Brain Building Challenge Week Three

By now you should definitely be feeling like you have a brain. You are more than half way through integrating new healthy ways to invigorate and grow your brain in order to face all the year has in store.

Brain Challenge #16: Read or watch the famous speech by martin luther king and write out (hand write) your own dream or feelings related to the speech. Thinking through others visions or experiences then applying it to your own opens up new neural pathways and increases empathy and social understanding. Handwriting also challenges and strengthens our brain muscles in all new ways.

Brain Challenge #17: Drink water. Staying hydrated will improve your mood, your concentration, your memory and improves blood flow and oxygen to the brain.

Brain Challenge #18: Acknowledge one accomplishment. Find one thing to pat yourself on the back about today. You showed up today and that counts. Acknowledging accomplishments and taking pride in who we are can actually rewire our brain to increase our self esteem, and confidence. You are an amazing, unique individual - own it.  Comment on what you are proud of.

Brain Challenge #19: Take a walk. It is no secret that walking has many health benefits but it has also been found in many studies to decrease risks of dementia, depression and of course can also reduce weight and increase strength.

Brain Challenge #20: Brain Challenge #20: hug someone (with permission) we all need human connection and our brain needs the oxitocin that comes with it. More on this topic here , here and here.         
 
Brain Challenge #21: Sniff some lavender. Lavender can alleviate anxiety and depression by balancing neurotransmitters. Breath in the good and out the bad.

Awesome work my brain building friends. Keep up the good work, keep checking facebook, we only have a week more to go.