Keeping Your Brain Healthy

"A jack of all trades, but master of none" is a common characteristic of most Americans- myself included. However, as I look behind my desk at the papers hanging on the wall (both which cost a fortune of time and money...not to mention the cost of the frames), I see that one says I'm a Bachelor of Science in Biology and the other says I'm a MASTER of Health Administration with a Concentration in Gerontology.

Just to clarify, I sell wood for a living. I manage trucks that venture throughout the entire United States- actually right now I'm tracking three train car loads of trim and plywood siding that is winding its way (too slow for my liking) from Oregon to North Carolina. But, since I am a MASTER of one thing...I'll use my MASTER expertise to write about health...I'll also use it later on to write about wealth...I'll never use it to write about happiness- I hated every minute I spent getting my Master's at UNCC.

My dissertation for my Master of Health Administration with a concentration in Gerontology consisted of studying the effects of Alzheimer's on today's generation. How will Alzheimer's affect the kids born in 1980s - 1990s? What can we do to slow the affects on us? On our parents (by the way, I especially hope my mom is reading this!!)?

I was SUPER excited to share a bit of my knowledge about the disease and about the traumatic affects is has on a family (my great grandmother suffered from severe dementia that put her back into her 3 year old self for years before she passed)- and while I was gathering a bit of information from my dissertation, I ran across an article in Family Circle entitled "Good Thinking". So, instead of boring you with scientific information on an already sad story- save your tears and headache medicine...here's a light hearted take on ways to avoid the disease using what I studied and what I read:

- Eat HEALTHY! What a hard subject, right? To reduce your risk of having Alzheimer's, maintain a diet that is high in fruits, nuts, legumes, vegetables and fish oils. Not too hard...especially when I mention the last portion...RED WINE! Yummy! Have a glass daily (special note to my generation- a serving size is about 1/2 of a typical wine glass).

- Think POSITIVE! Take off your grouchy pants, turn that frown upside down, quit fretting! Overproduction of hormones that are created when you stress over a situation have been shown to deteriorate your brain over time. This, my friends, is why they call my brain a "Mommy Brain"- I continually stress over my child and his well being. So, I'm going to be working on this one!

- Get rid of that BELLY JIGGLE! Keeping extra lb's around your waist line makes your brain shrink. Perhaps that's why most Santa Claus' act like a child? Cut out the sweets Santa! It's making your brain the size of a pea! Also on this topic is exercising...walking just 15 minutes a day has shown to reduce the risk of dementia.

- Do PUZZLES! Keep your brain active by doing puzzles, word games, Sudoku, even reading and writing. Try to count backwards instead of forward when you're counting. Plus, increase writing by writing "Love Notes to Self". This is a common in our household. We even have a paper on our fridge reminding us of chores that have to be done daily...including feeding the dog! Don't laugh, you'll have "Mommy Brain" one day too!

My Master's Graduation with Josh and Baby Gage (I was 6 months pregnant!)

Here's to reducing your risk of the #2 dreaded disease (behind cancer) in America. Here's to remembering your name, your children's names, your street name, your parent's names and most importantly...your lover's name!

Have a great day! Drink a glass of red wine for me tonight!

Erica