How to get the jump on mental-health issues and dementia
Dr. Jennifer Heisz’s new self-help book, ‘Move the Body, Heal the Mind,’ highlights the importance of movement and exercise to battle dementia
A Hamilton brain expert has created a self-help guide that aims to work on mental-health issues, and prevent dementia.
Dr. Jennifer Heisz, director of the Neurofit Lab at McMaster University, offers a practical explanation on how to overcome the brain’s biological and psychological challenges.
“A lot of people think that dementia is a genetic disorder or when you have a certain gene your fate is sealed, but that’s not the case,” Heisz said.
“Move The Body, Heal The Mind: Overcome Anxiety, Depression, and Dementia and Improve Focus, Creativity and Sleep” is not only Heisz’ new book, it’s her motto.
The self-help guide released in March is built on and inspired by the brain expert’s personal experience. She went from a sedentary scholar to triathlete.
The book includes a compilation of anecdotes, research and case studies explaining how the brain and physical activity are connected, and each chapter offers specialized workout regimens to help readers begin their journey to a healthier lifestyle.
“Our research shows that physical inactivity can contribute to dementia risk as much as genetics. You can’t change your genes, but you can change your lifestyle,” said Heisz. “We don’t fully understand how to treat the disease yet. But, what’s really clear is that exercise is an incredible preventive tool that we all have access to.”
Heisz is certain that mental health issues such as anxiety and depression may be caused by brain inflammation, which can be improved by exercises that release specialized proteins called myokines and “it’s a promising option for the one in three people who don’t respond to antidepressants.”
According to Heisz, people tend to start a new workout program with the same end goal in mind: “to get fit or lose weight” and forget about the journey.
“I think part of the book that is really special is that it starts changing the narrative around why we should exercise, not just for physical health, but for mental health and well-being so that we can live our full and best lives,” she said.
The expert’s advice is to find a meaningful reason in exercising and wants people to know that they are not alone in their struggles to stay active.
“It’s not your fault, but faulty wiring of the brain, and you can fix that with exercise,” said Heisz.
Heisz planned to end the book with a heroic completion of a full Ironman. She had been training for more than three years when the global pandemic happened and all her plans were cancelled. However, she wanted to show her readers the gifts that exercise gives that go beyond the body and the mind.
The expert counted on the support of her family and friends to organize the solo Ironman and were at every aid station.
“I couldn’t end it with: ‘They cancelled the race, so I didn’t do it. The end.’ ” Heisz said it was not the inspiring ending she was looking for, so with the support of her friends and family, she organized her own Ironman race and raised money for mental-health awareness.
Heisz recently turned 41 years old and has been director of the Neurofit Lab at McMaster’s Department of Kinesiology since 2013. The expert’s mom and daughter also helped demonstrate the exercises that are depicted at the back of the book.
“Move The Body, Heal The Mind: Overcome Anxiety, Depression, and Dementia and Improve Focus, Creativity and Sleep” is available on Amazon, Indigo and King W. Books in Westdale for $33.50
‘‘ Our research shows that physical inactivity can contribute to dementia risk as much as genetics.
DR. JENNIFER HEISZ BRAIN EXPERT