When you want to lower your blood pressure or improve the condition of your heart, you know what to do. You start exercising and cut out salt, fat, and cholesterol.
But what about if you want to take care of your brain health?
Keeping your memory sharp and your ability to focus strong should be important for all of us, so it's surprising that more attention isn’t being paid to this crucial aspect of our health.
Top 10 Ways to Take Care of Your Brain
1. Eat foods that are good you
Seems almost too simple, right? Don't overthink it.
It can be as easy as making sure that you’re getting a good balance of protein and healthy carbs like fruits and vegetables.
2. Know your nutrients
Learn the essential nutrients that are good for brain health and eat the foods that have the highest levels of them. (1)
The most important ones include Omega-3s, folic acid, and the other B vitamins.
3. Make sure you’re getting plenty of exercise
Not only does exercise help to clear the mind and reduce stress, but it also helps the brain physically.
It does that by boosting your heart rate and sending more blood to your brain’s cells. There has been a great deal of research that proves that people who exercise regularly are at lower risk for memory problems and cognitive decline. (2)
4. Get social
There's a lot to be said for having a peer group that provides you with stimulating conversation and emotional support.
5. Get plenty of sleep
Studies have shown that people who are sleep deprived are at an increased risk for stroke.
They're also far more likely to have a hard time concentrating and remembering things.
People who regularly get less than seven hours of sleep are also at higher risk for degenerative brain diseases like Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. (3)
6. Stop being so hard on yourself
First and foremost…be KIND to yourself. Cut yourself the same slack that you would give your loved ones.
Your brain needs positive thoughts to avoid the damaging impact of stress. You're your own best cheerleader and your own worst critic. Make sure that the cheerleader’s voice is the one you listen to.
Tweet7. Avoid chemicals
It's important for your brain health to stay away from harmful chemicals. That means that the air you breathe needs to be clear of cigarette smoke, which has been directly tied to cognitive decline.
Tell the people around you not to smoke, and if you smoke, then quit!
8. Protect your brain from injury
An alarming number of brain injuries can be prevented. Make sure that you wear a helmet when playing high impact sports or riding a bike.
You should wear a seatbelt at all times in a car too, no matter whether you’re in the front seat or back.
9. Find ways to deal with stress
When you’re feeling anxious, your brain produces chemicals that can harm your brain as well as your mood.
Consider meditation and yoga as stress relief.
10. Exercise your brain
That’s right. Learn something new every day. You can read a book, join an online class, or take up a hobby. When you’re learning, you’re exercising your brain.
Yours in health and happiness,
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Danette
P.S. Please share this article with friends and family who might be interested in learning how to take care of their brain health! Then comment below…which one of these do you already do?
