Wellness by Anne:
Boost your Brain Power

by Anne

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Boost Your Brain Power

When it comes to school, most people wish they had photographic memory. Just think of how easy it would be to pass all your courses. You would have much more free time and much less stress! You would practically have your degree handed to you when you registered for your first semester!

Unfortunately, few of us have that kind of memory. As we age, “old age” robs us of our ability to learn and retain the information. There is a way to combat memory loss and even improve your memory both on a short-term and long-term basis. Just like homework, it takes a little practice to master your own mind!

Mental Fitness is as important as physical fitness. Challenge your mind on a regular basis. It doesn’t mean that you have to take tough courses that are complicated or that you have to become a rocket scientist. It simply means that you should use your mind. Try the crossword in today’s paper, read a book, challenge yourself to balance your checkbook without a calculator (you can always double check it later), be creative and write a story, or draw a picture.

The more you use your mind, the less likely you will be to develop health conditions that weaken you mind, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Disease. Studies have shown that people who have these conditions and have challenged their minds consistently have been able to at least maintain, if not improve, their mental health.

Toxic Brew. What do you put on your skin? Consume? Breathe? Or generally expose yourself to? “What does this have to do with my memory?” you ask. A lot. What goes in, may not all come out! Your body stores toxins in fat cells and any place else it can put it. Generally speaking, the toxins absorb water more quickly and swell. This can result in cosmetic problems like cellulite or painful problems like headaches. Have you ever tried to study with a headache? You probably didn’t get too much done.

Make a list right now. Write down everything you can think of that might be toxic to your body. The first few thoughts might be air pollution, water pollution, and food contamination. Maybe you thought of radiation from the electrical towers, cell phones, computer monitors, or microwaves.

Take a closer look. What do you wash your face with? Brush your teeth with? Wash your clothes with? Do you wear cologne or perfume? Scented lotions or an after shave? How about deodorant? Do you use a foot powder? Are you taking any pharmaceutical medications? Do you use candles or room deodorizers?

The list can go on and on. The substances in many of the above products are synthetic chemicals that can irritate mucus membranes, immune systems, nervous function, and more. Suffering from an allergic reaction can be mild on the outside with a reaction resulting in a histamine response; hives, itchy throat, runny nose, watery eyes.

What is really happening inside? Any energy that can be spared goes right to your immune system. Digestion is stalled, cortisol increases, your immune system is fired up into overdrive … your body stops working normally and reacts as if your life is on the line! Many synthetic chemicals reek havoc on your body by being a nerve toxin. This means, your brain and nervous system are being attacked. (If you are busy fighting the bad guys, who has time to remember biochemistry or calculus?) Pain pathways are alerted and overtime you feel ill and fatigued.

Look for all natural products. This time when you are sleeping, the laundry detergent won’t leach into your skin! Eat organic fruits and vegetables, free-range animal meat. If these are not available, be sure to at least wash the non-organic fruits and vegetables. You’ll minimize the toxins going into your body. You can also detoxify. This is something that you should have a professional assist you with, at least your first time, so you know what to expect and have the proper knowledge of how to do it.

De-Stress yourself! Use meditation, Tai Chi, exercise, hobbies, massage therapy, or long walks to refocus your mind and release the tension you’ve accumulated. If you experience physical discomforts of a health condition, you can be easily distracted mentally. Emotional and physical stresses can disconnect you from your studies and work life.

• Set short-term goals that are attainable. Tell others about your goals so your level of commitment is strengthened.

• Make time for yourself. Your life is about you, so live it that way … while being considerate of others.

• Give yourself a break physically, emotionally, and mentally at least for 10-minutes each day. This can consist of deep breathing, stretching, or silence.

• Put yourself in a neutral environment, close your eyes, and let your thoughts flow. Bring a pen and paper with you and write all your thoughts as they come to you. Write everything down without hesitation. When your mind becomes silent, enjoy the feeling for several minutes (or as long as you can).

• Affirmations are wonderful for positive reinforcement, self-esteem building, and motivation to achieve goals and dreams. Develop your own affirmations. Write at least four different affirmations. Be sure they are in the present tense, positive, and contain only positive wording. Here are some examples.

• Personal: I wake up rested and refreshed each morning. I am confident speaking in front of an audience.

• Student: I accept the challenges of education and maintain a 4.0 with ease.

• Professional: I am a magnet for success. Money comes to me from all directions and I accept it graciously.

• Social: I am surrounded by positive people and the quality of my life increases each day.

Sleep at least 6 solid hours each night. Eight hours is the optimal amount of time for the average adult in the United States. Lavender and Chamomile are two herbs that can help balance the sleep patterns. Valerian Root is another herb that has been used to promote relaxation to assist in falling asleep. Avoid eating or drinking after 7pm. This will keep your body in a detox-mode as well as keep you from having to visit the bathroom during the night.

Nutritional support provides your brain with the nutrients and energy it needs to function. What kind of things you feed it, depends on how well it operates. For quick energy or “fast food” for your brain, eat simple sugars. Your brain functions nearly 100% on carbohydrates. If you have poor health or your blood sugar is low, your mental function suffers. You may feel lethargic or dizzy and even nauseated.

Omega-3 is a great source of brain food. You can find Omega-3 in fish and flax seed. Nutritional supplements that contain Omega-3 may also contain Omega-6 and -9. Omega-3 improves circulation.

Lecithin is a natural compound that helps the body absorb fat-soluble nutrients, like betacarotene and Vitamins A, D, E, and K. Soy lecithin is the primary dietary source of choline, an ingredient that can support brain, liver, cardiovascular, and reproductive health. This component is involved in the transmission of the messages in the brain and nervous system. In other words, it helps make the message clearer.

Phytonutrients prevent your body from “rusting!” These are specialized compounds that are found in fruits, vegetables, and plants which provide the body with powerful antioxidant protection. Some excellent natural sources are blueberries, red grapes, and green leafy vegetables.

For further information, please contact Anne’s Wellness Center at 315-733-4581 or on the web at www.AnnesWellnessCenter.com . Suggestions for future articles are welcomed and can be emailed to anne@AnnesWellnessCenter.com . Anne’s Wellness Center offers services and products to balance and maintain a healthy lifestyle and improve your quality of living.