I find it very interesting how so many people can react so differently in similar situations. This COVID situation has brought out so many different reactions from people, some unexpected, some predictable.

I think this has been severely lacking in our lives lately.

I was surprised at my own reactions this past spring. First I savoured being at home, enjoying extra time with my kids and trying to relax. After a few weeks of watching the news and social media, I felt anxious and depressed, I started eating sugar- which I normally loathe- and had a hard time focusing. As a self professed loner and introvert, I was surprised at how much I missed the energy of being around people, my friends and my coworkers.

I am fortunate to have the skills to recognize my own depression, self-correct, detox the sugar and lose the weight and inflammation I’d gained. As the situation evolves, I am very mindful of my own thought processes and careful to take my supplements so I can feel my best. I have decided to stay off social media as much as possible as I am highly empathetic and find social media just too much lately. I also find walking daily helps my mental health a lot!

I know not everyone has access to these skills so I wanted to share some of my knowledge here with you.

I love to work with mood disorders and see how wonderfully they respond to natural treatments. Lately I have been fascinated with the brain. I’ve been reading books on it, attending webinars, trainings and scouring through my old notes on brain function, nutrients for the brain and brain health. I was most enthralled with the different areas in the brain, and how low or high activity in different areas can produce different symptoms or patterns of behaviour. For example, low activity in one area can hinder the person’s ability to read facial expressions, social cues and have feelings of anxiety or paranoia. High activity in another area is related to compulsive behaviours, oppositional behaviour, and difficulty processing change. What is even more interesting is how changing the diet and adding a few supplements can rebalance those areas of the brain and provide relief from unwanted behaviours.

Your brain really is remarkable. Most people think of their brain as “you get what you get” and there is no changing it. That couldn’t be further from the truth. What you may have considered a personality trait may be an imbalance in the brain. Your brain can be improved, no matter what you have going on, even with some degeneration. ADD, OCD, ODD, anxiety, depression, memory, focus and social engagement can all be improved upon. Never underestimate your body’s ability to heal.

So that’s what I’ve been working on lately, and I’m very excited to share it with you. I’ve found simple exercises/movements that can improve your nervous system. I’ve compiled lists of supplements for each area of the brain and each behavioural problem. I’ve simplified a list of brain healthy foods, and highlighted different foods that balance different chemicals/hormones in the brain. I’ve put together lists of activities and lifestyle changes that can improve brain health too. Whatever you feel you are ready to tackle, I can help you with it.

I am fortunate to have so many different areas to draw from to help my clients feel their best. I often find that using homeopathic medicines first help draw the person out of their stuck state enough to feel comfortable trying other aspects of treatment. I do see Nutrition and supplements as the basis to most brain health treatment plans. Both are needed to provide long term results. Gut health also place a big part in mental health, but that’s another blog. :)

The best approach is a personalized approach. There is no one-size-fits-all remedy, supplement or food that will help every person. We need to assess what your body is asking for.

Brain Basics

I didn’t want to publish this post without including some quick and easy tips that you can start right now to improve your brain function. Here’s a few things you can try:

Increase your intake of Omega 3 fatty acids. Fatty fish, walnuts and flaxseed are few foods you can add into your diet. Supplements are great too, but some people may need more EPA or DHA depending on their brain function and symptoms.
Get enough sleep. Your brain needs a lot of rest. If you are having trouble sleeping, there are many natural options to help you get a better sleep.
Exercise. Exercise gets your blood pumping, your lymphatic fluids moving, relaxes your nervous system and improves cognitive function.

I count myself very fortunate that I can use any extra downtime to educate myself and improve my skills as a natural health care provider. I hope you will take the time to take care of your brain and your mental health and contact me. I am available for appointments in the office at Market Mall Family Chiropractic in Saskatoon, or by distance consultations by email, phone and video.

The information provided here is for educational purposes only. For treatment please seek a qualified healthcare provider.