Bloggin Noggin

We’ve all experienced that little lift after enjoying a square of dark chocolate. But beyond the pleasure of its rich, comforting taste, cacao - the raw, unprocessed form of chocolate - has some truly remarkable benefits for our brain.

Rest plays a critical role in memory consolidation, creativity, and mental resilience. Studies show that taking breaks throughout the day enhances problem-solving skills and productivity. Without sufficient rest, the brain becomes overwhelmed, leading to difficulty in concentration and decision-making. Here's why rest is an essential building block for your brain health. 

Regular movement is in important building block for our brain health. It increases blood flow to the brain, delivering oxygen and nutrients essential for cognitive performance. Even gentle exercise has been shown to reduce stress, improve memory, and enhance overall brain health, so you don't have to worry about managing HIIT classes, either!

The connection between our gut and brain is one of the most fascinating areas of neuroscience! Often referred to as the "second brain," scientists believe that the gut plays a crucial role in mental and cognitive health. Here's why our diet is an important building block for your brain health. 

Our brains work tirelessly throughout the day, processing information, making decisions, and regulating emotions. When we sleep, the brain undergoes essential maintenance, removing toxins, consolidating memories, and restoring cognitive function. Without proper rest, mental clarity, mood, and overall well-being can suffer and that's why SLEEP is an important building block for our brain health. 

Flagging by 3pm and need a quick way to recharge through the rest of the day?   

It can feel like the pressure to lose weight is everywhere right now, and while it's important for our overall health to maintain a healthy weight, trying to lose weight quickly with restrictive diets or short term low-calorie plans can have a surprising impact on our brain health.

Omega-3 is often praised for its heart health benefits, but its impact on brain function is just as impressive. These essential fatty acids play a key role in everything from memory to mood, making them a must-have in our diets at every stage of life.

As we enter a new year, a familiar question arises: Have you set any resolutions for the year ahead? From crazy goals like running marathons (we prefer a gentle jog) to more modest ones like eating more vegetables or reading a book a week, we need to be honest with ourselves: resolutions are made to be broken, right?

There’s so much pressure at this time of year that often falls to women and mums to organise and create the magic that we love about Christmas. If that’s you, that can bring with it a lot of emotions - from organising and buying of presents, to the fun family days out meeting Father Christmas, or thinking what everyone would like to eat and of course, the big cook on Christmas day itself.

Migraines are more than just severe headaches; they are complex neurological events that affect millions of us.

Gut health and 'the microbiome' might seem like the latest buzzwords in wellbeing, but the link to our overall health is fascinatingly more important than we might realise - especially when it comes to our brain.