We all know that actions we take in our everyday lives can have a significant impact on our health, and that applies to brain functioning, as well.
Because brain functioning is dependent on our overall physical health, everything we do to support our bodies also supports our brains.
Even if you have been diagnosed with a significant injury or medical/neurological disorder, there are some general actions you can take to help give your brain an advantage.
Here are some general principles we can follow for physical health to give us the best possible advantage for our brains:
- Get enough sleep at night. Create a soothing area to sleep, keep a regular routine, and limit stimulating activities or foods just prior to bedtime.
- Fuel your body with good nutrition. Giving your body what it needs to repair and restore health will indirectly boost brain health.
- Pursue regular physical exercise (under your doctor's guidance). Exercise has consistently shown benefits for brain functioning.
- Avoid habits that undermine health (e.g. smoking, street-drugs, excessive alcohol and caffeine, etc.).
And on another front, we also know that our emotions and thinking can impact our health, and therefore, also our brain functioning, so here are some general principles we can follow for help in that realm:
- Focus on the positive, finding things to be grateful for every day.
- Limit the power of fear in your life by identifying small, actionable steps you can take to meet challenges.
- Learn to resolve conflicts with others, avoiding the toxic long-term effects of bitterness and resentment.
- Seek positive social interaction, even if it means you are the one to initiate the event.
- Find ways to incorporate joy into your everyday life (e.g. music, art, phone call to friend, look at an old picture album of favorite times, etc.)
- Recognize that most people will struggle with their emotions and thinking at some point in their lives, and try to give yourself some grace. However, if you have been battling with these issues, and other mental health concerns, for a long time, or you feel that they are becoming insurmountable, consider getting recommendations for a good therapist or counselor, to start a plan for improvement. We would be happy to pass along information about local resources (e.g. counselors and therapists).
Again, these are very general recommendations, and may not specifically meet your unique needs. But as you continue in your journey, consider incorporating some of these habits in your everyday life for the powerful long-term benefits they can provide.