Page 13 - AT

A13
Wednesday 6 november 2019

Think about what’s between your two ears

By Melissa Martin Are you getting brain strain
OHIO, US — Do you ever from too much stress? We
think about what’s go- only get 168 hours per week
ing on in the three pounds to do everything we want
of tissue inside your skull and need to do. That’s it.
that sets on the top of your So, stop trying to squeeze
neck? The human brain is so may activities into your
composed of 75 percent week.
water and 60 percent fat.
Who knew? The human “We live our lives as if they
brain has 86,000,000,000 were one big emergency!
(86 billion) neurons. Crikey! We often rush around look-
The brain is miraculous. ing busy, trying to solve
problems, but in reality, we
The brain is so astounding are often compounding
that it gets its own annual them,” wrote Richard Carl-
Brain Awareness Week in son, author of the book,
March. Bravo to the brain. Don’t Sweat the Small Stuff.
Celebrate your cerebellum Calm down your brain
and cerebrum. Love your strain.
lobes. Nurture your neu-
rons. Are you getting brain drain
The Global Council on from too little sleep? Study
Brain Health is a collabora- after study shows that get-
tion of scientists, health pro- ting seven to eight hours of
fessionals, scholars and pol- sleep per night is necessary
icy experts from around the for memory, learning, and
world that work in areas of focusing. So, stop guzzling
brain health related to hu- caffeine and get your zzz’s.
man cognition. Shazam!
Did you know that falls are
“The brain is the most com- the most common cause
plex of the human body. of traumatic brain injury
This three-pound organ is overall, particularly in older
the seat of intelligence, in- adults and young children?
terpreter of the senses, ini-
tiator of body movement, Brain Check-Up
and controller of behavior. Take an online self-as-
Lying in its bony shell and sessment (no cost) by the
washed by protective fluid, Cleveland Clinic at www.
the brain is the source of healthybrains.org. You will
all qualities that define our get your personal Brain
humanity. The brain is the Health Index (BHI) Score,
crown jewel of the human Individual Pillar Scores,
body.” www.ninds.nih.gov. Brain Health Guide, Mem-
ory Score, Dashboard,
and Recommendation
and Tips Designed for You.
Your Brain Health Index is
a measurement of lifestyle
choices that contribute to
your overall brain health.
Results are based on your
answers. Good news—I am
not showing signs of de-
mentia. FYI: Shopping is not
considered a cardio exer-
cise—unless you jog from
store to store.

How are your treating your
magnificent brain? You
Melissa Martin, Ph.D., is an only get one brain in this
author, columnist, educator, lifetime, so treat it with safe-
and therapist. She lives in the
US. ty and respect. q