Key Takeaways

The start of a school year can bring stress, rushed mornings, and sometimes a little chaos as parents (and teachers) transition from summer break to a new academic year with hopes for smooth, calm success. During these shifts in routine, mental focus, cognitive health, and sustainable energy are in high demand to aid in a smooth transition for the entire family. Here, we’re not only discussing the need for these brain-health related elements, but you’ll also find our favorite Lifeboost selections specifically designed to support focus, brain health, and lasting energy. 

• Back-To-School Survival Guide For Parents: Focus, Brain Boosts, and Sustainable Energy - a look at how these elements are needed in the face of a new school year morning routine including how they can support a calm, successful transition
  
• Lifeboost Coffee Morning Routine Must-Haves For Back-To-School Success: potential benefits of Lifeboost Longevity Latte (including Lifeboost Cognition Coffee) and Mindflow, discussing how these additions to a morning routine could provide support in areas such as focus, cognitive health, and sustained energy 

As summer fades and fall begins to gently whisper its welcome over the not-so-distant horizon, this transition means something entirely different for parents (and teachers).

Gone are the days of late nights enjoying every last ounce of summer warmth and lazy mornings where time is granted a seasonal permission to seemingly disappear against the backdrop of playdates, the occasional afternoon nap after pool or lake fun, and a strict calendar happily collecting dust.

Ah yes, it’s time to lock in again as many children and teens head back to school! 

Of course, we’re well aware that there’s plenty of fun to be had and moments to enjoy throughout each school year; however, parents and teachers alike are shifting their homes and schedules right about now, readjusting their morning routines for earlier wake-up times, busy breakfasts, bus schedules, drop off lines, and all of the intricate details necessary for their children/students to have a pleasant and successful year. 

The thing is, unless you’re doing this for the first time (here’s an extra hug for those pre-K and Kindergarten parents) you know how much this shift can affect you - the lack of sleep, the lack of motivation, the eventual necessary nagging just to get your kids up and moving in the morning - you know the feeling, the one where it seems like you’re being pulled in 100 different directions at once. 

…and we’ve not even made it to the first morning school bell yet! 

We get it. 

As wonderful as each school year can be, bringing so many opportunities for involvement and enjoyment, this shift can leave parents and teachers feeling a little frazzled. 

And that’s where we come in…

Staying focused, fueling your brain, and maintaining energy levels throughout the day are just as necessary for parents as the new books, pencils, pens, tech-accessories, backpacks, and school clothes your children require on their own journey towards success. 

So today, we’d like to discuss the importance of these necessities as well as a few back-to-school morning coffee additions or tweaks that could make all the difference!

Back-To-School Survival Guide For Parents: Focus, Brain Boosts, And Sustainable Energy 

Your morning routine sets the tone for your entire day. 

The above line is something you’ve likely heard throughout your life, but it’s not just a common motivational statement. 

Neuroscientists have actually found that the more predictable an event is (yes, even something as simple as a morning routine), the easier it is for your brain to react quickly and efficiently (1). 

The thing is, adjusting to morning routines at the beginning of the school year can feel like your brain is anything but quick and efficient. 

This is why it’s important to establish routines early, especially those which have the potential to support your brain’s needs amidst the chaos of juggling schedules, packing lunches, carpooling, school drop-off, etc. 

And below, you’ll find three areas to prioritize as parents (and teachers) to help you get into this year’s back-to-school routine with ease.

1- Focus

I don’t know about you, but when my kids were younger, specifically during those elementary school years, my morning brain was foggy to say the least.

It often felt like it would take me several hours before I truly felt like my brain was firing on all cylinders. 

And, as you already know, a foggy brain and a new morning back-to-school routine are not a good combination. 

Why? Because the ability to focus is essential for smooth mornings. 

Mental clarity and focus are important for parents because this affects both you and your children (2). 

A focused, clear parent can reduce the seemingly inevitable chaos that is often associated with the start of a new school year. 

Changes seem less daunting, anxieties are calmed and needed structure and consistency can be built (2, 3) when your mind is clear. 

Unfortunately, lack of sleep and stress both hinder the ability to think clearly and concentrate (4), and we all know that a new school year is often ripe with sleep disruptions and stress. 

Obviously, we highly recommend prioritizing sleep, nutrition, hydration, and movement to aid in these areas, but stick around because (spoiler alert) you just might learn a few morning coffee routine additions and tweaks that provide support for your body and brain in this regard as well.

2- Brain Boosts

What are brain boosts? 

This is the phrase I like to use when describing ways to support brain health. 

The health of your brain affects so many areas, including the regulation of your emotions, concentration and clarity (as we mentioned above), stress tolerance, organization, and so much more (5, 6). 

Supporting your body, specifically your brain, can be a simple way to help you and your family when routines change, mornings are rushed, and tensions could otherwise be high. 

When you’re focused…

When your brain can easily adapt to new settings and quick changes…

When your brain can readily or easily regulate your emotions…

…each of these can help you better adjust to the demands typical of the beginning of a new school year (7, 8). 

