If you want your brain to "grow" and "stretch," and to be happier & healthier, you'll want to read this!
What is neuroplacticity?
Neuroplacticity is the brain's amazing ability to remodel and reconfigure itself in response to experience, learning, and injury. Neuroplacticity enables us to change the more undesirable traits and characteristics that were once thought to be "hardwired" from birth, and to heal from severe brain injury. People who have suffered brain injury like a stroke or an accident, or who are genetically predisposed to having diseases or issues like Alziemers, depression, anger problems, or alcoholism CAN change, heal, and evolve for the better because of neuroplacticity & the brain's amazing malleability.
What can you do to encourage neuroplacticity?
1. Expose yourself to new experiences
2. Deliberately set out to learn new skills
3. Live with passion, enthusiasm, excitement, curiosity, and LOVE
4. Stay positive and happy-- seek out opportunities for growth & learning. When we are unhappy our ability to make wise decisions, see opportunity, and learn new things becomes radically impaired.
What is neurogenesis?
Neurogenesis is the growth of new neurons.
It was once thought that all the brain cells we will ever have are the ones we are born with, however that idea is now antiquated as science has shown us that brain cells do regenerate and grow.
What can we do to promote neurogenesis?
1. Exercise DAILY- in doing so you bring oxygen to the brain and increase your number of new nerve cells.
2. Continuously engage your mind. Constantly learn new things and maintain an environment that is environmentally rich and stimulating (Read! Learn new languages, travel, study a wide variety of subjects).
3. Social Connectedness-- Think of how ants communicate with each other in order to search out and find food. When we connect with other we learn new things and gain valueable insight on our environment and the world around us. In addition, having positive social environments of mutual trust keeps us connected, emotionally healthy, happy, and mentally sharp.
4. Live in Compassion-- studies show that living in compassion towards others creates the perfect environment for brain cell growth.
What to AVOID (What prevents neurogenesis):
Emotional Stress. Emotional stress produces toxins known as glucocorticoids in the brain which have been know to be damaging and inhibit neurogenesis.
Wednesday, December 21, 2016
Wednesday, April 6, 2016
How to Make Your Own Toothpaste
After suffering with extremely sensitive
teeth for a few weeks, I decided I needed to take action. Of course, I’d be
taking the holistic route to healing my sensitive teeth. In addition to eating
less sugar (no fruit for me!), taking more Vitamin D, and the other action steps I mentioned in my previous post, I also began
brushing my teeth with Activated Charcoal, OraWellness, and this home-made
toothpaste recipe that works like a charm! After only a few days of doing these
things, my sensitivity went away and I was able to eat and drink normally again
but without the pain! Yay! (Not only that, but people also began remarking on how white my teeth looked-- double yay!)
To make this all-natural toothpaste, you
will need:
- 2 parts baking soda
- 5 parts calcium powder
- 3 parts xylitol powder (unessential –for taste)
- 1 part diatomaceous earth (may be abrasive to some, this ingredient is optional)
- 3-5 parts coconut oil
- A few drops of essential oils for taste (try orange, cinnamon, or mint)
Directions:
- Mix all of the ingredients together with the exception of the coconut oil and essential oils.
- Add coconut oil gradually in order to achieve the desired consistency.
- Add any essential oils of your choosing for added flavor.
- Store in a small container, and use a small spoon to distribute it onto your toothbrush.
There you have it! Pretty simple, huh? You
are now one step closer to having cleaner, healthier, brighter, and stronger
teeth!
Saturday, February 27, 2016
Heal Your Acne Naturally!
For many years, I struggled with severe, heartbreaking, cystic acne. Before making the dietary and lifestyle changes I implement in my life now, I had horrible acne that plagued my face and chest. It was both an emotional and physically taxing thing to have to deal with... That is, until I discovered the healing powers of food, herbs, and supplementation!
Many people ask me why I became a vegan, or know so much about health, herbs, the body, and supplementation, and it's because of my struggle with acne.
