Boost Your Brain Power

With the rising rates of Parkinson’s disease, Depression, Anxiety, Alzheimer’s, and dementia, we are paying attention to brain health more than ever.

For decades we have been led to believe that our brain developed in our early age and that is it we are stuck with it for life. We have been led to believe that as we age our brain cells will slowly waste away as our ability to function independently slowly declines.

The truth is in the early 1960s, brain researchers began to realize that brain cells, like all cells in the body, have the ability to regenerate and can rearrange themselves as well. The ability of the brain to form and reorganize synaptic connections is called Neuroplasticity. Thanks to neuroplasticity Our brain can adjust to all experiences and changes we face, through our life.

So, by simply exposing yourself to new, wellness-promoting positive experiences especially those that create a sense of curiosity and fascination you can “rewire” your brain, boost your brain power and keep your brain sharp and healthy as you age.

To understand why new and positive experiences are good for your brain we have to address the process of formation of new brain synapses called Synaptogenesis.

Healthy brain synapses are what help with clear thinking, creativity, reasoning, sound memory and the capability to learn and grow. The more synapses means a higher-functioning brain and more brain power. This means it is easier for you to adapt to the demands of your environment.

Those with lower synaptic density often suffer from cognitive impairment, reduced intelligence and more incidents of neurological disorders than those with higher synaptic density.

Foods such as healthy fats, green leafy veggies, and high-quality sources of protein can influence brain function and help create clear focus and mental energy throughout the day. On the other hand too much junk food can lead to brain fog, confusion, and even Alzheimer’s and dementia.

How You Can Boost Your Brain Power

One of the best ways to increase healthy synaptic density is to get involved in creative fun activities and adventures, exciting and new events such as:

Learning something you have never done before, something that involves motor learning as well as cognitive balance and will get your body moving and firing your brain in new and different ways, like dancing, team sports, tennis, juggling……

Exploring new environments may include a trip to Arboretum or outdoor park with lots of trees, meeting up with friends, having engaging conversation and healthy delicious meals. Maybe attending a class with focus on hands-on learning or a trip to a part of the world that you have never been.

Any new environment that creates learning, enjoyment, and gets you moving and having fun will work to increase brain capacity and power. Also getting out of your comfort zone, offering a smile to a stranger doing something good and kind for someone else creates more synapses in the brain.

There is an advantage of being compassionate: studies showed that being loving, kind and compassionate helps to increase activity in specific centers of the brain such as the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, which is responsible for gratifying emotions. Also helps to increase important healing hormones such as serotonin and dopamine. These feel-good neurotransmitters, in turn, lower stress responses.

When it comes to your brain as well as your body's health neither your DNA nor your age controls your destiny. As it turns out, your brain is flexible and malleable. It can and does respond to external factors.