Brain Health

Hot coffee. Cold me. The two go so well together. And so I don't forget...

Looking ahead at soon to arrive November, is anyone doing anything for National Memory Screening Day (it is probably mostly US related, but I think anyone anywhere should be able to participate)? It is on November 13. It might be a prime opportunity for us to in our various neck of the woods to speak to the public about hypnosis, how it can be a good tool for brain health. It is coming up quickly, so I thought it would be best to just post in now rather than in two days.

According to the Alzheimer Foundation of America, hypnosis is listed as a stress management tool, so we already have our foot in the door. They say:

It is imperative to harness chronic stress because it damages the body, emotions—and the mind. Most harmful of all, chronic stress creates overproduction of a hormone called cortisol. These elevated levels of cortisol may damage the brain cells in our memory center.

Successful stress management involves reducing depression, improving your ability to deal with stressful situations, and, most of all, utilizing techniques that elicit the relaxation response—a condition characterized by a lowered metabolic rate and a calm state of mind. Stress-relaxation techniques are a crucial component in creating a healthier brain, according to a large body of medical research.

The following approaches have been scientifically proven to lower cortisol levels by prompting the relaxation response...

Then they list meditation, guided imagery and visualization, hypnosis, deep breathing, classical music, massage and prayer.

To learn more about National Memory Screening Day, find a site to be screened at or to even host a screening, visit www.nationalmemoryscreening.org.