How brain fit are you?

Hi - Quiz time
It is almost February 1st. This is when your February challenges will begin. Ask yourself each question and answer honestly. Each day I will give you a challenge that will increase your
mental stimulation and physical activity  and also working on your emotional and spiritual well being as well These challenges will  increase your ability to focus better, think more clearly and accurately and remember more.

1. Can you keep up with conversation ?
2. Do you hear sounds clearly and accurately?
3. Do you react quickly to every situation?
4. Can you keep track of moving objects at the same time ?
5. Do you remember appointments?
6. Do you remember daily everyday activities and their order?
7. Do you remember where put something?
8. If still driving ,do you drive safely?
9. Do you find words on the tip of your tongue?

See you in February...

Encourage your Memory...

Whoops!

Omega 3 fatty acids have been acclaimed for their treatment in a variety of age related processes. They have a significant effect on brain function, particularly on moods and memory. There are several ways to improve your memory such as getting off of the chair and using your cognizance. Supply your brain the building blocks that it needs and most likely you will not misplace your keys as frequently as before. Your cognitive function needs honing on a continual basis. Foods containing the omegas are as follows: salmon (most fatty fish), oils from nuts, olive oil, beans and squash. The Inuit consume large amounts of omega 3 fatty acids and display a low occurrence of cardiovascular health issues. Phenol and Phytoalixin are chemicals that certain plants release in response to damage or stress. They do positive things in many cases. It can reduce plaque as in Alzheimer's disease and improve some degenerative conditions. They also contain anti-aging properties and are somewhat protective. These can be found in blueberries, red grapes and other fruits.

        So keep your memory boosted... Only time will tell

Memory Boosters

Are you able to remember what someone said to you 30 years ago very clearly but where did you place your car keys or leave your debit card at a store in the ATM machine today? Here are a few ways to support your memory as you age.
Eat your fish. It's great for your brain. Vitamin B 12 is essential  and is required in many bodily activities.
A deficiency leads to pain, electric shock feelings, sleep disturbances, fatigue, depression and loss of memory. Fish is a great source of  Vitamin B 12. Next important ingredient should contain phytoestrogens.
These are found in soy beans, lentils, oats , barley, yams, apples, rice, carrots and pomegranates and many more foods. Quercetin is a natural compound found in many plants. It is a flavenoid and it works on the neurons and increases synaptic conduction and results in better and quicker connections in the brain. These are found in onions, fruits, vegetables, leaves and grains.
This is enough information to digest on a relaxing Sunday. I will talk about Phenol, phytoalism, and more about omega 3 acids..

Gratifying things to do on a Saturday.

Saturday is a wonderful day. There are several things that you could do on a Saturday such as:

1. Change your location temporarily of where you generally have coffee - perhaps a little hide away cafe. Meet a small number of  friends  and truly enjoy the space and time in a different environment.
2. Plan to go out for a nice meal or go to a food court and treat yourself to something that you enjoy and don't indulge in very often.
3. Become a thrifter for the day-you may find a treasure or a designer dress with the sales tags still attached, or maybe an antique or vintage vase for a bit of change. Sometimes a piece of functional furniture can be your find very cheaply.
4. Be a couch potato for the day with a cozy blanket and a book or kobo and listen to your favourite music.
Order in for your meal and end the day with a lavender bubble bath-so relaxing...
5. Cancel plans to do housework if you had them and go out and visit or meet friends that enjoy being with....
6. Take a workshop for the day on the topic of one of you favourite hobbies.

Above all - 'Live it up'    Remember , this is 'socialization' which is a necessary part of brain fitness...

'No man is an Island'

John Donne was a Poet, Satirist, Lawyer, and Priest. (1572-1631). Neuroscientists have caught up with the wisdom of this great poet and value the importance of poems that he wrote. They have also realized their essential essence; we must stay coordinated and committed with other people. Our cognitive acuity requires socialization along with physical activity, nutrition, spirituality and mental stimulation. That is the complete recipe for brain fitness. Folks who are deprived of human contact suffer from serious psychological effects along with physical deficiencies. Mental diseases are not always prevented when you are socializing adequately. Socialization will help us to think more clearly and remember a great deal more. The size of the brain has been associated with the size of the social group that the animals generally form. So as we age one should take steps to socialize eg. join a social club, play challenging games with a group of people, meet an old chum for dinner, Learn to ballroom dance with a group. Enjoy a movie night and on and on it goes. Learn a new card game with others.

                                                  'For whom the bell tolls'. by John Donne

The 'February Meltdown Challenge Month'

Firstly I will finish talking about Hypoglycemia. Do you suffer from undiagnosed Hypoglycemia? The condition can mimic most every medical condition. Your brain cannot function efficiently when you have low blood sugar. If left undiagnosed, a person could go into a coma.

Now onto 'February Meltdown Challenge Month' We all need to generate new brain cells ( neurogenesis ) but it requires exposure to several of the brain health areas. On February 1, I will present  to you, a challenge and proceed to give you one each day, some more complex than others. I will choose the challenges from 5 different areas. They will be from areas such as : Physical activity, Mental stimulation, socialization, spirituality and nutrition. Do those areas sound familiar? You will be given one challenge a day (there will be five per week) So you will have a plenty of time to complete these opportunities. One or two of the challenges will be a type of challenge that you could do every day as you are working on the next one. I (Hippo) will also do the daily challenges. We will learn and participate together...

Hypoglycemia- non diabetics....

Hypoglycemia is a condition when your blood sugar is too low. There are three reasons why it could occur -that is your body's sugar is used too quickly. Glucose is released into the bloodstream too slowly,or too much insulin is released into the blood stream. The reason for people without a diabetic condition could be drinking alcohol, a tumor or cyst in the pancreas so that it produces too much insulin, liver disease or perhaps you may have skipped a meal or there has been too long an interval between meals.
Symptoms could be: Double or blurry vision, fast or pounding heartbeat, feel cranky or acting aggressive,
nervous feeling, hunger, trembling or shaking, sweating and sleeping trouble. You may just experience a few symptoms. perhaps some toast and honey or 1 cup orange juice (not diet) will rescue you temporarily
You may feel weak and faint or something more serious -so you should seek medical attention-also remembering that you should not drive when your blood sugar is low. also if you experience this condition at all -you should call your health care provider.

Today -we are speaking about people that have not been diagnosed with diabetes at the present time.
It can also occur with diabetics- so let's not get confused...