Brain Games
What you do and what you eat can help rewire your brain
By Lauren Comander
“W
hen you receive a diagnosis like Alzheimer’s, it’s a progressive neurodegenerative disease that will end up in death, so depression and anxiety follow,” said Comprehensive Center for Brain Health psychotherapist Iris Cohen, M.S.W., LCSW. “A lot of research shows that the different tools I provide my patients help rewire the brain and move them from negativity, anxiety and depression toward finding strength, resilience and joy, even when dealing with very difficult situations.” 
Rewire your brain by adopting healthy lifestyle changes:
PUT YOUR MIND TO WORK
PUT YOUR BODY TO WORK
Breakfast
6 ounces Greek yogurt,
1/2 cup blueberries,
1/2 cup strawberries,
1 slice whole-grain toast with half an avocado
1/2 cup blueberries,
1/2 cup strawberries,
1 slice whole-grain toast with half an avocado
Snack
1/3 cup almonds, unsalted
Lunch
Sandwich
2 slices whole-wheat bread,
3/4 cup cooked chicken breast,
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
3/4 cup cooked chicken breast,
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
Salad
1 cup romaine lettuce,
1 cup fresh cucumber slices,
1/2 cup tomato wedges,
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds,
1 teaspoon low-calorie Italian dressing
1 cup fresh cucumber slices,
1/2 cup tomato wedges,
1 tablespoon sunflower seeds,
1 teaspoon low-calorie Italian dressing
Dinner
Salad
1/2 cup arugula 1/2 cup baby spinach,
1 tablespoon olive oil–based vinaigrette dressing,
3 ounces salmon topped with 1 teaspoon tarragon and 1 teaspoon mustard,
1/2 cup couscous,
1/2 cup zucchini,
4 asparagus spears,
1 cup lima beans,
5 ounces red wine
1 tablespoon olive oil–based vinaigrette dressing,
3 ounces salmon topped with 1 teaspoon tarragon and 1 teaspoon mustard,
1/2 cup couscous,
1/2 cup zucchini,
4 asparagus spears,
1 cup lima beans,
5 ounces red wine
