Benefiting at work from Brain Based Insights

Did you ever awaken feeling moody …  trip over your own feet… and struggle all day to work effectively? Your brain is designed to adjust mood and levels so that you up your zest through consciousness and alertness. Good moods often equal good business deals that day and they are worth our attention.

We spend hours at a time with computers that have not come close to matching the capabilities of the human brain, and we tend to ignore the unique functions of  our brains that could turn any day into a windfall of productivity and success.

Is that because we have been unaware of the brain’s real ability to help us through the day? Or is it because we’ve not realized that the brain needs constant nourishment if we are to capitalize on its potential.

Your brain works more in your favor when it gets an extremely high and continual flow of blood and oxygen. Did you know the brain demands about 21 percent of the blood flow from your heart? Have you ever thought of what happens when the flow is too slow or stopped by poor eating or living habits?

Any loss of blood flow to the brain for more than about 10 seconds can easily create a loss of consciousness. Similar dangers occur with lack of oxygen…. Add to that danger… abnormally low sugar or glucose levels in your blood, or toxic substances and your high performing  brain is converted into malfunction within minutes. So how are so many of us alive and kicking? Your brain actually  helps you to keep it tuned for effective use….

In amazing ways… the brain defends itself … and restores steady moods …  through several mechanisms it employs to prevent serious problems. Remember moods are affected by blood flow and blood sugar levels. The brain helps you with both….

Let’s say your blood flow to the brain drops to dangerous levels. Software in the  brain immediately jumps in like the antivirus in your computer and signals the heart to beat faster. The brain commands the heart to help you out in forceful no-nonsense ways.  In many cases… the heart responds by pumping more blood at a faster rate to fix the problem.

Similarly… if your blood sugar level dips too low, your brain signals to your adrenal glands to release epinephrine as a way to fix the problem and reboot your moods for stability. 

The good news is that you can exchane the mood you awaken in for one that better equips you for the day.  Simply, eat… sleep … and exercise in ways that allow your brain’s plasticity  to rewire for the next day’s good moods, and you are off to a good start.

What do you think?