How to Protect the Brain Instead of Challenging It
By Sandy Schroeder
The brain is really command central for the whole body, but too often it is just expected to show up and keep right on ticking no matter how we treat it, or what we ask it to do. If you keep a nonstop schedule going between home and work, your brain may be stressed out and overloaded much of the time. Step back and take a good look at your schedule. To keep your brain clear and your body happy, you may want to do a little trimming here and there.
Taking care of the brain should be a priority. Here are some tips from DumbLittleMan.com.
Avoid drinking too much coffee – Many of us would find it hard to give up coffee, and it is a rich source of antioxidants, but scientists say too much coffee can impact the brain. They recommend limiting coffee to four cups with 100 mg of caffeine. If you have trouble sleeping, you have probably learned to shut down caffeine early in the afternoon to be able to drift off at night. Monitor your other caffeine sources in teas, chocolate and energy drinks, too.
Eat breakfast and drink enough water – If you want to surge ahead all morning, fuel your brain with some healthy protein and plan to drink plenty of water. Keep your body hydrated to think faster with more focus and clarity. Skip the sugary donuts or high fat fast food orders.
Keep your brain involved – Good books, stimulating conversations, interesting puzzles or chess games make the brain work, keeping it healthy and strong. Taking breaks from work schedules to follow your passion with books, art, music or other hobbies will also keep your brain running well. Think about the most vibrant people that you know. Most of them stay active and have a ton of interests.
Avoid huge meals – Overeating slows the brain down, and it can create addictive food habits that make it difficult to maintain normal weight levels. Instead of indulging in huge meals, think in terms of smaller, lighter, more frequent meals or snacks with lots of fresh fruit and vegetables, nuts, low-fat dairy and healthy oils such as olive oil. The goal is to keep blood sugar levels even to give you more energy and a clearer focus.
Watch out for sleep deprivation – Getting 7 to 9 hours of sleep every night allows the body to restore the brain’s energy as the day’s events are processed. When the brain is forced to function on little or no sleep, life takes a hit raising the risk for accidents and guaranteeing a weaker performance.
To learn more about your health, wellness, and fitness, see your local chiropractor at The Joint Chiropractic in Greenville, S.C.