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#80 Feed Your Brain

Wear a helmet when climbing trees – unless you are a tree kangaroo of course

The brain is such a complex part of us that it seems almost mystical. We think, and we think a lot. Where are those thoughts? How do we remember as much as we do? Sitting at the top of our heads and protected by eight bones –  one frontal, two parietal, two temporal, one occipital, one sphenoid and one ethmoid bone – the brain is shielded by armour designed to protect what is essentially the most important part of us.

How we live and what we do affects the health of the brain in multiple ways. In this study, researchers found that mental well-being, exercise, cognitively stimulating activities, sleep, nutrition, and social connectedness all affect brain health. There is also evidence that lifestyle factors and diseases that influence the health of blood vessels, such as smoking, high blood pressure, obesity, and diabetes, also affect the health of the brain.

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Up Your Brain Game

Use your head in more ways than one

Life is coming at you at warp speed. You need to stay sharp. You have tough decisions to make, you need to be on your toes and there is no time for brain fog.

Is there anything you can do that can help?

Actually, there is.

Eight Ways to Move Your Brain to the Fast Lane

  1. Exercise – This doesn’t mean an hour at the gym every day. Just 20 minutes of walking can do the trick, but make sure to make it a habit. Ideally this should be a daily activity.
  2. Fresh Air – Kill two birds with one stone and walk outside. Getting out of stuffy indoor air and out into nature is important for brain health. Try to find a place to walk where there isn’t too much traffic, as that defeats the purpose of breathing in fresh air.
  3. Sleep – Quality is always better than quantity. Make sure your room is cool and as dark as possible. Blackout curtains are a good investment. Peace and quiet are important as well.
  4. Meditate – Sit in silence for 10-15 minutes a day. There are lots of apps that can help you when you first start out. Giving the brain time to relax and recharge during the day will make a big difference in your ability to think.
  5. Eat Berries – Including a variety of fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet is a big help, as they are full of antioxidants. Take advantage of the healing power of berries to help your body and brain use oxygen more efficiently.
  6. Get Fat into Your Diet – The right kind of fat is important and often lacking in most diets. Essential fatty acids must be obtained through food because the body can’t manufacture them. Walnuts and flaxseeds are great sources of both Omega-3 and Omega-6 EFA’s.
  7. Mix it Up – Your routine that is. The brain will generate new neural pathways when you challenge it with games, puzzles, and a change in routine. Don’t get stuck in the same rut every day because your brain will be stuck right with you.
  8. Breathe – Yes, you are always breathing. But are you paying attention to the breath? As often as you think about it, fill your lungs up deeply and hold the air in for a few seconds. Release it slowly and notice how good it makes you feel. We spend most of the day breathing into only a small portion of the lungs.

These are easy ways to improve your brainpower every day. If you can minimize stress and take steps to protect your brain from injuries, you can maintain strong cognitive function for many years to come.