Gain better understanding of your brain
March 18th 2011 20:58
Your brain lives in your head, but it controls every action and feeling in your entire body. It is the only brain you will ever have; it can not be transplanted like a heart or lungs, so take good care of it.
During the week of March 14 to 20, we celebrate Brain Awareness Week. Of course, every day we need to be good to ourselves. That includes eating right.
Your brain needs energy to work its best and is about 77 percent water, so be sure to hydrate often (drink water). Exercising is so important to your overall health (it changes your brain chemistry in a positive way) and sleeping. While the conscious mind turns off during sleep, other areas of your brain work hard to heal and repair your body, help you grow, learn and remember. You should sleep at least seven or eight hours a night, and for children and youths, up to three hours more.
Just like any other part of your body, your brain can get sick, too. We call some diseases of the brain biological brain disorders or mental illnesses. Mental illness happens in every family; no one is immune. Someone might have a depressive disorder (there are five kinds), an anxiety disorder (there are five kinds), maybe schizophrenia or an eating disorder or any other kind of mental health condition. Some of these illnesses co-occur or happen at the same time. After all, there is one brain, so more than one thing can go wrong.
Many mental illnesses are inherited, and a person doesn't have a choice on what they inherit, but you always have a choice on whether to get well or not. We also call these illnesses "no-fault" illnesses, but it is a person's fault if they deny they are sick or don't want to do the right thing to recover.
Having the best possible quality of life should be everyone's personal goal; however, there are those who refuse to recognize that their choices to cope are not working in their favor. Some are behaving poorly; some turning to alcohol and other illegal drugs; and some are unwilling to reach out for help. There is never an excuse for bad behavior, but there are reasons. Find out what is going on and take care of yourself. It will help you and those around you: a win-win situation.
The human brain is the most complicated organization of matter that we know. The average adult brain weighs about 3 pounds. The brain's billions of nerve cells -- called neurons -- are like a crowded chemistry lab, bustling with nonstop neural "conversations." With all of that going on in your head, is it any wonder that sometimes things go wrong -- that you might have a chemical imbalance?
A better understanding of the brain is certain to lead you to a richer comprehension of yourself. When you are having trouble thinking or feeling right, be sure to tell your doctor. You can use our website at www.mhalc.org for information. It even includes a free depression screening. If you have questions or concerns, please e-mail me at paddykutz@ alink.com. I might have the answers or know who does. Mental Health America envisions a just, humane and healthy Licking County in which all people are accorded respect, dignity and the opportunity to reach their full potential free from stigma and prejudice.
We promote Brain Awareness Week to inspire people to understand basic brain functions, to improve and promote good mental health, wellness and to achieve victory over mental illness.
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