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Did you know? One of the most integral aspects of cognitive function is hydration. Not only is drinking enough water necessary for the rest of our body, it also has a huge impact on our brains’ capabilities. “Being dehydrated by just 2% impairs performance in tasks that require attention, psychomotor, and immediate memory skills.”

If you feel your brain may be getting foggy while doing a task, or you’re having a hard time paying attention in class, ask yourself when was the last time you drank water. While dehydration isn’t the only reason for decreased cognitive performance, it is certainly a good place to start.

Source: Adan A. Cognitive performance and dehydration. J Am Coll Nutr. 2012 Apr;31(2):71-8. doi: 10.1080/07315724.2012.10720011. PMID: 22855911.

In this age of technological advancements, most of us have given up the art of handwriting for typing- whether that be on mobile device or actual keyboard. Nothing wrong with that switch. Right?

Turns out, “giving up this slower, more tactile way of expressing ourselves may come at a significant cost, according to a growing body of research that’s uncovering the surprising cognitive benefits of taking pen to paper, or even stylus to iPad — for both children and adults” (NPR).

Even though both handwriting and typing involve movement from our hands and fingers to create words, handwriting actually creates a deeper engagement of the brain by requiring more fine-tuned coordination between motor and visual systems.

Given handwriting’s shown cognitive benefits, it is w

 Fun Fact of the Day: As humans, we love to brag about our brain power, but there are 3 animals that give us some serious memory competition. The real MVPs for outstanding memory capabilities are squirrels, elephants and dolphins.

Raise your coffee cups my friends!