From Amanda's very early writing (1990s to early 2000s), shared as it was originally written.
91 Brain Longevity or Middle aged Memory Loss'
According to a fascinating new book I found last week, stress is making us stupid!
Yes, it's true. According to Dr Dharma Singh Khalsa in his book Brain Longevity published by Warner Books. He believes that the 'mega information' syndrome is overloading our poor brains. I'm not sure where he gleaned this information but he says that the average American sees 16,000 advertisements, logos and labels per day - and that excludes news messages, radio programs, books, magazines, email, faxes and phone calls etc!
All this 'cerebral noise' creates sharp jolts on our nervous systems and cortisol , a major brain enemy, is perpetually released. This noise is an ongoing onslaught of our nervous system. And keeps our levels of cortisol too high.
To give you an idea of what cortisol , a hormone similar to adrenalin, does to us he tells a 'fish story'. It's about salmon fighting their way upstream to spawn. They need tremendous energy to do all the amazing things we have seen them do on TV as they make their final journey and they get this energy from cortisol that is released from their adrenal glands. Apparently the body system that regulates the release of cortisol stops working at this time and the fish over secrete it in massive quantities.
The consequence of this over secretion is to exhaust the adrenal glands, disrupt metabolism, destroy hormonal balance, damage the immune system; the fish have peptic ulcers, lesions on their kidneys, are disorientated and are easily attacked by infections and parasites. The die quickly. Oh oh.
But wait, there's more! If the fish have their adrenal glands removed immediately after spawning, they stop cortisol production and return to health, behave normally and live for another year.
Apparently we are just like these fish! We are living everyday as if we are fighting upstream to live - not just spawn. What we don't know is that the way most of us are traveling when we reach up stream, we'll be dead.
Brain dead anyway. Cortisol destroys brain cells via free radicals, and interferes with the production of neurotransmitters (the communication mechanism of the brain) and affects blood sugar levels. All of which affect our ability to concentrate, focus , remember things and experience pleasure. There's even a new 'syndrome' called middle aged memory loss for those folks who are suffering chronically high cortisol levels!
Now comes the good news. These effects can be reversed - we need to lower our cortisol levels and feed our brains. He recommends and outlines comprehensively a four step regime. Nutritional therapy, stress management (surprise!), exercise and pharmacology. As stress is a primary cause of accelerated brain aging, many of hte strategies are aimed at minimising the impact stress has on our bodies.
I though it may be useful to summarize what he considers a 'brain longevity' day - one where we minimize damage on this overstimulated organ.
Wake up slowly! Do not have a loud, intrusive and sharp noise instantly jangle you awake. Lie in bed for a few minutes quietly contemplating a pleasant day. Mentally rehearse a satisfying, relaxing day. Allow yourself to get into the flow of the day. Gently out of bed and meditate for 20 minutes followed by 30 minutes of exercise. He recommends yoga and walking. Have a shower and finish it with cold water to stimulate the nervous system in a healthy way.
Have a healthy, nutrient rich breakfast of fruit, whole grain cereals, soy products, yogurt and flax oil, with no coffee, newspapers or TV heralding disasters and misery. Take the supplements that he lists in great detail. (Mostly anti oxidants and lecithin, ginko biloba and gensing).
And NO RUSHING. Rushing, or a sense of being permanently rushed, is a fabulous way to increase cortisol production.
Drink pure water during the day - tap water being polluted with chemicals in most areas. And drink tea rather than coffee.
Make a conscious effort not to stress during the day - seek support, control yourself and do things that release your stress, frustration and anger. Try to have 'pleasure spots' during the day - moments which release chemicals that counteract stress chemicals. Do some mental exercise each day to keep your brain fit.
Make lunch the days largest meal and eat more protein than starch - he recommends mostly vegetable protein.
Then in the evening, it's time to unwind, recharge your batteries by spending time with your family or loved ones or friends; to contemplate the day and life and to feel love, contentment and peace. (I know, you're thinking that this is what you do every day already!)
Dinner should be slightly smaller and have more carbohydrates than protein as this increases the release of serotonin - a calming chemical.
Then relax deeply before you go to bed. Have a bath; a massage - he particularly recommends a foot massage and sleep 8 hours as often as
possible.
Easy! If you had trouble focusing on this article, or can't remember anything I've written - buy the book and go on this regime quickly.
What regime?
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