Maria Mangini Thrive Consultation Services

09/15/2025

09/08/2025

Suddenly no more grandparents were dying on Monday mornings.

A UK high school changed its start time from 8:50 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. and the results were incredible. Student absences due to illness dropped by over 50%, and academic performance improved by 12%.

This wasn't just a small tweak - it was a 70-minute delay that aligned with teenagers' natural sleep patterns. For four years, researchers tracked what happened when the school made this change, then switched back to the earlier time.

During the 10:00 a.m. period, sick days plummeted. Students were healthier, more alert, and performed better on national exams. When they switched back to 8:50 a.m.? Illness rates shot back up by 30%.

The science has been clear for years - teenage brains are wired to stay up later and wake up later. Their circadian rhythms naturally shift during adolescence, making early mornings genuinely difficult, not just laziness.

But this study proved what many suspected: when schools work with biology instead of against it, everyone wins. Students are healthier, learn better, and miss less school.

Maybe it's time to stop forcing teenagers to fight their own biology just to sit in first period.



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09/04/2025

Sometimes the best progress is taking a break🍂🤎 //

09/01/2025

This is the 'insta-gram' the world needs right now.

08/16/2025

Children who spend at least 60 minutes outdoors each day gain more than just physical exercise — they nurture critical cognitive skills. Outdoor play exposes kids to ever-changing environments, unstructured activities, and natural challenges, which require them to think creatively and solve problems on the spot. Whether they’re figuring out how to build a fort, navigating a playground obstacle, or inventing new games with friends, they’re constantly engaging their imagination and decision-making abilities.

Unlike structured indoor activities, outdoor play encourages experimentation without strict rules or predetermined outcomes. This freedom fosters resilience, adaptability, and innovative thinking. The sensory stimulation from nature — fresh air, varied textures, and dynamic sounds — also boosts brain function, making it easier for children to approach challenges from multiple perspectives. Over time, daily outdoor activity not only strengthens their bodies but also lays the foundation for sharper thinking, better teamwork, and a lifelong love of creative problem-solving.