Hey there! Got a fun piece on maintaining brain health since we're living longer and risking cognitive impairment. Let's dive in!
KEEP YOUR BODY (AND BRAIN!) HEALTHY
Easy strategies for maintaining brain health:
Suzanne O'Sullivan, a neurology consultant from London, shares some golden rules for brain health: "Treat your body like a temple, because it houses your brain," she says. The more you take care of your overall health, the better for your noggin.
DITCH THE VICES
If you want to harm your brain, smoking's a great way to do it! On the other hand, moderate drinking (let's say 1-2 glasses) might help reduce cardiac disease risks in the elderly, but the overall consensus is: too much booze isn't good for your brain, so cut back.
GET MOVING
Exercise isn't just for maintaining physical health; it benefits the brain too! Physical activities like running, swimming, or cycling not only keep your blood vessels healthy but also reduce stress, another bonus for the brain. Aim for 20-30 minutes of exercise that gets your heart racing a few times a week.
DON'T FORGET YOUR BALANCE
Single-leg exercises are crucial for maintaining balance, which becomes more important as we age. Aerobic exercise also releases a chemical called brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), which supports our neurons, and resistance exercises that build muscle are essential too.
SWAP BUTTER FOR OLIVE OIL
A Mediterranean-style diet, rich in antioxidants and unsaturated fats, is the way to go for brain health. Choose olive oil instead of butter for cooking, and enjoy the occasional oily fish for that omega-3 goodness.
STAY HYDRATED
Staying hydrated by drinking at least 2 liters of water a day can help reduce headaches, and (we guessed it!) is also good for your brain.
ESTABLISH YOUR SLEEP ROUTINE
Getting adequate sleep is crucial for brain health. Make it a priority by developing a consistent sleep routine: wake up, and go to bed around the same time each day. Establishing routines helps your brain produce the right hormones.
SET TECH BOUNDARIES
There's a lot of debate about the impact of technology on our brains, but the key is finding balance. Establish a routine for connecting and disconnecting, minimize distractions, and use technology intentionally, rather than as an escape.
IMPROVE YOUR COGNITIVE FITNESS
Don't underestimate the power of mental stimulation! Embrace new hobbies, learn a musical instrument, read a book, solve puzzles, or take a class, and maintain social connections. Studies show that engaging in mentally stimulating activities and socializing can help maintain cognitive health.
SWAP BAD HABITS FOR HEALTHY ONES
The best way to delay cognitive decline is to not wait until it's too late. Make healthy choices early, such as quitting smoking, keeping alcohol to a minimum, maintaining a balanced diet, staying hydrated, exercising regularly, getting enough sleep, and engaging in mentally stimulating activities.
- Suzanne O'Sullivan, a neurology consultant from London, encourages treating your body like a temple as it houses your brain, confirming that prioritizing overall health benefits cognitive impairment.
- Reuters recently published a study suggesting that a Mediterranean-style diet rich in antioxidants and unsaturated fats could improve brain health, recommending the replacement of butter with olive oil and the occasional consumption of oily fish for omega-3 benefits.
- Scientists have found that single-leg exercises are crucial for maintaining balance, which becomes more important as we age, and aid in the production of brain-derived neurotrophic factor, a chemical that supports our neurons.
- Therapies and treatments related to mental health, fitness and exercise, nutrition, and lifestyle choices play significant roles in maintaining cognitive health. Staying hydrated by drinking at least 2 liters of water a day and engaging in mentally stimulating activities such as reading books, learning new hobbies, or taking classes can help keep the brain sharp.
- To benefit the brain, it is essential to establish a sleep routine by maintaining a consistent schedule of wake-up and bedtimes to help the brain produce the right hormones. Minimizing distractions and setting tech boundaries can help maintain a healthy balance of technology usage.
- In the face of dementia and cognitive impairment risks associated with living longer, it is crucial to swap bad habits for healthy ones, such as quitting smoking, keeping alcohol consumption at a minimum, exercising regularly, and practicing good sleep hygiene habits in conjunction with engaging in mentally stimulating activities and socializing to maintain cognitive fitness.
