Lifestyle Medicine

When you struggle with focus and attention issues it can make the most simple tasks difficult and time consuming. Typically attention and focus concerns are first noticed in school. Medications including stimulants are often the first line of treatment.

Is this the best first line treatment?

No, generally not.

Why?

Long term studies on stimulants have shown that long term benefits are not positive. There is an increased need for more stimulants as time goes on and these do not come without side effects. The most common side effects include poor appetite, sleep disturbances and agitation/anxiety.

A good approach to addressing focus and attention concerns starts with looking at your body.

Relaxation Exercises

Deep breathing

Sometimes the most seemingly simple exercise can be the most profound. Most of us take shallow breaths as we rush through the day, and we breathe even less effectively when we are nervous or anxious. Deep and focused breathing allows the body to get the oxygen it needs to feed our tissues while removing the stagnant air. It is also a wonderful way to focus the mind, and is very relaxing. Find a quiet place, a comfortable seat, and try the following techniques:

Place one hand on your abdomen and the other hand on your heart. Just sit quietly and notice your breathing – feel your abdomen and chest move up and down with each inhale and exhale. You may notice your chest moving more than your abdomen at first. Try to make your breathe come from your abdomen instead – this is deeper breathing than…

Did you know that we spend about a third of our lives asleep?

Sleep is such an important part of your overall health that no amount of healthful food and exercise can counteract the ill effects of poor sleeping habits. Poor sleep can lead to ailments from short-term memory loss and behavioral problems, to weight gain and disease. A disrupted sleep cycle also adversely affects your body's production of melatonin, which is both a hormone and a potent antioxidant that protects you from things like cancer. Poor sleeping habits can also raise your levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. Additionally, when your body is under stress, it releases hormones that increase your heart rate and blood pressure; your muscles get tense, your digestive processes stop, and certain brain centers are triggered, which alter your brain chemistry. Left unchecked, this stress response can eventually lead to headaches, anxiety, and depression.

Address…

MOVEMENT AND MENTAL HEALTH – A NEW PERSPECTIVE IS ONLY ONE BENEFIT

When you think of movement, do you think of the gym?

There are so many ways to make movement an enjoyable part of your day.

Not only can movement boost your overall physical and mental health, here are some other benefits to moving your body:

• Movement helps facilitate blood flow throughout our body to important organs (like the brain!) 

• Movement encourages the release of endorphins naturally within our body that facilitate a positive mood and reduce pain symptoms!