What are the things you do to take care of your health? Many people have habits and routines that they follow to maintain their health. They may do cardio exercises for their heart and eat fruits and vegetables for their immune system. They may also do self-care routines for the sake of their mental health. But believe it or not, one aspect of health is often overlooked: your brain health.
Your brain is responsible for your cognitive, sensory, social, emotional, behavior, and motor functions. If you have poor brain health, it could drag all aspects of your health down with it. Poor brain health can also leave you vulnerable to terrible conditions such as dementia. That’s why it’s important to add changes to your lifestyle that encourages better brain health. Here are five tips to get started.
Exercise your brain.
Do you know what happens to your muscles if you don’t use them for long enough? You’ll start experiencing muscle atrophy, which is when your muscles begin wasting away. Soon, you won’t be able to lift the things you used to or run long distances.
This process is exactly what you’ll experience if you don’t exercise your brain. Inactive brain cells will lose function and die off, and this increases your risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. The solution? Always put your brain to work. Learn the skill you’ve always wanted to learn, such as crocheting or playing an instrument. You can also do puzzles to keep your brain stimulated, such as Sudoku or crosswords.
But remember to spice things up too. if you do nothing except Sudoku for months on end, your brain will get used to it and not receive the stimulation it used to get back when you first started. Rotate your exercises and keep learning new things to help your brain stay sharp.
Stay in touch.
We humans are social beings at heart. Isolating yourself can be devastating for your mental health and can lead to disorders like depression. This, in turn, can increase the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and memory loss issues.
Not only is staying social good for your mental health, but it’s also another form of exercise for your brain. Conversing with people, no matter what the topic is, forces your brain into staying occupied and busy. Technology has progressed so much that you don’t have to be in the same room as your loved ones to see them. Take advantage of this and text or call your loved ones whenever you can.
Get plenty of sleep.
Getting the right amount of sleep is essential for your brain to rest and organize your memories. It’s also when your brain starts getting rid of any built-up toxins over the course of the day. Getting at least 7-9 hours of sleep a night does wonders for a person’s memory and mental health.
For a lot of people, getting the right amount of sleep is easier said than done. They might struggle with falling asleep for different reasons. Take this as an opportunity to tackle your bouts of insomnia. If you have a habit of scrolling on your phone for hours, try turning it off an hour before you go to bed. You can also do a bit of meditating, which will leave you feeling relaxed and ready to sleep.
Protect your head.
They say prevention is the best cure, and there’s no better example of that than by preventing a brain injury. A brain injury can damage every aspect of your health in ways you might not come back from. It could affect your motor functions, memory, thinking, or speech.
Always wear a helmet when doing something that has head injury risks, such as biking. Always wear a seatbelt whenever you’re riding a vehicle. Be wary of low hanging objects that you could bump your head into. Finally, always be aware of where you’re walking so that you don’t trip or slip on anything.
Eat healthy food.
What you eat impacts every aspect of your health, and that includes brain health. Eating the right food can improve your cognitive ability and memory, all while improving your mental and physical health too. Watching what you eat is one of the best things you can do for your mind and body.
The Mediterranean diet is the most popular diet for those who want to focus on brain health. This diet puts emphasis on fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, fish, nuts, and healthy fats like olive oil. It also encourages you to avoid processed food, sugar, fatty cuts and red meat. An important aspect of this diet is its richness in omega-3 fatty acids, which is proven to improve brain function. Certain treats, such as dark chocolate and coffee (in moderation) are rich in antioxidants that prevent a number of different diseases.