什么是"忙脑"？为什么你又累又睡不着

Today we're talking about a new word.

This word isn't from the news — it's from a book.

The person who wrote the book is an American doctor.

Her name is Romie. Full name: Romie Mushtaq.

Romie is a triple-board-certified doctor.

"Triple-board-certified" means she's an expert in three areas.

She's a brain doctor, and a health doctor.

She's also the chief health officer at a big US company.

Romie wrote a book last year.

The book is called The Busy Brain Cure.

The book sells well in the US.

People in China are reading it too.

What is "busy brain"?

Let me explain.

"Busy" means having many things.

"Brain" is your head — where we think.

Romie says:

many people today have brains that are too busy. They won't turn off.

This state isn't really a disease, but it isn't healthy either.

She found: these people have three problems.

First, they can't focus.

You're doing one thing, but your brain is thinking about something else.

For example, you're working but your brain is thinking about what to eat tonight.

This is a bit like ADHD.

ADHD is a real condition — an attention problem.

But these people don't actually have ADHD. Only a little bit. Not severe.

Second, they always worry.

Worry about work, worry about money, worry about home, worry about the future.

This is a bit like an anxiety disorder.

An anxiety disorder is also a real condition.

But they don't actually have anxiety disorder either. Just a little.

Third, they don't sleep well at night.

They're clearly tired, but lying in bed, the brain keeps spinning.

A little like insomnia, but not that severe.

Romie says: any one of them alone, you're not sick.

But all three together — that's "busy brain."

She made a test with twenty questions.

After you answer them, you'll know if you have busy brain.

For example, these questions:

Do you feel tired when you wake up in the morning?

Do you daydream during the day?

Does your brain refuse to stop when you lie in bed at night?

Do you often think a lot but can't finish what you start?

Do you always have something to worry about?

If you mostly answered "yes,"

you might have busy brain.

Romie's own story is interesting. Let me tell you.

She used to work in a hospital.

Saw patients every day, busy every day.

Didn't sleep well at night, no energy during the day.

Then one day,

she suddenly fainted on an airplane.

She went to the hospital for a checkup, and

the doctors said: there's something in your brain.

Medically it's called a "tumor."

She had surgery, and recovered.

But that experience made her think:

my life before — that wasn't right.

I was too busy.

I wasn't taking care of myself.

So she started researching:

how to make a brain quiet down.

How to really rest.

She researched for many years, and wrote this book.

The book has an eight-week plan.

Weeks one and two:

cut back on coffee — especially after noon.

Don't eat too much sugar at night.

Don't look at your phone for an hour before bed.

Weeks three and four:

sleep schedule should be steady.

Sleep at about the same time every day; wake at about the same time.

Use the bed only for sleeping; don't look at your phone in bed.

Weeks five and six:

eat a little better.

More vegetables, more good protein.

Less sugar, less fried food.

She also suggests some supplements, like magnesium.

Weeks seven and eight:

learn some ways to relax.

Like deep breathing, like meditation.

Also learn how to say "no."

Don't say yes to everything people ask of you.

Romie says:

this plan isn't fast — it takes eight weeks.

Take it slowly.

She says: people think "fast" is good.

Actually, "slow" is good.

It sounds simple.

But she says: it's hard to do.

Why is it hard?

Because we all like being busy.

We think: I'm busy, so I'm important.

I'm busy, so I'm useful.

People who aren't busy are useless.

But this thinking is wrong.

When you're really exhausted,

your brain doesn't work.

Your body doesn't work.

And your family isn't happy either.

So slowing down, resting —

is actually for working better.

And for loving your family better.

OK.

Today's story ends here.

We learned:

"Busy brain" is a new word.

It means: the brain is too busy and won't turn off.

Three symptoms together:

can't focus, heart worried, can't sleep well.

An American doctor wrote a book.

Her name is Romie.

She herself used to be this way.

Later she got sick, and then she changed.

Her method is eight weeks.

Slow changes: coffee, sleep, food, relaxation.

What about you?

Do you have busy brain?

Do you sleep well at night?

Can you focus during the day?

Are you always worrying?

If so,

maybe try Romie's method.

Slow down — it's OK.

Take a rest — it's OK.

Taking care of yourself is the most important thing.

When you're healthy, your work can be good.

When you rest, your brain can be good.

OK.

Today's busy-brain story ends here. We'll talk about other things tomorrow.