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Mood and Cognition

Is it all in your head?

Do you suffer from forgetfulness or occasional sleeplessness? Are you distracted easily or find it hard to focus? Do you suffer from mood swings? Nervousness?

Feeling “out of sorts” from time to time is normal. But if these feelings persist, they can disrupt your life.

Note: If mental issues are affecting your ability to function, see your healthcare practitioner to rule out any serious mental illness.

Researchers believe that certain brain chemicals, called neurotransmitters, are responsible for our moods, ability to concentrate, and memory. An imbalance in these chemicals can lead to mild depression, mood swings, anxiety, and other mental health concerns. Conversely, healthy brain function can improve your mood and cognition.

It’s not really all in your head—illness and prescription medications can also alter your moods as well as your perceptions. Additionally, your physical health and environment also play a role in your mental health. Stress, long-term illness, lack of exercise, and a nutrient-poor diet have all been linked with negative mental states.

Natural approaches to mental wellness

Today a wide array of therapies is available for the treatment of mental health concerns, from complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) to prescription drugs and counseling. Talk to your healthcare practitioner about which therapy is best suited to your needs.

In addition, there are steps you can take to improve your overall health that will also positively impact your neurological health. For example, you can:

• Get plenty of sleep. Studies show that people who sleep 7 to 8 hours each night live longer, healthier lives than those who sleep fewer hours. A restorative sleep will not only help you feel more energetic and better able to cope with stress, it is also necessary for the proper functioning of a variety of systems in your body, including your nervous system.
• Eat a better diet. A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, olive oil, legumes, whole grains, and fish is not only good for your overall health, but recent studies have linked such a diet to reducing the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.¹ They don’t call these “brain foods” for nothing.
• Start a daily exercise regimen. Exercise—even of low to moderate intensity—increases blood circulation throughout the body and prompts the release of endorphins, chemicals which help alleviate anxiety and depression. Aerobic exercise also helps prevent cardiovascular disease, which can increase the risk of dementia.² And don’t forget to exercise your brain—staying mentally active can help challenge and maintain your mental functioning.
• Take targeted supplements. Scientific research shows that concentrated levels of certain nutrients—at doses that are difficult to obtain from diet alone—may support nervous system function, and neurotransmitter metabolism.
• Learn to manage stress. Along with getting plenty of sleep, good nutrition, and regular exercise, learning to manage stress is necessary for your physical, mental, and emotional health.

FirstLine Therapy^®—Better health now and for a lifetime

FirstLine Therapy (FLT) is a therapeutic lifestyle changes (TLC) program developed to help you address the underlying causes of disease and lead a healthier, more vibrant life. The basic principles of FLT—healthy eating, regular exercise, nutritional supplementation, and stress management—are the foundation upon which you and your healthcare practitioner can build a program tailored to your specific needs.

Make up your mind to improve your health today! For more information about FirstLine Therapy or to find a certified FirstLine Therapy practitioner near you, click here.

Cardiovascular Health Blood Sugar & Diabetes Obesity GI Health Men's Health Women's Health Bone & Joint Health Stress Management

REFERENCES 

1. Scarmeas N , Stern Y, Mayeux R, Luchsinger JA. Mediterranean diet, Alzheimer disease, and vascular mediation. Arch Neurol 2006 Dec;63(12):1709-17. Epub 2006 Oct 9.
2. Whitmer RA, Sidney S, Selby J, Johnston SC, Yaffe K. Midlife cardiovascular risk factors and risk of dementia in late life. Neurology 2005; 64(2):277-281.