Brain Fatigue

Did you know the brain tires in a similar way to muscle tissue? When a muscle is fatigued from lack of oxygen, it gives you a signal (e.g., pain, cramps). In order to recover, you must rest. The brain gives you signals when it is fatigued, too, such as:

• Inability to concentrate or put thoughts together
• Being jumpy, nervous, or irritable
• Difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

And in order to recover, you must rest.

Optimism - The Aging Brain

Did you know that researchers are more optimistic than ever about the potential of the aging brain? Studies of older people who have maintained mental acuity revealed some common characteristics. These individuals tended to be:

• Socially connected, with strong ties to relatives, friends and community
• Both physically healthy and physically active
• Engaged in stimulating or intellectually challenging activities.

Do these characteristics describe you?

Dyslexia and Multiple Languages

Did you know that a children who read in varying alphabets and characters and who are dyslexic in one language, say Chinese or English, may not be in another, such as Italian? Dyslexia is a condition in which the mind scrambles letters or stumbles over text. It is twice as prevalent in the United States--where it affects about 10 million children--as in Italy, for example, where the written word more closely corresponds to its spoken sound.
http://online.wsj.com/article_email/SB120965705088459637-lMyQjAxMDI4MDA5MjYwNTI3Wj.html

Brain - Energy Hog

Did you know that your brain is something of an energy hog, using more energy than any other human organ? At any given time your brain is using up to 20% of your body’s total energy haul. About two thirds of the brain's energy budget is used to help the neurons or nerve cells send signals or "fire.” The remaining third of your brain’s energy budget is used for housekeeping or cell-health maintenance.

Nuts and Heart Attack Risk

Did you know that eating nuts five or more times a week may reduce your risk of heart attack by 60%? The 1990's California Adventist Health Study found that in addition to reducing the risk of heart attack by up to 60%, eating nuts was one of the four top factors for extending longevity. The beneficial effects were found for males, females, vegetarians, meat-eaters, fatter people, thinner people, the old, the young, those who exercise and those who don't.
http://www.naturalnews.com/023315.html

Heart Neurons and Emotions

Did you know that both intelligence and intuition are heightened as you learn to listen to your own heart? Negative thinking and emotions such as anger and fear (especially when they are maintained over time) can throw the heart out of balance. Positive emotions, on the other hand, tend to increase balance in both the nervous system and the heart. Joy and gratitude help produce harmonious heart rhythms and reduce stress. Be grateful about something. Now.

Contempt and Relationships

Studies have thown that being the object of contempt by your partner can be so stressful that it can even interfere with the functioning of your immune system. According to John Gottman, author of "The Mathematics of Divorce", contempt (different from criticism and closely related to disgust) is often used by both males and females to exclude someone from the relationship or community. It can be lethal to the long-term success of a relationship. You may want to evaluate the concept of contempt--in your own behaviors as well as in the behaviors of others toward you.