Looking After Our brains, and Our Children's Too

Correct care and use of your brain is the key to a stimulating existence and ultimate contentment. Look after your brain. W.Richie Russell

Wrapping up of our Summer Seminar

I had an opportunity this week to learn first hand about the importance of sleep.  I returned last Sunday from an 8 week stay in Tennessee and North Carolina.  They are on east coast time, and we're on mountain standard time.  That's a three hour difference.  I found each day this week I was waking up at 3:30 a.m. and dragging myself through my work week. In my blog I had just discussed the impact of rest and sleep on the brain, so I paid particular attention to just how foggy I was, and how difficult it was for me to maintain a positive attitude.  I could actually visualize the negative activity going on in my head.   Thursday night I was finally able to get in a full night of rest.  Friday morning felt like 'a new day'.  Such a potent reminder about the necessity of getting plenty of rest.

The last chapter in Caroline Leaf's book, Who Switched off My Brain, deals with children and how all of the detox areas we have been talking about impact their developing brains. I must say when I was a young mother raising our four children I wish I knew then, what I know now.  Dr Leaf reminds parents, "negative, fearful thoughts actually change your children's brain chemistry. When toxic thoughts enter their minds, they create the same stress response as in adults: the brain circuitry changes and rewires in negative directions.  When that is allowed to happen in a young developing brain, all the negative impacts on healthy in body, mind and spirit carry over into adulthood."  Leaf goes on to share research that has shown that "early childhood stressors so significantly change neural circuitry and brain chemistry that they set up the child to be an emotionally and physically sick adult.  Children exposed to excessive levels of stress before age 12, are shown to have a 30% higher chance of developing cancer in adulthood." .....Can this be true? We are seeing our young children under more and more stress.  They have even created a term for it called 'hot-housing" when parents attempt to force early rapid brain growth in order for their child to learn more, compete earlier, and succeed beyond reasonable expectation."   Leaf reminds us that although the parents might have good intentions, it may well cause fear, stress and eventually behavior problems in their children.  Then they end up like us, having to take a summer seminar to sort out our brains...ha!  Let's pass the word on to the young parents and encourage them to let their children play, relax and explore. 


As you know we have been reading, discussing and viewing information about our brain and the free will that God gives us to make decisions and take responsibility for having a healthy body and brain.   Let's just recap the areas we have been talking about.

1. Controlling your thoughts
2. The impact of the words we speak
3. Forgiveness
4. Getting Rid of the guilt
5. De-stressing
6. Exercise
7. Nutrition
8. Laughter
9. Relaxation

Hopefully we will all do a better job of looking after our brains.  As our quote for the day states...'it is the key to a stimulating existence and ultimate contentment'.

Well, It's time to wrap up our summer seminar on the brain. I have talked with a number of you and am thrilled that you were able to glean some valuable information from our past weeks. I was so excited to hear about some of the changes you're making in your lives. Personally, I had a ton of 'aha' moments and am determined to set new goals for a healthier brain. 

Homework: Read Chapter 5:  Who Switched Off My Brain
Reflection: What have you learned about your brain and what action steps will you continue to take?
What information that you have learned would you like to pass on to others?

 Please share some of your 'aha' moments or observations on the blog or email me at smallsteps4bigresults@yahoo.com