Of course, these benefits aren’t just for parents. 

What we do as parents trickles down to our children, and a publication in Developmental Psychology confirmed this by simply examining healthy routines in families with school-aged children (9). 

The study observed those families that had strong routines in place - regular, predictable bedtimes, shared meals, etc. and these families reported lower levels of behavioral problems and fewer ADHD symptoms (9). 

However, despite having such routines in place, in those families where the parents were harsh or aggressive, including instances of yelling or threats, the benefits were diminished (9). 

If you’re a parent, you’re likely all too familiar with stress induced moments where you’ve found yourself on edge - perhaps you regrettably raised your voice or maybe you were entirely impatient. 

And, this is where attention to cognitive health is vital. 

Stress will come, whether we’ve supported our mind and body to best handle these instances or not. 

So, giving your brain what it needs to thrive is essential, especially when adjusting to new routines. 

• Parents are the CEOs of their homes, and as the boss, a healthy brain helps you plan, manage, and organize effectively, remaining focused amidst new challenges (10). 
• Emotion regulation is often spoken of in connection to learning and improved educational experiences for children, but as parents, a healthy brain helps you to regulate your emotions, promoting calm and reducing stress for your child as they begin their day (11). 
• You also need a healthy brain to sufficiently manage stress. Multiple parts of your brain - prefrontal cortex, hippocampus, amygdala - work together to aid in proper responses to stress (12). In other words, when cognitive health is supported, you’re better able to handle the stress that comes with a new school year morning routine.
  

3- Sustainable Energy

Sustainable is a term we often use when referring to organic farming practices. 

And, a small portion of what this entails involves looking at the long term as opposed to solely being focused on the “right here, right now.” 

Obviously, in farming, ignoring the future ramifications of the practices we incorporate in the present can have disastrous results. 

But, this is also true when it comes to the human body. 

Take coffee for instance, a quick fix of caffeine is great when you’re running on empty as you rush through a new morning routine; however, without careful attention to the type of fuel you’re using, that may result in an undesirable crash, or even a few jittery, nervous mom/dad moments when you find yourself rushing out the door to make it to school drop-off in time. 

A clean, thoughtful fuel source, instead, can reach to the heart of your body’s needs. 

But, I just need energy, so what other ‘needs’ are you talking about? 

Sometimes, those midmorning crashes are rooted in something deeper than we think. 

In this regard, it’s worth taking a look at your mitochondria - in other words, the energy source for your cells. 

Healthy mitochondria means sustained, steady fuel for your cells (13), and steady fuel for your cells means more physical and mental energy for you (14).  

So then, with all of the above in mind, I have one question for you…

Is your morning coffee routine fueling focus, supporting the health of your brain, and providing you with sustained energy as you transition into a new school year?

Lifeboost Coffee Morning Routine Must-Haves For Back to School Success

Coffee is a morning must-have for many people, whether it’s time for another school year to begin or not. 

And, if you’re gonna fuel your morning rush with clean, irresistibly delicious coffee, then why not opt for a brew that could offer a little extra support to keep you focused and ready to tackle back-to-school routines with clarity, energy, and joy?

As some of you may know, we introduced a few new coffees within the last couple of years here at Lifeboost, specifically those with a focus on cognitive health. 

So, before we close, we want to take a closer look at some of these brews, specifically examining how these incredible sips could aid in each of the areas we discussed above - focus, brain boosts, and sustainable energy.

Longevity Latte

Our Longevity Latte is a bundle which includes two of our most purposeful products - MitoCreamer and Cognition Mushroom Coffee. 

We actually created this bundle with simple, daily routines in mind, those which center around balance, clarity, and everyday wellness. 

And, with that description alone, you can see why we’d lead with this tasty package! 

Let’s start with our Cognition Mushroom Coffee…

Lifeboost Cognition Coffee is made with our beloved medium roast, single origin coffee infused with lion’s mane and chaga mushroom extracts. 

These extracts are eight times more potent than what you’ll find elsewhere, making Lifeboost Cognition Coffee the only low-acid mushroom coffee on the market with unparalleled strength. 

Why lion’s mane and chaga?

Lion’s mane mushrooms have been studied for their benefits to the brain regarding cognitive function, clarity, and more. 

Specifically, studies have shown lion’s mane may improve brain function by “enhancing memory, supporting mental clarity and focus, and decreasing brain fog” (15). 

These potential benefits are likely due to two special compounds found in lion’s mane, hericenones and erinacines, each of which has the ability to stimulate the growth of brain cells (16). 

Some preliminary trials have also shown promising results concerning lion’s mane, where findings suggest it may improve performance speed while also exerting a stress-reduction effect (17). 

Chaga mushrooms play a different role in brain health, where, instead of directly supporting cognitive functions (like focus and clarity), these antioxidant-rich superfoods work to combat inflammation and cellular stress which in turn can serve to keep your brain healthy and functioning well (18). 

As a bonus, chaga mushrooms may also support sustained energy levels, as “unlike caffeine, chaga provides steady, natural energy. Its adaptogenic properties help the body handle stress and sustain endurance without jitters or crashes” (19). 

