It is never too early to take specific steps to keep the brain healthy. The process will call for some patience and commitment but the steps are actually easy and straightforward.
So, what can you do to make sure that your brain remains in tip-top shape?
1. Eat well
You probably know that antioxidants fight cancer. Antioxidants are also good for the brain. They neutralize free radicals that damage brain neurons.
Obesity, hypertension, and diabetes are diseases which undermine how the brain functions. When you eat healthy food, you avoid these diseases — and help your brain to stay healthy as well.
Help your brain, and your overall health, by eating food jam-packed with antioxidants. Include colorful vegetables, fruits, whole grains, beans, nuts, and spices in your diet. Regulate or eliminate sugar, alcohol, and red meat.
ALSO READ: Eating Less Meat: Its Importance and Benefits
2. Do some (aerobic) exercises, HIIT, or weight training
Research indicates that exercising the brain by learning differential calculus, playing chess, studying chaos theory, and engaging in other difficult mental pursuits does wonders for the brain. While this is true, research also shows that one of the best things you can do to keep the brain strong is to engage in physical exercise.
When you pump up your heart rate through exercise, you keep the brain young. You forestall its decline. You help increase blood supply to the brain, boost the supply of oxygen, and promote capillary development. All these are essential for brain health.
3. Stay well-rested
When you get the right amount of rest and sleep, you enable the cells of your body to regenerate. Getting enough rest strengthens the brain, sharpens memory, and calms the mind.
ALSO READ: How To Sleep Better, 9 Amazing Tips To Fall Asleep Faster
4. Challenge your brain
You should engage in interesting mental pursuits that make your brain work hard. You can learn a new language, play chess, do difficult sudokus or crossword puzzles, play contract bridge, learn to dance the tango or play the accordion or study the bonsai technique.
The brain slows down with age. But when you do rewarding mental activities that engage your focus, you push your brain into learning mode. If you continue to challenge it with”mental gymnastics,” you train it to stay sharp, healthy, and supple.
5. Stay calm
Research shows that stress can negatively affect memory, learning, and other cognitive processes. Do not allow yourself to be debilitated by chronic stress. Enhance your ability to cope with stress by engaging in physical activity, meditation, and yoga. When choosing a new activity to learn, make sure that you go for something fun and interesting like cha-cha dance lessons or learning to speak a new language.
ALSO READ: 5 Easy Breathing Techniques to De-stress Your Lifestyle Within A Few Minutes Each Day
6. Socialize
It is important to have friends and a supportive social network. When you interact with people, you enhance your sense of well-being. You fight feelings of depression and isolation. You strengthen your cognitive skills and memory.
7. Live a healthy lifestyle
Last but not least, your lifestyle matters! There are many studies that link excessive drinking and smoking to higher risks of becoming depressed or anxious. Research also shows that people with bad lifestyle habits are also more likely to develop dementia compared to people who cultivate a healthy lifestyle.
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Conclusion
If you want to live long and have a fulfilling and productive life, you need to keep the brain healthy and young. All it takes is some attention and commitment to enjoy great rewards.
Thanks for reading. I hope this information was helpful. Until next time!
Amy Goodrich
Crazy cat lady, life and food lover, certified biologist, and holistic health coach.
