Provided by Heather Hobbs
This month we will be focusing on the frontal lobe; this is the first of the ten hit categories mentioned by Dr. Neil Nedley. The frontal lobe is a major functioning portion of the brain. These functions include reasoning, planning, creative problem solving, higher forms of math, creativity and are considered the space where emotional intelligence and general intelligence comes together. Many scientific studies also show the frontal lobe to be the “seat” of spirituality, morality and will. These important functionalities are a result of healthy blood flow in the frontal cortex of the brain.
It has been well established over the past 25 years that virtually all those struggling with depression show a significant decrease in frontal lobe blood flow and activity. This decrease indicates frontal lobe hits that can include impairments of moral principles, abstract reasoning and/or recall of long-term memory as well as short-term memory function. Frontal lobe hits can also include lack of concentration and restraint as well as loss of empathy and foresight.
Several influences in the environment can cause a decrease in frontal lobe function. A quick self assessment of the following environmental causes may help indicate a hit in the frontal lobe. Watching more than 2 hours of entertainment television a week, spending less than 10 minutes per day reading for pleasure or inspiration, going against your own conscience, meditating or saying prayer less than once a day, engaging in abstract thought less than 3 days a week such as reading poetry, scripture or solving math, logic or word puzzles, using more than 2 hours of internet for entertainment each week (including playing games, facebook, YouTube and others.) Two of these statements, if found to be true, can be impactful to frontal lobe blood flow and can cause frontal lobe shut down to the extent where it can dramatically affect brain function.
The good news is that even though one may struggle in any of these areas because of frontal lobe shut down, it can be reversed. There are many ways in which a person can influence the blood flow to the frontal lobe. Many of them can include simple adjustments to daily routine. Each week this month, I will be posting adjustment ideas and supporting action steps that will help increase blood flow to the frontal lobe of the brain.
More information on this topic can be found on Dr. Nedley’s website, nedleyhealth.com, under the “Learn” resource tab as well as stepinbdlc.com. The Brain’s Way of Healing by Norman Doidge, M.D. is an excellent read; other resources include The Brain Chemistry Plan by Colleen J Kapklein and Michael Lesser as well as The Human Frontal Lobes: Functions and Disorders by Jeffrey L Cummings.
