The Joy of a Healthy Brain - November

History tells us that the pilgrims were so thankful for making it through the challenges of their long voyage and the harsh conditions of their “new world” that they wanted to celebrate their blessings.  They had worked hard to “stay alive,” and they were grateful for the help of the Native Americans.  The Pilgrims did not take for granted the endurance of their physical health and well-being.  In keeping with this example set by the pilgrims, many of us gather together with our family and friends to enjoy a feast and to “give thanks.”

So, what is it that we are thankful for, and how are we demonstrating that “thankfulness?” 

If two of the things that we are thankful for are the health of our bodies and our brains, then it is important that we be committed to doing our best to maintain them.  Perseverance and commitment paid off for the pilgrims in their quest to establish and maintain a viable life in their new homeland.   Likewise, perseverance and commitment to maintaining a healthy body and brain can also pay off for us.  Every day can be an opportunity to show our thankfulness for and joy of a healthy brain and body.

Here are some ways that we can be committed to maintaining a healthy body:

·         Eat as many fresh fruits and vegetables as possible.

·         Eat salmon, sardines, and other fatty fish.

·         Do 30-minutes every day of walking or dancing or stretching our muscles.

We can be committed to maintaining a healthy brain:

·         Read Abraham Lincoln’s Thanksgiving Proclamation-which helped to eventually establish Thanksgiving as a national holiday.

·         Using a healthy new recipe, prepare your favorite vegetable and share it with your family or friends during the Thanksgiving holiday.

·         Borrow a book from the library that has Thanksgiving Day poems or stories and read them to someone.

·         Before going to sleep each night, write down one thing that you are thankful for.  By the end of the month, you will have listed 30 different things.  Studies show that this “gratefulness exercise” is good for relieving stress and is good for brain health.

When it comes to our brain health, we can say that we are “thankful” for what we have, but it is equally

important to show that we are thankful.  There is no better way to show our gratefulness than by demonstrating a daily commitment to taking good care of ourselves—body and mind !