How are you dealing with newer risk factors like climate change?
Fundamentally, we are trying to create awareness – both about pollution in general and hygiene in particular. This can have a tremendous impact both on the body, immunity, infections, brain health, and overall productivity and man hours and ability of an individual. In general, this needs to improve tremendously in the country, and we are trying to educate them. We have a magazine called Brainwise with several articles emphasising the various factors that influence brain and mind health and how it can impact life and society at large.
How does climate change impact brain health?
Brain health experts are realising that brain health is impacted by environmental pollution and a lot of the radiation that’s happening because the ozone layer is missing in the world. Exposure to abnormal weather conditions, sudden changes in the weather and unexpected natural calamities, all these are contributing to both mental health as well as to brain health in general. The brain and mind cannot be separated; one influences the other.
The toxins in the air and the pollution can also increase diseases like Alzheimer’s, particularly dementia and Parkinson’s disease. So it is important that we keep our natural environment very clean and hygienic as well as our surroundings in a better fashion. It is very important so that it can help in promoting good health.
Which are the factors that impact brain health specifically?
Brain is the crown jewel and a marvel in our creation. It has got tremendous potential and we are unable to use its complete potential probably because most of the people are not aware of it, leave alone using it.
Having good discipline, good lifestyle and good emotional well-being, good physical activity, happiness and inculcating good habits right from childhood, eating right, sleeping right, and then listening to music can enhance brain functions, not doing multitasking.
How helpful is music therapy in brain wellness?
Music is beautiful. I love music and music has a tremendous potential capability, not only on the brain, body and the mind, but also on the universe. Once you get engrossed, you are in a different world altogether, and that kind of relaxation is as good as sleeping for hours and getting refreshed. Your memory can get enhanced. Your focus and attention can be enhanced. Your efficiency can enhance. Your energy reserves can enhance. You become happy, you know, by unwinding. And with all that, your energy, your capacity, your efficiency and the way the brain functions can be totally at a different level.
