Brain Fit

I am constantly talking about exercising your body and so today I am going to ask you to exercise your mind. We are going to start right now. Everyone reading this I want you to switch the mouse over into your non-dominant hand. For the next few minutes while you read this, and then hopefully for a few minutes after I want you to use that hand to steer your mouse. Feels weird doesn’t it? Not quite the same as going for a walk but just as healthy: healthy for the brain.

All this stuff that I write about every week, is provided to help you move towards a healthier and happier life. Therefore I couldn’t possibly leave out the most important piece of the puzzle, the brain. Our brain is what makes us who we are, what we think and how we do and think the things we think and do. It is so amazing and powerful and special, it really should have it’s own holiday. I mean, come on, if you really think about it, it’s almost incomprehensible. The thinking about the brain that you are doing right now, you are doing with your brain and you don’t even realize you’re doing it. The motivation you have to be healthy (or not) and work out all comes from your brain, the motor skills you are using to scroll down the page with your un-dominant hand is all your brain! When you look out the window and see our beautiful city of San Francisco, it is because your eyes sent a message to your brain letting you see it. Your brain organizes and balances all of the information going on around you and helps to keep you from being over-whelmed. The brain controls your impulses and moods, happiness and excitement, it’s all in that little 2 and a half pound piece of fat and protein. Man, the brain kicks butt!

Ok, so now I have clued you in to what the brain is capable of but were you aware that in order for it to fulfill all these wonderful functions it needs help from you? I know there is nothing for free anymore.

Ok, get this, in order for you to receive all the benefits of a healthy brain: increased memory, cognitive functioning, quicker reaction times, deeper creativity, advanced sensory awareness and many more, all you have to do is eat healthy, breath deeply and exercise. Who knew it could be so simple?

The brain needs fats, proteins, carbohydrates and micronutrients in order to function. Essentially, fats build your brain helping you to think and feel. Proteins unite it, making the neurotransmitters that communicate with the rest of the body. Carbohydrates fuel your brain, and micronutrients defend it.

Does that mean that because French fries are full of fat I am helping to build brain function?

No. Unfortunately the fat found in fast food French fries and many of the other foods we eat today are full of trans fats. Trans fats disrupt brain communication and can lead to cell death, loss of brain flexibility and diminished brain function. Yuck! Does there need to be a better reason for staying away from processed foods?

Just like our bodies we need healthy foods in order to stay healthy and the same goes for exercise. The brain needs to be exercised in order to stay healthy. Unfortunately there is no machine in the gym for the brain but if you were to change up your routine or take a new exercise class you would be killing two birds with one stone. Stimulating your mind to work in ways it isn’t accustomed to will help build it’s strength. Reading, learning, puzzles and games all help to stimulate the brain. Travel stimulates the brain because it takes you out of your routine and your normal life. In order to travel you need to experience new things and in doing so you are working out your brain. Walking also happens to increase your brain function! Now I know that some of you might think I am just throwing this one in there to promote the walking group but I swear to you, I cannot tell a lie. Don’t quote me, quote UCSF,

“When the cognitive abilities of elderly women were compared, those who walked regularly were less likely to experience age-related memory loss and other declines in mental function. University of California at San Francisco researchers measured the brain function of nearly 6,000 women during an eight-year period. The results were correlated with the women's normal activity level, including their routine walking and stair climbing. "In the higher-energy groups, we saw much less cognitive decline," said neurologist Kristine Yaffe, MD. Of the women who walked the least (a half-mile per week), 24% had significant declines in their test scores, compared to only 17% of the most active women (17 miles per week). It wasn't a matter of all or nothing. "We also found that for every extra mile walked per week there was a 13% less chance of cognitive decline," said Yaffe, who is Chief of Geriatric Psychiatry at the San Francisco Veterans Administration Medical Center. "So you don't need to be running marathons. The exciting thing is there was a 'dose' relationship, which showed that even a little, is good but more is better. “In the higher-energy groups, we saw much less cognitive decline" – a protective effect amounting to as much as 40% – according to Yaffe. "This is an important intervention that all of us can do and it could have huge implications in preventing cognitive decline."”

What that means if you (like me) speak English and not Scientist is, “Walking rocks for your brain! It even rocks if you can only do a little of it, so whether it’s 20 minutes or 5, your brain is loving it!”

This week I would like everyone to take good care of his or her brains. That means you should be eating healthy, walking and partaking in exercises that challenge and engage you. Try doing a crossword puzzle. If you are already a Sunday Times wiz, try sudoku. Brush your teethe with your eyes closed, turn off the T.V. and read a book, explore a new neighborhood, learn a new word or if you have some free time at your computer try some of these brain games from luminosity.com. Word bubbles is my personal favorite.

http://www.lumosity.com/brain-games/flexibility-games

May your hearts be healthy, your legs be strong and your brains be big!

Be Good to your Body, it’s where you live