Making Brain Healthy Decisions Part 2

Content updated from previous publish date.

In Part 1 of this 2-part blog, you learned how the quality of your decisions plays a major role in your health, wellness, and longevity. And more importantly, you saw how the health of your brain is the key that is either helping you make good decisions or driving you to remain stuck in bad habits that don’t serve you. To help you improve your decision-making ability, follow these 6 additional brain-based tips. Your body will thank you for it.

Brain health is the key that is either helping you make good decisions or driving you to remain stuck in bad habits that don’t serve you.
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6 BRAIN-BASED TIPS TO MAKE BETTER DECISIONS

1. Start brain health early.

If we want our children to make better decisions during their lifetime, we need to do a much better job of taking care of their brains from an early age. The brain is not fully developed until we are about 25 years old (about 28 years old in males), and a child’s daily habits and home environment play a major role in the health of the developing brain. To avoid disrupting early brain development, which can have a negative effect on the ability to make good decisions, teach young people to eat a nutritious diet, cope with stress, get adequate sleep, protect their brain from head trauma, and avoid smoking and substance use.

2. Don’t wait to treat ADD/ADHD.

When left untreated, ADD/ADHD lowers the ability to control impulses, setting people up for significant physical health problems, poor decisions, and in some cases, early death. Research shows that kids with the condition are at increased risk for obesity, diabetes, hypertension, and more. Natural ways to help ADD/ADHD include intense aerobic exercise, a healthy diet that includes protein (especially for breakfast), and nutritional supplements (such as a multiple vitamin, fish oil, green tea, rhodiola, and l-tyrosine). Some people may benefit from medication to enhance prefrontal cortex (PFC) function.

3. Maintain a healthy weight.

Being overweight or obese is damaging to your PFC and can have a negative impact on the decision-making parts of the brain. In fact, an analysis of the brain SPECT scans from 20,000 patients at Amen Clinics found that as your weight goes up, the size and function of your brain go down. Learning to love foods that love you back—rather than loving foods that harm your brain and body—can help you get your weight under control and will boost your physical and mental health. When your brain and body function better, it will enhance your decision-making for better health and longevity.

4. Practice self-control.

Training your willpower is a good exercise to strengthen your PFC. The more you use it the stronger it gets. To develop better self-control, practice saying no to the things that are not good for you. Over time you will find it easier to do.

5. Optimize your levels of omega-3 fatty acids.

Low levels of omega-3s have been associated with ADD/ADHD, depression, Alzheimer’s disease, inflammation, and obesity—all brain issues that contribute to poor decision-making. Research shows that omega-3 fatty acids can improve blood flow, brain function, memory, and mood, as well as reduce brain shrinkage from aging, and inflammation. There are two active compounds in omega-3s: EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid). You need both. Boost your omega-3 levels by eating more fatty fish, such as salmon or mackerel, and/or taking a supplement.

6. Know your goals.

On one piece of paper write down the specific goals you have for all the main areas of your life. Then look at your goals every day and ask yourself, “Is my behavior getting me what I want?” This simple but profound activity can be of tremendous help in encouraging better daily choices that add up to a healthier life.

PUTTING BETTER DECISION-MAKING INTO ACTION

Now that you have seen all 14 of the tips from Part 1 and Part 2 of this blog, it’s time to start putting them into action. If you think it seems overwhelming, think again. You don’t have to do all of them all at once.

Most people find it’s easiest to incorporate one or two new habits at a time. Choose the tips that you think will make the biggest impact on your life and start with them. Once you start feeling comfortable with those new routines, choose one or more of the other strategies to add to your daily life.

The more of these brain-based habits you weave into your everyday routines, the easier it will be to consistently make better decisions. And better decisions mean better health, a better body, and a better life.

ADD/ADHD, depression, and other mental health issues can’t wait. At Amen Clinics, we’re here for you. We offer in-clinic brain scanning and appointments, as well as mental telehealth, clinical evaluations, and therapy for adults, teens, children, and couples. Find out more by speaking to a specialist today at 888-288-9834 or visit our contact page here.