But, as mentioned above, the Lifeboost Longevity Latte bundle doesn’t include our Cognition Coffee alone. 

Remember those cellular energy sources we mentioned in the section above - your mitochondria? 

We designed MitoCreamer specifically with this cellular fuel source in mind. 

MitoCreamer can be easily added to your favorite cup of Lifeboost Coffee, or for best brain support to your cup of Lifeboost Cognition Coffee, for a subtly creamy taste and texture, amplifying your sipping experience while also providing support for overall cellular wellness. 

And, to reiterate what we mentioned above - healthy mitochondria means a healthy, steady source of fuel for your cells and you!

Mindflow

What is Mindflow and how can it help fuel my mornings in a clean, healthy way? 

Our CEO, Dr. Charles, explains Mindflow best - “Mindflow was created to give people a clean, research-supported way to feel mentally sharper and more focused throughout the day without the crash.” 

Essentially, it’s like an instant coffee that’s supporting your body and brain through much more than coffee alone. 

And, this powerful support is made possible through a carefully crafted blend of the following ingredients: 

• CognatiQ: derived from whole coffee fruit, which is clinically shown to support BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor), essential for learning and memory (20). 
• Alpha-GPC: highly available source of choline and supports acetylcholine production, the neurotransmitter responsible for attention and signal speed (21). 
• Lion’s Mane: supports mental clarity/focus without psychedelic effects (17). 
• Chaga: naturally antioxidant-rich to support your body and brain’s fight against inflammation and oxidative stress (18). 
• ElectroPrime: provides hydration to keep you focused, offsetting the diuretic effects of caffeine to keep your neurons firing (22). 
• Collagen: grass-fed source that supports a healthy gut-brain connection (23). 
• Low Acid Arabica Coffee: smooth, natural caffeine to spark your brain into action, supporting healthy functioning, without the harsh edge of synthetic sources (24).

Beyond each of these mental focus, brain health, and sustainable energy supports, Mindflow also takes the prep-work out of your morning coffee routine as you only need to add a tablespoon to hot or cold water (3-8 ounces), froth for 20 seconds, add any extras like milk, ice, or sweeteners, and enjoy! 

Whether it’s our Longevity Latte bundle, Mindflow, or perhaps a staggered serving of each, these can provide a boost to your back-to-school morning routine through intentional brain and body support.

FAQ

1- What’s in MitoCreamer and how do you use it?

MitoCreamer is a functional coffee creamer made with purposeful ingredients such as collagen, C8 MCT oil, electrolytes, and wellness supporting compounds. 

You can add a single scoop to your hot cup of coffee and stir it in, or you can blend/froth it into milk or cream for a boosted frothy, creamy texture.

2- Does MitoCreamer contain dairy? 

It contains collagen from bovine sources. There is no traditional dairy like milk or cream in it, but it is not vegan. 

3- Does Lifeboost Cognition Coffee taste like mushrooms? 

It does have a slightly earthy flavor due to the mushrooms, but the taste is subtle and not overpowering. 

4- Will mushroom coffee interact with medications? 

Some mushrooms may interact with medications such as blood thinners, immunosuppressants, or diabetes medications. 

If you take prescription medications, speak with your healthcare provider before adding mushroom coffee to your routine. 

5- How is Mindflow different from regular instant coffee? 

Mindflow delivers more than a typical caffeine boost, with enhanced focus, cognitive clarity, mood support, and long-term brain benefits. 

Combining organic instant coffee with brain boosting ingredients, it supports mental performance without the crash. 

6- What does Mindflow taste like? 

Mindflow has a smooth, rich coffee flavor. The mushroom extracts (lion’s mane and chaga) are formulated for cognitive benefits but don’t add an earthy/mushroom taste.

Cognition Mushroom Ground coffee

Truly revolutionary coffee. You'll love the taste to the last drop!

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Medical Disclaimer: This content is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended to provide medical advice, make health or medical claims, or to take the place of such advice or treatment from a personal physician. All readers/viewers of this content are advised to consult their doctors or qualified health professionals regarding specific health questions. Neither Dr. Charles Livingston nor the publisher of this content takes responsibility for possible health consequences of any person or persons reading or following the information in this educational content. All viewers of this content, especially those taking prescription or over-the-counter medications, should consult their physicians before beginning any nutrition, supplement or lifestyle program. Additionally, the way coffee is grown, low acid coffee, decaf coffee, as well as different roast types (light, medium, dark, etc.) can alter caffeine levels. If you have questions about the caffeine levels or pH levels of our coffee, please reach out to our team for clarification. If you have any concerns with how our coffee, or any product will affect you or your health, consult with a health professional directly.

Becky Livingston Vance Content writer

Becky is a mother, educator, and content writer for Lifeboost Coffee. She has had three years’ experience as a writer, and in that time she has enjoyed creatively composing articles and ebooks covering the topics of coffee, health and fitness, education, recipes, and relationships.