About Me

Liz Kirsten

WAR AND PEACE (A SHORT STORY)

Our brains play such an important role in our being – our mood our memory, how we imagine, create and communicate with others. Having a brain that is healthy is fundamental to living a life that is meaningful and joyful.  Knowing this, wouldn’t we want to protect this precious organ?

In my teenage years and throughout my twenties, I had no idea of the impact my lifestyle behaviours were having on my brain.  In the search for short-term pleasure and escape from the perceived discomfort and boredom of my life, I waited for the weekend to party and often stay out all night with friends having a “good time” – punishing my brain – and slowly recovering during the week.  I was ignorant of just how damaging this was. The result? Mood swings and long periods of depression.

It wasn’t until much later, when I decided peace of mind was my single goal that I asked myself, before taking any action: “Will this bring me inner peace, or will it bring me inner conflict?”  I had to do things very differently – to give up old habits and learn new ones.  Slowly, and over time I found that exercising, sleeping well, managing my stress and eating nutritious food, totally transformed my life.  Functional Medicine teaches the science behind this kind of radical self-care and (essentially) holistic healing.