Everything You Need to Know About Brain Health

The human brain is an incredibly complex organ tasked with the monumental responsibility of making sure the rest of our body parts remain in working order.

Unlike our heart, lungs, muscles and skin, we can’t exactly feel our brains working in the background. This is why it can be difficult to recognize when our brains are in trouble, and why the consequences of neglecting brain health can be devastating.

One of the most challenging aspects of maintaining optimal brain health is creating a lifestyle that works for your brain’s unique psychological and physiological needs. Neglecting the needs of one half of the picture can cause the other to fall out of balance as well – this is why when we are physically tired, it can be harder to control our emotions, and why long periods of stress can sometimes lead to physical illness.

More Than a Feeling: Stress and Your Body

We all experience moments of stress throughout our lives because no matter how you slice it, life itself is stressful – and that’s not necessarily a bad thing! Stress is the body’s way of responding to potential threats, but it’s also how we channel feelings of excitement and motivation. This can be very useful when outrunning predators, surviving natural disasters and responding to physical trauma – but more commonly, the reasons behind our feelings of stress are much more mundane.

“It’s not the stress that kills us, it’s our reaction to it.” - Hans Selye

No matter where you look, you will find that there is no shortage of reasons to feel stressed. Even pleasant things, like earning a promotion or falling in love, can cause our brains to go into survival mode!

While it may feel like you are at the mercy of external factors, it’s you who holds the power to manage your stress and lessen its impact on your overall health.

Conducting regular mental health self check-ups and routine assessments can help you identify the type of stress you’re dealing with, and determine which relaxation strategies will work best for you.

Types of Stress:

1. Eustress. This is the best kind of stress. It’s the burst of adrenaline that you feel when you’re excited or motivated about something.
   
2. Acute Stress. Temporary day-to-day stress, whether it’s traffic on your morning commute, or when you’re preparing to ask someone out on a date.
   
3. Episodic Acute Stress. When feelings of acute stress become routine, instead of temporary. This kind of stress has a tendency to snowball, leading to negative thought loops or general anxiety.
   
4. Chronic Stress. This stress can feel inescapable and is constantly present. Whether it’s a bad relationship, large financial burden or an over-demanding job, chronic stress can really do a number on us both mentally and physically. 

Cortisol: Why We Struggle to “Just Chill Out”

Cortisol is a hormone released when our bodies encounter stressful stimuli. When our brains perceive that our body is in crisis, our adrenal glands increase cortisol production to help regulate the “fight or flight” responses triggered by our sympathetic nervous system.

While cortisol is necessary for regulating several critical functions within the body, persistently high levels of cortisol can cause several health problems including:

• Disrupted sleeping
• Anxiety & depression
• Heart disease
• Digestive trouble

Fundamentals for a Healthy Brain

When we think about brain health, we tend to focus on psychological factors for wellness rather than approaching brain health from a holistic perspective.  

The truth is, brain health is mental health, but it’s also a plethora of other things. Taking care of our brains involves focusing on both the physiological and psychological components that impact the health of this incredible organ.

Assessment, prevention and early detection are all fundamental to maintaining healthy organs, and the brain is no exception. Conducting periodic self-checks and regularly meeting with your doctor or medical care provider are the two most important steps in keeping your brain healthy, and avoiding illness or impairment.

Here are a few ways to check in with your mental health

Controlling medical risks like hypertension, depression, high cholesterol and diabetes will help to reduce the risk of age-related degenerative brain disorders.

2. Relaxation & Brain Boosting Exercises

Stimulating our brains by engaging in activities like reading, meditating, and solving puzzles helps strengthen neurological pathways and keep our minds sharp. Regular relaxation strategies can have several psychological and physiological benefits:

• Improves cortisol balance
• Increases blood flow to the brain
• Reduces blood pressure and heart rate
• Increases neuroplasticity
• Boosts immune function
• Slows the aging process by allowing the body to produce more melatonin and DHEA

Meditation is one of the leading ways we can train ourselves to quiet our minds and focus our attention on being present. It’s also useful for training our brains to have greater control over our stress responses and emotional reactions.

More about Mastering Mindful Meditation

3. Physical Exercise

Exercise increases blood flow to the brain, and stimulates the release of hormones that are responsible for improving mood, cognitive ability and memory retention. Regular exercise has also been shown to reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s Disease.

4. Diet and Nutrition

What we eat and the nutrients we absorb have a tremendous impact on how our brains respond to stress and aging. Our brains rely on vitamins and minerals to carry out important functions and sustain healthy levels of activity.

Transcend Supplements that Support Brain Health

Healthy Bodies, Happy Minds

Committing to taking care of both our bodies and our minds is the first step to enjoying a healthier and happier life. Whether you decide that today is the day you try meditating, or perhaps schedule an overdue chat with your doctor, taking an active role in optimizing your lifestyle choices to promote brain health will eventually lead to positive reactions in other areas of your life. Healthy bodies and happy minds work in tandem to create longer, more fulfilling lives.