As the body’s command center, the brain is perhaps the most complicated organ in the human body and has an impact on all facets of a person’s life. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), brain health is described as follows: Regardless of the existence or absence of illnesses, brain health is the condition in which the brain functions in the cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioral, and motor domains, enabling an individual to reach their full potential throughout their life.
In addition to improving mental and physical health, optimizing brain health by addressing factors has good social and economic effects, which together contribute to increased well-being and the advancement of civilization. Age-related changes in the brain and injuries can have an impact on brain health. Age-related changes in the brain, injuries like stroke or traumatic brain injury, mood disorders like depression, substance abuse or addiction, and illnesses like Alzheimer’s disease can all have an impact on brain health. Numerous lifestyle adjustments may have an impact on brain health, even though some factors are unavoidable.
Little Adjustments Have a Big Impact
According to a growing corpus of scientific data, adopting the lifestyle choices discussed below may improve cognitive health. Even minor changes can have a good effect on cognition, brain health, and potentially lower the risk of Alzheimer’s disease.
Control your physical well-being
Obtain the necessary health checks, such as colonoscopy screening, bone density testing, and breast and prostate exams. Ask your primary care physician or pharmacist to perform a “medication evaluation” on your medications on a frequent basis to prevent unintended side effects and diminished effectiveness after extended use. Restrict excessive alcohol use, particularly if you are taking any drugs that could be harmful if combined with alcohol. Get enough rest. For elderly folks, 7-8 hours is the recommended amount of time.
Prevent or Manage Hypertension
Controlling or preventing high blood pressure benefits not only your heart but also your brain. High blood pressure in midlife raises the likelihood of cognitive deterioration later in life, according to decades of observational studies.
Consume wholesome food!
In addition to improving your brain health, a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats, fish, and poultry, as well as low-fat or nonfat dairy products, can lower your chance of developing numerous chronic diseases like diabetes or heart disease. Control portion sizes throughout meals. Drink plenty of water! Keep up a strong hydration regimen, preferably by consuming herbal tea and plain or fortified water. Drinking water or tea with lemon, lime, cucumber, mint, basil, or ginger adds vitamins and minerals that are even more beneficial to your overall health.
Maintain Your Physical Activity Level
Engaging in regular exercise, housework, or other tasks that keep you moving has several established advantages, such as enhancing your strength and balance and providing you with more energy. In addition to preventing or postponing diabetes and heart disease, staying active can improve your mood and lessen sadness. Research indicates that regular exercise has positive effects on the brain and general cognitive function.
Maintain Mental Focus
The brain may gain from continuing to remain intellectually active.
People who participate in personally significant activities, like volunteering or a favorite pastime, report feeling happier and healthier, according to studies.
You can keep your mind engaged with a variety of activities. such as playing cards, dominoes, solving puzzles, acquiring a new skill or pastime, or routinely reading books and publications.
Remain Social!
Making connections with others through social events and neighborhood initiatives might help you feel less alone and more involved in the world. Engaging in social activities can enhance general wellbeing and reduce the risk for some health issues. In addition to improving their mood and feeling more purposeful, people who participate in personally meaningful activities with others typically live longer.
Despite the fact that stress is a normal part of life, long-term, chronic stress can alter the brain, impair memory, and raise the risk of Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. It is advised to manage stress with regular exercise, writing, mindfulness, and an optimistic outlook. While a slight increase in forgetfulness is common as we age, cognitive impairments like dementia and moderate cognitive impairment (MCI) are more severe and most definitely not a typical aspect of aging. Remember what’s good for your body and heart. The capacity for clear thought, learning, and memory is known as cognitive health. Those are all crucial elements of carrying out daily tasks.