Dr Marina vd Ryst

01/05/2026

Different brains.
Different ways of working.
Equal value.

30/04/2026

30/04/2026

Remaining calm under pressure aligns closely with the principles of emotional intelligence and resilience, as it reflects the ability to manage instinctive reactions and respond with intention. Losing one’s temper is often driven by the brain’s automatic survival mechanisms, whereas staying composed requires conscious control and mental discipline, engaging higher-level thinking processes.

This ability provides a clear strategic advantage—calm individuals can assess situations more rationally, make better decisions, and maintain confidence even in chaos. In today’s fast-paced, reactive environment, this restraint is often seen as a rare “superpower,” not a sign of weakness but of mastery. Rather than draining energy through emotional reactions, calmness preserves focus and allows actions to be purposeful, reinforcing the idea that true strength lies in control, not impulsiveness.

29/04/2026

MODERN LIFE vs HUMAN NEED

27/04/2026

Freedom isn’t just something we celebrate as a nation —
it’s something we strive for in our minds, every day.
This Freedom Day, we honour progress, resilience, and the courage to keep moving forward.

25/04/2026

23/04/2026

Ever wondered what your brain and heart are really saying to each other all day?

🧠 Brain: “Stay calm, we’ve got this.”
❤️ Heart: “WHY ARE WE PANICKING THEN?!”

OR maybe:
❤️ Heart: “Let’s relax…”
🧠 Brain: “Cool cool… but also, what if something goes wrong in 3 weeks?”
The truth is, your brain and heart are in constant conversation—sometimes a smooth coffee chat ☕… and sometimes a chaotic group chat with mixed signals.

That’s where we step in 👇

💓 Heart Rate Variability (HRV) shows us how balanced your nervous system is
📈 ECG lets us see how steady (or dramatic 😄) the heart’s rhythm is
🧠 qEEG helps us understand how the brain is regulating all of this behind the scenes

Put it all together, and with biofeedback & neurofeedback, we basically get a backstage pass 🎟️ to the brain-heart conversation.

Because when the brain and heart finally agree…
✨ That’s where calm, focus, and resilience live.

And honestly… we all deserve less “panic in the group chat” energy 😄


Read more here:
https://open.substack.com/pub/drtraster/p/the-brain-heart-connection-the-hidden?utm_campaign=post-expanded-share&utm_medium=web

22/04/2026

Common knowledge: Exercise is good for you.
Not very common knowledge - but should be : The cascade of beneficial effects in the brain is remarkable! A plethora of brain benefits evident from research lead to exercise referred to as “nature’s antidepressant”.
Exercise is medicine for the brain. When we move, our brain releases signals that can improve mood, memory, and sleep. Recent brain-imaging studies show that regular activity can tune up large networks, including the default mode network (DMN), which tends to be overactive in depression. Reshaping DMN activity with exercise can help cut down over-thinking, rumination and chronic worrying, making it easier to focus on daily tasks.
The best part: you don’t have to be an athlete—consistent, enjoyable activities like walking, cycling, or dancing count. According to research, all it takes is 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, spread across several days. -If you struggle with depression, consider taking up light exercise, while talking to a professional. Always remember to seek out support from friends and family!
The Fascinating Phenomenon That Is Your Brain on Exercise.

18/04/2026

17/04/2026

Reflected in the 2026-focus on Brain and Mental health and European initiatives to reframe mental health—is the global movement beyond rigid diagnostic labels, towards deeper insight in the brain and its patterns to inform more personalized interventions.
What if ADHD, depression, anxiety, OCD and other labels are not lists of deficits—but different patterns of the brain?
Not broken, but differently patterned. Not incapable, but fast. Reactive. People do not struggle because they lack ability.
They struggle because their brain moves quickly forming habits, reactions, and loops that fire before awareness can catch them.
And what is fast… must be gently interrupted before it can be reshaped.
When you understand what your brain is doing—moment by moment—you gain insight.
And insight creates space.
Space creates choice.
And choice is where change begins...
Tools like brain mapping (qEEG) offer one way of observing these patterns—revealing how your brain is functioning beneath the surface.
This is not about labelling, it is also not diagnosis..
It is about clarity and informed mental health choices
Clarity allows for more precise, approaches to focus, regulation, and growth. Contact us if you want to learn more about how QEEG can assist you with insights into the unique inner-working of your brain.

16/04/2026

Neurodiversity: Every Brain is Different — And That’s Okay
Does your child learn, focus, or respond to the world in their own unique way?
Children with learning challenges, Dyslexia, ADHD, OCD, or anxiety often struggles with the box-like, rigid educational environment — not because something is “wrong,” but because their brains are wired differently, sometimes uniquely. They require more support and empathy in reaching their potential. At our practice, we offer concessions and psycho-educational assessments designed to:
-Understand your child’s unique learning profile
- Identify strengths alongside challenges
- Support access to school accommodations
- Empower your child to thrive — not just cope
We believe in seeing the whole child with deep respect for neurodiversity. Because when children are understood, they don’t just succeed… they shine.
Reach out to us today for more information — we’d love to help.