Boosting Your Brain Power
In today's society, life is always on the move and everything is on the go go go! It becomes tiring to juggle work, school, activities, sleep and still remain active, alert and focused throughout the day. We take on so much information everyday, from social media mediums, to our peers, books, colleagues, movies, and experiences. Due to the information overload, our brain chooses what to retain and what to store away. Just like exercises to improve your memory and focus, there are health tools to improve your brain health.
Below are some remedies that can enhance your brain power, especially if you are struggling with a foggy brain, poor memory, and are lacking in focus and concentration. Please remember that these are not miracle cures, and you may not see results overnight. It is about consistency and transforming these tools into a healthy lifestyle.
Diet tip:
The human brain is nearly 60 percent fat. Fats are fuel for the brain and can help get you focused, improve your memory, alertness, cognitive capabilities, and promotes the transmission of chemical signals.
Purchase one of the following oils and supplements (or all and you can alternate) and have a tablespoon first thing in the morning with some food.
-
- The following three oils are Omega 3 & 6 rich oils, oils that are beneficial for not just brain health, but over all support of the body. Keep them refrigerated and consume a table spoon or so a day
- Evening primrose oil
- Sesame oil
- Flax oil
- Flax oil with added DHA is a bonus!
- Coconut oil
- While it is a saturated fat, it is absolutely amazing for your brain. Ever heard of the Bullet Proof coffee? You can substitute coconut oil instead of butter.
- You can consume a table spoon first thing in the morning.
- It contains MCT, which not only improves your mood and helps improve your clarity, it also boosts your energy levels and aids in digestion and weight loss, among a few of it's wonderful benefits.
- Lecithin
- Has choline, important for brain function, memory, thinking clearly). Can get it from sunflower capsule forms or granules. Also available in foods like Brussel sprouts, cauliflower, leafy greens, soy.
- Iodine rich foods such as seaweed, sea kelp, Arame, Kombu and navy beans to boost your IQ.
- Raw cacao, cocoa beans and dark chocolate- rich in flavonoids which provide blood to the brain and help release endorphins; supporting a healthy mood and more.
- Nuts and seeds, such as pumpkin seeds and walnuts
- Contain healthy fats that protect your brain and body.
- Nut butter spreads such as cashew butter and almond butter are a good way to get your healthy fats in accompanied with a fruit
- Additionally, incorporate healthy fats such as chia seeds, hemp seeds, and avocados.
- The following three oils are Omega 3 & 6 rich oils, oils that are beneficial for not just brain health, but over all support of the body. Keep them refrigerated and consume a table spoon or so a day
Remember, healthy fats will not make you fat. Over-consuming anything may contribute to weight gain
Health tip:
I would recommend getting an average of 8 hours of sleep a night! Sleep is one of the most important ingredients to living a long and healthy life. It is essential for your body and for your mind.
- Sleep energizes our cells and eliminates waste from our body and our brain
- Supports learning capabilities and memory
- Helps the brain relax and regenerate itself after a long waking day.
- Improves overall thinking capabilities, analytical skills and focus
Suggestions if you have trouble falling asleep or want to improve the quality of your sleep:
- Use f.lux or other night mode apps that adjust the brightness of your monitors to the hour of day to help your body produce melatonin, an important hormone that helps you fall asleep
- Relax melodies is an app that has calming nature sounds that you can customize and can help induce a zen environment
- Drink herbal teas that contain passionflower, valerian root, chamomile and lavender to help relax your mind and body
- A hot bath with epsom salts can really help relax your body if you are experiencing tension. Epsom salts are rich with magnesium, which is absorbed into your body through the water and helps relax your muscles, preparing you for better sleep
Lifestyle tip:
If you are new to meditation, I would suggest starting with five minutes a day and increasing it as you go. Meditation has been proven to be exponentially beneficial to the human mind, body and soul. Besides it improving stress, anxiety, depression and improving sleep, meditation is also incredible for your brain health.
- Meditation improves your memory and learning capabilities
- Improves your focus and ability to work under stress
- Helps keep you aligned with yourself and deal with pressure better
- Improves your creative capacities and helps you tap into areas of your mind that you don’t usually tune into
- Deep belly breathing helps promote oxygen flow to the brain to realign your thoughts, relax your mind and help you regain focus and alertness
Suggestion to getting started or keep track of your progress:
- Download a guided meditation app, the one I use is Simple habit. It has a multitude of meditations for different intentions, including reducing stress, promoting positivity, or simply refocusing yourself. Other apps include Headspace, Calm and Still.
- Start with five minutes a day, feel it out. Meditation is about patience, practice, and allowing the thoughts to pass and flow, while focusing on being present and embracing peace into your being.
Wishing you a blessed, healthy and wonderful week ahead!
Love & Light
Ranim
Artwork