In part 1 and part 2 of this 3-part series we discussed the importance of the right fats and oils, and carbohydrates and protein, for brain health. Now we dive into how gut health impacts brain health. Without optimal digestion, and then absorption of ALL these nutrients, we can’t make the best use of them. Although we are all aware … Read More
A First Principles Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing. Pt.2 Carbs + Protein
How Carbohydrates and Protein Feed Your Brain In part 1 of this 3-part series the importance of consuming omega 3 and 6 fats for optimal brain structure and function was introduced. The brain’s potential to be a beautifully orchestrated and optimally functioning network can also be influenced by the next two foundation foods: carbohydrates and protein. Carbohydrates Carbohydrates are the … Read More
A First Principles Approach to Mental Health and Wellbeing. Pt. 1 Nutrition meets Neuroscience
Over 25 years ago I took a step away from the conventional psychological approach to mental health and wellbeing. When I discovered that nutrition impacts the structure, and therefore the function of our sensitive and sophisticated brain, I decided to walk the road-less-travelled, the road of nutritional neuroscience. Instead of approaching mental wellbeing with a theoretical framework within which to … Read More
Losing Touch: How Lack of Community Primes us for Conspiracies, Conflict and the Coffin
Take Two Friends and Call Me in the Morning. There’s a little town in England that’s done a remarkable thing. In a reasonably short amount of time, the township of Frome has been able to reduce emergency hospital admissions by 15%. Meanwhile, hospital admissions in neighbouring towns rose by 30%. What is Frome’s secret life-saving technology? The local medical practice … Read More
Using Nudge Theory To Improve Health
Generally speaking, a nudge is a light touch or push used to attract attention or point someone in the right direction. Nudge theory is a way of “offering small clues that support decision-making”. Nudging tries to improve people’s decisions by changing the ways options are presented to them, rather than changing the options themselves or rewarding or punishing people, also known … Read More
Creating a Sense of Belonging at Work: What Leaders Need to Do
During a visit to the NASA space centre in 1962, President J F Kennedy noticed a cleaner carrying a broom. He interrupted his tour, walked over to the man and said, “Hi, I’m Jack Kennedy. What do you do?”. The cleaner responded, “Well, Mr President, I’m helping put a man on the moon.” Whatever your role in an organisation, it … Read More
The Social Prescribing Revolution is Here
Nursing one of his beloved daughters to her death at age ten led Charles Darwin to consider the role of suffering and compassion in natural selection. He would later theorise in Descent of Man that sympathy, a word probably closer to what we understand today as empathy, is an instinct even stronger than self-interest. Darwin’s work offers insight as to why the act of suffering together – … Read More
Suicide Prevention Starts With Community
Suicide. Everyone has different reactions when I mention the word. These reactions include sadness, loss, guilt, interest, anger, surprise, concern, unsure, jokes, laughter, remembrance, and silence. For some, they remember the person they lost. Others talk about suicide with keen interest, perhaps from a philosophical, ethical, social, or personal viewpoint. No matter whom I’ve spoken with, I have found that … Read More
Mind the Gap when you Return to Work
Getting back into the office offers an opportunity for us to rethink how we socialise with colleagues and make the most of our work relationships. This is our chance to improve our wellbeing as well as how we work in the 21st century. You are what you need. As a human, I miss you. I miss being near you. When … Read More
What a Car Accident Taught me about Pain and Community
A summer day turned into the scariest day of my life Saturday 23rd December 2017 was a beautiful summer day in Melbourne. I was about to experience my first Christmas in summer, and my fiance had decided we would get ourselves some nice food from our favourite Italian supermarket. That morning he wanted to take the car, but I insisted … Read More