Better Brain by Dr. Julie

Dr. Julie Fratantoni is your go-to neuroscientist for brain health tips. From managing stress, to enhancing creativity, to becoming more efficient – she shares practical ways you can be proactive and build a better brain. Dr. Julie Fratantoni is your go-to neuroscientist for brain health tips. From managing stress, to enhancing creativity, to becoming more efficient – she shares practical ways you can be proactive and build a better brain.

One thing that makes our brains different from machines is emotion. We can feel. And feelings can be uncomfortable. As I mentioned last week, many people turn to screens to avoid uncomfortable emotions. As soon as there’s an awkward pause, anxiety, or stress, your hand instinctively reaches for your phone. It happens so quickly you may not even realize you’re doing it.

A few weeks ago, I posted this note about digital addiction and using technology to avoid stress and uncomfortable emotions. The response was massive – over 2 million impressions and hundreds of comments. Countless people voiced feeling stuck, drained, and a desire to find a better way to cope with stress. Here are just a few: Digital addiction, digital burnout, and digital dementia are realities we face.

Current time: 0:00 / Total time: -11:35 Audio playback is not supported on your browser. Please upgrade. Discussion about this episode Dr. Julie Fratantoni is your go-to neuroscientist for brain health tips. From managing stress, to enhancing creativity, to becoming more efficient – she shares practical ways you can be proactive and build a better brain. Dr. Julie Fratantoni is your go-to neuroscientist for brain health tips.

Julie here - We’ve been playing a “brain game” to make brain healthy habits simple. If you missed it, you can start the series here. Today we’re wrapping up the series with a special bonus round. In this digital age, life has become faster and more transactional. We’ve traded connection for convenience and authenticity for AI. I don’t want this newsletter to be a one-way transaction where you download more information. I want it to drive conversation and connection.

Julie here - Today is the 5th step of the Better Brain Game. If you are just now joining in, this is a series about making brain healthy habits simple. There are two states your nervous system can be in: Survival or Safety. I like to think about them as Fear and Love. These states impact you at a cellular level. Over time, living in a state of fear leads to braincell death. Living in a state of love leads to neurogenesis (new brain cells).

Julie here - Today we’re on Step 4 of the Better Brain Game. If you are just now jumping in, we are playing a “game” where each week I’m sharing a different exercise to help you build better brain habits. You can catch up on previous steps here. There is such a thing as good stress. The official term for good stress is eustress. Eustress is a short burst of stress that gives your brain and body practice at responding to and recovering from stress. It helps you become more resilient to other stressors.

Julie here - I’m back with Step #3 of the (Better) Brain Game. (We’re playing a “brain game” this summer to help you build brain-healthy habits. If you haven’t already done so, add my email drjuliefratantoni@substack.com to your contacts so you get all 5 steps of the Brain Game.) How many books have you read, or movies have you seen that you can’t remember what they were about? If you’re like me, there’s quite a few.

Julie here – In case you missed it, we’re playing a Brain Game where you learn a different brain healthy exercise each week. To make sure you get all 5 steps in the game add my email drjuliefratantoni@substack.com to your contacts. Next time you’re waiting in line: do nothing. Just stand there. In between meetings: don’t check your phone. Sit in silence. Let people think you’re a complete weirdo.

I asked Better Brain readers what they want and there was a clear theme: “There’s so much info about brain health out there that I’m overwhelmed.” “I would like a priority on what to focus on” “I can get a bit overwhelmed doing lots of different things.” “...just tell me exactly what to do.” I hear you. Life is complicated enough as it is - let’s not add more on top of it. So this summer I’m making brain health simple (and fun!).