MY FIVE FAVORITE BRAIN HEALTH STRATEGIES
Disclaimer: This article is for educational purposes only and includes the opinion of the author. Information is not meant to diagnose, treat, or cure any illness or disease. It is simply information found through experience and/or research. Always follow the directives of a licensed health professional. Neither Anita Bastian nor the publisher of the information takes any responsibility for actions readers take in regards to how they use or perceive the information. Readers are encouraged to do their own research.
Do you know anyone that struggles with anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues? What about people struggling with physical issues - brain fog, cognitive decline, hormone imbalance, joint problems, weight loss resistance, digestive struggles, and heart problems? The list of brain and overall health issues goes on and on; and the age of onset is getting younger and younger. Also, think of people you know that have turned away from faith in their Savior.
The reality is that we live in a sinful, corrupt world. There is a constant assault on our bodies, minds, and souls. It is very evident that we aren’t getting healthier by following the mainstream directives. I can only imagine how it saddens God to see how polluted the world that He created has become, and how polluted the bodies, minds, and souls of the people He created have become.
Thankfully, we can be empowered with the tools we need to conquer and thrive in this messed up world. We can use strategies that prioritize our health in a wholistic way. We can use strategies that honor how we are created and who created us. Here are five wholistic strategies I keep in mind to help me obtain greater brain health and overall health.
1. First and foremost, guard your heart and mind from misleading information, lies, and deception. How can we do this? I, personally, don’t think it is possible to discern fact from fiction without avidly seeking the truth and being connected to God while asking for wisdom and discernment. You can read, meditate, or “chew on” God’s Word daily. In God’s Word, you will not find directives on what to do about your specific physical or mental ailment, but you will find peace. When you are in a place of peace and are guided by God’s wisdom, you are apt to make better decisions about your health and life. Pray that God will reveal and lead you to truth and to the best solutions, and pray that He will show you how to weed out the lies that are corrupting much of the information being broadcasted today. Do not despair or lose hope. If God is for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31-32 NIV says: “What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?” How beautiful is that?!
2. Understand that your mind or mental health is directly impacted by your physical health and your spiritual health. Mental health is not a separate entity as it is being portrayed. From my experience, if a person struggles with mental health issues, there is a spiritual and physical reason. It has been shown that trauma is held in the cells of the body. We need to physically support our bodies to safely release the held stress and trauma. Thoughts and issues of the mind stem from issues or trauma held within the body and the brain. Physical toxins, such as heavy metals, are linked to cognitive dysfunction and anxiety because these toxic metals can make their way into brain tissue. Mold mycotoxins are linked to brain fog, heart problems, and skin issues. A combination of the toxins in our environments can have many deleterious effects on our mental and physical health. Why not find out the underlying reasons or at least rule out physical toxins in regards to mental health struggles?
3. Maximize the good, minimize the bad. What does that mean? Enjoy the many God-made foods in season. In the fall, enjoy the fall harvest of carrots, beets, squash, and pumpkins. In the spring, enjoy strawberries, blueberries, radishes, and peas. Enjoy good-quality fats, like olive oil and organic butter. Minimize consuming man-made foods or processed foods. This would include things like fried foods, crackers, chips, flavored beverages, lab-created meats, cookies, and most protein bars. Why avoid these types of foods? Simply put, they do not contain ingredients that promote life. They contain little to no nutrients. Instead, they contain toxic sugars, oils, and chemicals. If we are trying to live well, we need to eat foods that promote life.
4. Avoid tap water. Our water supply is extremely contaminated. Study after study shows that harmful bacteria, toxic metals, radioactive elements (like radium), and a plethora of chemical toxins are in our water supplies. Many of the chemicals are linked to cancer. At this point, I still support drinking distilled water and incorporating quality minerals regularly. Reverse osmosis or a good filtration system can be helpful as well. I remain open to better solutions, and I seek to avoid consuming tap water.
5. Support your body’s foundational health and its ability to detox. The reality is that your body is exposed to multiple biological and environmental toxins every single day. Neglecting to support your body’s ability to detox will eventually manifest itself in some sort of ailment or a number of unwanted symptoms. I’m not a huge fan of one-size-fits-all programs. We are all unique in our physical make-up and needs. We need personalized programs that address our specific needs. Giving our bodies key nutrients that are vital to life, along with supporting the organs of our bodies that are involved in the detoxification process, is essential for those seeking to be well.
It is your life, your soul, and your health. You can see how the quality of life decreases with the onset of health issues. You can take action now to live your best life. If you want good health, you will want to take steps to achieve it. Good health doesn’t just happen on its own. People who are healthy have made decisions that bring about health.
Only about 5% of all health issues are genetic. That’s great news! That means that over 95% of all health issues are caused by environmental factors, and we can do something about that.
If you are worried about the cost of doing detox programs, don’t let that stop you from giving your body the basic personalized support it needs to obtain greater health and vitality. Reach out for a free Discovery Call to learn more about getting the basic personalized support your body is seeking to function more optimally. This is likely the most affordable and doable way to sustainably support your health. There are no long-term commitments, just great long-term support that can help you enjoy the life God intends for you to have.
Blessings as you keep on keepin’ on,
—Anita