The story below is from our July/August 2023 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!
There are many ways and reasons to stimulate, protect and improve your brain health.
Brain health is vital to our overall health. Our brains function as our command center, automatically directing various body functions and affecting our balance, coordination and movement as well as our thinking and emotions. Our mental health is impacted by the physical wellness of our brain.
The healthier the brain is, the lower the risk of cognition-related decline and the easier it is to make decisions that support us living our best life physically, mentally and emotionally. While factors such as genetics and diseases do affect brain health, there are things in your control that can enhance your physical and mental health.
Courtesy of Amanda Wright
“Brain health is mental health! If there is something wrong with your brain, you won’t think properly or make helpful decisions,” says Amanda Wright, Brain Health Coach at Creative Genius Solutions. She notes that while there is a myriad of ways to protect your brain health, one factor that most professionals agree on is eating a healthy diet, especially as “our gut is our second brain.”
A healthy diet includes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean proteins and healthy fats to provide the nutrients our brain needs. Supplements like vitamins B and D, magnesium and Omega 3 may help with mood regulation and function.
“Other factors that contribute to good brain health are sleep, exercise and stress reduction,” says Wright. “If you are athletic, make sure you are wearing your protective gear. It’s important to reduce the risk of concussions.”
Getting enough sleep allows the brain to repair. Chronic sleep deprivation can lead to cognitive impairment and memory loss. It affects our mood and mental health as well.
Exercise can help the brain physically by increasing blood and oxygen flow. Mentally, it can help manage stress, alleviate depression and lead to overall feelings of well-being.
Keeping socially and mentally active support brain neuroplasticity, the brain’s ability to adapt and change. Reading, music, doing Sudoku and playing games that stimulate brain function can help prevent cognitive decline and have a positive impact on mental health. So can novel activities such as learning an instrument or a new language.
Alcohol and substances can change brain structure and function. Long-term use can affect many aspects of the brain and behavior, among them memory and concentration as well as increased depression and anxiety. Being under the influence of substances can also lead to riskier behavior which can increase the likelihood of accidents and injury.
Sometimes, no matter how many of the right things we do, we could experience brain decline due to disease, aging, accident or injury. Post traumatic stress disorder and other psychological issues also affect how our brains work and respond.
Courtesy of Brice Jackson
According to Brain Injury Services of SWVA’s website, someone sustains a brain injury every 21 seconds in the United States. Acquired brain injuries (those sustained after birth) can be caused by a variety of things. Common causes are accidents, sports injury, substance use, toxic exposure, disease or stroke. Brain Injury Services provides free education, resources and case management services to assess an individual’s needs and make appropriate referrals.
Wright suggests seeking help as soon as you are aware there is a problem. She says symptoms could include lack of sleep, more than a week of sadness or depression and feeling disconnected or anxious.
“Seeing your doctor to rule out any other physical issues is a good place to start. Many people seek me out because they are not sure where to begin the process or the steps needed to take better care of themselves,” she says. “My coaching process includes building your professional support team.”
Wright helps individuals and groups train their brains. She offers brain health assessments, coaching and classes for children and adults that focus on skills and habits for brain optimization.
Amy Short, Certified Occupational Therapy Assistant at Connections Brain-Based Therapy Center, agrees that getting an assessment and beginning treatment as soon as possible is a key to preventing further damage and to begin healing. Short changed career paths and returned to school to become an OT after a neurologist referred her son who has autism to this therapy, and she noticed improvements. She and a friend helped Dr. Brice Jackson open the center in Roanoke to help other families.
Connections offers neuro-based occupational therapy specifically designed to improve brain function by helping pathways connect or reconnect depending on the situation. Conditions treated include traumatic brain injuries (TBI), stroke, dementia, neurological disabilities such as autism and ADD and neurodevelopmental symptoms.
Courtesy of Anderson Music
Music therapy is another option for treating neurological issues. Anderson Music Therapy offers individual and group music therapy for cognitive issues and TBI. This year, they received three years of funding through the Commonwealth Neurotrauma Initiative (CNI) Trust Fund, managed by the Department for Aging and Rehabilitative Services, that funds services for TBI and Spinal Cord Injury survivors.
There will be several group sessions for TBI survivors with one starting in September. Anderson said they also have scholarships available for individual sessions that can be taken in person or online.
“Music therapy is a powerful treatment for brain injury and spinal cord injury survivors as purposeful music experiences promote neuroplasticity and enhance the neural process to promote fast and permanent changes in patients’ brains,” says Noel Anderson of Anderson Music Therapy. “Music therapy addresses and supports the emotional and social needs of patients while also having the ability to rehabilitate functional skills related to cognition, communication and motor skills.”
Linda Bailey’s daughter, Allysun, sustained three traumatic brain injuries in a thirteen-month period when she was only 16. Bailey sought out help and found a neuropsychologist who recommended multiple solutions – vestibular therapy, working with a neuro-optometrist, occupational and physical therapy, red-light therapy (photobiomodulation) and rest.
Red-light therapy made such a difference after one session that Bailey purchased a red-light unit and treated her daughter at home. She also treated friends and saw that it worked for a variety of people. That led her to open Total You Health and offer red-light therapy and other natural modalities that help reduce inflammation and pain.
Bailey encourages those struggling with brain injuries to “find a great neuropsychologist and get vestibular therapy and other therapies.”
She encourages eating well and drinking lots of water because the body is working hard to heal itself.
“Get the help you think you need,” Bailey says. “There are solutions out there, and you don’t have to rely on medications only. You just need to try and see what works. Don’t give up!”
She adds that Brain Injury Services is a great resource and suggests finding support groups for “both the brain injured and their caretakers.”
Brain health is a foundation for overall health and well-being. Taking care of our brain through exercise, healthy eating, quality sleep, stress management, doing brain-boosting activities and social engagement can help maintain cognitive function and improve mental health. Managing medical conditions and having regular check-ups can reduce the risk of cognitive decline. Physically protecting our brain by reducing our risk of accidents and wearing helmets and protective gear when engaging in sports can help prevent brain injuries.
When our brain is impacted, it creates a ripple effect. If you suspect that you or a loved one may have neurological issues, cognitive decline or a brain injury, it is best to consult with a healthcare provider for proper diagnosis and treatment, advocate for the treatment you believe will help and find support.
The story above is from our July/August 2023 issue. For more stories like it, Subscribe Today. Thank you!