Our brains have the capacity to continually improve regardless of age or deterioration. The following highlights some of the best strategies to improve your brain health:
- Use it so you don’t lose it. Find new brainy activities to stimulate new connections between nerve cells. Learn a new language, do daily crosswords or jigsaw puzzles.
- Shake it. Get moving by increasing the number of minutes you move or adding new ways you can move that body. Cardio activity allows the brain to be more efficient and “plastic” which means how it can adapt. While movement is so important, we must ensure that the head is protected – especially during contact sports.
- Clean eating. Improving your diet impacts brain function. Studies show that eating more of a Mediterranean diet, focused on fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts, and plant-based proteins is most beneficial to the brain.
- Relax. High blood pressure is associated with a higher risk of cognitive decline, so chill. Take deep breaths, and pamper yourself with something relaxing. This may also reduce the anxiety and depression tendencies which can lead to poorer cognitive function.
- Be sweet enough. Diabetes can be a risk factor for dementia. So with clean eating, reduce the amount of processed sugars because you are already sweet enough…right?
- Lower cholesterol. More focus is placed on plant-based proteins which can nourish those muscles yet keep the cholesterol intake very low. This helps since higher LDL cholesterol is associated with dementia.
- Baby Aspirin. Check with your doctor, because this item is controversial and dependent upon your bio-individual health. Taking a baby aspirin may reduce the risk of dementia, so get the guidelines from your doc.
- Don’t smoke. Avoid tobacco. (sweet, simple, concise, & no confusion on this message!)
- Minimize alcohol. Excessive alcohol is a major risk of dementia. Limit yourself to 1-2 drinks/day.
- Socialize. Now that people have more information and control over covid19 transmission, take the necessary precautions and LIVE life. That means meeting with other friends and family and networking with others again face to face. It’s time to feel normal again.
