Brain Care

[Verene]

I did a search and couldn't find similar threads. If I missed them, please merge this.

The brain is the most important part of the body, so I really want the best for it. Lately I feel like I've been overworking my brain. Everyday starting from evening my brain ceases functioning; it feels like all my brain juice has been drained and I can't engage in activities that require more cerebral energy, such as studying, typing up essay, and even reading (tabloids are okay though because they really don't stimulate the brain.) I'd like to know ways to revitalize and types of food that nourishes the brain.

 

[Fewormany]

Meditaion seems to be the way to calm a overstressed brain.

Unfortunatly i'm not very good at stopping thinking .
I find doing things that relax me make me more focused for tasks later on.
Painting really makes calm and stop thinking. It doesn't have to portray anything,
just the colours ans shapes I feel like. To think of it, painting is meditation .

So I guess my advice is find out something that relaxes you while doing it, so your brain can calm down
and gain some energy to focus later on .

 

[Eurasian Mélange]

Great thread idea! From a little bit of quick searching, apparently foods rich in folic acid are good for the brain. This includes leafy vegetables, beans, peas, sunflower seeds, cereal and liver. I don't think it would stimulate, but it's supposed to help keep your brain healthy.

 

[Diamond Star]

Omega 3 (found in oily fish) is supposed to be benefical. I make sure I get a lot around exam time.

Oh and play Brain Training

 

[Fewormany]

Oh and play Brain Training

Yes!
I do love my nintendo DS .

 

[nangnangnj]

There's a article in the latest Grazia Australian edition called 'Brain Training', I don't have a scanner and it's not on their site...so I'll have to break it down for you

Step 1
Make lists
You know like that game you play when your a kid and you try to remember everything on the list? It helps form new brain cells and 'Studies show that by the time you've played that game for the equivalent of 1 hour, 20 times more of your brain will be acting 10 years younger than before' of playing

Step 2
Do Something Creative
Paint, write, redecorate your house. It uses a part of our brain we don't always use in our day to day lives (but I'm guessing that depends on what you do for a living!)

Step 3
Workout
Regular exercise can reduce the risk of Alzheimer's

Step 4
Eat More Curry
"India has the lowest rate of Alzheimer's in the world and scientists are pointing the finger at turmeric as the reason why. Turmeric is a more powerful anti-oxidant than vitamin E and has a greater anti-inflammatory effect then ibuprofen"
"Turmeric also has the ability to break down the plaques that form in the brain causing its decline. If your not a big curry fan eating a turmeric spiced dish once a month can cut your risk of cognitive impairment by 38 percent. Once a week spice eaters reduce risk by 49 percent"

Step 5
Enjoy Chocolate
Is it me, or is chocolate the cure all for everything these days? :rolleyes"
"It's a brain preserver because it increases blood flow to the brain, say experts at Harvard University". Trick is you've got to be consuming the darker sort with 70% cocoa or more.

Step 6
See Your Friends - A Lot
"People with good social lives have a 38% lower chance of developing Alzheimer's in later life. Whenever we do something our brains light up in one or more areas. If you're sitting down reading about something two or four brain areas will light up. But discuss that same subject with a friend and it will light up all over".

Info taken from 'Brain Training' article in Grazia latest edition

 

[floatingworld]

Wow. There is some really good information in this thread! I eat a lot of chocolate and a lot of curry. Hmmmm...now i have a good excuse.

 

[LetThemEatCake]

Just got some good tips on Oprah, on keeping your brain healthy...the first two/three things I already practice.

• Get plenty of sleep so the cells in your brain have time to be refreshed
• Plenty of exercise, the blood flow to your brain makes you more alert
• Antioxidants in red wine and coffee can help
• Foods rich in Omega-3's, salmon and almonds
• Foods high in calcium, magnesium and potassium

 

[Verene]

Thanks everyone. Karma for you all! These tips are very helpful.

Fewormany: Oh my god YES. I've been so busy I forgot about drawing and painting, activities I engaged in avidly so long ago...

 

[cherryblossoms]

lots of sleep and enough relaxation would be good I think

 

[gius]

great topic
i totally agree with exercise
increasing blood flow
releasing endorphins

just learn something new too
something completely new
like if you are a chef, don't learn a new recipe-- rather learn a new sport, craft, etc

i think there is a great book with many ideas
there was a documentary(?) on it on TV once
called Change your Brain Change your Life
--can find the book under the same title.
it even writes about personalities that exist due to brain systems.. certain parts of the brain lacking activity in some people.. may cause them to have bad judgement or a bad temper, etc

 

[cattelia]

In addition to healthy food and sleep etc. try a free trial of www.lumosity.com
If I'm correct there's 28 sessions with many brain games for processing speed, memory, attention and cognitive control. The exercises are fun, and I did feel more alert and remembered much more for a long period of time and felt more in control and definitely had MUCH more energy.

 

[Verene]

Great ideas everyone Sadly still I ended up with an anxiety attack earlier and was hospitalized...

A friend of mine sent this to me... It is some sort of special music that can enhance your brain. While I don't oppose the idea, the description sounds totally creepy.

 

[Couturierdiva]

Great thread! I am subscribing!

 

[PugnaciousPapaya]

If you eat fish rather than taking the omega 3 supplements, that is supposedly better, but the supplements are good too!

Obviously a good nights sleep is good for a stressed brain, too

 

[birgitta]

studying languages is supposed to be very good for brain health. our brains have to make many connections in order to become proficient in a language and eventually fluent. i just began studying swedish, portuguese, and german on a program called Lingq, and i am already remembering german i had forgotten and understanding some swedish/portuguese phrases (after almost a week) . hopefully, that's a reflection of my memory or brain health improving . i'm young but i guess it is never too early to start conditioning ones mind.

 

[Couturierdiva]

studying languages is supposed to be very good for brain health. our brains have to make many connections in order to become proficient in a language and eventually fluent. i just began studying swedish, portuguese, and german on a program called Lingq, and i am already remembering german i had forgotten and understanding some swedish/portuguese phrases (after almost a week) . hopefully, that's a reflection of my memory or brain health improving . i'm young but i guess it is never too early to start conditioning ones mind.

Thanks for this!! I will have to add a few more languages under my belt. I already speak a few!

 

[Couturierdiva]

Check out this site, I'm not 100% sure about it
http://www.fi.edu/learn/brain/exercise.html

 

[birgitta]

Thanks for this!! I will have to add a few more languages under my belt. I already speak a few!

You're welcome! The program I am using has lessons in Italian, English, Swedish, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French (the web masters will be adding more soon). They also have a free version, which is what i am using to study with, so if any of these are new languages to you, and you want a way to study at your own convenience, you may want to give it a try .

 

[Couturierdiva]

You're welcome! The program I am using has lessons in Italian, English, Swedish, German, Japanese, Chinese, Russian, Spanish, Portuguese, and French (the web masters will be adding more soon). They also have a free version, which is what i am using to study with, so if any of these are new languages to you, and you want a way to study at your own convenience, you may want to give it a try .

What's the program?

I use one called Live Mocha!