| Oh no, I just missed my train back to London! Confused. Slightly panicked. That was my brain a few hours ago. I needed to catch the 5:30pm train back to London from Rotterdam. I was at the European Neuro-Ophthalmology Society meeting and had the privilege to chair a session. I had to get back to London that night, as I was speaking at the Integrative and Personalised Medicine (IPM) conference workshop the next day. Earlier that day, I calculated the time to the train station precisely. I had plenty of time. But wait! The calendar on my phone stated the train was for 4:30pm. I’m confused, my e-ticket stated 5:30pm. Oh no, I was following the UK time and just missed the train! Or so I thought… This confusion lasted a while. It took me much longer than usual to figure out that the 4:30pm time listed was for the UK, i.e. the same as 5:30pm in Rotterdam. Something that I would usually pick up immediately. But I was in a slight migraine fog then… It’s been a few days of travel, sleep deprivation, lack of my morning routine, eating more sugary foods than usual (i.e. spikes and crashes in blood sugar). Cumulative factors that were enough to push me across the migraine threshold. Before the above episode of confusion, I noticed subtle premonitory (warning) symptoms of a pending migraine – excessive yawning, reduced concentration, neck and shoulder (“coat-hanger”) discomfort. Subtle – but helpful for me to recognise, as this lets me know that my thinking speed could slow down for a few hours. And that I will need to take more time and be patient with myself and others, as migraines can cause a shift in mood and irritability. Knowing your migraine symptoms, including the pre- and post headache phases can be helpful. You may be surprised to know, that headaches could be minimal-to-none in some people with migraines! The above incident was ironic, as I prepared for my talk about the BRA(i)NS® system – a methodical way to manage brain health. BRA(i)NS ® also effectively prevents migraines, by building brain resilience (e.g. through better sleep, physical activity, nutrition, gut-brain axis, blood sugar control), and balancing your Autonomic Nervous System. In the recent couple of weeks, there have been a lot of disruptions to my BRA(i)NS ® practice with conferences and Mindfulness book launch. Oh yes, the Mindfulness book launch! Yippee!! And PHEW!!! It’s going well, thanks to your support! I’m so happy and grateful to share that 5-star reviews and lovely feedback are coming in. If you have purchased the book, I would be so grateful for a review too! This helps extend the positive benefits of this book. If you are still thinking about getting a copy, please see the links to the book at the end of this email. Back to BRA(i)NS ® Here are a couple of BRA(i)NS ® practices and their relevance to migraines. Also applicable for your brain health if you do not get migraines: [1] Exercise Do you know that low intensity exercise (e.g. walks) can improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar regulation the next day? This avoids spikes and crashes of blood sugar, which can trigger migraines. [2] Mindfulness practices This stabilises stress responses and reduce cortisol spikes. Cortisol spikes also affect blood sugar regulation – and another link to how it triggers migraines. [1+2 =3] Yoga as both a movement and mindfulness practice! This edition of [TT] is my final task for tonight, as I now head to bed for a night’s restorative sleep. Time to get back to my usual BRA(i)NS ® routine again! Wishing you a day with clear skies and clear thinking 🙂 Dr Sui Wong MD FRCP Mindfulness book – PROMOTION month of June – reduced paperback price and Kindle price. Upcoming FREE Kindle download on 10-12 June! |
| https://www.amazon.com/dp/1738558118 https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/1738558118 If you’ve read the book, I’d love to hear what you think, and would appreciate an Amazon review thank you! Review Links (If you got the paperback) Amazon.com/review/create-review?&asin=1738558118 Amazon.co.uk/review/create-review?&asin=1738558118 Review Links (If you got the Kindle book) Amazon.com/review/create-review?&asin=B0CZY6N149 Amazon.co.uk/review/create-review?&asin=B0CZY6N149 And I’m so grateful to yoga teacher, fascia and breath-work expert Jill Miller for her endorsement! |
Dr Sui Wong Empowering Your Brain Health 
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