6 Ways to Improve Brain Health
The brain is the most complex organ in a human’s body, controlling every function made. It serves as the command center for the nervous system, receiving signals and outputting information to the muscles. Upon aging, one can expect a decline in brain health. Many retirees struggle with multi-tasking, difficulty finding words, ability to recall names and pay attention. Although this is a natural part of the brain aging, it does not mean there is no hope for maintaining a healthy brain! Research shows older adults are still capable of improving language skills, learning new things and enhancing vocabulary.
6 ways to improve brain health:
- Brain Food
Consume foods that are linked to increased brain power! These protect your heart and blood vessels.
- Green veggies: Kale, broccoli, and spinach are plant-based foods that help reduce the speed of cognitive decline.
- Fatty fish: Salmon, cod and light tuna are all low in mercury and omega-3 fatty acids (lowers blood levels of beta-amyloid, which forms clumps in brain of people with Alzheimer’s disease).
- Berries: Strawberries and blueberries are known to prevent the aging brain from memory loss since they are high antioxidants, they protect brain cells from free radicals and inflammation).
- Physical Activity
It is essential for the overall health of your body to have (at the minimum of) 30 minutes of activity in your day. Try stretching, walking, dancing, hiking, yoga, swimming, etc.
- Mental Activity
In order to keep your mind healthy, try picking mental activities to exercise your brain.
- Reading magazines, books, etc.
- Playing card games, video games or puzzles.
- Learning how to knit or play an instrument.
- Quality Sleep
To enhance the quality of your sleep, try creating a sleep schedule.
- Create a time schedule that you plan to wake up every morning and go to sleep. Your body craves consistency, we are creatures of habit!
- Whether it means reading before bed, a warm shower, drinking hot tea, listening to music or nature sounds, try relaxing your brain to help it rest better.
- Cut out things that prevent you from sleeping, such as watching tv late at night, playing on your phone/computer, etc.
- Listen to Music
If you want to boost your muscles, you hit the gym. If you want to boost your brain’s health, try listening to music! Many researchers believe listening to music is a “brain workout” during the aging process. This has been a key factor to reduce blood pressure, trouble with sleeping and anxiety. An otolaryngologist at John’s Hopkin’s Hospital stated, “Music is structural, mathematical and architectural. It’s based on relationships between one note and the next. You may not be aware of it, but your brain has to do a lot of computing to make sense of it”.
- Try New Things
In order to cognitively grow, you must break the routine of your lifestyle.
- Start a hobby.
- Plan a road trip.
- Cook with a new recipe.
- Adopt a pet.
- Join a networking group or non-profit.
- Volunteer in your community.
- Adventure to local farmers market.
- Take up photography.
- Join a sports league.
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