Taking Care of Your Creative Brain

"The brain is an organ of learning, loving and behaving", he said. "It's involved in everything you do."

I just had the great pleasure of meeting Dr. Daniel Amen of the Amen Clinic. That man is a walking encyclopedia of cutting edge knowledge on optimizing our life by caring for our brain. So, who's gonna care for your brain besides Dr Amen? You'd better step up to the plate on your own behalf. As the old commercial goes, you'll be glad you did! For how your brain works iNFLuences everything about who you are and what you do.

While there is sophistication galore in his methods, actual steps you can take to make sure your brain is ticking along in top form are simple. For starters, here are a few things you can do:

Protect your brain from physical trauma- by wearing helmets as appropriate, minimizing jarring contact sports, and keeping away from severe jolts to the head and neck. Brain scans of NFL athletes are showing nasty damage that will dramatically affect their future health, not to mention current pain and problems.

Protect your brain from emotional stress, as emotional trauma changes brain function. All your systems go on hyperalert, which in turn impinges on ability to sleep, degree of anxiety, inability to handle modern stress, and physical symptoms like headaches and muscle tension.

Protect your brain from toxic exposure, be it pesticides, solvents, prescription or illicit drugs, alcohol or even high doses of caffeine. Overexposure to these substances can kill or maim brain cells...

And, protect your brain from sleep deprivation. It will affect your ability to learn and remember, so last minute cramming is hindered by dumbing down your tired brain. Studies also show that lack of sleep can cause some weight gain due to horomonal activity. Prolonged sleep deprivation can lead to psychosis- why do you think it's used as a torture technique? It can break the best of us.

Now, here are a few proactive ways to help your brain help you:

Take a multiple vitamin everyday, to compensate for our poor modern diet.

Take Omega 3 fatty acid supplements for multiple health benefits.

Pay attention to what you are eating. Start by writing down what you take in every day for about 2 weeks, then you can make adjustments based on recommended standards of what's good for your brain. As Dr. Amen says, "calorie restriction is a brain longevity activity."

Exercise regularly. Ideal is at least 30 minuttes daily where you get your heart rate above normal.

Learn something new every day and write about it in your journal. Not only will you be keeping up to date on areas of interest to you, but in adult learning, reflection combined with knowledge and experience is the route to wisdom.

Meditate or sit still for about 12-15 minutes daily. Mind Chi exercises are perfect to ease your way into relaxation and mental clarity.

Caring for your brain so it looks out for you is basically good practice for you all around. Why not start today and boost your mental horsepower immediately? Giddyup!

Please join the conversation and check out Mind Chi under live events on Creative Living and your Legacy at its Best at http://www.DonnaKimBrand.com.

Donna Kim-Brand,
Creative Energizer & Living Legacy Strategist