Creating A Healthier Brain

Hello friends!

Today I want to talk about something that you likely have never given much thought to before…brain health. I can almost read your brain now as you read this, “Justice, what does that even mean?” Well, I’m glad you asked! I hope to share just a little information about what that means and why it is so crucial to your overall wellness and happiness.

I recently listened to one of the best podcasts called, “How You Can Be Happier: Practical Tips & Advice” by Sadie Robertson. She speaks with leading psychiatrist Dr.Daniel Amen about this exact topic. He explains that happiness is a moral obligation. 

Our society is constantly saying, “more is better.” If we have a nicer car or more money, that will make us happier. Right? This is such a lie. I fall into this trap almost daily. Scrolling through Instagram, the devil is feeding my brain lies, “if you had a flatter stomach, a designer purse, or more money, you might be happier.” More stuff will not make you happier my friends. Why is this so hard for all of us to realize? 

According to Dr. Daniel Amen, drug and alcohol abuse are one of the leading causes of an “unhealthy brain.” As we all have come to realize substance abuse also leads to depression and anxiety. The brain is very much like our bodies, it’s what we fill and fuel it with that makes all the difference. 

Dr. Daniel Amen gave a statistic that blew my brain…no pun intended. He stated that happiness is 40% genetic, 10% situational, and 50% our control and habits. Let that sink in for just a moment. We can become happier, whether we know it or not. It all boils down to our daily routines and habits. We have more control than we often realize. As I think about the concept of happiness, there’s no denying that every human is searching for it. We are wired and designed to long for happiness in our lives. When we are not living with a purpose or to our full potential these alone can be detrimental to our brain health. Your purpose and goals, like showing God’s love to others or putting more effort into school or career are vital to living a purpose-filled life. The healthier and more positive our purpose is, often leads to a healthier brain and overall good health. 

If you feel your past defines the person you are today, my encouragement is that you have the power to change that narrative. Brain health needs to become a priority to experience the life we desire to live. This might sound silly, but write down 2-3 areas in your life that you know could use some improvement. For me, I want to be more present in my conversations with people. I find that sometimes my mind is elsewhere during conversations with people that I love. Yours might be working out more, finding more time to spend with your family, unplugging for stress triggers, or even finding a therapist. Whatever yours might be, it’s time to start creating more purpose in your life. 

I want to pause here for a quick second…I am fully aware that not everyone is in a great place emotionally and we can’t always flip a switch and we are all better or in a better place for that matter. Life can be very challenging and we are not always meant to navigate our quest for happiness alone. I want to encourage you to never feel ashamed for seeking professional help or talking with a friend. This is way too important to continue brushing your happiness under the rug. I don’t know a single soul who isn’t interested in becoming better or becoming happier, who is with me?

Comment below some ways you are going to make your brain healthier! The link to the podcast is down below.