Jackson Hospital | Partners | SPRING 2016

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4 Jackson Hospital
COMMUNITY BRAINY
IDEAS for
summer fun CATHEDRAL CAVERNS STATE PARK
256-728-8193
637 Cave Road, Woodville, AL 35769
Originally called Bat Cave, Cathedral Caverns was
opened to the public by Jacob Gurley in the 1950s. The
cave was renamed because of its cathedral-like appear-
ance. Cave tours are scheduled throughout the day.
The cave is also wheelchair-accessible. In addition to
cave tours, Cathedral Caverns State Park also features
gemstone mining, an activity for any age but especially
popular with younger visitors.
THE CHILDREN’S
HANDS-ON
MUSEUM
205-349-4235
2213 University Blvd., Tuscaloosa, AL
The Children’s Hands-On Museum permanent
exhibits were designed to stimulate children’s
curiosity about their community and their place
in it and to involve children, parents, teachers
and others in participatory education. Exhibits
include a Choctaw Native American village; a
historical gallery, including a general store, a
bank, a print shop and Grandmother’s Attic; a
hospital; and a planetarium. Newer exhibits in-
clude a replica of the wheelhouse of a towboat;
a developmental center for preschoolers called
Beavers’ Bend; the Japan House; Central Drug;
and the Arts Studio. The most recent additions
include Once Upon a Farm; Lil’ Sprouts Farmers
Market; the Creation Station, a hands-on center
for art and creativity; and Beyond the Garden
Gate.
Ah, those lazy, hazy days of summer.
Think vacations. Think school breaks. It seems
like a good time for the entire family to just chill
and not do any heavy mental lifting.
As tempting as that may sound, however,
maintaining good brain health is a year-round ac-
tivity. Here are a few fun and easy ways to help
keep everyone’s brain healthy this summer:
Get physical. Head outside with the kids for
some hiking or biking—aerobic exercise gets the
heart pumping. And that helps keep the brain
fed with a healthy supply of blood and oxy-
gen. It can even spur production of new brain
cells, according to the Alzheimer’s Association.
One large study linked fitness in midlife with a
reduced risk for dementia in older age.
Just make sure all bike riders wear a helmet—
it helps protect the brain from trauma in case of
an accident or fall.
Be a brainiac. Read a book while lounging
at the beach. Break out word games for family
game night. Forcing yourself to think can add
new brain cells and solidify their connections.
Serve some food for thought. Summer is
the perfect time to head to your local farmers
market for foods high in brain-friendly antioxi-
dants. Look for:
•Dark-colored vegetables, like kale, spinach,
broccoli and beets
•Berries—blue, black and red
•Cherries and plums
Also, when firing up the grill, throw on some
salmon, trout, mackerel or other fish high in
omega-3 fatty acids, which are good for the
brain.
And, finally, don’t forget that all-time favorite
summer food—corn on the cob. It’s a brain
pleaser too. Don’t slather it with butter, however.
Eating too many foods high in cholesterol and
saturated fat, like butter, may raise the risk for
Alzheimer’s disease.
SUMMER FUN
Seven Alabama