Tag Archives: Affect

How Does Giving Thanks Affect The Brain? : Brain Foods

Article by Jason T Gomez

Thanksgiving is a time to remember to be grateful for all that we have and for the entire year of good things we’ve reaped. In light of the many trials and tribulations this year has had for many of us, we may find ourselves wondering what there is to be grateful for? However, I can assure you there is always something to give thanks for, like for your brain and the ability to even read this article!

Gratitude can be used as a tool to move into a more positive state of mind and an overall better state of brain health. Scientist have found that kind, grateful thoughts and words cause chemical changes in the brain that work much like antidepressants bringing on a sense of peace and calmness that would rival the best pharmaceuticals, but best of all, its free!

In the face of adversity, the key is to start being grateful for those little things, be it the shoes on your feet or for someone’s kind words. To begin, realizing and recognizing one’s state of mind and the emotional setting one is in is critical. This level of awareness is necessary so you can take note and encounter your feelings and then begin to identify and change the thoughts that brought you to that emotional state in the first place.

So, when I notice my shoulder’s tightening up and I’m snapping at my co-workers or family it’s a clear sign that I’m not in the emotional place I want to be. Taking note and acknowledging how I’m feeling is the segue for self-reflection and noticing what thoughts brought me to the frustration I may be feeling and being okay with it.

Then I can easily and safely transition into a different state of mind and emotional space by adjusting my thoughts from the worry of some future event to the small things I’m grateful that I failed to notice because I was too busy pumping toxic thoughts through mind. No wonder I felt stressed!

Here is where gratitude and thankfulness play a huge role, these thoughts automatically trigger a different neurological pattern that is more associated with calmness and wellness. So give it a try, next time you notice yourself stressing…accept and acknowledge, identify and segue, and replace and run healthy thoughts through your mind so you can positively influence and affect your brain for the better!

WHAT ABOUT TURKEY, IS IT BRAIN FOOD?

Ever wonder why you feel tired after eating turkey on Thanksgiving? The popular answer is that turkey contains a lot of Tryptophan, right? Well, this is only partially true.

Tryptophan is an amino acid converted by the brain to 5-HTP, then to Serotonin, which in turn is converted into Melatonin. This is great because it assists sleep, clearly plays a role in balancing mood and sleep patterns and has also shown benefits for a variety of disorders, including anxiety, obsessive-compulsive disorder, migraine headaches, back pain, weight loss and sleep disturbances.

But you can’t blame your Thanksgiving drowsiness solely on Turkey. The high load of heavy carbohydrates that go along with the turkey is also to blame. The key here, is to eat the other foods that are even higher in Tryptophan like Tofu, Black and English Walnuts, Almonds, Sesame Seeds, Roasted Pumpkin Seeds, and Gluten flour. These are going to give you more of what you really want from the meal (a nice healthy nights rest) and less of what you don’t want (a gut-busting Thanksgiving hangover!).

Surprisingly the best source of Tryptophan is in a 5-HTP supplement. Why?Well, Tryptophan needs a transport molecule to pass the blood brain barrier. Whole foods contain other amino acids besides Tryptophan and so compete for the transport molecule, so very little of the Tryptophan is able to get through to the brain. So if you’re looking to increase your amount of tryptophan than a nice 5-HTP supplement may be in order.

So, this Thanksgiving try being grateful in thoughts as well as in action and words and eat less of the carbs and more of the things that are going to help your brain stay nice and healthy.

Written by Jason Thomas Gomez, Director of Marketing Communications and Client Care and CC Chapman, Trainer and Nutritionist at BrainHarmony Biofeedback Center in Newport Beach.

BrainHarmony, Inc, is an industry leader in the area of Brain Fitness. Our training center is powered by Brain State Technologies, a developer of state of the art software and technology that combines traditional EEG Biofeedback / Neurofeedback with a non-evasive approach to balancing, harmonizing, and optimizing the brain.

For more information about BrainHarmony and Biofeedback, Inc. simply log onto www.mybrainharmony.com, email info@mybrainharmony.com,










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Short Term Memory : How Does Your Behavior Affect Your Memory?

Article by John MacRaay

Eight Seconds

It takes time for you to be able to fully focus attention on a thing, and transfer what you are focusing on from short-term memory to long-term.

Can you guess how long? That’s right, eight seconds.

If you are going to commit to increasing the effectiveness of your memory, you need to make a conscious effort to pay specific attention. If you negate paying special attention, then the rest of your efforts will all be useless.

When discussing “memories”, I am referencing both memories that have been moved into the long-term memory, as well as those in the short-term. In both, we keep important information like to-do-lists, names, faces, birthdays, etc.

All peoples can seek the benefits of memory improvement to help them remember information like this.

Can I Actually Do This?

Altering your daily behavior in an attempt at memory improvement is not impossible – nor is it as difficult as you probably imagine.

Find strategies that work for you, and stick to them. For instance, in my case, when I read, it helps me remember the information if I read it out loud. By way of including two senses (sight and sound), I am more easily able to commit the information to memory.

Surprisingly, there is even evidence that alcohol in moderation can actually improve memory at cognitive ability.

Remember Moderation

Keep in mind that alcohol in excess is poor for the memory. However, many studies have illustrated the positive effect of moderate alcohol intake. Moderate drinkers seem to do better on memory tests than do non-drinkers and heavy drinkers.

Furthermore, one of the most effective flavonoids in red wine – the one which experts believe has beneficial effects for blood and memory – is also contained in red grape juice. That said, this tip is now suitable for people of any age and most diet restrictions.

Stress’ Effect on Your Memory

Try to avoid getting overly stressed out with road rage, anger, and anxiety. In time, these things will begin to deteriorate your mental well-being.

One of the worst things for your cognitive abilities is depression. One of the primary symptoms of depression is the inability to retain concentration. This causes depression to be misdiagnosed as a memory problem, sometimes.

When people have difficulty concentrating on schoolwork, or their job, it often makes one feel as though they are always forgetting. However, this is not necessarily the case. What seems like forgetfulness is occurring because these people have an inability to concentrate effectively – they are not learning to begin with.

Furthermore, when someone with depression remembers things, the depression causes them to remember mostly negative things.

The Brain Needs Oxygen

In order for the brain to function at its peak capacity, it needs to get energy by way of a constant flow of oxygen from the blood. Therefore, an increase in the amount of exercise one does is essential. Exercising is a great way to get oxygen to the brain.

Exercise is good for the body, as well as the mind. Memory experts agree that the more physically active a person is, the better they will perform cognitively.

Improve Brain Function, Improve Your Life

There are a lot of tips out there on how a memory can be improved, but for them to work, one must make behavioral changes. All of the techniques are contingent on one’s dedication, and lifestyle change.

John MacRaay has developed himself an expertise on memory improvement. For more great tips on Improve Memory Through Behavior, or visit BestMemoryImprovement.com.










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