31/10/2021
Book Review: Activate Your Brain by Scott G. Halford
This book suggests that everything starts with knowing how your brain works. It suggests simple and digestible advice to make lasting change such as incorporating exercising and healthy eating. It starts by comparing the mammalian part of or brain, which is more reactive, to the more recently evolved prefrontal cortex where the higher order thinking occurs. It discusses that chemicals such as adrenaline and cortisol are released when we are exposed to dangerous situations, but if you are continually exposed to these chemicals, via living in the past or worrying about the future, then it can cause harm such as diabetes, cancer or immune deficiencies. Three chemicals are released connected to reward: dopamine produces pleasurable feelings, norepinephrine engages interest and oxytocin assists with connection to others. It suggests that if you train your brain to see the positive aspects of any situation, you will release more chemicals connected to reward than to danger, thus shifting the balance. The example the book gives is, if you are going on a diet, the focus should be on approaching the diet from the positive aspects such as having a healthy, beautiful body, rather than things you are missing out on such as ice cream, cheese or chocolate. It provides evidence that working on your will-power and focus is associated with greater health and success in life. Another way to activate your brain is to increase trust between yourself and others by use of appropriate touch, laughter, acknowledging and showing interest as this will help with connection with others and it releases oxytocin. Furthermore, Halford argues that collaboration increases productivity and gives us individual and collective joy. Other advice such as getting enough sleep, as well as exercising your brain and body will slow mental decline. Lastly health aspects such as drinking lots water and eating food connected with brain health will work to activate your brain.
