This collection is based on Daniel Amen, MD’s BRIGHT MINDS model:
R is for Retirement and Aging
I is for Inflammation
G is for Genetics
H is for Head Trauma
T is for Toxins
M is for Mind Storms
I is for Immunity and Infections
N is for Neurohormone Issues
D is for Diabesity
S is for Sleep
When you stop learning, your brain starts dying.
This fact surprised me: You are more likely to develop a mental illness if you have an “old mindset.” Examples of this are when you might say any of the following:
- I’m too old for that.
- I don’t have the energy.
- I just want to be left alone.
- I’m going to die soon, so why bother changing my habits?
- This is how I’ve done things for years, why change now?
What are the things that accelerate aging that you should avoid?
- Not learning anything new
- Being in a job that does not require ongoing learning
- high iron levels
- smoking anything
- alcohol or marijuana abuse
- standard American diet
- loneliness
- lack of purpose
My Action Steps
- A week ago I had blood drawn to check my numbers. I have had high iron in the past, and if it is high this time I will donate blood.
- I will make it a point to learn something new at work every day.
- I will drink alcohol rarely and in moderation.
- I will continue time-restricted eating by fasting for at least 12 hours (but preferably 14-16 hours each day).
- I will continue to monitor my blood pressure, blood glucose, ketones, and how I feel to ensure that what I’m eating supports my health goals.
- I will force myself to overcome my tendency to be a lone wolf and seek out interactions with other people (as long as they’re not all hunkered down avoiding Coronavirus).
- I will remember the fate of my father and how his sharp and brilliant mind wasted away due to dementia and diabetes.