Taking Care of Your Brain

The human brain comprises 2% of the person’s total body weight. That being said, you may think that it is just a small organ in your head.  Yes, you could be right.  The brain may be small but, it is capable of processing HUGE information. The brain works so hard for you to live and obtain the things that you are enjoying at present. It consumes 40% of nutrients from the body.  It also utilizes 25% of oxygen that we breathe.  The human brain is perhaps the most amazing and wondrous thing in the world.  Therefore, we should keep it in good condition all the time.  The following are some helpful tips on taking care of your brain.

1.   Find all means to reduce stress in your daily activities.

Too much exposure to stress can lead to anxiety. Anxiety may act like a poisonous substance to the brain.  It can adversely affect your logical thinking. When stress and anxiety hit the brain, the person’s cognitive performance is impaired.  Furthermore, the area of the brain called hippocampus will shrink when stressed.  Unfortunately, hippocampus serves as the key to an individual’s memory.  Therefore, reduce stress before it reduces your brain’s capability.

2.   Do not forget the benefits of exercise. 

Exercise improves blood flow to the brain.  When this happens, the brain’s neuronal connections will be strengthened.  This goes to say that even if you do not use a specific neural pathway you will still be able to keep it through an improved blood flow.  This can only be made possible through the help of exercise.  Those chemicals that help soothe a stressed brain will also be produced through exercise. Some of these chemicals that are produced during exercise include nonrepinephrine, serotonin and dopamine.

3.   Be the master of your own thoughts.

You should be the one to control your thoughts and not the other way around.  If you do not practice controlling what goes into your brain you will be easily afflicted with anxiety. These worrying thoughts can be detrimental to your mental health. It would be best to set aside time for your worries.  Learn to deal with it later when you already have accomplished your priorities for the day.  But, never ever entertain these negative thoughts in your mind while you are in the midst of completing an important task.

4.   Engage in activities that boost your mental abilities.

The human brain becomes sharper when it is frequently used for creative thinking.  However, if the person’s mental abilities are not being used it would be like a knife left to rust for years until it is gone. There are certain studies to prove this claim.  Therefore, if you want to have a sharper brain, use it more often.

5.   Nourish your brain with nutritious foods.

Make sure to include in your daily diet those foods that are rich in antioxidants. These anti-oxidants will help fight against the damaging effects of free radicals. You also need those foods that rich in essential nutrients. Whole grain foods contain thiamine that will enhance the memory. Eat foods that contain vitamin B12.  This nutrient will help prevent brain shrinkage.  Leafy green veggies, nuts, blueberries, and salmon are some of the foods that you should be eating to improve your mental health.

6.   Control your sugar intake.

It is true that our brain needs sugar for proper functioning.  But, too much of it can adversely affect your brain.  This is the reason why you need to eat fiber-rich foods that will help you release excess sugar to the bloodstream and maintain your blood glucose levels. Fiber-heavy foods include dried herbs, oat, corn, dark chocolate, etc.

 5. Avoid foods that contain Trans fats.

These are the kind of fats that are not needed by the body.  These are common in fast foods and fried foods. Studies have shown that those who frequently eat foods high in Trans fats are more prone to show aggressive behavior.  It also makes an individual vulnerable to anxiety and depression.  Not to mention the fact that it contributes to brain shrinkage.  Trans fats do nothing but destroy the cell membrane and the cell structure of every human being. Since the human body mainly consists of cells, every part of it will be affected by these Trans fats.

The brain remains a mysterious thing despite the advancements made in science and medicine.  Scientists and researchers have yet to find out the complete inner workings of the mind.  It is in your brain where the wonders of imaginations and ideas are hiding.  Therefore, we must take care of this precious gift for us to live a happy and productive life.