Brain Helpers, Part 2b

Besides everything listed in Brain Helpers Part 1, science has found a number of other ways we can repair, protect, and grow our brains. I’ve collected some of them and divided them into Physical and Mental for posting purposes. Here are the Mental ones. (And here are the Physical ones.)

Mental ways to repair, protect, and grow your brain

Reduce stress. Too much stress kills neurons, alters brain structures, impairs memory, and leaves us more susceptible to mental illness. In bipolarites, it triggers episodes. The conversation around reducing stress won’t fit here. For now, this Harvard Health article and this NAMI list cover a lot of ground.

Do puzzles. This isn’t a global fix for brain health, but it has been shown to help with attention, reasoning, and memory.

Be happy. I know, I know, but happy brains are better at memory and learning, and they kick ass at neuroplasticity. There is a huge (like 30%) global increase in function in happy brains. All of this means a big increase in our mental reserve/resilience. “Be happy” isn’t a realistic goal for all of us, but we can try to build a positive foundation by working on self-acceptance and self-nurturing habits.

Don’t multitask. Shifting between tasks that require focus causes frontal lobe fatigue which decreases cognitive efficiency and performance. Chronic multitasking has been linked to increased impulsivity, distraction, and lower executive function control. If you’re looking for efficient processing, do one thing at a time.

(More! Brain Helpers, Part 1 and Brain Helpers, Part 2)

Comments

Manic Alone

15% of people will experience some form of depression during their lifetime. (Doesn’t it seem like that number should be higher?) 2.5% will experience bipolar. Those numbers don't matter to the person in the throes, except when it comes to finding people who get it . It’s so much easier to talk to people about depression because they’ve been there. They can empathize. But with hypo/mania, man, it can be like pouring your soul out into a dry well. All most people have to go by are pop culture references—movies that get it wrong and news articles like that one naked lady who just wanted a goddamn McDonald’s ice cream cone. And I tell you what lady, I get it. For me, being manic is way more isolating than being depressed. There’s a veritable army of depressives out there (at least in my world full of writers and women who aren’t afraid to say what’s what). But when you’re manic, it sure feels like you’re manic alone.

On Being Hypomanic

Hypomania means elevated mood and energy. When you see bipolar romanticized , it’s likely hypomania they’re talking about. Increased creativity and drive do lead to increased output, but also to obsession, neglecting loved ones and your own health. Six of the books I’ve written were first scrawled during hypomanic episodes. I know of which I speak. When I’m hypomanic, I think I’m smarter, funnier, stronger. I think I heal faster. I also have zero impulse control. Some people in hypomania go on spending sprees, gamble, or have a lot of sex. It is the worst time to make life decisions and almost impossible not to. Hypomania is addictive. It feels so good, until it doesn’t. In a depression, man, all I want is a little hit of that hypomania. Not just for the joy, the brightness, the buzz, but to feel jazzed about something, anything, to have drive and purpose. Hypomania is hard to give up (to slam the door on with long- and short-term medication) but treating the bad in this case ...

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