Heila

Dear Bloggers, Dear Friends,

Here are Milky and Caramel, Heila’s cats, whom she asked to send you this message ’cause she is really busy building a new blog.

After 4 years in which you, dear friends, have been part of the journey through Heila’s thoughts and life, with her beloved, mentally coping son always in the background and in her mind, this blog is making way for a new, self-hosted blog that will combine her love for cats (purr!) and for languages.

The name of the new blog is http://www.katzcatoul.com/ (there’s nothing to see there, yet) and Heila is working on building and designing it. We hope she won’t forget to feed us while she’s preoccupied using us to show off her language skills … Looking forward to seeing you soon in Heila’s new place…ah, blog.

Miau!

Remember my post about how intestinal bacteria play an important role in brain chemistry and mental health?

Well, the topic is hot and there’s a lot of research going on in the field.

Below is a great infographic, which illustrates the connection between our gut bacteria and our brain. “Within the walls of our digestive system is the gut, or the “second brain,” which contains bacteria that could help mold our brain structure, possibly influencing our moods, behavior, and mental health, such as the likelihood of developing Alzheimer’s disease.”

“The gut is able to communicate with the brain via the vagus nerve — a cranial nerve extending from the brainstem to the abdomen via the heart, esophagus and lung — known as the gut-brain axis. Ninety percent of the fibers in the vagus carry information from the gut to the brain.

Now, an imbalance of beneficial versus harmful gut bacteria, known as “dysbiosis,” has been linked to a number of psychiatric and neurological disorders, such as autism, anxiety, depression and stress. It may even play a role in neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s disease. This suggests a person’s stomach or intestinal distress can be the cause or the product of anxiety, stress, or depression. This is potentially related to pro-inflammatory states elicited by bacteria imbalance on or inside the body.”

Source: http://www.medicaldaily.com/food-thought-gut-bacteria-mood-behavior-379915

Sometimes we find ourselves in situations in which we don’t exactly know how to behave or what to say. We then act in a certain way, which afterwards we might find was incorrect or inappropriate. Then the question arises: Should I talk about it with others, colleagues or superiors if it was at work; or friends, family, or whomever it concerns? Sharing might reveal a mistake I made and I risk receiving negative responses.

Still, I opt for talking and sharing because only when we open up to feedback we are able to learn and develop, and become really good at what we do. Only those who dare can grow.