Today’s hectic lifestyle can be quite messy, not everything will go according to plan. The overload of information, tasks, appointments and social responsibilities can soak up lots of pressure on ourselves affecting the brain’s ability to focus and make decisions. And, we must be also aware that our brain favours familiarity, so part of our inability to adapt when life gets too overwhelming is our brain’s resistance to change. We focus on the negative aspects of the change. We follow a wrong strategy.
Most people are afraid of conscious change. They would rather stay in their comfort zone than take steps into the unknown. As a result, they have no control, but are controlled by life. Things happen to them and they respond to the circumstances. They become reactive instead of proactive and they become victims of the circumstances instead of their co-creators. When you’re busy, stressed or depressed, the thought of adding another obligation can seem overwhelming. Working out and meal prep, just doesn’t seem as it is possible. Just remember that an active healthy lifestyle helps us do everything else better, so if you begin thinking of it as a priority, you will soon find ways to fit it into a busy schedule.
Everyone knows exercise is good for your body, but it is proven that hitting the gym, and it doesn’t have to be a lot, has a positive effect on your brain functions. In fact, people who exercise regularly tend to do so because it gives them an enormous sense of well-being. They feel more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. It’s also a powerful medicine for many common mental health challenges. According to a study done by the Department of Exercise Science at the University of Georgia, even briefly exercising for 20 minutes facilitates information processing and memory functions. Regular physical activity can reduce your stress and symptoms of mental health conditions like depression and anxiety, and help with recovery from mental health issues, as maintaining to an exercise schedule can prevent you from relapsing. The best part is, you don’t have to be a fitness fanatic to reap the benefits.
Modest amounts of exercise make a difference. Exercise aids the release of hormones which provide an excellent setting for the growth of brain cells. With the increased heart rate obtained by exercising, more oxygen is pumped to the brain. It also makes you feel good because it releases chemicals like endorphins and serotonin that improve your mood. It also increases the size of the hippocampus, the part of the brain responsible for memory. You don’t have to run a marathon to boost your mental and emotional wellbeing, and perhaps you shouldn’t. While more dynamic exercise routines provide greater benefit than light or moderate physical activity, people who work out for between 30 and 60 minutes, three to five times a week, have the lowest mental health burden. A 45-minute session appears to be most effective since its duration is the easiest to fit into anyone’s routine.
Good nutrition is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle. Combined with physical activity, your diet can help you to reach and maintain a healthy weight, reduce your risk of chronic diseases, and promote your overall health. Small changes can make a big difference to your health. If there was a magic potion that promised to improve your health, mood, mental abilities, productivity and self esteem, would you take it? literally — what we eat is what we are. If you desire a life filled with things like improved brain function, a better mood, and higher self-esteem, the key may be sitting on the plate in front of you. Our mental state plays a huge role in our overall wellbeing. Your brain is always “on.” It takes care of your thoughts and movements, your breathing and heartbeat, your senses. It works hard 24/7, even while you’re asleep. This means your brain requires a constant supply of fuel. That “fuel” comes from the foods we eat, and what’s in that fuel makes all the difference. Put simply, what you eat directly affects the structure and function of your brain and, ultimately, also your mood. It's no secret that the mood you're in at any given point has a big effect on your decision making skills - a bad mood often leads us to bad choices.
Like an expensive car, your brain functions best when it gets only premium fuel. Eating high-quality foods that contain lots of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants nourishes the brain and protects it from oxidative stress (the “waste” (free radicals) produced when the body uses oxygen, which can damage cells). It's easier than you think to start eating healthy! Take small steps each week to improve your nutrition, move toward a healthier you and enjoy a fuller, happier, more satisfying life in return. When our clients “go clean,” they cannot believe how much better they feel both physically and emotionally.
When you first try to endorse a new behaviour, you must put thought into the process, have the intent and insert conscious effort into doing it. When you’ve done this new routine enough to create and strengthen the connections in your brain, this routine will require less effort as it becomes the default pattern. Why is change often difficult? In my opinion there are two reasons:
We don’t want it badly enough,
Or we don’t know how to make it happen (techniques).
It may also be easy, if we encourage the right circumstances and apply the right strategy. An effective change can be implemented by simple and manageable steps. Change does not need to be a painful process, either. On the contrary, it can be pleasurable when we are enjoying the process.
Seek professional help, don’t let anything burden your progress.
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