1. Get Fit
As if this isn’t beaten into our heads enough, we now
have another reason to get our butts, or brains, to the gym. Your brain needs
circulation, blood flow, and oxygen just as much as other organs and muscles do
in order to function productively. Accordingly, aerobic exercise has been found
to reduce brain cell loss in elderly patients and allows for new cells to grow.
There aren’t requirements on duration so long as you are actively exercising
each day or regularly.
2. Feed Your Brain
Research shows eating a diet specifically low in fat and
cholesterol but high in protein and sugar can reduce the risk of developing
dementia and side effects leading to the disease. We are all pretty much aware of what "body
healthy" is but what is "brain healthy?" If you’re on a clean
eating diet now you’re on the right track. Staying away from foods high in fat
will greatly reduce the risk of blood clots as they greatly increase your risk
in the development of Alzheimer’s.
Products such as vegetables and dark-skinned fruits
promote excellent brain health because of the antioxidants, vitamins, and
nutrients they provide directly, rather than from a pill. Also recommended are
nuts and cold-water fish for the omega-3 fatty acids they contain.
3. Become a Social
Butterfly
Staying close with friends and family and being involved
in social activities and social situations can greatly contribute to a long
life of strong cognitive health. (NOTE: This does not promote
ditching Tips 1 & 2 and only maintaining a large social group!) Along
with physical exercise and a healthy diet, you should be incorporating
activities into your life to maintain those social skills we developed and
honed as kids. Keeping your brain active through conversation can make an
enormous difference as you age. Not only that, but if you work out with a
friend or work with your partner to maintain a healthy diet, you can kill two
birds with one stone.
4. Let your Brain
Work
If you’ve nailed Tips 1-3 you’re doing
great but Tip 4 is where many people struggle - including me. In a time with so
much technology around us, it’s hard to turn off Angry Birds or the Kardashians
and take 30 minutes to get lost in a book. When is the last time you did a
crossword puzzle? What about Scrabble? Using games where you have to use
strategy to participate, are great ways to keep your brain sharp and active on
the inside. We may need exercise to bring our brain some much needed blood flow
but let it out of its proverbial cage and play sometimes.
Studies show that lower levels of
education led to higher risk of Alzheimer’s, which is possibly due to less mental
stimulation. That’s not to say those with higher education levels can’t develop
Alzheimer’s as well, but research has shown those individuals developed the
disease much later. If you can’t possibly read a book or Zen out and prefer to
be glued to the computer, do some research on a topic you’ve always wanted to
learn about. If you’re going to get butt sores from wasting away on the couch
for six hours, make one of the shows you watch a documentary.
The
great part about these tips are that a lot of people are already using them in
pursuit of other health benefits – so building brain health doesn’t take that
much more work. It’s important to remember, however,
that in using these methods to nourish your brain, they work best in
combination with one another. Don’t be running off telling your friends you
found the cure to dementia and it requires a couch and “Super-High Me.”
Great
hair will get you noticed, a great body will give you confidence but a great
brain is the sexiest and strongest thing you have, so take care of it!
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