Baycrest

The gifts of the holidays S easonal celebrations provide many opportunities to engage in healthy activities. Just spending time with loved ones is a great way to promote feelings of well-being, comfort, and reduce isolation and loneliness. Our experts weigh in on some of the best health "gifts" of the holiday season: SOCIALIZING Studies suggest having good social relationships — friends and family — may be as important to leading a healthy life as quitting smoking or losing weight. "Friendships affect mood in a positive way and provide an important support system during tough times," says Dr. Nasreen Khatri, a clinical psychologist at Baycrest. A wide network of family and friends helps with higher self-esteem, taking better care of ourselves and maintaining more control over our lives. STORYTELLING Whether it's relating news and events since the last get-together, or recalling a past family holiday, it's good to listen to a story. Baycrest storyteller and artist-in- residence Dan Yashinsky tells stories to groups of residents and clients. His tales have the power to create community (see Socializing above) and to heal through the release of laughter or tears. "The human race has never found a better way to convey its cumulative wisdom, dreams and sense of community than through the art and activity of storytelling," Yashinsky says. Studies show that being able to express emotions through shared storytelling can help lower blood pressure, decrease stress and create supportive bonds. MUSIC Music has the power to heal. Whether sharing traditional holiday songs or playing tunes to set a mood, music promotes, maintains and restores mental, physical and spiritual health, and helps people connect. It also facilitates interaction, self-awareness, learning, self- expression and personal development. "Music can help reduce stress, improve mood, connect us to our memories and encourage social activity – all of which are important in keeping our brains healthy and our spirits alive," says Dr. Amy Clements-Cortes, Senior Music Therapist at Baycrest. SPIRITUALITY According to the World Health Organization: "Health is a dynamic state of complete physical, mental, spiritual and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity." Rabbi Dr. Geoffrey Haber, Director of Spiritual Care at Baycrest concurs, saying people who engage in spiritual care and practices report "better self-control, self-esteem and confidence, faster and easier recovery from illness (often through healthy grieving of losses and through recognizing their strengths), better relationships, and a sense of meaning, hope and peace of mind." ART Creating gifts through arts and crafts can provide amazing therapeutic benefits. Making art can be relaxing, which is great for reducing stress. It can be personally fulfilling, bolstering confidence and self- esteem. It can also foster attention to detail and sharpen focus. For those experiencing pain or illness, focusing on a labour of artistic love can help create a reprieve from discomfort. FOOD During holiday time, it's easy to incorporate brain- healthy foods into favourite traditional meals. Use nuts (for brain-healthy oils), green vegetables (for nutrients like potassium and vitamin b12) and fish high in omega-3 fats (which help reduce inflammation). These foods help your brain function as it should, so you can cherish those festive memories with family and friends. For more articles like this visit: baycrest.org/brainmatters 4 BrainMatters WINTER 2015/16 "Creating gifts through arts and crafts can provide amazing therapeutic benefits"

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