Page 32 - Tracy Anderson Magazine | Spring 2021 Issue

Rebounding from any stressor—physical, emotional, capacities can be used to help us recover from stressful
or chemical—begins at the cellular level. To function situations in our lives.
REBOUNDING as material for building/rebuilding their complex • Sleep is much more important than most people realize.
properly, cells need a steady stream of energy, as well
A special cleaning process in the brain, which only
internal compartments and scaffolding. Cells also need
to eliminate waste and debris. Our lifestyles and the
of neurons to allow for an increased flow around the
stressors in our lives each have a great impact on how occurs during sleep, involves the temporary shrinking
well our cells perform these tasks. neurons that removes accumulated debris, including
clumps of proteins that lead to brain diseases. During
My recent book, The Secret Language of Cells (BenBella sleep, learning is solidified. Naps and daydreaming can
Books), explores the connection between cells throughout also break creative logjams and increase memory.
the body and shows how they influence one another with
constant back-and-forth communication. It makes evident • It’s important to know that what we think, what we
that there’s really no separation between the brain and learn, and what we focus on actually changes our brains.
the rest of the body, and highlights the importance of Meaningful activity provides brain stimulation and
A T THE conversations between the brain and the immune system. improves immunity and general health, which helps us
deal with stress. Activities that induce neuroplasticity are
The recent science of cell signaling has discovered large
circuits of cells talking to one another; not just neurons strongest when they utilize wide-ranging brain circuits.
To stimulate brain-wide neuroplasticity, our activities
and supportive brain cells, but also immune cells, blood should include focus and attention, motivation, emotion,
lining cells, gut cells, skin cells, microbes, and even movement, creativity, and hard work. Meditation is a
viruses. The research shows how immune cells stimulate good start and has many positive effects on the function
new neurons in the brain’s memory center, which are vital of the brain and the immune system. Along with
for the ability to rebound from stress, anxiety, and illness. meditation, meaningful activities include music, dance,
It also shows that neurons can direct immune responses, creative arts, gardening, and business activity that helps
which explains, for the first time, how meditation triggers society. Studies show that charity and volunteering are
improved immunity, and how acupuncture works through especially good for the immune system.
communication between immune cells and the brain.
CELLULAR For all this cooperative cellular effort to work smoothly • One way to reduce stress is to lower the impact of past
negative experiences. It’s possible to alter memories
and help us rebound from stress, certain personal
To reconsolidate memories in a new positive way, re-
behaviors are indispensable. These behaviors include by re-remembering them in a slightly different way.
eating natural foods, regular exercise, high-quality sleep, remember them while associating new experiences of
engaging in meaningful mental activity, decreasing stress, compassion to the old painful subject. Focus on the feeling
and spending time in nature. of your own self-worth and the experience of others’ love.

• Eating natural, whole foods maximizes the proper • Experiencing nature has dramatic positive effects on the
functioning of our cells and helps our bodies deal with brain and overall health. Exposure to nature can include a
all types of stressors. Avoid processed foods and those plant near a hospital bed, a view of a tree out of a window,
that contain hormones, antibiotics, sweeteners, or other or walking in the woods. These all have effects shown to
LEVEL chemicals. These foods waste energy because our bodies be similar to meditation. Perhaps this is because of our
vital kinship to plants whereby each breathes out the most
have to work to remove them. Natural foods include
important substance for the other. Contact with animals is
vegetables, fruits (especially berries), whole grains,
legumes, seeds, and nuts. Different foods attract specific also well-known to decrease stress and promote healing.
microbes that can greatly influence health, positively and
negatively. Beneficial microbes are attracted to natural Following the stresses and setbacks that many experienced
in 2020, the behaviors described above can be used
foods, whereas red meat attracts bacteria that produce a
Alex Hiller, courtesy unsplash.com to heart disease. resources to handle whatever comes your way in 2021. ■
chemical that is metabolized in the liver and contributes
to help strengthen your physical, mental, and spiritual
• As well as providing great benefits to metabolism,
Jon Lieff, MD, is a renowned neuropsychiatrist, lecturer, and social-media
sensation. In his blog, Searching for the Mind, he discusses the latest
immunity, and the heart, regular exercise stimulates
scientific findings in neuroscience, animal behavior, cellular biology,
cellular cleaning activity, growth of new memory cells,
immunology, and microbiology. His book, The Secret Language of Cells: What
A mindful and molecular discussion, by Dr. Jon Lieff. and new brain connections. These positive brain changes Biological Conversations Tell Us About the Brain-Body Connection, the Future of
are called neuroplasticity and are beneficial to learning,
Medicine, and Life Itself explains the surprising science of how very different
cells all speak the same language. To order Dr. Lieff’s book, please visit
especially in the hours after exercise. These new learning
barnesandnoble.com.
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