What do you do to keep your brain healthy?

Posted by Shirley Hugh-Jesst @audriana, Jul 8, 2023

I've been progressing with the Spravato treatments in conjunction with my other medications and therapies.

I was talking to Dr. Andrew--the pharmacist who monitors my treatments. He and I are interested in plants. I told him I bought a St.John's Wort tree for my garden because I was nostalgic. St. John's Wort capsules were one of the first things I took to improve my depression, but it didn't. He explained the "why" and mentioned all the really bad side effects the plant can have. Anyway, the leaves are forest green and the delicate yellow flowers are profuse and beautiful...
Working in my garden is one way I help my brain to stimulate my "creative juices" and feel better. It's therapeutic to feel the warm soil, smell the aromas, see the changes in growth, and diagnose the croaking.

It's been so hot & muggy in NC, I need to get St. John into the ground, soon. My garden is survival of the fittest. ☮️

It's a joy to pop a cherry tomato fresh off the vine. Nope, I don't wash them first. They're tucked in where the dogs can't pee on them.

I like plopping a banana or egg shells into the soil ♻️

Writing about my garden is a bonus!
Body, mind, spirit.☯️

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Depression & Anxiety Support Group.

femalepersuasion | @femalepersuasion | Jul 11, 2023

There's been some research that indicates using MCT in your coffee in the morning increases energy, improves weight management and staves off dementia so I'm experimenting with that these days.

sisyphus | @sisyphus | Jul 13, 2023

Here's the latest research that underscores the primacy of nutrition without getting complicated: Stay away from Ultra processed foods. It seems to save us from mild depression and anxiety -- and more.
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/04/well/eat/ultraprocessed-food-mental-health.html
Who thought nature could be so generous!

dfb | @dfb | Jul 13, 2023

There is a book “Brain Energy” by Palmer MD. It will answer your questions far better than I can.

It changed my life!

randywhite | @randywhite | Jul 14, 2023

In reply to @dfb "There is a book “Brain Energy” by Palmer MD. It will answer your questions far better..." + (show)

I echo sentiments about self education via reading & implementing counsel. My best find so far is ‘Brain Rules for Aging Well’

dfb | @dfb | Jul 14, 2023

Thank You

gardener82 | @gardener82 | Jul 22, 2023

I love all these ideas!

I love puzzles and usually have one or two favorites at any point in time: jigsaw, Rubik’s cubes of different sizes, Sudoku, Wordle

I am a data analyst by trade and think writing computer code and looking for patterns in data is very stimulating and keeps me sharp. I write a lot at my job too, and plan (projects, long term goals). All of these keep me thinking in different spaces: future, past, “deep work”.

In my personal time I garden. I really like just being outside. My dog helps me, mostly by chasing bugs but occasionally he goes along and digs up as fast as I can plant!! I also love to read books of any kind.

I can look back at periods when I was very depressed and notice that I only focused on a single “location” (usually bed or couch) and thinking-type (usually negative past: longing / loneliness / regret, or if future then fear / anxiety).

So when I notice a situation brewing where I might become depressed (winters are hard in the upper Midwest) I try to mix it up and consciously avoid “settling” into the unhealthy thinking-types or one location. (Even reading a book in a new setting is like changing locations)