It’s Time to Reframe Mental Health
Reframing Mental Health
It’s time to reframe mental health
When we talk about mental health, most people immediately think about problems like ADHD, Anxiety, Depression and Stress. But what if we shift the perspective slightly and view mental health through the window of brain health? Doing so allows us to picture mental health in a very different way.
By reframing mental health as an integral part of brain health we can help to remove the stigma associated with mental health challenges and, through an understanding of the factors that influence brain health, empower ourselves to take action to improve our mental well-being.
So in practice, reframing mental health as brain health means recognising that we can influence our mental well-being through habits that optimise brain function - Check out next our Top 5 lifestyle habits to help boost your brain health and mental well-being.
How to Boost Mental Health & Brain Health
Regular Physical Activity
Exercise is one of the strongest levers for improving brain health. Moderate aerobic exercise, strength training, even mind-body forms like yoga or tai chi have been shown to increase brain volume in areas important for memory and executive function, improve mood, reduce anxiety and depression. Just 30 minutes of moderate intensity activity most days, or even shorter bursts, can lead to measurable benefits.
Nutrition: What You Eat Matters
Diets rich in whole foods, healthy fats (especially omega-3s), antioxidants and vitamins are associated with better cognitive function, lower inflammation and slower cognitive decline. The Mediterranean diet, the MIND diet (combining Mediterranean and DASH) are getting strong support in epidemiological and randomised studies. On the flip side, highly processed foods, high saturated fats, high refined sugars are linked to poor brain health and mental health.
Quality Sleep
Sleep isn't “just rest.” It’s when the brain consolidates memory and clears metabolic waste. Poor or insufficient sleep is linked to mood disorders, reduced cognition and an increased risk of neurodegenerative disease. Good sleep hygiene (consistent schedule, limiting screens before bed etc) underpins brain health and good mental health.
Stress Management
Chronic stress elevates cortisol, triggers neuro-inflammation, can shrink certain brain regions (e.g. the hippocampus), impair memory and emotional regulation. Practices such as mindfulness meditation, deep breathing, yoga, and other relaxation techniques have measurable positive effects on performance and mental health.
Social Connection
Humans are social creatures. Social isolation and loneliness are risk factors for depression, anxiety and cognitive decline. Social interaction stimulates many brain regions including those associated with emotional regulation, communication and memory, as well as helping to boost our buffer against stress. Making time for social connections is a powerful way to maintain good mental health and brain health.
Measuring Brain Health
We all understand the importance of a dental check-up, eye test or visit to the GP to help maintain our physical health. Wouldn’t it be helpful to be able to look inside your brain to check how it’s working too? Thanks to advances in science and technology you can with a QEEG Brain Scan & Brain Mapping.
QEEG Scans are safe and non-invasive brain scans that are suitable for almost any age including young children. Unlike standard CT and MRI scans, which provide information about brain structure, QEEG Brain Scans provide valuable information about how your brain is working by measuring “brainwaves” (the tiny electrical signals naturally produced by your brain).
The results from a QEEG Scan & Brain Mapping can inform the decisions you make to help optimise your brain health and mental health.by providing you with a unique and powerful understanding about how your brain is working.
QEEG & Brain Mapping - Discover More
Take the first step towards a better understanding about how your brain is working to help improve your brain health and mental health. Click ‘Get Started Today’ to discover more about how QEEG & Brain Mapping can help.