Top 10 Brain Damaging Habits

I came across this article somewhere in the net. Natawa ako habang binabasa ko. Kumusta naman ang mga law students?!?

No Breakfast

Breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Breakfast is the first chance the body has to refuel its glucose levels, also known as blood sugar, after eight to 12 hours without a meal or snack. Glucose is essential for the brain and is the main energy source. People who do not take breakfast are going to have lower blood sugar level. This leads to an insufficient supply of nutrients to the brain causing brain degeneration.

(Buti nalang, I eat breakfast. Sabi nga ng nanay ko, wag ka na kumain ng ibang meals, wag lang kalimutan ang breakfast. Buti nalang din nakinig ako sa nanay ko. Hehe.)

Overeating

The brain works closely with the stomach. If the digestive organs experience weakness, depression or congestion due to hunger-related ailments, it gives signal to the brain for help. In return, the brain aids the digestive organs by telling you "it's time to eat". But when overeating happens, the brain-nerve energy is benumbed and becomes almost paralyzed. It causes hardening of the brain arteries, leading to a decrease in mental power.

(Oooppsss... guilty. Sarap kasi kumain, lalo na lately na-observe ko sobrang takaw ko)

Smoking

Did you know that a single cigarette stick contains over 4,000 chemicals, including 43 known carcinogenic (cancer causing) compounds and 400 other toxins, some of it known to man? These toxins causes numerous ailments which include heart attacks and stroke brought to by the blocking of the carotid artery, thus cutting the blood supply to the brain cells. It also includes emphysema, cancer and multiple brain shrinkage that may lead to Alzheimer disease.

(Buti nalang ulit tinigilan ko na ang bisyong ito. Hehe. =) Friends, nakakaubos ng brain cells.)

High Sugar Consumption

True to what was mentioned in the first habit, glucose (which we can also get from sugar) is essential for the brain and is needed to fuel the body. Regulation is the key here. Too much sugar can cause the release of adrenal hormones (called "sugar high") that squeezes stored sugar from the liver, sending blood sugar levels up. This will interrupt the absorption of proteins and nutrients causing malnutrition and may interfere with the brain's development.

(Naku, guilty nanman ako. Good bye chocolates na ba ito? Wag naman. :( Huhu.)

Air Pollution

The brain is the largest oxygen consumer in our body. Inhaling polluted air (with nanoparticles) causes inflammation and abnormal protein deposits in brain tissue, decreases the supply of oxygen to the brain, bringing about a decrease in brain efficiency. A latest research claimed that fine particles like those found in air pollutants can switch on the tumor genes that some people inherited, thus, jump-starting the disease process which results in brain tumor.

(Patay! Pano yan, commuter ako at nakatira ako sa Maynila? Sana kung sa probinsya ako nakatira na maraming greeneries diba? Makapagtanim na nga ng mga puno.)

Sleep Deprivation

Sleep is needed to refresh certain parts of the body, especially the brain, for it to function optimally. Long term deprivation from sleep causes neurons to malfunction, diminish mental performance and accelerates the death of brain cells. People who regularly do not get enough sleep becomes less sensitive to insulin. This increases the risk for diabetes and high blood pressure -- both serious threats to the brain.

(Eh nagkukulang na din tulog ko e. Average 6 hours na nga lang ako lately. Dati I still can afford to have full 8-hour sleep. Good luck talaga sa law at med students.)

Head Covered While Sleeping

Are you fond of wrapping your whole body (from head to toe) with the blanket? Or simply covering your head with a pillow for reasons of shutting off unnecessary sound or light? Well, take note that sleeping with the head covered, increases the concentration of carbon dioxide on the covered area. With it, decreases the concentration of oxygen that may lead to brain damaging effects.

(Naku, ako ulit to! Tsk, tsk.)

Working Your Brain During Illness

Have you observed that when attacked by an ailment, you cannot think properly? All you seem to think about is the sickness that you are feeling or having -- this stresses the brain. All the more, working hard or studying with sickness surely leads to a decrease in the effectiveness of the brain, as well as, damage the brain.

(Bakit? Pag may sakit ka ba tumitigil ang recits at exams? Di naman diba? Lalo na pag prof mo ang prof ko sa umaga. Hmpf.)

Lacking In Stimulating Thoughts

Have you heard of the phrase "mental growth"? Thinking is the best way to train and develop our brain. Activities such as constant communication, socializing, and reading are good in keeping our brain stimulated. A lack in brain stimulation thoughts or activities may cause brain shrinkage -- making it dull.

(Thinking...thinking...thinking....)

Talking Rarely

It is a common notion that when you rarely talk, it means you don't care about the subject or you have no idea about it, at all. In relation to the ninth habit, intellectual conversations promote the efficiency of the brain. It stimulates and trains the brain to find reasons and answers amidst questioning and provoking.

