Posts Tagged ‘Mind/Body’
Tis Better to Give Than to Receive
Researchers have found that the mesolimbic pathway is activated by charitable giving. This area is one of the major pathways where you find the neurotransmitter dopamine, which is associated with the brain’s pleasure system. Furthermore, donating also appears to increase the release of oxytocin, a hormone that acts as a neurotransmitter and is involved in social bonding and building trust between people.
So this holiday, find a way to give back. Not only will it make you feel better, but social activities are good stress reducers too. If you and your family are at each others’ throats with too much togetherness, plan an activity together.
Go feed the hungry at a local community center, Walk the dogs at a local shelter, Visit the sick at a hospital, Clean a park or beach together. Having an activity together will take the focus off of each other and give you a reason to work together, bond, and enjoy your dopamine/oxytocin rush. It’s good for your brain.
Working Out All Your Muscles
Click on this link for some highlights: “Physical exercise boosts the brain’s rate of neurogenesis throughout one’s life, while mental exercise increases the rate at which those new brain cells survive and make functional connections into your existing neural networks. Both physical exercise and the challenge from mental exercise increase the secretion of nerve growth factor, which helps your neurons grow and stay healthy.
Read MoreNew Year’s Resolutions for Brain and Body
If you haven’t found one yet, here are some great posts with a lot of ideas to help find your own healthy resolutions.The Carnival of Positive Thinking has some really great entries this time. One of the articles in particular has some great suggestions to help your brain health into the new year- taking time to reflect, find a healthy balance of stimulation and rest, appreciating life, and being inquisitive.The Carnival of SportsThe Happiness CarnivalSo, what are your resolutions for 2007?
Read More5 Holiday Health Tips
There is so much good in the season, but the stress and anxiety associated with the high expectations that come with the season can really eat away at that holiday spirit.But fortunately, you don’t have to suffer through this time of year. With practice, there are many techniques that help restore peace and goodwill to all.Here are some of my recommendations: My 10-minute spa shower technique for stress reduction was published in the The Seventh Healthy & Fit Family Carnival.
Read MoreNew Brain Fitness Guide
We are very excited to announce our new guide: <strong>Brain Fitness for Sharp Brains: Your <em>New</em> New Year Resolution,</strong>. Alvaro Fernandez and Dr. Elkhonon Goldberg wrote it with Caroline Latham in order to provide an introduction to the concept, science, and practice of brain fitness.
Read MoreFree Brain Exercise: Two Feet of Free Therapy
Guess what?! There is this amazing therapy that is free for everyone. All you need is two feet (and many very accomplished practitioners don’t even have that!). … It’s called exercise! All kidding aside, there is more and more evidence coming to light about how your brain health is intricately intertwined with the health of…
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