A person’s existence has a huge impact on their brain
health. How a person manages stress, how well they socialize, how well they
sleep, how much they exercise, and what they drink and eat all are crucial to
brain health.
So how does one achieve brain health? Here are six pillars
of brain health that can help you achieve optimal brain health, even into old
age.
1.Physical
Exercise
You need to get your body moving
because those who exercise on a regular basis have a decreased risk of coming
down with Alzheimer’s disease. Exercise can improve both your memory and your
blood flow. It also causes chemical changes in the brain that boost thinking,
mood, and thinking. It is important to exercise and stay fit in order to have a
healthy brain. Exercise can prolong your life, reduce the risk of heart
disease, maximize sleep, help you lose weight, and improve your mood. The mind
is closely linked to the body so the more exercise you get, the better your
mind functions. Try regular exercise to develop a strong memory.
2.Reducing
Risks for Mental Health Conditions
We cannot always avoid mental health problems, such as
depression or anxiety. However, there are things we can do to reduce risk
factors for such diagnoses. For one, avoiding and dealing with chronic stress
can help reduce risks for depression and anxiety conditions. Additionally,
learning healthy coping skills for dealing with life’s problems and our own
emotions can help prevent going into a depressive spiral, one of the biggest
considerations in this respect is the health of our relationships, where we
actually have more control than we might have in other life situations.
3.Food and
nutrition
There is some truth the old adage “you are what you eat.” By
making good food choices every day, you can improve the health of your brain.
As a person ages, their brain is subjected to stress that can be harmful to
their brain health. The process by which stress affects brain health is known
as “oxidation,” which can be damaging to a person’s brain health. Food that is
high in antioxidants can help reduce the negative effects of oxidation. Try
eating a Mediterranean diet, which is high in nuts, olives, leafy green
vegetables, whole grains, and fish. The Mediterranean diet can be a way to
achieve good brain health.
4.Medical
health
Good brain health starts with controlling your medical
risks. Things like smoking, high cholesterol, head trauma, depression, obesity,
and diabetes all increase a person’s chances of developing dementia. If you get
regular check-ups and follow your doctor’s advice (that means taking
medications as prescribed), you will be better both physically and mentally.
Your brain is happier when you take care of your medical health. Make sure you
avoid obesity as people who are overweight have an increased risk of diabetes,
which can lead to dementia. Try to improve balance exercises, strength
training, and aerobic exercises.
5.Sleep and
relaxation
Your brain functions better when you are well rested. Sleep
is energizing, improves your immune system, enhances your mood, and restarts
the brain. It may also decrease the development of beta-amyloid plaque, which
is linked to Alzheimer’s dementia. Anyone who has had to stay awake for an
extended period, or got a bad night’s sleep knows how much of an impact this
has on mental functioning, focus, and
concentration. If you have trouble with sleeping well, try meditation to manage
your stress levels, which may also help to decrease the age-related loss of
brain health. Few things help a person feel better than getting enough sleep.
It sharpens the brain and helps maximize the brain.
6.Mental
fitness
Brain health depends on using your mind to its maximum
ability. Those who spend much of their time
in front of a television are not really stimulating the brain and exercising it
in a way that promotes its growth and power, something that is similar to
muscle atrophy from lack of movement. Getting enough mental exercise is just as
critical as physical exercise is to brain health. Mental exercise can maximize
a person’s ability promote brain cell growth and improve the functioning of
their brain. It can decrease the chances of developing Alzheimer’s dementia.
Just as a person exercises their muscles, they need to exercise their brain.
There is something known as “brain reserve,” which helps the brain respond and
adapt to mental changes and reduce the risk that your brain will sustain
damage. A person’s brain reserve starts when they are children and only gets
stronger when the person gets older. People who persist in developing new
interests and skills engage in things
that are interesting, partake in new activities, and continue to learn new
things that will maximize their brain reserve.
7.Social
interaction