After the languorous months of summer, it's time to get back to work and back to school. Relaxed days on the beach reading junkie novels are now being replaced with regimented routines. No more time to barbecue or muse; you've got to get things done on time and error-free.
With this change in seasons and routines, you need to rev up your mind. But there's no reason to let stress undermine your health when you do this.
In fact, as you'll soon see, there are several things you can do that both . . .
Gear up your mind for more demanding tasks; and
Keep stress from undermining your health.
#1: Exercise
Nothing keeps your brain buzzing and reduces stress like exercise.
Exercise not only helps you defuse immediately, but it can also keep stress at bay into the future.[1] And for both children and adults, it's one of the best ways to keep your memory sharp, help you solve problems quickly, and stay alert.
In fact, contrary to popular belief, physical exercise benefits your brain much more than mental gymnastics with a
Admittedly, it may stress you out a little to think about squeezing a workout into your hectic schedule. That's why you can take comfort in knowing that it doesn't take much to get the benefits. Short and intense intervals of exercise have been shown to have a similar advantage to long aerobic workouts when it comes to fighting brain drain.
#2: Get Your B12
To B12 or not to B12 - there is no question. You need vitamin B12 for many aspects of health. But significantly, B12 is key in keeping your brain and nerves functioning well. It's also considered one of the "stress vitamins." B12 energizes you. And several research studies have demonstrated it can help you beat the blues and stay positive.[3]
This brain vitamin is so important for your mental health; a simple B12 deficiency may trigger depression and some forms of dementia.
However, sometimes it's difficult to get enough of this special nutrient. As we get older, it becomes harder to absorb B12 from food. And if you're a vegetarian, you won't even get it from your
On the other hand, some exciting research indicates taking substantial amounts of chlorella and certain seaweeds; you can get the proper B12 you need from your diet.[4] Bear in mind, however, that vegetarians need to eat tremendous amounts of these foods to keep their B12 levels in the healthy range.
#3: Eleuthero
Ancient Chinese sages have long valued the root eleuthero above all other herbs. Why? Because it has the extraordinary ability to help your body adjust to stress in multiple ways. By supporting and smoothing out your body's stress response, it helps you minimize the damage incurred when you feel under the gun. In particular, eleuthero seems to help you deal with life under pressure in two interesting ways:
It sharpens your reflexes and mental performance, allowing you to minimize errors and achieve brilliant results.
At the same time, you feel relaxed and calm. Not stimulated, jittery, and unsettled like you do with a caffeine fix.
Eleuthero is such a powerful brain booster and stress buster it became the favorite supplement of researchers in the Soviet Union who sought ways to improve work efficiency. From astronauts to telegraph operators to truck drivers, Soviet scientists found that eleuthero helped them perform at their best, even under enormous strain.[5]
#4: Sleep
Finally, the simplest things often end up being the most effective tools. And when it comes to fighting stress and feeling like an alert genius when it counts, nothing beats sleep.
When you sleep, your brain integrates new learning and memory into your brain's filing cabinets. In contrast, when people lose too much sleep, they often perform verbally and physically like intoxicated.[6]
Of course, getting to sleep when you're anxious and tense can be tricky. For this reason, focus on developing a solid bedtime routine to help your mind shut down and tell your body you're ready for sleep. Dim the lights, take a warm bath, jot down any last-minute reminders or worries so you can safely let them go until the morning, and then snuggle into bed.
Get Back To Work With Confidence And Less Drama
Meeting the intensified demands of your daily routine can be tough. Diving back into getting breakfast for everyone, commuting, contributing smart ideas in meetings, meeting deadlines, and then returning to the demands of a home after a long day is never easy.
But there are some important tactics that can ease the bite of this transition and direct you towards success, not desperation. By using nutrition tactically, exercising, and getting your sleep, you'll be amazed at the mountains you can conquer.
About Dr. Matthias K. Maas, D.C.
Dr. Matthias K. Maas earned his degree at Palmer College of Chiropractic. Dr. Maas is a Doctor of Chiropractic who specializes in natural health, proper and practical nutrition, nutritional therapy, Contact Reflex Analysis, and Alternative Health Therapies. He has been practicing Chiropractic since 1990. Dr. Maas is a member of the International Foundation for Nutrition and Health as well as the Foundation of Nutritional Therapy and Advanced Nutritional Therapy.
Sources:
[1] University of Maryland. "Exercise may protect against future emotional stress, study shows." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 13 September 2012. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2012/09/120913123629.htm>.
[2] Gow A et al. Neuroprotective lifestyles and the aging brain: Activity, atrophy, and white matter integrity. Neurology October 23,
[3] Lawson W. Be Healthy With B12. Psychology Today.
[4] Watanabe F et al. Characterization and bioavailability of vitamin B12-compounds from edible algae. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo). 2002 Oct;48(5):325-31.
[5] Baburin EF. 1966. On the effect of Eleutherococcus on the results of work and the
[6] Williamson A et al. Moderate sleep deprivation produces impairments in cognitive and motor performance equivalent to legally prescribed levels of alcohol intoxication. Occup Environ Med. Oct 2000; 57(10): 649-655