With practice, we can use reframing to disempower the challenges life throws at us.

If you enjoy coffee, research indicates that it helps you transition from rest to activity by disengaging your automated default mode network and activating the parts of your brain that help you set and achieve goals.

Chronic stress causes digestive problems, compromises the immune system, raises blood pressure, and reduces cognitive function.

Magnesium in food can improve brain health and protect cognitive fitness as we age.

Moderate intensity exercise promotes mental health by decreasing depression symptoms, and it promotes physical health by reducing inflammation in the body.

Consumption of foods that are high in sugar: rewires the brain to prefer and consume high sugar food; has a negative impact on hippocampus functioning, and a health hippocampus is important to memory and learning; and may also contribute to mental health challenges.

Mentally challenging work is likely to make it more difficult to exercise and may reduce your exercise performance. You may want to consider this when planning what days and times to exercise.

Foods that are likely to lower your risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease include: green leafy vegetables, other vegetables, fruit, beans, whole grains, fish, and olive oil.

Physical activity improves mood, stress resilience, and brain health.

Thriving is a realistic goal, even if you suffer from anxiety, depression, or substance use disorder.

Moderate amounts of alcohol can increase the risk factors for developing Alzheimer’s disease.

Consuming foods high in sugar and salt, processed meats, and alcohol cause a vicious cycle of craving for more of these same foods. Stress also increases our desire to consume these types of foods. And these foods increase our risk of developing AD.

Ceylon Cinnamon or True Cinnamon has properties that can improve cognitive function and lower the risk of Alzheimer's disease.

Changes in the brain result in fluctuations in our mental health. Exposure to 10 days of stress causes repeated firing of brain cells in the hypothalamus, and heightened risk of mental health problems. The good news is that activation of POMC neurons is reversable.

Make mental space for the good things you have and the positive things you want in your life by practicing: Let Be. Let Go. Let In.

Creative thinking is a skill that can be strengthened. Reinterpreting an obstacle or frustrating situation can enhance creative thinking and problem-solving. Try challenging your perspective on a hardship, reframing the narrative, or viewing a setback through a different lens to enhance creativity.

Incorporating flavonols into your diet may protect memory.

Interactions with dogs increase activation in the prefrontal cortex which is important to attention, motivation, problem-solving, and social and emotional processing.

Exposure to winter wonderlands can improve body image, and they are likely to improve psychological well-being in the same way that green and blue spaces do.

We are all going through invisible heartbreaks and struggles.  Connection, a feeling of psychological safety, and therapy are healing options.