7 Ways to Keep Your Brain Young

Keep Your Brain Young

Our brain is vital for our bodies to function properly. As we grow older, it is common for our brain health to shrink. You may notice the signs of memory loss, forgetfulness, or brain fog. In some extreme cases, people develop diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia due to declining mental clarity, which can make life pretty challenging. Luckily, your brain health is not solely determined by your age. A few simple lifestyle changes can do wonders for your brain health and keep it tip-top for a long time. Our brain does a lot for us, it is unfair if we don’t reciprocate the efforts. To make your job easier, we have gathered some tips that can keep your brain young and healthy.

Exercise

We have all heard about the various benefits of exercise for our physical health. It prevents obesity, heart diseases, aids with diabetes, and so on. An article published on Healthcanal.com states that exercise should be prescribed as a treatment and prevention for chronic diseases. Physical activity is just as important for our brain and mental wellbeing. It improves the blood flow to the brain, allowing more oxygen and nutrients to enter it. Experts say that a brief and regular aerobic exercise can even restore your memory.

Meditate

A troubled mind can make your day-to-day activities harder for you. It is easy to lose focus when you are drowning in overthinking. However, these things are natural and cannot be avoided at times. Meditation is proven to be an effective way to reduce stress and lift your mood. Along with that, meditation can improve your concentration, attention span, memory, and decision-making abilities. If you are an inexperienced meditator, simply give meditation 5 minutes from your day. Gradually extend the time, as you get more comfortable with it.

Eat Well

A nutritious diet that is beneficial for your body is equally important for your brain, too. Our brain, like our bodies, requires specific nutrients in order to work effectively. Free radicals inside your body are generally more harmful than advantageous to your health. They break down your brain cells, which is why a diet packed with antioxidants is crucial for your brain health. Antioxidants are well-known for preventing cancer, as they fight these free radicals. Several vegetables are rich in antioxidants, so adding those colorful veggies to your plate can protect your brain from aging.

Sleep Properly

Sleeping is considered as a rest time for our brain. After a long day at work, the only thing we want is to collapse on our beds. Well, sleep has many other benefits for your health, especially for your brain. Memory consolidation is at its highest when you are asleep. While you are sleeping, your brain carries out different functions such as clearing up waste products and retaining the information you had learned throughout the day. For an average adult, it is recommended to sleep for 7 to 8 hours for a healthy brain and body.

Spend Time With Your Loved Ones

Loneliness can be your worst enemy, especially in old age. Research has shown that loneliness has adverse effects on our mental health, as well. Hanging out with your friends is not only the best solution to fight feelings of loneliness, but it is also beneficial for your brain. Humans are social animals. Our stress levels are reduced when we spend time with each other and share some laughs. Laughter, on the other hand, makes the brain release the hormone dopamine, which promotes happiness and longevity. Hence, it is never too late to reconnect with your old buddies.

Don’t Stress

In today’s world, it is almost impossible to avoid stress. We are all dealing with stress, whether it is related to work, academics, or relationships. Occasional stress is normal, but the actual problem arises when you experience excessive stress. Chronic stress is harmful to your brain. It kills your brain cells, impairs your memory, and even decreases the size of your brain. Cortisol is the major stress hormone in our bodies. Due to chronic stress, the body increases the production of cortisol. Stress can cause significant and permanent damage to your brain, therefore, it is crucial to de-stress your mind. There are numerous techniques that are performed for managing stress, as stress can affect your mood and memory performance.

Avoid Smoking

Smoking can cause loss of proper function inside the brain. While smoking is extremely dangerous for your lungs and causes chronic illnesses, it is harmful to your brain, as well. Smoking can lead to nicotine addiction, as it releases dopamine, a chemical that temporarily brings positive thoughts. Non-smokers have a slower rate of cognitive decline than smokers, while smokers also have an increased risk of dementia. It also promotes anxiousness and irritability when the nicotine withdraws from your cells. Staying away from cigarettes can protect your brain from any possible damage in the future, as well as now.

A Healthy Brain Means a Healthy Life

Sometimes, we disregard our brain health to focus on our physical health instead. Your brain and body work side by side, if your brain suffers, so will your other bodily functions. Taking care of your brain is essential to ensure a healthy life. Therefore, you should not hesitate to make these changes and keep your brain young