“Contrary to
the current dogma, therefore, what is referred to as Alzheimer’s disease is
actually a protective response to, specifically, three different processes:
inflammation, suboptimal levels of nutrients and other synapse-supporting
molecules, and toxic exposures.”
--Dale
Bredesen, MD, The End of Alzheimer’s
You probably take a shower or a bath every day. If you live in the tropics, like me, you may
bathe 2 or 3 times a day. A shower always
makes you feel fresh and recharged.
What about your brain?
Did you ever think about what you can do to keep it clean, fresh, and
recharged?
“Deep sleep is like a power cleanse for the brain,”
according to Lisa Genova, neuroscientist and author of Still Alice, from a TED talk in April 2017. Dale Bredesen, MD, author of The End of
Alzheimer’s, also believes in the power of adequate sleep for protecting brain
health.
Getting a good night’s sleep is important. It certainly tops the list of my favorite
activities! On the infrequent nights
when I can’t turn off my brain and I get only a few hours of sleep, I just don’t
function well the next day. What we do know is that while we sleep, our brain does its housekeeping work. Those who do not get enough sleep also are at higher risk for being at an unhealthy weight.d
Here are 5 tips for good sleep hygiene:
- Have a regular bedtime most of the time.
- An hour before bedtime, power down yourself. Turn down lights and turn off media. Use this special quiet time to read or listen to music.
- Do not keep your cell phone right next to your bed. Keep it at least 10 feet away from your head, and ideally, in another room. This is especially important for kids.
- Eat dinner at least 4 hours before sleep. Eating a meal right before sleep will interfere with sleep and prevent your brain from doing its housekeeping work.
- Aim for 7-8 hours of sleep (adults). Kids need more.
With
love and gratitude,
Nancy
Heinrich, MPH
Founder,
Growing Healthy Kids, Inc.
