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.

Shirley Hugh-Jesst | @audriana | Jul 8, 2023

My Grandma had "live-forevers."

jasonhowery | @jasonhowery | Jul 8, 2023

I took up meditation. With gardening as a recommendation. My girlfriend has a green thumb, but not so much for me. Also the garden would be a great place to meditate in. Beautiful garden.

Debbie | @dbeshears1 | Jul 9, 2023

Your garden looks wonderful! Unfortunately with the NC heat (now SC) and my intolerance to high temps, and physical handicap with Neuropathy, gardening doesn’t work for me and I envy those with fresh tomatoes and squash, and appreciate my wonderful friends that share! As for brain health, I start my morning with coffee in bed and traditional puzzle teasers.. 3 online progressively hard word games followed by 8 online progressively hard math games, followed by the good old fashioned NYT crossword puzzle, which I always fail to complete on Sunday 🧐

Ginger, Volunteer Mentor | @gingerw | Jul 9, 2023

@audriana My dad passed in 2012, at the age of 96. Right up to the end, he kept his brain actively engaged in learning new things, keeping in contact with old friends, new friends, and family. Doing puzzles and challenging himself. As he told me, his body tired out, not his mind!

I like the ideas of finding what interests you, learn more, then expand your horizons a bit more. You'll never know what you find today that will be a stepping stone to a new path tomorrow!
Ginger

liv38556 | @liv38556 | Jul 9, 2023

I stay away from the TV programming if at all possible. I keep in touch with an old friend and my younger brother who I grew up with. Some of my relatives too at times although I feel I reach out to them more then they reach out to me ☹️. My grown kids still live at home (plus a son in law) and at times they are challenging to deal with but at the same time at least I know where they are and what they are doing (pretty much) after work and on their days off. I learned having children means you will be worried about them for the rest of your life. My son in law and son help my husband & I out a lot with various things around the house & yard which is nice. I haven’t had to mow our grass for a few years now due to this. I wish we had a bigger house for us all with a pool for our family’s own R&R. That would help out.

covidstinks2023 | @covidstinks2023 | Jul 9, 2023

Fish Oil (Omega 3) is good for the brain. I use Carlson lemon flavor liquid. I keep it in the fridge and take it daily. Blessings.....

sisyphus | @sisyphus | Jul 10, 2023

What's good for the body is good for the brain! Why?
Because brain gets its fuel through blood ... and that means working blood vessels ... which means good cardiovascular health ... which means wholesome food made up of mostly plant-based proteins (legumes/pulses means beans, peas, with variety of seeds and nuts (yes walnuts look like brain for a reason lol and of course veggiies and fruits. For carbs, go for whole grains again, it's so weird we look for a few seeds but no notice White Bread is already less nutritious than whole-wheat.

And yes, water from tap that is has flouride to keep teeth without cavities -- unlike bottled and much less tested that municipal waters. Ignorance is costly!

Perhaps what we forget most is having a larger purpose in life to give us direction is most important. With that comes the impetus to live a healthy life of good nutrition and regular physical and mental activities. Enlist people who will challenge you and laugh with you.

evan094 | @evan094 | Jul 10, 2023

When it comes to keeping my brain in shape, I'm all about the sweat and the brain gains, Working out not only gives me those feel-good endorphins, but it seriously boosts my mood and clears my head. Whether I'm hitting the gym, going for a run, or just busting out some killer dance moves in my living room, getting my body moving is like a mental refresh button. it's not all about the physical stuff. I like to give my brain a workout too. Puzzles, brain teasers, and learning new things are my jam. Who knew picking up a musical instrument or diving into a new language could actually give my brain a serious boost? It's like giving my mind a weightlifting session but without the sweat

sisyphus | @sisyphus | Jul 11, 2023

I'll stay with Plato: Part cannot be well unless the whole is well.

Body and brain are bound together -- so sleep, social connections, stress management, nutrition, and a purpose-in-life that includes looking after more than oneself (Prof Patrick Hill of Wash State Univ at St Louis) and yes physical activity, ALL help keep a brain in shape. If feeling short on time, running fast in-place helps me raise my heart beat in less than a minute as do the 12 floors in my stairwell.