By Paul Taylor
Feeling confused, detached or forgetful in the midst of the holiday season? You could be suffering from Brain Fuzz – and Paul Taylor tells Rescu. all about how to beat it.
Need a mental pick-me-up? Don’t we all.
An integrated Body-Brain lifestyle program is the key to reenergising your brain and improving all aspects of cognitive function, including memory. Intellectual training is great, but a co-ordinated approach is the best natural way to protect and optimise your body and your brain.
A large part of this approach is physical activity. Research has even shown that engaging physical activity can even ward off Alzheimer’s disease, Depression, Anxiety and ADD.
Yet recent surveys of general practitioners show that medication is the first point of call. In fact, at least one medication is prescribed for every person seen[1]. Exercise prescriptions, in tandem with lifestyle advice, should be the standard best practice whether you’re aiming to ward off a range of chronic brain-based conditions or crows feet.
BEST EXERCISE FOR THE BRAIN
Challenging activities will stimulate parts of the brain that are critical for optimising its health. For example, even a simple game of balloon tennis (with either a partner or a wall) can get your heart pumping and challenge the brain. Result: both your brain and body get a good workout.
Most fitness routines become routine for the brain and our thinking drifts to other things – like the stress of your day or your never-ending to do list.
Instead of being a treadmill zombie, Acumotum Body-Brain Fitness and Vitality Centre in Melbourne requires your brain to ‘show up’ at your workout by using exercises that require more of your brain.
For example, Acumotum clients do lots of group-based games that require movement in all directions in a fun and stimulating way, which helps to drive more neural activity in more parts of the brain than traditional gym workouts.
PAUL TAYLOR’S TIPS TO DEFUZZ AND IMPROVE BRAIN FUNCTION: THE SEVEN BODY BRAIN BOOSTERS
1 Know it – An understanding of the interactions between Brain, Mind and Body are essential and an assessment of your Bio-age and Brain function are helpful in changing behaviour. Early intervention dramatically increases treatment success, so regular check-ups are essential. Acumotum also uses cutting-edge genetic screening that forms the platform of the most tailored lifestyle advice available.
2 Train it – ‘Use it or Lose it’! Exercise (especially vigorous exercise, functional resistance training and vibration training) dramatically increases beneficial brain growth factors. Cognitive training is also important and can include learning new languages, musical instruments. Novelty is essential for optimal brain function.
3 Feed it – Good nutrition is essential for brain health. In particular:
• Omega 3 Fats – The brain contains 10% Omega 3 Fats so we need plenty of nuts, seeds and especially fish.
• Vegetables & Fruit– Thousands of times more powerful than bottled nutrients. (10-15000 nutrients in each piece, versus 30-40 nutrients in a multi-vitamin pill)
• Carbohydrates – unprocessed, complex carbohydrates (glucose is the brain’s only fuel source and willpower is very much dependent on glucose, as are all executive functions, such as planning, decision-making etc).
• Protein – good quality protein such as fish, lean meat, eggs, beans and lentils will provide the building blocks for critical neurotransmitters in the brain.
• Water – more important than food, yet many of us are chronically dehydrated. Aim for 300ml for every 10Kg of body-weight.
4 Defend it – against toxins, drugs, alcohol, tobacco, lack of sleep (7-8 hours is necessary for restoration) and traumatic brain injury (wear a helmet, seat belt and be careful on ladders).
5 Befriend it – the brain is a social organ, so having meaningful interactions is vital. Some tips include: Gratitude Rituals (spending a few minutes each day thinking about what you are grateful for in your life) stimulate a positive mental attitudeMeditation is very beneficial for the body and brain. Giving to others also stimulates the reward pathways in the brain more than receiving.Joining a social group (especially one that involves physical activity) is great for the brain.
6 Manage it – Expressing your emotions reduces their intensity in the brain. Reduce stress with use of deep breathing, a variety of coping strategies and exercise (the best stress-reducer)
7 Change it – Our brains have enormous capacity for change. Start a training program for your brain just like you would for physical exercise.
BRAIN BOOSTERS TO DO AT HOME
• Stimulating Games – Physical games are a great way to electrify your brain. Try balloon volleyball either on your own or with your family.
• Social Games – Any physical exercise done with other people will boost the brain benefits of the activity. Humans crave meaningful social interaction. It nurtures the body, brain and soul.
• Brain food – natural, unprocessed foods, especially fish, vegetables, nuts, seeds and blueberries and are very beneficial for the brain.
• Reading books is great for cognition and any sort of learning helps to create new connections and grow new neurons.
Adjunct Professor Paul Taylor is founder of Acumotum Body-Brain Fitness and Vitality Centre.
Acumotum is located at 128 Commercial Road Prahran Victoria 3181 Australia |T (03) 9516 8888. Go to www.acumotum.com for a FREE trial and full list of services and class timetables.
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