Tired and sick of struggling with skin issues, I sought solutions endlessly. I read every book I could on skin, health, digestion, and hormones. I began changing my diet and lifestyle and saw dramatic changes in the condition of my skin. Now, I can happily say that my cystic acne is GONE, and when I do get a minor pimple here and there because of stress or lack of sleep, I know EXACTLY what to do to make it disappear!
I am so incredibly grateful for all of the research I came across supporting the idea that with proper diet, exercise, and nutrition, clear skin can belong to anyone. And in an effort to help as many people as possible end their struggle with acne, I've put together a guide so that you too can learn what to do to achieve and maintain clear skin! For more information, visit TheSecretToClearSkin.info ❤
Friday, February 12, 2016
A Word on Self-Love
With Valentine's day just around the corner, I'd like to take a moment to talk about one of the most important people you'll ever love... Yourself! Self-love is something I’m constantly emphasizing. I’m constantly emphasizing it because it’s something that’s so important!
So why exactly is self love so important?
When we love ourselves, we hold ourselves to higher standards. We are less likely to treat ourselves poorly, or allow another individual to treat us poorly as well. When we love ourselves, we have a healthy self-esteem and self-respect, and we don't go looking for love in all the wrong places because we already have our fill of love.
Conversly, when we fail to love ourselves we become prone to compromising in our love lives, lowering our standards, or accepting treatment from others that is far less than what we deserve. We are unable to keep healthy boundaries and become people-pleasers; unable to stand up for ourselves out of fear of upsetting or losing that person. Our sense of worth becomes dependent upon other people’s ability to see it, and we seek validation from external factors (i.e. other’s approval) rather than feeling it ourselves.
People who fail to love themselves suffer from a low self-esteem, low self-worth, a lack of self-respect, and poor/ impaired decision making.
When we practice self-love everything changes for the better. We become empowered to be fully expressed, because whether other people like or approve of us is not important. We are able to accept and appreciate ourselves despite our flaws and weaknesses. While we don’t deny that weaknesses exist, we are able to recognize them and love ourselves in spite of our imperfections. In addition, we are able to make wise dating decisions; because we love and respect ourselves, we set the standards for the kind of treatment we expect from others.
People who love themselves are confident, have a healthy self-esteem, self-value, and self-worth.
We teach others how to treat us based on the behavior we are willing to accept.
There’s a quote that says “we accept the love we think we deserve,” and I couldn’t believe this to be more true. You deserve love, and happiness, and someone who treats you with respect; so it’s essential for you to start treating yourself that way. We teach others how to treat us based on the behavior we are willing to accept. It’s so important to treat yourself with love and respect, so that you can attract others who will show you love and respect. If you don’t love yourself, you’ll always be chasing after people who don’t love you either. As soon as you start seeing your own worth, it becomes a lot harder to stay around those who don’t. If you want another human to give you the love you deserve, start showing yourself that love.
Love yourself first, so you know what you deserve.
A few ways to cultivate some more self-love?
1. Practice Positive Self-Talk. Speak kindly to oneself and avoid harsh self-judgement and unnecessary self-criticism. Speak to yourself the way you would a beloved friend or child. Be nice to yourself!
2. Practice Self Care. Take care of yourself. Eat like you love yourself. Make sure to get adequate amounts of restful sleep and rejuvenating exercise. Treating yourself right is an essential aspect of cultivating more self-love.
3. Have Healthy Boundaries. It’s essential to have healthy boundaries in place to ensure one is treated the way one deserves to be treated. Having healthy boundaries is an act of self-love.
4. Surround yourself with people who love, respect, and appreciate you. Immediately cut ties from anyone who treats you with disrespect, is un-supportive, or demeaning. Removing toxic people from your life is not mean; it’s healthy and essential to your self-love and self-respect.
Treat yourself kindly, show yourself love, be respectful of yourself, have healthy boundaries. Do this, and you’re guaranteed to attract more people into your life who do the same.
All my love,
Brigitte xx
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