborn or rebellious, I honestly believe that all kids want structure and do well when given clear directions. Creating and executing a daily routine during the summers help build structure and discipline into the day. The kids have fun, parents can manage their time better and it’s a win-win all around. You know you’ve hit the nail on the mark when reminders and instructions become fewer and smiles and laughter greater!

Remember to have Fun!!

Summer comes along once a year and so it’s important to remember to have fun, irrespective of the activity on the routine. The routine is just a guideline meant to organize the day, not to limit fun. The routine should be flexible. If at some point activities need to be rescheduled, removed or added to the plan, go ahead and make alterations to the routine. As long as everyone is on-board and having fun, you’ll be fine.

It’s been just a few weeks of summer for my kids. Not only have I survived, but I must admit I’m actually looking forward to the weeks ahead. My secret lies in creating a balanced routine that includes having all out fun while learning, growing, being creative and unlocking hidden talents together!

The post Beach More, Worry Less : Smart Tips & Activities To Keep Kids Engaged This Summer appeared first on InstantELLA.