I Am What I Think

I love food. I don't own a scale. I exercise religiously. I eat well most of the time, but allow for splurges. If my clothes get too tight, I go on my no-alcohol-no-cookies-no-ice-cream diet. Within a few weeks I'm back in shape. With this simple approach I've maintained my weight for most of my adult life, for about thirty years. The first twenty years, my father affectionately called me his Little Butterball.

In 2010, I've decided to apply a similar, practical approach to another vital part of my body: my brain. Considering I've had a couple of stints in a psychiatric ward and suffered from clinical depression, this approach may even prove economical.

For my body, there are three basic elements to health: nutrition, protection, and exercise. Let's apply this approach to the brain, along with an action plan.

Nutrition: Good food feeds my brain and lean protein, omega III fatty acids and green leafy vegetables fill my diet. For me, adequate sunlight makes a difference too. All three of my major depressive episodes have been accompanied by long stretches of gray weather. Action plan: Eat well. Spend at least five hours a week in bright sunlight.

Brain nutrition is more than just food. For me, brain food involves those experiences that set the electricity flowing in my head, those "ah-ha!" moments, learning something new, seeing a great piece of art or theater, or a new tidbit of science or history. Action plan: Go to a museum, see a show, do something out of the ordinary once a month.

Protection: For me, maintenance contains critical elements. Take an antidepressant and vitamins. Manage stress. Avoid long stretches of contact with poison people - the people who choke my spirit. Get adequate physical exercise and sleep. Allow time for introspection. Action plan: Maintain current habits. Sometimes easier said than done!

Exercise: Just like my calves, I can stretch my brain. I can take a problem area that's painful, that I avoid (like my abs) and improve.

I'm bad with names. I can remember a face, a life history, but ask me a name and I'll stare blankly into space. For years I've written off this problem, assuming name amnesia a permanent trait. Action plan: Train my brain about names.

Along with "You are What You Eat" I want "I am What I Think" to become ingrained in my head. Please excuse me if I say your name 10 times when we meet, or hum some inane jingle about your hair and eyes. My brain is taking baby steps. I'll let you know how it goes. I'll give you a call. And your name is. . . ?

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Read the review of her book, Struck by Living, and watch her interview with Fox & Friends.