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This Is Our Moment to Transform Our Brains

  • Writer: Patricia Faust
    Patricia Faust
  • May 13, 2021
  • 2 min read


Just as we were beginning to experience quarantine fatigue (an indifference and lack of fear) over the coronavirus, we in the United States are thrown into racial unrest. I am not going to speak politically about the causes of these protests and riots, but I do want to talk about all of the repercussions these extreme stressors are having on our lives.


There are many of us who are truly enlightened and understand the chaos we are all experiencing. Although we are anxious to learn from them, our brains haven’t been capable of attaining any sense of peace. Right now, our brains are like a winning slot machine – constantly ringing, and lights flashing. When our brains sense threat, they go on high alert. The autonomic nervous system is paying attention to everything internally and externally in our lives. It is not under conscious control. Our heart rate and breathing are being operated automatically. And there are three parts of the ANS: the sympathetic nervous system– fight or flight; the parasympathetic nervous system - rest and repair; and the enteric nervous system. This is such a fine-tuned way of getting what we need for an immediate stress event. But now we are in a chronic, toxic stress zone and our brains and bodies are turning on us.


We have heard a million times how deadly stress can be. But like quarantine fatigue, we are not paying attention and taking the necessary steps needed to take care of ourselves. I don’t mean to scare you, but we are traveling in the toxic stress zone. Toxic stress isn’t so much about the cause of the stress, but about the chronic and ongoing nature of the stress. Toxic stress can change the structure of the brain. The brain gets accustomed to the danger-survival cycle and often floods the body with stress related chemicals at the first hint of any kind of threat – even if the threat is long gone. Stress-related chemicals can have a lasting impact on the body – leading to a susceptibility to chronic disease and addiction.


We can reclaim our brain. There are many different modalities that we can use, but I wanted to share five Buddhist teachings to help bring peace back into our lives.

Acknowledge the fear: the nature of reality is that we are subject to aging, sickness and even death.


Practice mindfulness and meditation: curb impulsive behaviors with awareness of our bodies. Regular meditation can allow acknowledgement of the fear, anger and uncertainty and make it easier to recognize that these feelings are simply passing reactions.


Cultivate compassion: When emotions around fear and anxiety become too strong, we should recall examples of compassion, kindness and empathy.


Understanding our interconnections: With every action one takes for self-care, they are also helping to protect others.


Use this time to reflect: We can transform disappointment with the current moment into motivation to change one’s life and perspective on the world.


This is our moment of opportunity to change.








 
 
 

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March was an unusual month for me.  Normally I work on articles, give presentations and generally just stay tuned to what is going on in the field of aging.  This month I “learned” a lot.  Last year I learned how to write a book.  At the time I took the course I thought it would just be a natural extension of all the writing I had done over the years.  WRONG!!  The actual writing of the book was the easy part.  Putting it together into a book was difficult for me.  The course gave me step by step lessons on constructing a book.  Then editing and formatting were just as challenging.  On June 7 last year the book was published!  It was one of the most satisfying days of my writing career. 

Naturally, when you self-publish, you do not have a publisher promoting the book and getting it in the right categories for best sales on Amazon.  That was crushing because I really didn’t know to appropriately market it.  I am a brain health person!  In December of last year, I purchased a marketing program that is based on statistics.  I am technical minded and so this approach made sense to me.  The course is almost completed.  Can’t wait to see if it improves sales!

The next step I am looking at is recording an audiobook.  This is another venture I knew nothing about.  But I am already tagged on Facebook for marketing of audio book programs.  Facebook picks up everything.  Now my husband was creative director for an advertising agency and when I told him I purchased another class – he couldn’t believe it.  “This was my business.  I know how to do recordings, why didn’t you ask me?” Well, I knew he was an expert in that business, but this audiobook needs to meet all the criteria that Amazon requires for publication.  So, he can take care of the recording part of this audiobook, and I will navigate the process of meeting Amazon’s requirements.  We worked on the book together like this. 

Then I talked with some coaching experts on the viability of starting group teaching programs.  Reading The Boomer Brain book and implementing the Brain Healthy Lifestyle have two entirely different outcomes.  This lifestyle is important to maintaining high cognitive function throughout the later years of our lives.  Look for updates as to when I will roll this program out.

My last learning endeavor was attending a two-day bootcamp for Speakers.  I am really excited about what I learned there.  That is a late this year or next year project, but it is one I am really looking forward to.

 

What Is Happening in April?

The American Society on Aging is having their annual conference in Orlando Florida April 21-24.  This is the largest multidisciplinary conference on aging and the annual conference for Members of ASA.  I have attended a number of these conferences throughout the years, and it is consequential.  Keynote speakers and special events are focused on combating ageism in our society.  Although this is a professional meeting, the attendees come from all aspects of aging services.  They have their work cut out for them this year!

April is Stress Awareness Month.  We should be aware of stress every month and understand how we can break the stress cycle.  These are stressful times, and we need to protect ourselves

Here is a positive one “April is National Volunteer Month”.  When I am working with new retirees who don’t know what to do, I talk to them about volunteering. It is important to have a purpose after you leave the workforce.  There are so many nonprofits who need help in all aspects of their organizations.  It is a perfect way to give back.

Finally – It was Opening Day for the Cincinnati Reds – the oldest major league team in the nation.  Cincinnati takes that responsibility seriously.  There is always an Opening Day Parade through downtown to the Ball Park.  Huge crowds line the streets and every year there is talk of making it an official holiday.  Schools and employers look the other way when there is an empty desk.  No matter what the outcome of the game is, there is so much joy, and you can feel that energy.  I am fortunate that I get to experience that.  We all need some joy right now. 

Enjoy your April.

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