Week Two Discussion: Wellness Factors

Step 1 - After reviewing the course content located in Week 2 on dimensions of Wellness, choose one of the videos or other materials shared in the folder to discuss and start a new thread.  Title the thread using the name of the video or other learning material you want to discuss. 

Step 2 - Summarize the video in 1-2 paragraphs, and relate it to an aspect of your life - either personal or work life.

Step 3 - Complete the post by adding a question for your classmates - it can be any question prompted by the content of the video. It can be also another question you have around self-care and work.

How the food you eat affects your brain – Nia Nacamulli

Nacamulli argues that other than water, the brain is made of fats, amino acids, proteins, micronutrients, and glucose. While the list is not exhaustive, each of those components plays an integral role on development, functioning, mood, and energy. Omega 3&6 fatty acids, drawn from nuts, seeds, and fatty fish, are associated with a reduction in brain degeneration are drawn from our diets. On the contrary, the long-term consumption of trans and saturated fats may compromise brain health. Proteins and amino acids are the building block nutrients of growth and development, impact our feelings and behaviors (TED-Ed, 2016). Amino acids also provide chemical components that build neurotransmitters – hence impacting mood, sleep, attentiveness, and weight. These components in the food we consume stimulate the brain to release components such as norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin, which alter moods. When the diet is balanced, it helps maintain a balance between the neurotransmitters, ensuring that the mood is more stable (TED-Ed, 2016).

Additionally, micronutrients such as antioxidants in fruits and vegetables help protect brain cells, ensuring they work well for a long time. Without micronutrinets such as vitamins B6, B12, and folic acid, the brain become susceptible to brain disease and mental decline. Trace amounts of minerals such as copper, iron, zinc, and sodium are also important for brain development and early cognitive development. The brain needs glucose for energy production, and this one is derived from carbohydrates (starch, sugar, and fiber). The frontal lobes are sensitive to glucose changes, that nutrient deficiency can be detected by a change in mental function. The different foods produce energy differently and that has an impact on how the brain responds and an individual acts (TED-Ed, 2016).

I find the TED Talk to be quite relatable to my life as a registered nurse. My work schedule is always demanding against family responsibilities and academic commitment, which need the maintenance of optimal brain function. Having a diet rich in lean proteins, fruits, vegetables, and omega-3 fatty acids can improve cognitive performance, improve mood stability, and promote energy levels. Through prioritization of my nutrition, I can better manage the many demands of my personal and professional life by keeping the brain functioning optimally throughout the day and having sustained energy and mental stability during long shits.

References

TED-Ed. (2016, June 21). How the food you eat affects your brain - Nia Nacamulli [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyQY8a-ng6g

Hello Vanessa,

That is an interesting choice of discussion. Personally, I come from a society where mental health issues were treated with stigma. Nobody would even want to admit of having suffered a mental problem. For many years, issues like suicide have been associated with cowardice. However, I am glad that people, especially the Gen Z are having more discussions about mental health, with topics like depression becoming commonplace. The moment we realize that indeed there is no shame in taking care of our mental health, we will be having more constructive discussions about the need to share our experiences with others, and learning more about what would be considered healthy or unhealthy. On what I have done to help end mental health stigma, I remember a time when I felt burnout and did not really wanted to do anything. I challenged myself to seek professional help and realized that I had moderate depression. I shared my story on social media and realized that more people, including friends were willing to talk about their own experiences.

Hello Breanna,

When it comes to sleep, I rarely take chances. If there is something I really value, then it is my sleep. I always sacrifice many things to have 7-8 hours of sleep a day. Interestingly, this is a trait I developed from high school. Attending a boarding school, we always tried to maximize time for studies in the normal school schedule, including for morning and evening studies. As a result, I always found opportunities to sleep. For example, during sports day, I could sleep in the bus or even in the classroom while waiting for official breaks. I function better with what I consider optimal sleep (7-8 hours). Whenever I sleep for less hours or miss sleep altogether, I tend to experience headaches, mood changes, fatigue and even low concentration.