Your brain is the control center of your body, and it requires a few different types of regular maintenance to continue running at its highest capacity. Just as the brain’s wellness influences the body, the body’s wellness also influences the brain. There are a few things you can do to make sure your brain health is in excellent shape: sleep regularly, exercise, and follow a healthy diet (including mental performance supplements or brain supplements). But why are these activities so essential for a happy brain?
Sleep Better with Mental Performance Supplements
You’ve more than likely heard the phrase “internal clock,” but do you know where it stems from? Every person’s body is controlled by something called a “circadian rhythm,” or a 24 hour cycle that always runs in the background. These cycles help us complete our essential, daily functions. The most important of all circadian rhythms, or 24 hour cycles, is the body’s sleep-wake cycle.
The sleep-wake cycle follows the brain’s master clock, which is influenced by outside factors, such as light, daily routines, and chemical reactions. Having a balanced sleep-wake rhythm leads to restorative, reliable sleep. An imbalanced rhythm can lead to poor, low quality sleep. Lack of sleep influences brain health and the way your body can function, making it essential for circadian rhythms and the sleep cycle to be regular.
The best ways to encourage a balanced sleep-wake cycle are through routines and brain supplements. The first place to start is by taking a look at your current sleep-wake patterns. What times are you waking up in the morning? What times are you falling asleep? These times should remain fairly consistent, with the goal being a minimum of 7 hours each night.
If you’re having trouble with falling asleep, you should try taking brain supplements that encourage the sleep cycle. A popular option is melatonin, This mental performance supplement is naturally occurring in the body. It’s typically produced in response to darkness, and its purpose is to encourage the circadian rhythms in your body and promote sleep. Many people are exposed to light prior to falling asleep, which can disrupt melatonin production and make it difficult to fall asleep.
Sleeping is the body’s way of recharging. It helps with cognition, motor skills, processing, memory, and focus. Especially as the body ages, sleep is important for your mind’s ability to concentrate and retain information. Lack of sleep is linked to cognitive decline, so making sure you receive the correct amount of rest at the correct time of day can have lasting effects on your body and mind.
Mental Performance Supplements Help With Exercise
Exercise has long been linked to improvement in cognitive abilities, mood, and overall demeanor. Taking the time to walk for just 30 minutes a day is proven to keep the body and mind healthier. Having a workout routine will lower your risk for disease with age, including mental health disorders. Sometimes, though, it’s hard to find the initial energy or motivation to get started.
Mental performance supplements are a helpful way to kickstart your workout regimen. Oftentimes, people may struggle with getting the ball rolling when it comes to their physical fitness. It isn’t due to a lack of desire, but more-so a mental block. Commonly, you may see people drinking energy drinks or taking a pre-workout mixture that helps them feel ready to burn calories or spend a few hours at the gym.
Unfortunately, these types of aids are detrimental to the mind and body. They can provide damaging levels of supplements that offer quick bursts of energy in excessive quantities. The healthier, more sustainable approach is to take daily supplements at a controlled level. B vitamins are a favorite for many, and they are usually a key ingredient in most fast-acting energy boosters. B vitamins are mental performance supplements that should be integrated into your daily diet at an amount proportionate to your body’s needs. This way, your body is regularly getting the energy it needs to complete daily tasks– and you’ll feel more energized to exercise, too.
Giving yourself the supplements needed to exercise will pay off. Exercising actually helps the body feel more energized, promotes healthy organ function, and aids in brain wellness by making it easier for the brain to do its job. Giving your body the tools it needs to stay fit will ultimately make for a healthier mind, too.
Eating Habits for a Healthier Mind
Brain wellness and body fitness revolves around mindful eating. The phrase “you are what you eat” is cliche, but holds its own merits. Our bodies can only process the food sources we give it. If those choices are poor in nutritional value, the results of their consumption will also be negative. This will leave your body feeling awful, and your brain will not be equipped with the tools it needs to do its job to the highest capacity.
Instead, you should remain intentional about what you consume. A balanced diet is the way to go– you need to make sure you’re consuming a variety of food items every day, otherwise you could develop deficiencies. Remember: fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and lean proteins. If you’re unable to consume one of those groups on a regular basis, it’s time to look into supplements to stay on top of your body and brain health.
Take a few minutes to evaluate your typical daily intake, and then examine which food items you might not be getting enough of. Each food group is responsible for a variety of vitamins that help the body and brain carry out important tasks. Not having enough of one thing could be the reason you’ve felt tired, weak, or even anxious.
Finding the Right Supplements
If you’re not sure which mental performance supplements can help bridge the gap for your body and brain health, talk to one of our nutrition experts at BIPRI. We would love to chat at 615-933-5188 or through our website.