Wellness and your brain: How the two are connected!

So much of understanding and creating more wellness in our lives originates in our brains. From the habits we build to the way we approach situations daily; the wiring in our brains determine our actions and feelings and adapt overtime depending on our experiences and what we’ve been exposed to throughout our lives. Our brains are our biggest assets when it comes to figuring out the things we need to do to in order to relax, feel good, achieve a goal or get better at something!

Brain Scientist, Dr. Jack Lewis and motivational business speaker Adrian Webster wrote the book Sort Your Brain Out, an entertaining how-to-guide explaining how the brain works, its wiring and the things we can do to it to make self-improvements in our lives no matter how old we are. The statement that we can’t change as we age is debunked, as the authors explain how daily behaviour changes can make a big difference when it comes to learning new skills and improving all aspects of your life.  

So why would anyone be interested in brain chemistry or more specifically: neuroplasticity [the brain’s ability to alter or change its pathways to learn new skills and abilities and adapt to changes and various circumstances in new ways]?

Well, if you ever found yourself feeling stuck in a particular place in your life, trying to accomplish something but seeing no progress, or even constantly feeling anxious or stressed, re-wiring the way your brain processes information and how it handles your emotional responses is a good place to start. Challenging your brain helps to maintain your brain’s health, and its ability to keep you physically, mentally and emotionally well! It helps to preserve your memory and bodily functions as we age and also works to ensure our brains continues to do the work of fueling our bodies and sending it key messages throughout your day.

Within the book, the authors came up with a framework called Brain Optimisation Principles (BOPs). These include 5 things that you can do right away to improve your brain health and performance and make improvements in your life.

#1. Drink water. This one is a no brainer, we all by now know very much the importance of staying hydrated, our bodies won’t let us forget, it’s called being thirsty. The tip here though, is to make sure to start each day with a cup of water as soon as you wake up. So before you grab any other beverage, start with water to hydrate the brain and reduce fogginess that allows your brain to fully wake up out of its slumber in the morning.

#2 Exercise. Good for the brain, since it releases feel-good hormones and helps contribute to good memory as we get older. Recommendation is 20-30 mins daily. Even moving as little as 10-15 mins a day of gentle exercise still gets you feeling good. The authors specifically wrote about the benefits of dancing, particularly partner dancing to relieve stress, and increase feelings of trust and belonging. So, take those office walk breaks, every hour or so, the benefits really do add up and can be the jolt of energy you may need if you’re feeling sluggish.

#3 Manage stress wisely. Not all stress is bad! Stress can actually help us get things done and can provide motivation to complete a task and reach new heights. It’s when stress become chronic [stress that happens for weeks or months], or is constant, is when you should be concerned. To help reduce chronic or long-term stress, the authors suggest a meditation breathing exercise known as 7-11. Breathe in deep breaths for 7 seconds, breathe out for 11 seconds, 1-2 times a day, for a couple of mintues.

#4 Go outside. Being outside produces serotonin, and allows your body to absorb vitamin D.  To make up for loss of sunlight during the winter months, go out as much as you can throughout spring through fall. It is recommended to be outside 2-5 hours per week! Go for as many walks as you can, sit in the park, or exercise outside! 

#5 Limit coffee intake. Caffeine lingers in your blood stream for hours, long after your last sip! Stick to drinking your coffee in the morning, no later than mid-day, and no more than 3-5 cups a day (which is already a lot), to make sure you can get a good night’s sleep. Doing this allows your brain to repair overnight to be ready and alert the following day.

Learning about the brain give you the tools to learn how to not only use to its full potential, but also nurture and take care of it, to help ensure it is working for you in the best way possible. A used copy of the book is available for purchase.