Title: Take Care of Your Brain

Today, I am going to talk to you about how

Brain function is highly involved in the quality of mood.

You need to know about this because

There are things you can do to help your brain function and to help keep your brain healthy which means you can help your mood.

The brain is a physical organ which controls the function and workings of all other body organs and systems. Using a combination of chemical and electrical methods, the brain sends signals or messages within the brain and to the rest of the body. The brain is the computer which runs the body.

Point one: Because the brain is a physical organ which is highly involved in managing mood, it makes sense to treat mood issues using a medical or health model.

Ex. One: 

Have you ever heard someone say “Oh, it’s all in your head!” When people say that, they are meaning it is your thinking or your imagination which is behind whatever problem you are experiencing. Those problems usually are something that others cannot see such as headaches, physical aches, fatigue, a racing heart and the internal changes which go along with changes in mood.

When people view a problem as being “all in your head,” then they are likely to view the problem as a weakness in your character or just a way to seek attention. 

Point Two: The reality is that scientists through research have found numerous changes in the brain which are connected to mood states. First, the chemicals the brain uses to communicate have been found to be very low in people with depression. Chemicals such as serotonin or dopamine are low and treatment can help support those chemicals. Vitamins such as sodium and potassium are involved in the electrical signals in the brain. Low vitamin D is associated with depression. And, the brain uses fat to insulate its pathways and to help signals travel faster.

Ex. Two: 

Think of your car, if it is very low in oil, or the battery isn’t holding a charge, then your car is not going to run very well at all. So you have to take regular care in replacing engine fluids and ensuring there is enough of the fluids.

Point Three: Like your car, there is plenty that you can do yourself to improve and support the health of your brain.

A lot of people do not like to hear the word, exercise, but exercising is one of the main things you can do to improve your mood. Exercise helps blood and oxygen get to all of the cells in your body and brain. And exercise has been found to increase serotonin and dopamine in the brain. It also helps to bring on the feel good hormones called endorphins and it helps to dissipate stress hormones. So exercise does a lot of beneficial things which help mood and exercise shouldn’t be dismissed.

Eating healthy and getting the nutrients your body needs is very important.

You can probably relate to my tendency to grab the easiest snack food when I am stressed and drained. I like to eat chips and then follow them up with something sweet or the other way around, sweet and then salty. But your brain needs better than that! It needs potassium from bananas, potatoes, grapefruit and other sources. It needs healthy fats and omega-3s from fish, nuts and oils. Basically, your brain wants you to eat a Mediterranean diet. Most people need to take a vitamin D supplement because vitamin D is produced by our body when sunshine is absorbed by our skin. People just don’t get enough sun and we have to protect from sun burn. So we need to take a vit D supplement. It is also a good idea to take a multivitamin.

And, we need to talk about medication. Many people are afraid of taking medication, but it can be an important part of managing mood difficulties. Antidepressants work to keep Serotonin and Dopamine present longer to be able to do their jobs in sending brain signals. Mood issues can be hereditary just like diabetes. People with diabetes need insulin which their body doesn’t produce like it should. People with depression or anxiety or other mood problems may simply be born with too little serotonin or dopamine and they need medication to help boost those chemicals. Medication can help the physical component while a person attends therapy in which they learn skills for mood management. 

The main points here are:

The way the brain functions is closely related to mood.

If you struggle with mood issues, you can help yourself by taking care of your brain.

You do this with exercise, eating a diet which provides the brain with the nutrients it needs, taking supplements to fill in what we can’t get from our diet, and taking medication such as an antidepressant. Combine all of this with engaging in therapy in order to talk through issues and to learn skills.

So, take a look at your diet and your activity level. As a first step, make a small, beneficial change to your diet and get your body moving in some way that you enjoy.

Until next time, you can check out my website at www.ldonreed.com

If you are on Facebook, my page is ldonreed and if you are on IG, you can find me at ldonreedtherapist, all one word.