Brain Health-2
Start right in the morning with the light
The hypothalamus is the part of the brain that receives light exposure through the eyes. Light triggers the hypothalamus to signal that it is morning. Serotonin is linked to morning sunlight, while darkness triggers the production of melatonin. This exposure is crucial for optimal brain health and priming your circadian rhythm.
Why is a circadian rhythm important?
For your brain cells to function properly you need to service your “Core Battery” properly. Your core battery is basically tour bodies internal time clock. You go through 4 time periods a day and it is important to fuel each one properly.
These 4 periods are 1. early morning, 2. noon to three O’clock, 3. after 3 O’clock until dinner, 4. two hours after dinner and bedtime.
Maintaining a healthy circadian rhythm leads to:
Improved energy levels
Better mood
Optimal digestion
A stronger immune system
Enhanced metabolism
Better recovery from exercise and stress
Increased growth hormone production to regenerate new tissue
Too tired to get out of bed? Hit snooze too many times?
The morning is the most important period for starting your brain health right for the day. If you hit snooze you have already failed. The thing you use to wake you up is your call to rise and prime. Rise out of bed and prime that brain for success. These next steps are crucial.
1. Feed the spirit with giving thanks, reading or journaling. 2. Watch that sun rise and get your 10 minutes of Vitamin D and feed your serotonin. 3. Motion is lotion, get moving for 10-30 minutes of fitness. 4. Feed that gut properly, get the protein in that fuels those brain cells.
Ignoring the circadian rhythm can lead to burnout and disconnection from your life’s purpose.
Establishing structure and daily habits is essential.
The brain does not finish developing until age 25. What you feed the brain can help it or hinder it. A sedentary lifestyle and excessive video gaming, alcohol, and too much caffeine can hinder brain growth.
An unhealthy gut leads to systemic inflammation. T ahis inflammation can lead to leaky gut. A leaky gut contributes to a leaky blood-brain barrier. Once that barrier starts letting in the bad stuff you are susceptible to a decline in brain health. The brain consumes 20-30% of daily calories—so what are you consuming?
Eonmotional strength equals brain strength
Do your best to keep the A.N.T.’s out. ANTS: Automatic Negative Thoughts (As Jim Kwik, with Kwik Brain states) . A healthy mindset starts with knowing your purpose, who you are, and whose you are. Remember you are a child of God fearfully and wonderfully made.
Be intentional. Write down specific desires, physical, emotional, and spiritual goals. See your struggles as opportunity for growth. Create a mission statement for yourself, including your values for both personal and professional life. Be intentional as you prioritize with the first 3 important goals for the day. A lack of balance leads to burnout.
Don’t stay walk away!
If you are like me and struggle with stopping in the middle of work and stepping outside for a brisk walk, we are not alone.
Your work will still be there. You deserve to be the best at everything you do, which can only happen with mental breaks and movement throughout the day.
Start your morning with gratitude—it rewires your brain for success and enhances decision-making. Meditation is a powerful tool to reset and refresh the brain, whether in the morning or before bed.
Your brain can be trained to think positively through the placebo effect. Counteract every negative thought with a positive one and visualize a successful outcome.
Healthy Brain Foods:
Green tea
Berries
Brassica vegetables (bok choy, cauliflower, broccoli)
Protein
Collagen
Vitamin C
Antioxidants
Let me know if you'd like any further refinements! 😊
