U stands for Uplifting emotions.
It was wonderfully uplifting being up among the clouds, doing more than I thought I was capable of.
What brings you joy? Do it!
Spend time doing things you love with the people you love.
What uplifts you?
What gives you a sense of meaning and purpose?
These things are even more important than eating well and exercising because they motivate us to eat better and exercise!
How do you know when someone is living in a way that brings them joy?
They light up a room when they walk into it.
How do you know when someone is not living with joy?
They light up a room when they walk out of it!
How do uplifting emotions — not only joy but curiosity, hope, excitement, enthusiasm, optimism, confidence, laughter — how do they boost our brain?
Like gratitude, all positive emotions:
- Increase our resilience and mental capacity by changing our brain chemistry
- Strengthen our immune system
- Lower inflammation
- And inspire us to live an adventurous life!
All these factors improve brain health.
Would you skimp on brushing your teeth every day?
Then don’t skimp on experiencing joy every day.
The louder you laugh, the longer you live!
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This is a photo from Stage 10 (of 22 stages) of the 300+km Pekoe Trail.
For more photos of my time in Sri Lanka, click here.
If you’d like to trek the Pekoe Trail yourself, please contact Deen at srilankatrekkingclub.com
I highly recommend you do it in the recommended 22 days, not the high speed 14 days that I did it in! You can also choose to only do one or a few of the stages to get a taste of Sri Lanka’s glorious tea country. Happy hiking – it’s a fabulous brain-boosting activity!
Please share this Health-e-Byte with anyone with an interest in brain health or a diagnosis of dementia.
