Top Tips for a Healthier Brain in 2018

Do you want to improve your mood, energy, and concentration?

Are you struggling with stress, feeling overwhelmed, or general anxiety?

 

Reaching a breakthrough with your mental health could be the key to your New Year’s resolution!

When you resolve to improve your mood, energy, and lower your stress hormone levels, you’ll also reduce your risk for dementia and many other chronic diseases.

Improving your diet to make you feel more energized can go a long way to getting your mental health on the right track, and here’s how, according to Psychology Today:

1.    Drink water – Water is the best thing you can drink to keep yourself hydrated throughout the day. Even all-natural juices with no sugar added can be dangerous for your metabolism, as your body can’t distinguish between forms of liquid sugar.

2.    Avoid refined carbs – Concentrated, processed sugars and starches cause unnaturally high spikes in blood sugar and insulin levels “that destabilize brain chemistry and damage brain cell metabolism.”

3.    Minimize alcohol and be careful with caffeine – If you have trouble with insomnia or anxiety, cut back on the alcoholic drinks, and the amount of caffeine you’re having during the week.

4.    Get tested for insulin resistance (aka “pre-diabetes”) – Insulin resistance has been identified as a key cause in most cases of Alzheimer’s disease. It also contributes to symptoms of depression, bipolar disorder, and psychotic disorders.

5.    Find a form of exercise you enjoy – If you love walking, running, yoga, or working out at the gym, make it part of your life! Try to do it at least 3 times per week, if not more. Endorphins from a good workout will boost your overall mood.

Challenge yourself to make the changes listed above for six weeks and see how you feel – not just physically, but emotionally and mentally, too.

Keep in mind, if you currently have significant health problems or take medications for psychiatric conditions or medical conditions, please consult with your health care provider before you make changes to your diet.

In addition, if you feel you need extra help getting the emotional and mental health support that you need, contact a doctor at Gratiot Psychological Services! Our team of doctors is ready to help you get on the right path to recovery.

Dealing with Anxiety in the New Year

2018 is here, and with it, many people are setting goals for themselves and looking for ways to improve in the New Year.

If you struggle with an anxiety disorder, this can be a bigger challenge than expected. According to Psychology Today, “considerable research points to the correlation between having a sense of purpose and being more focused, creative, resilient, healthier, and productive.”

If you’re dealing with an anxiety disorder in Alma, or anywhere else for that matter, it can be hard to set goals for yourself without the overwhelming feeling of stress, and sometimes even panic setting in. So how can you improve your life in the New Year without those feelings creeping in?

First, you should recognize that you’re not alone! According to a study out of the University of Pennsylvania, “as we seek purpose, there are indicators that show pursuing purpose induces more anxiety.”

The more anxious you are, the more difficult it becomes to achieve your goals, which directly correlates with having a sense of purpose.

To help you deal with an anxiety disorder, you deserve a therapist who you can trust; who will listen to your concerns and develop a treatment plan specifically for you. At Gratiot Psychological Services, you’ll have the peace of mind that comes with knowing you have a support system ready and equipped with the tools and resources necessary to help you.

To find out more about how our therapists can help you or a loved one who is struggling with an anxiety disorder, visit our website. We’ll help you get on the right path of recovery.