Creativity and intuition are both right brain hemisphere qualities that have been ignored and disrespected for generations now. Finally, thanks to neuroscience research the importance of respecting the contributions of both of our brain hemispheres is coming into vogue. I have advocated trusting your own intuitive guidance and reclaiming your own voice and inner authority for several years now.
Scientific research too often treats the human being as a machine with its reductionistic models instead of as a living, consciousness ever evolving organism. When you have to wait on scientists to agree and act as your “authority” over your own life, you give away your power. After all, innovation begins with an open mind.
While viewing humanity this way can be less predictable in the laboratory, it is more aligned with the reality of life. Hopefully, our educational system will start paying attention because it surely needs reinventing. Math and science are not the “be all, end all” of intelligence, and I’ve been saying this for decades. Even though I was always a strong math and science student, I also loved English, music and art, and to this day I believe that my love for reading and writing has served me better in everyday life than math or science ever did.
Now, there is research that supports that laughter (humor is also a right brain function) and creativity can be helpful for existing Alzheimer’s patients and can likely help prevent it. There are also other helpful nutrients and activities that would be helpful in preventing Alzheimer’s that you should be aware of all. My advice is to trust your gut and do some reading on your own.
If you wait for the traditional medical community to give you permission for this or to agree with it, you may lose your mind first. That being said, here are some great ideas to keep your mind muscle fit:
1. Learn something new, even doing crossword puzzles is useful
2. Playing the piano can stimulate growth of new brain memory cells
3. Take an improve class (Northwestern Hospital in Chicago and LookingGlass Theatre have a collaborative research relationship)
4. Blueberries have been found to be great nutrition for the brain
5. Aerobic exercise – what’s good for your heart is good for your brain
There are also other items, like plenty of clean water, sleep and omega-3 oils. Aging does not have to mean “forgetfulness.” If you stop learning, stop exercising and worry constantly, you are contributing to the creation of disease of your brain. It is not just “happening” randomly to you in general. While there may always be exceptions, generally speaking life is a game of choice, not chance.
It’s time for us to take, “response-ability” for our lives and stop giving away our power and acting like innocent victims. I don’t know about you but reclaiming my personal power through conscious awareness and understanding how my own mind and brain operate is exciting and something that I can wholeheartedly embrace.
Valencia Ray, M.D. teaches business owners and corporate leaders how their amazing brain can actually hijack personal power -- not in the abstract, but in the context of integrating business and personal life. Dr. Ray, a board-certified eye surgeon and medical business owner for over 20 years before selling her practice, shares her own life changing process. By sharing her story, she helps others to expand their vision and learn that by living with purpose and confidence, it is possible to have a more integrated, healthier lifestyle – with less struggle, more inner peace and more abundance.
For more information and to contact her regarding dynamic, inspirational keynotes, trainings in collaborative leadership and team building, entrepreneurship and coaching programs, visit her website at http://www.ValenciaRay.com