Back in class

Last night I took at class that I needed to get my teaching license renewed. It was a Addressing mental health issues for teens and adolescents. It was a very interesting course. There are parts of the brain that effect people's mental health. There are chemical reasons in the brain that explain why teenagers are so moody and irritable. I learned so much about how the brain works at different stages of life and how it develops. It was so interesting and refreshing to be back in the classroom (as a student). I was never a great student, but I made it through with decent grades. I think now that my brain is older I would do much better in school. I learned that people have the ability to train their minds to act, and think differently. The professor said several times, that YOU CAN CHANGE YOUR MIND BY THE WAY YOU THINK! This can be done for good or for bad. I also learned that depression is the #1 mental issue in the WORLD and the number of cases increases monthly. And MN is #11 for the highest suicide rate in the US- I didn't get an explanation as of why?

There are some steps and things that we can do to help keep our brains be healthy and free of the chemical imbalances. First, a healthy diet (of course) today there are so many chemicals in foods, and beverages because of mass production of products so trying to stay away from Mercury and foods raised with Antibiotics or pesticides is very important. Also adding Omega 3 to your diet in a supplement form. Then 30min of aerobic activity daily will help clean out your brain and add the right or healthy chemicals. There are some things and situations where people need more than just this. Medication, counseling, etc. But she gave examples of people with severe cases of bipolar, OCD, and depression that have learned the healthy way of life and they can manage and function at a "normal" level without the medication.

I was very intrigued with all of this, I can really see myself back in school especially if I was studying something I was really interested in. Oh well, maybe in a different stage or season of life!