I'm sure you have said to yourself one time or another, "why do I feel so tired and run

down?" I have asked myself the same question several times.

Have you ever considered that your brain may be tired or run down? Yes your brain can get tired just like your body. Your brain is the largest muscle in your entire body and it always needs support. Like your gut your brain is the Grand Central Station of your body. It directs all systems like your endocrine, nervous, respiratory, circulatory, and pulmonary system.

It is the "Oz," of all things in your body.

So why do we treat our brain like a second class citizen?

Sure we can exercise more, eat healthy, and play Sudoku every day, but what else can we do to prevent Brain Drain.

Here are my 5 Tips to a Better Brain:

Social Interaction

Get Out There And Say "Hi"

So for my introverts out there I know, the word "socialize," makes you cringe with anxiety. I too am an introvert so I totally understand what makes you cringe. Socializing helps the brain function better and it decreases the chance that your brain will be susceptible to memory decline. Have you ever felt energized after a brief interaction with your inner circle of friends or a totally random conversation with someone at the grocery store check-out? That was your brain's endorphins feeling happy and telling you, "We like being around people."

Food & Nutrition

Dark Chocolate

Just try it, just try it! I know you heard it on television, "Eat one piece of dark chocolate a day and it's like an apple and it keeps the doctor away." Dark chocolate with an 80% or better percentage of cacao can help your brain work better and process information easily.

Blueberries

Blueberries are great because they contain antioxidants that help fight free radicals and give your brain the energy it needs to function properly. They slow down the aging process of the brain. Anti-oxidants decrease inflammation in the brain which helps the brain processes work better.

Green Tea

My personal favorite. Green tea is one of the best anti-oxidants on the planet and has been proven to be beneficial for skin health and digestive health as well. Green tea is the one-two punch for your brain and your entire body. Your brain will like green tea because it provides brain-boosting antioxidants that improve memory and reduce your risk for dementia. Green Tea ice cream anyone!!!

Physical Activity

Exercise

Every kind of exercise counts and exercise is bio-individual. Meaning each person has a particular exercise they love to do and would do it all day long if they could. Choose the exercise that thrills you the most and just do it! Every step counts.

Mental Health

Meditation and Prayer

I can hear you saying, "I can't meditate, I get so distracted." Yes you can, you can literally do anything you set your mind to. You can start with a breathing practice to calm your mind and then add a meditation practice, guided or unguided to your new self-care routine. The possibilities are endless but the point is to find a way to calm the mind. Prayer is also a good practice in gratitude and spiritual connectivity that serves as a grounding place for the mind to rest and reflect.

Creative Activities

I can hear you saying, "I'm not the creative type." Everyone is the creative type in one way or another. You just have to find what creative activity speaks to you and just do it. Learning a new language, taking a dance class, learning to sew/knit, learning a new sport, learning to play an instrument, and doing Sudoku puzzles or any other brain game help to stimulate your mind. Mahjong anyone!!!!

Soul

Sleep

We hear it all the time on the news and read about it in the paper. You need to get more sleep. That sounds great, but how do I do that when I work all the time, have a family, have an active social life, exercise, prayer, and meditation. Sleep, when and how????

If your body isn't resting then your brain isn't resting and remember the brain is in control of every function in your body. Continuous sleep deprivation robs the body of the necessary time it needs to re-energize and for your cells to rebuild. That is the reason why you can feel back pain in the evening and go to bed early one night and wake up with no back pain. Your body is giving you a signal that it needs to rest the back and it's crying out for some rest and support. Proper sleep will give your brain the foundation to operate at its highest capacity.

I challenge you to give one of these tips a try and leave a comment below.

Let's do what we can to help our brain be the best it can be!!!

Be Well & Fabulous,

Charmaine Fuller, HHC

www.charmainefullerhhc.com

Additional Reading:

www.healthybrains.org/pillars

www.bbcgoodfood.com/howto/guide/10-foods-boost-your-brainpower

https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-4-best-ways-to-maintain-your-brain