During these days of staying at home, our brains are under more stress than usual, and we may be on auto-pilot for longer hours of the day.
With Alzheimer’s and dementia rapidly rising people are thinking more about the health of their brains, and want to know what they can do to protect and even improve the health of their brains.
Brain disease is cruel. I watched my dad suffer for years with Alzheimer’s… stealing his life day by day for years. So brain health is so important to me and my family. We want to do everything we can to protect the most important part of who we are.
The great news is, we can make choices every day that will have a huge impact on the health of our brains!
Can you change your brain?
According to brain expert Dr. Daniel Amen, you can. He is an expert in his field and his passion is brain health. You can find him on podcasts, and he has many books out which will give you hope and strategies in how you can have optimal brain health. The best news is, it’s never too late!
So where do you start? It starts in your pantry.
It always goes back to what you put into your mouth. Hippocrates was right when he said centuries ago that “Let food be thy medicine, and medicine be thy food.” We finally see the truth in those wise words. If you’re serious about wanting to change your brain, you have to change the way you eat.
That means processed, junkie, sugary foods have to go. If that’s too overwhelming, get rid of at least 1/2, but make an effort to eliminate as much as you can of brain wrecking foods.
If your not a big vegetable person, start with a smoothie every day. You won’t even taste all those veggies when you mix in some fruit. Add in fresh or frozen avocado to make it extra creamy and brain-healthy fat-loving! You won’t even taste it! Your brain loves fat, and when you start the day like this, it wakes your brain up and makes you more alert and energetic for the rest of the day.
Don’t load up your smoothie with sugary yogurts and juices though! Your brain doesn’t need it or want it. Stick to real foods!
Meditation and prayer for brain health
It’s been proven that meditation and prayer can change your brain. When you quiet your soul, healing takes place in the deep parts of your brain. These practices help the growth of gray matter and nerve cells in the brain and reduce activity in the amygdala, which will help you have a calmer life. We all want that and need it especially during these days of isolation.
Sleep and repair your brain
Not sleeping enough wrecks your health and your brain. When your sleeping at night, your brain goes through a powerwash. It’s clearing out all the junk that has built up. When your sleep-deprived, that washing is diminished greatly and your brain gets unhealthy. Ever have brain fog? You just may need a good night’s sleep and a brain cleaning!
Reduce your phone time
If we could see how our phones are changing our brains, we probably would limit our use of them GREATLY! It’s true. Our phones are rewiring our brains and not in a good way! Track your phone time and be shocked. It will be easier to limit how much time you’re on it when that reality hits you.
Keep learning!
Don’t stay in a comfort zone. While being at home, maybe take an online course and learn something new, even if it’s challenging and uncomfortable!
Your brain is a muscle and it needs to be worked out! Don’t do the same thing every day! We can get into habits easily if we’re not mindful. Just by brushing your teeth with your opposite hand has been shown to produce new brain activity. So simple, but has big brain benefits!
Supplements and a quiz for your brain
Omega 3’s, and vitamin D to start. I also recommend taking a free brain quiz online by Dr. Daniel Amen to see where you are lacking. It can be eye-opening, and it’s so informative about how you can increase the health of your brain. It will reveal areas that could use some extra support, which will overall support your brain for the rest of your life.
Yep, you have to exercise
Find something you love to do and do it. Your brain loves when you exercise because you’re making it stronger! Exercise also increases oxygen to the brain which is so healthy. Start slow if this is new for you, but start. Your brain will be so happy!
Lift some weights at home, go outside with safe social distancing, and get your body moving.
Implementing any of these changes into your life will have you on the road to a healthier brain. Start with one, or dive in and try them all!
Life is precious. Let’s remember every moment of it for a long time with doing our part in protecting our brains and making brain health a top priority!
Until next time,
~pat
