Brain Boosters

After last week’s Health-e-Byte, I was inundated with requests to expand on practical strategies to build a better brain and reduce our risk of dementia. The best answer is to read my latest [...]

Soon after returning from Sri Lanka, I was interviewed on Channel 7’s Weekend Sunrise about the impact of physical exercise on our brain. The key message is that exercise isn’t a nice-to-have, [...]

Positive emotions — joy, curiosity, gratitude, hope, optimism, excitement, enthusiasm, anticipation, love — all fuel our brain and strengthen our immune system.  This does NOT mean forcing [...]

S stands for Sleep. Seven to nine hours of good quality sleep every night is essential for a healthy brain because while we sleep our brain detoxifies and clears out aberrant amyloid and tau [...]

E stands for Education.  Be a lifelong learner.  Seek out novelty and new experiences.  Get out of your comfort zone.  Learn a foreign language, musical instrument, art, craft or technical [...]

R stands for Relationships.  Nurture good relationships.  Cultivate a confidante. Find a community you want to be a part of. Contribute to your fellow person in whichever way brings you the most [...]

U stands for Uplifting emotions.  It was wonderfully uplifting being up among the clouds, doing more than I thought I was capable of.  What brings you joy? Do it!  Spend time doing things you [...]

T stands for Thankfulness.  This was a really easy brain-booster for me to practise today because there was so much I felt grateful for. Firstly, I was very thankful I’d completed the most [...]

N stands for Nature. Nature is our great healer and balancer. When we’re tired, nature energises us. When our concentration starts to wane, nature helps our brain regain focus. And when we’re [...]

E stands for Exercise. Walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, rowing, dancing, pickle ball, team sports — any form of movement that you enjoy — stimulates the growth of new brain cells and new [...]