Our minds influence the key activity of the brain, which then influences everything! – Deepak Chopra
From my patients to friends and colleagues, it seems everyone is way too stressed out. They all seem to be complaining of the same things: “they’re tired,” “they’re anxious,” “they are operating with little sleep,” “they have too much to do and not enough energy,” and so on. It appears that nearly everyone is drained.
Then comes the alarming statistics: (1) In 2017 the American Psychological Association found the first significant increase in the average level of stress in America in the last 10 years. (2) Anxiety disorders are now the most common form of mental illness affecting twice as many as depression. (3) people with anxiety are four times likely to have high blood pressure and three times more likely for stroke and heart attacks. (4) 30% of Americans suffer from some sort of sleep issue, such sleep issues have resulted in an estimated $63.2 billion in lost work productivity, and sales of sleep aids are skyrocketing.
Mike Dow, shares this insight with us from his book, “Heal Your Drained Brain:”
While “big,” clear-cut traumas and fears can certainly drain brains, more often in our modern world, the problem is also instigated by the subtle ways our world has changed. Invisible changes in our food supply; streaming video services that have made sitting on the couch the new international sport; rapid-fire dating apps, which some people use as a short-term substitute for lasting connections that help us deal with stress; and the way we interact with media all contribute to the global epidemic of drained brains. The blinking lights on our cell phones create a nonstop, false sense of emergency; and stress hormones spike as we check our e-mails, texts, and social media accounts before we even get out of bed. Our busy lives rarely include time for the activities that have been shown to help protect the brain, like exercise, meditation, or sautéing a healthy meal.
So, how do you know if you are suffering from a drained brain? Here are some common symptoms of a drained brain:
Feeling anxious
Feeling frazzled
Feeling fatigued
Feeling overwhelmed
Your body seems tense
Your brain generates worry
Problems with sleep, concentration, and motivation.
You just wish you had a break to recover.
Mike Dow shares with us an answer to healing our drained brains:
Balance your blood sugars
Calm your brain
Eat peaceful proteins and feel good fats
Embrace probiotics
Exercise
Shift your thinking to more powerful and relaxing thoughts
Improve sleep and relaxation
I understand in our fast-paced hustle and bustle world that rest and relaxation can be hard to find. However, it is very important to realize the impact you are having on your brain. Your brain is what allows you to do everything, the more taxed your brain, the more difficult life will feel. Maybe it is time for you to ensure you are taking care of your brain!
ABOUT CHRIS SWENSON
Chris Swenson is a licensed Couple and Family Therapist currently helping people develop resilience at his private practice counseling office in Sterling, CO (Rhino Wellness Center). To contact Chris, you can call 970-522-0796 or schedule an appointment online at www.rhinowellnesscenter.com