When you think about your health, most people
do not think about their brain health unless an issue arises. However, your
brain is one of the most vital organs in your body. It stores your memories,
allows you to solve problems, and connect emotionally with others. It is
imperative to take steps to prevent future cognitive diseases and keep your
mind as sharp as possible throughout your life.
Don’t Drink to Excess
Drinking too much can actually be an
aggravating factor when it comes to brain deterioration, so make sure that you
pay attention to how much alcohol you consume. While having a drink every now
and then – or even a glass of wine with dinner every night – is not going to
hurt, try to be aware of the fact that binge drinking really is quite bad for
your brain.
Stay Social
Having a strong social network is a great way
to take care of your brain. Not only is it a good
way to make sure that you stay stimulated, but a large social structure helps
to ensure that you have people around you who can let you know if something is
going wrong. Those who stay social later in life tend to live longer, stay
healthier, and tend to be less prone to dementia than their peers who spend all
of their time alone. In short, one of the best ways to keep your brain healthy
is to use it with others.
Get Some Sleep
Another good way to keep your brain healthy is to get a full
night’s sleep. Physicians note that this is most effective when you can get
seven or eight hours of sleep in a row on a regular basis, so try to cut down
on the late nights when you can. Sleep plays an important role in ordering the
brain and dealing with some of the physical aspects of aging, so make sure that
getting a good night’s sleep is a priority. If you are not sleeping well, it’s
worth your time to speak to a physician in order to address this problem.
Exercise
Physical exercise can actually play quite a
big role in ensuring that your brain stays as healthy as possible. As your body
goes, so too does your brain – and a healthy body can actually help keep your
brain working at peak capacity. When your heart is in good shape, you’ll be
able to properly oxygenate your blood and make sure that your brain keeps
operating at its full power. Exercise is also a good way to get the mental
stimulation necessary to keep your brain sharp and to stave off some of the
impacts of old age.
Keep Your Head Safe!
While many people think about the biological
and psychological factors that can go into ensuring that their brains stay
healthy, many forget about the physical factors. It should go without saying
that avoiding head trauma is one of the best ways to avoid dealing with
significant mental issues as you get older. This means wearing a helmet when
you’re engaging in physical activity that might lead to head injuries and
always doing your best to stay safe when you cannot. One of the easiest ways to
make sure that your brain stays healthy really is to avoid getting any type of
head injury.
Stay Mentally Stimulated
Finally, it’s always a good idea to stay
mentally stimulated. It can be helpful to think of your brain as a metaphorical
muscle – one that requires exercise if you don’t want it to atrophy. Keep
reading, doing puzzles, and challenging yourself to think whenever you can.
Adding mental stimulation into your routine of self-care will help you to stay
sharp and give you a better chance to fight off some of the more common effects
that accompany aging.
Remember, keeping your brain healthy is an
active process. While you might be able to improve your odds by avoiding some
actions, there are other proactive steps you’ll need to take in order to keep
your brain functioning at peak efficiency. If you’re willing to follow the
guidelines above, you’ll generally put yourself in a better long-term position
insofar as your brain is concerned.