We all are aware that we are aging; and there are seemingly endless products on the market to help each of us fight the look and feel of aging in our skin, joints, bones, muscles, hair, etc. But, have you stopped to think about how to keep your brain “young”?
Not surprisingly, stress ages your brain! In fact, prolonged stress is similar to getting in your car, leaving it in park, and revving the engine at full force. A good book on this topic is Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less by author Greg McKeown. Here are some of the author’s quotes along with 5 ways to de-stress and keep your brain younger!
1. Unplug – “Today, technology has lowered the barrier for others to share their opinion about what we should be focusing on. It is not just information overload; it is opinion overload.”
We all need to unplug for a bit. Literally. Unplug your television, put your phone on silent, don’t check your social media 20 times a day, and turn off automatic email and text notifications that alert you all day long. Just be present in the moment.
2. Learn How to Say No and Mean It! – “Just because I was invited didn’t seem a good enough reason to attend.”
No is a complete sentence. You don’t NEED to be doing everything that is currently on your plate. Set priorities and then only do those activities that are toward the top of your list.
3. It’s NOYB – “You cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything.”
None of your business. Stop making other people’s business your business; you already have enough to take care of! This one simple step can significantly reduce your overall stress load.
4. Downtime – “What if we stopped celebrating being busy as a measurement of importance? What if instead we celebrated how much time we had spent listening, pondering, meditating, and enjoying time with the most important people in our lives?”
You need to have downtime. 15 minutes or more out in nature daily should be a prerequisite. You must schedule it just like you schedule work, eating or sleep.
5. Breathe – “Every second spent worrying about a past or future moment distracts us from what is important in the here and now.”
So simple. Yes, just breathe. Practice 4-7-8 breaths daily. Inhale for a count of 4, hold for a count of 7 and exhale slowly for an 8 count. Focusing on your breath brings you back to the present moment and takes you out of the fight or flight state.
If you can work to incorporate these de-stressors into your daily, weekly, and monthly life, not only will your brain feel and act younger, but your whole body will feel better! At King Street Chiropractic Wellness Center, our team of Wellness Experts is here to assist you in reaching your maximum wellness potential. Make sure you call our office at (703) 454-5180 to schedule an appointment for us to help you lower your stress levels this week!
Keeping your health in motion,
Dr. Steven Trauben & Dr. Jeff Borenstein