(Eh, pag nagbabasa ka at lahat ng kasama mo sa coffee shop o library e nagbabasa rin. Panu un? Pag kinausap ko ba sarili ko, pwede yun?)

let the change begin

I failed to see the live feed of Obama's inaugural speech over the news channels on Monday night. Nevertheless, I was very pleased to see it on CNN online the following morning and have been itching to blog after which.

I admit that I did not follow the US Presidential Elections Campaign. Although, I remember having commented how brave this African-American candidate was for running for the highest post in the American government where in fact, his color is largely different from the majority. His platform was change--one which I surmised he used to suit his distinction from the previous Presidents because of his skin color, and also to arrest the issue on the Americans getting tired of Bush (who unfortunately left White House with a very unsatisfactory performance rating).

I thought that either Obama has a savior syndrome or he simply has passion burning inside him which makes him see beyond the barriers. Perhaps, I thought, he knows his identity as an American so he carries it on his chest like a badge. And he does. More so, he contaminates his people with such awareness by reminding them the travails of how America--democracy--was fortified. With this my skepticism starts to break.

I am not yet a fan though, but I was impressed by his inauguration address. Eloquent and inspiring. I didn't feel any hint of pretense nor any promise of false hopes (unlike those we hear from our Presidents). I was drawn by his demeanor as a leader. It is devoid of self-loathing, instead he involves his people to work on things with him. His speech motivates yet in effect sends out a command to the people to "pick themselves up, dust their selves off, and begin again the work of remaking America." He realizes that he cannot work on rebuilding America's glory from the shambles it has created without the people whom he is to faithfully represent. The fact that he capitalizes on the support that he gathered from in Washington, shows how an intelligent leader he is.

He exudes an aura of confidence and he appears to have a battle plan. I was telling my brother last night that it seems to me that Obama knew from the start that he wanted to become president and he took sure steps to get there--silently, slowly and surely. Though there seems to be a few who believed, he persistently pursued his vision and later made other believe and share this with him. May his vision hopefully brings America and the rest of the world to flight all over again.

Yes, Obama is now president of the "most powerful and prosperous" state--the United States of America. So what do we care as Filipinos? How will it affect our daily lives considering we are not citizens of US? Many political analysts and the learned from the fields of economics, political science, public administration, etc., says that Obama's taking over the presidential post will greatly define the socio-economic sphere of the whole world. Especially because of the current global economic crunch, Obama might not have enough time to take his sweet time to savor his victory.

I do not know if my admiraton over Obama's inaugural address will be sustained. I hope, and I also hope Obama performs well.

As for the Filipino people, especially our politicians, let us find in ourselves out identity as Filipinos and let is work together towards one goal of rebuilding the Philippines. May the huge crowd that gathered in Washington, serve as a reminder that democracy will work only is the people work for one purpose. May our leaders abandon lip service, instead perform their jobs with utmost integrity and sincerity. Still I hope to see that one day divisions and factions in Philippine politics is over; that poverty is alleviated; that there is quality education for our children; that each Filipino family will live comfortable lives together without need of anyone of them working abroad. As Obama, puts it: "Today I say to you that the challenges we face are real. They are serious and they are many. They will not be met easily or in a short span of time. But know this, (America): They will be met."

Hopefully, they will.

Here is the full inauguration address clip, courtesy of CNN Online

i've got a third brother

He isn't my parents' son, nor am I his parents' daughter.

But somewhere deep in my heart, I know we're born to be siblings. I am supposed to be the older sister, which I try to be--protecting and looking after him. While there are times he acts as my Kuya, saying just the right words and knowing better. Often times, in his quiet ways, he sensitively reads the cues, and responds to them appropriately.


Over time I am not sure if I have let out a loud thank you for all the things you have done. Little as they may have seemed, each are greatly appreciated and carefully held. Ro, I can never be thankful enough for never failing to assure me of your friendship, a shelter I can always run to even if am being crappy. You make me believe all the more that you (with all the girls and Padre) are God's sweetest blessings.

'Love you, bro! :) (Eeekkk! I know you're gonna hate me for that... hehe. Sorry, I can't help but be mawkish. Hehe.) Here's to forever, even if things continue to change. :)

first blah of the year

Just a few days ago, I received a text message from Butet. It read: "A wise man once told me that the antidote to depression is gratitude." Simple. Timely even.

I wasn't as vocal as I was about how I have been feeling lately (except about my nasty tonsilopharyngitis). I have to admit that I ushered 2009 with a heavy heart. Perhaps, one is because of the condition of my health. As for the other reasons, I rather keep them to myself. Although I am not entirely sulking, I just felt disconnected inside.

Until the SMS.

I was reminded that instead of whining over things that I am impatiently waiting to arrive, I should be rejoicing with what is at hand; that there are so much more in my hands over those that I wait to come; That no matter how imperfect the people around me are, I am blessed that there are those you bear with my idiosyncrasies; That while I am disappointed with the mistakes I committed, I am given the chance to improve; that it dawned to me that learning to let go is always easier than holding on.

Perhaps, I just needed to change my spectacles.