Nourish – Protect – Renew Your Brain

Enjoy this vast brain website

The Franklin Institute has amassed a comprehensive website revealing the awe-inspiring human brain. Start with the Brain Food Pyramid showing the role of fats, proteins, carbohydrates, micronutrients and diet needed for optimal brain health. Protect the Brain section is outstanding as is

Brain Renewal citing the importance of exercise, stress and sleep.

Review the Year and Celebrate!

Wellness QUEST for YOUR BEST! Find a quiet moment to reflect on family, friends and other special people who have helped, loved, and inspired you throughout the past year. Celebrate all of them with an expression of gratitude before the year ends.

Health BENEFITS: Gratitude has a unique relationship with well-being. Wikipedia reports research suggesting how grateful people are happier, more satisfied with their lives and social relationships, and more in control of personal growth. They are less depressed, less stressed, and sleep better.

QUOTE: He is a wise man who does not grieve for the things which he has not, but rejoices for those which he has. ~Epictetus

HUMOR: An optimist stays up until midnight to see the New Year in. A pessimist stays up to make sure the old year leaves. ~Bill Vaughan

POST SCRIPT: In addition to being thankful for other people’s positive effect on your life, give yourself credit. Your positive efforts deserve to be celebrated as well.

Note: The Health Cartoon shown above is taken from the perpetual Health Care-toons Calendar by Jeff Haebig and cartoonist Ed Fischer.

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QUEST CRYPTOGRAM answer from December 28th

"Triangle of Fitness... strength, flexibility, aerobics"

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Create Amygdala De Dah!

Move from Stress and Fear to High Cheer for the Holidays

The amygdala (a-mig-dah-la) is part of the brain in charge of feelings. Part of our survival system, the amygdala stores intense feelings, recalling them at times to guide our behavior. This can help us quickly respond to stressful and threatening situations with lightening speed.

With all the financial turmoil today and threats of terrorism, plus all the other stressors in our lives -- the amygdala is getting a real workout. In fact, it may be in overdrive, spewing out stimulating chemicals that can overtax the body/brain over time.

To balance this hyped up situation, mental and physical calming activities help quiet the amygdala. Exercise works especially well. Regular workouts help calm the amygdala and metabolize (burn up) excess stress.

The amygdala also stores intense positive feelings -- joy, excitement, wonderment. During this holiday season, let's find ways to add gleeful moments and create amygdala de dah!

Jeff