7 Steps to Healthy Brain with Dr. Daniel Amen Part 1

BRAINS CONTROL EVERYTHING

• Brains run the world and control everything: stock market, local market, schools, governments, corporations, shops, families, etc., and you!
• But we rarely think about the brain because you can’t see it—this is a mistake.
• Alzheimer’s starts in the brain 30-50 years before you have any symptoms / no time to wait to get healthy—some of you are waiting until you get sick before you start getting well.
• Success in anything you do starts with a healthy brain.
• Big idea: with a little forethought (that comes from the prefrontal cortex that is 30% of the human brain, and is the part of the brain that makes us human) you can boost your brain and improve any area of your life.

1. BRAIN EXCELLENCE

• Your competitive advantage.
• If you want an advantage in your life, take care of the organ that makes every single decision in your life.
• Your brain is involved in everything: how you act, think, and get along with other people, your judgment, character, personality, intelligence, and planning.
• Remember: when your brain works right, you work right. When your brain is troubled you’re much more likely to have troubles in your life.
• Books mentioned: The Amen Solution and Change Your Brain, Change Your Body about the connection between the brain and physical health.
• This principle directly attacks the notion of free will.
• Free will is a brain function that can be compromised through things like accidents, depression—leading you to be sadder, sicker, poorer, less successful and experiencing poorer decision-making and impulse control.
• With a healthy brain, people are happier and physically happier, wiser and more successful.
• Book mentioned: Use Your Brain to Change Your Age
• We get less active over time with ageing—and your brain is atrophying as you age too.
• Remember: you have to be a warrior for your health in our society that is going the wrong way with health.

2. WHY DO YOU CARE

• If you don’t get this step right you’ll never get truly healthy.
• Why do you want to have a healthy brain? Write down 5 reasons.
• Dinosaur syndrome: multiple studies were done showing that as your weight goes up, the physical size and function of your brain goes down.
• Write down what anchor images you can use to immediately remind yourself why being healthy is essential.
• If you don’t have the why it will get too hard along the way.