Beyond Terminal Care – Being Positive

A few biochemicals produced by our bodies enhance brain health. Neurotransmitters send messages within our central nervous system, while hormones circulate throughout the larger, peripheral nervous system.  Sometimes the same biochemical serves both functions.  Rather than producing them on a continual basis, we need to experience particular moods or behaviors in order to benefit from the following biochemicals:

Dopamine
Dopamine controls memory, learning, concentration and sleep.  Dopamine also motivates and rewards the brain for healthy behaviors.

Serotonin
Serotonin enhances our mood and sleep.  Adequate serotonin levels help stave off depression.

Endorphins
Endorphins block sensations of pain and stress, thus enhancing feelings of wellbeing.

Oxytocin
Oxytocin engages people in social bonding ranging from sex to empathy.  It can reduce blood pressure and cortisol levels while enhancing wellbeing.

BDNF (Brain-derived neurotrophic factor)
BDNF stimulates the growth and plasticity of neurons and brain tissue.

Releasing only one of these biochemicals does not necessarily benefit the brain.  The “rush” from metabolizing sugars releases only dopamine, rewarding the ingestion of our body’s direct energy source, a necessary function but easily one that can be done in excess.  In contrast, the “high” felt from brisk exercise releases all five of the biochemicals listed above.  You want to feel the “high,” not the “rush,” for the sake of brain health, and several forms of being positive can help you achieve this.

Being positive enough to enhance brain health does not happen readily. 
*Appreciation does not provide the benefit of feeling “high” on life from gratitude.
*Admiration does not provide the benefit of feeling awe from nature, music or kindness.
*A sarcastic chuckle does not provide the benefit of a jovial belly laugh.
*Pausing to reflect does not provide the benefit of meditation.
*Completing a task does not provide the benefit of fulfilling a purpose.

If you suspect you never felt a brain health “high” before, imagine the rush from dopamine being tempered by the calmness of serotonin and the stress relief of endorphins and oxytocin, along with the sense of heightened brain function from BDNF.  Perhaps euphoric describes the mood better.  I recommend vigorous exercise, as much as that may sound unpleasant to some, as the most reliable way to experience this mood.  Once you know what the mood really feels like, then the sufficient intensity for being positive might be easier to achieve.

One cannot easily incorporate a mood into a routine.  You can schedule exercise or a game night, but not when you will have a good belly laugh.  I suggest instead that you focus on eliminating negative emotions from your daily routine.  Marketing in general plays on your negative emotions to sell you a product, an idea or a party platform.  You may think that a social media meme or news anchor is telling you what you want to hear, but if they do so by making you angry, fearful or entitled they could care less about your brain health, only that you buy what they are selling.

Fortunately, chances are that if you incorporate being active and social into your routine, the more intense expressions of being positive will follow along.