9 things you can do today to help your brain

Last week, I asked you a question: would you rather fill your car with water, juice, or laundry detergent?

Of course, this is a ridiculous question. Your car was not built to run on any of these things, so they would do nothing to get you home… and worse yet, they would probably damage your vehicle permanently.

But what happens when your car gets exactly the kind of fuel it needs?

It becomes an invaluable tool – something that functions just as it is built to and takes you wherever you need to go. It empowers you to live your life. When you take care of its needs, it takes care of your needs.

How much more crucial it is to take care of the needs of your brain!

Remember: your brain is at the center of everything you do and everything you are. Everything you feel, everything you experience, and everything your body does to keep you alive, is all determined by that organ in your head.

When you fuel it and care for it like it should be, you start thinking more clearly, you have more energy, you have a better mood… your brain becomes your best friend.

So, after all these weeks talking about just how important the brain is, it is time to start answering another question: what does my brain need from me and how can I get those needs met?

Well, let me start by saying that no two brains have exactly the same needs. Many mental health concerns – such as depression – involve alternative chemical needs of the brain. But there are some needs that most everyone’s brains share.

Here is a quickstart guide to taking great care of your brain…

1. Think positive thoughts. This is number-one on the list because thoughts affect feelings, which affect actions, which affect results. What you think often affects the brain directly by creating and sustaining certain neural pathways, but also affects the brain indirectly by affecting the rest of the decisions you make. Positive thoughts lead to positive results, and also lead to more positive thoughts in the future.
2. Foster healthy relationships. Our brains are social by nature; loneliness causes our brains physical harm in the long run. But only the right kind of relationships are helpful to our brains. We become like those we spent our time with, so it is important to ensure those in your life are good (and brain-healthy) influences.
3. Fuel your brain right. When your brain gets omega-3 fatty acids, nutrient-dense greens, and antioxidants, it runs like a well-oiled machine. Try adding some healthy fats in fatty fish and nuts and eating more fruit and veg.
4. Stay hydrated. Your brain runs better on water, and you lose on average 80 fluid ounces of it each day! Make sure you are drinking half your bodyweight in fluid ounces daily to stay at peak mental performance.
5. Get more (and better) sleep. When you sleep, your brain “washes” itself of the waste products produced throughout the day. This is the only time it does this, so your sleep is crucial. Keep your room dark and cool; remove phones from the room and limit screen time before bed.
6. Exercise. Getting your body moving releases endorphins, chemicals that enhance your sense of well-being, and also improve your circulation, which gets more oxygen to your brain.
7. Learn new things. Engaging in new learning allows your brain to create new connections among neurons – this is called neuroplasticity, and it keeps your brain active.
8. Take brain-healthy supplements. It’s not always easy to get all the nutrition we need by way of our daily menu. This quiz will let you know what kind of supplements you should be taking based on your individual brain’s needs.
9. Meditate. Taking a few minutes to clear your mind has been shown to increase higher-order brain function, in addition to helping relieve stress.

Do you know someone who could use a brain health reminder? Send them this quickstart guide and let them know to be on the lookout for more brain health tips in the coming weeks 🙂

Make today your masterpiece!

Florina