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HOW TO BEAT
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What to Eat and Do to Keep Your Brain in Shape Written by: Jade Prévost-Manuel
ur brains do a lot for us. They help us focus, solve problems, remember important information and make tough choices. Yet when mental fog rolls in, being productive can feel like an impossible task.
Canadians know they can train their bodies through healthy eating and regular exercise. But can we train our pandemic-affected brains, too?
Naturopathic doctor Marc Conteduca, who runs a brain training program at Niagara Health and Rehab Centre (NHRC), says that with hard work, it’s possible.
health & wellness
“For many years, we didn't think that it was possible to improve brain function or regrow nerve cells or have this thing called neuroplasticity,” he says. “But now, we’re seeing that we can do those things.” It’s welcome news for those dealing with what researchers are calling pandemic brain — brain inflammation caused by the chronic stress of living through a pandemic. Pandemic brain manifests as fatigue, brain fog and even mood changes in non-COVID-infected people. Last year, more than 50 per cent of Canadians reported that COVID-19 had increased their stress or anxiety levels. Chronic stress can affect the parts of the brain that manage concentration, decision-making and even memory. It can 52
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make learning more difficult, and the people who experience it more anxious. Want to get your pre-pandemic brain back? Here are three things you can do to boost brain function.
GET SOME SLEEP
(Without Your Phone)
Sleep helps keep your brain sharp — but most of us don’t get enough of it. According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, 1 in 2 adults have trouble going to sleep or staying asleep. “You need to prioritize sleep in the same way that you prioritize your exercise and nutrition plan,” says Conteduca. Not getting enough sleep can affect your ability to learn, create new memories and concentrate. A lack of sleep doesn’t just affect your brain — poor sleep, or no sleep, can also
