Dear Students,
Announcement:
We are excited to invite you to join us for a free online series focused on supporting memory, brain health, and mental wellness.
The series begins on Wednesday, October 8, from 1:00–2:00 PM (PST).
🔹 RSVP is required (https://forms.gle/WAPsB4UxXkAPWcrE7)
📣 Feel free to share the RSVP link with friends, family, or anyone who might be interested!
This Week: Habits & the Brain – How They Form and How to Break Them
This week, we’ll explore how habits—automatic behaviors shaped by repetition—help the brain save energy by running on autopilot. Habits follow a cue-routine-reward loop and become deeply ingrained, making them tough to break but not impossible. Instead of erasing old habits, we can replace them by avoiding triggers, adopting healthier routines, and reinforcing new behaviors with satisfying rewards. Thanks to neuroplasticity, our brains can rewire through consistent practice. Building new habits means making cues obvious, routines easy and enjoyable, and rewards immediate. Lasting success comes from self-awareness, accountability, identity-based thinking, and embracing the “never miss twice” rule. Small, steady changes lead to powerful, lasting transformation.
Last Week: Getting Involved in Clinical Trials for Brain Research
Last week, we explored common misconceptions about clinical trials, emphasizing the essential roles that both healthy volunteers and individuals with medical conditions play in driving scientific progress. We clarified how clinical trials are carefully regulated, ethically conducted, and vital for developing new treatments. Additionally, we highlighted several current clinical trials actively recruiting participants in San Diego, offering real-world examples of how people can contribute to medical advancements.
Topics Zoom Sessions
Monday, 9:30 - 11:30 AM (Erika Peralta, Instructor)
Tuesday, 10-12 PM (Minoo Pakgohar, Instructor)
Wednesday 9:30 - 11:30 AM (Minoo Pakgohar, Instructor)
Wednesday 6:30 – 8: 30 PM (Charisse Winston, Instructor)
Thursday 10 - 12:00 PM (Charisse Winston, Instructor)
Thursday 1:00 - 3:00 PM (Sharon Gregory, Instructor)
Friday 9:30 - 11:30 AM (Erika Peralta, Instructor)
Special topics (separate registration)
Brain Fitness Lab: Cognitive Wellness Through Hands-On Exercises and Living Stories, Monday 10:00 – 12:00 PM (Yael Lorberfeld, Instructor)
Understanding Alzheimer’s Disease: Insights and Strategies for Care and Support, Tuesday 1:00 – 3:00 PM (Minoo Pakgohar, instructor)
Diverse Approaches to Brain Health, Tuesday 6:00 - 8:00 PM (Mindy Sloan, Instructor)
Remember, as a Brain Fitness student you are welcome to attend any of the Brain Fitness classes, even more than one a week.
Quick Links (all blue colored & underlined words are live links)
Course website: bfclass.com
BrainHQ site: https://v4.brainhq.com/
Student site with schedule and more: sdcestudent55.com
Site to enroll in classes: myportal.sdccd.edu
Official SDCCE site: sdcce.edu
Enjoy a brain-healthy week! We look forward to seeing you in our new semester.
Mindy, Yael, Sharon, Erica, Charisse, Desiree & Minoo
Mindy Jo Sloan, Ph.D.
msloan@sdccd.edu
Yael Lorberfeld. MA
Sharon Gregory
sgregory001@sdccd.edu
Erica Peralta, MS
eperalta@sdccd.edu
Charisse Winston, Ph.D.
Desirree Harguess, DPT
Minoo Pakgohar, Ph.D.
mpakgohar@sdccd.edu