“I like nonsense; it wakes up the brain cells”. – Dr. Seuss
Oh the brain! We all wish we had a sharp brain, always ready to fire quickly and with a lot of wit.
We also all wish we remembered where we left that pair of scissors we used five minutes ago…Am I right ;-)? Can you relate?
Here is the problem with modern brain health: most of us don’t treat our brains with the respect they deserve! We feed our brain constant stimulation and do not provide it with the nourishment it needs to function optimally.
Fortunately, we can improve our cognitive function by using the wisdom of Ayurveda.
Ayurveda for Brain Health
Here are a few ways we can use Ayurveda for brain health.
Limit Stimulation
Excess sensory stimuli, loud noises, bright colors, screens, social media and lack of rest makes it really hard for the brain to rejuvenate properly.
Seek Quality Information
The brain is also affected by the quality of the information it receives. Are the movies, books, podcasts, and social media groups you dive into everyday bringing your energy higher? Are they helping you achieve a higher level of consciousness that invites healing and harmony? OR, are they sucking your energy, lowering your “vibe”, and ultimately depressing your beautiful self, leading to improper function of your bodily systems, your mental and emotional states and beyond?
Reduce Stressors
Other external factors exhausting the brain include the use of coffee, alcohol and other drugs. We are also weighed down by too much thought, worry, and analysis, which leads to depletion.
Keep Vata Balanced and Kapha Nourished in the Mind
To understand how to support the brain with food, it’s important to realize that the brain is primarily a Vata organ, as it is the source of the nerve impulses that are fired in our body. When our brains are healthy and balanced, it will function with the qualities of Vata: sharp, light, mobile, rough, clear, subtle, flowing.
That said, the cerebrospinal fluid is of Kapha nature and serves to support the Vata function of the brain and nerves. Without adequate Kapha in the brain, Vata won’t work properly. Therefore, nourishing the Kapha in your brain is key to having an efficient brain!
To keep Vata balanced and Kapha nourished in the mind, try to engage in nurturing practices, like spending time in nature and meditating. Get moderate amounts of physical activities to oxygenate the brain and invest in supportive relationships.
Consume Healthy Fats
We can also increase Kapha in the brain by getting adequate consumption of good fats. Good fats create moisture and lubrication. Typical brain foods include fatty fish rich in Omega-3, organic pasture-raised eggs, avocados, nuts and seeds for their high oleic acid content, as well as green tea, berries and dark chocolate for their antioxidant properties.
Incorporate Rasayanas & Rejuvenative Plants
In Ayurveda, Rasayana, the science of rejuvenation, was originally aimed at the mutation of the brain. Its goal was to provide a strong physical container so that the birth of true awareness could naturally occur. Rasayana uses meditation, mantra and brain health supplements to help promote mutation in brain cells. Chyawanprash is the foremost of all rasayanas and was formulated to boost overall vitality and promote longevity.
If you’re looking to improve cognitive health, you know what to do now! Give your brain a break from technology and feed it with positivity, inspiration, brain foods, time in nature, meditation, supportive relationships, moderate physical activities (ideally outdoors) that oxygenate the brain, and incorporate rasayanas in your daily routine!
Cultivate Happy & Healthy!
Cecile Antoine Alfonzo
Certified Ayurvedic Lifestyle Consultant & Coach
