S2 E48: Brain Health, Concussion Recovery, and Meditation with Heather Van Tassel
Are you looking for ways to increase your brain health but are unsure of where to start? In this week’s episode of Making Headway Podcast, Heather Van Tassel from Neuro Fit for Life joins us to talk about the 4 pillars of brain health and concussion recovery. Her approach to coaching people back to wellness post injury includes mindset, nutrition, exercise, and alternative therapies. The episode ends with a guided meditation. Join us to learn more and get started on your road to better brain health.
In this episode:
Heather bases treatment on 4 pillars: Nutrition, exercise, mindset, and alternative therapies. She has a degree in neuroscience and biochemistry. She focuses on how chronic illness and inflammation are linked
Heather’s concussion survivor story
She experienced trouble focusing, reading, and doing math. Had to take time off from college.
Holistic lifestyle approach to recovery: to Heather this means accounting for how you think, move, eat and how that creates you as a person. It's a daily lifestyle approach
Mindset as the basis for living
Meditation: is nothing but beneficial for your brain. Increases focus, attention, and emotional regulation skills
Positive affirmations: thinking positively attracts positivity and the right people
Focus on what you want rather than where you are at
Spirituality: understanding that you have value just by simply existing. You don’t have to do anything to be worthy. Meditation can help you get in touch with your spiritual side.
Validation comes in many forms
Nutrition: eating the rainbow-get lots of colors on your plate
Your brain is in an inflammatory state post injury. It needs energy to help it to regain homeostasis
Protein rich foods
Creatine supplements give a boost of energy and helps with concussion recovery
Healthy fats: MCT oils, coconut oil, avocados, walnuts–they help stabilize your energy throughout the day
MCT/coconut oil may help regain memory; might help prevent dementia
Omega 3 fatty acids: fish oils and algae. Be careful with omega 6s. Need a good ratio of omega 3 to 6
DHEA: found in chia seeds and flax seed
The reason cold water fish are high in omegas is because they eat algae. This is why algae based omegas are a viable option.
Exercise
Build up frequency then duration and lastly intensity
Start with light activity keeping it below your symptom threshold
Half your idea of what light is. Lower your expectation so you truly start slow and light
Learn to listen to your body and what you need
Getting back to exercising: Look at where you are at as a physical baseline. Do that three times. If it is feeling good, add some time to that exercise. Then lastly try to go faster or harder. Progress slowly.
Pool running- a way to run without impact
Do it with a friend: exercising is a good chance to increase social interactions
Alternative therapies
Any time you have a concussion there is also whiplash. Don’t neglect muscular rehab: massage
Neck pain causes headaches
Physical therapy
Neck stretches
Red light laser therapy and low light therapy: activates healing. Can find it at chiropractic centers
Being open to alternative treatments helps them work better. Mindset makes a difference
Meditation
Cultivates your awareness of being
A time to appreciate that you are alive and breathing
The goal is not to be perfect or have a huge spiritual breakthrough especially as you are just beginning
Notice what is going on without self judgment
Heather guides us through a 5 minute meditation
Check out Heather’s Instagram and Facebook for brain health tips and meditations
Reach out to:
Heather Van Tassel on Instagram @neurofitforlife
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