Good brain health is essential for a long and healthy lifespan. Theories about what brain health looks like and how to achieve it abound, but there are some straightforward ideas about how to keep your mind sharp and well cared for that don’t depend on those theories. Here are seven habits that you can incorporate into your daily life to keep your brain healthy.
1. Stay Well Rested
Your entire body needs rest, including your brain. Whether you’re a night owl or a morning person, getting plenty of sleep is essential for your whole body. While your other organs slow down during sleep and your body goes into “rest mode,” your brain does not shut off. You dream, you heal, then you get up to prepare for the day. Adults need between 7 and 9 hours sleep each night to reap the benefits of sleep, so they can perform at their best every day.
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2. Stay Active
A healthy lifestyle is key to brain health. Being active can help your brain produce the hormones that it needs to fuel your body. Your body produces hormones when you are active. promote brain health and improve your mood. You don’t need to exercise daily to have good brain health. However, many experts recommend adding exercise to your daily routine to increase blood circulation and keep you healthy.
3. Pay attention to your body
If your brain health isn’t quite right, your body will send you signals. Vitamin deficiency could be a sign. Low vitamin D levels can cause fatigue and foggy thinking, for example, during winter months. Talking to your doctor can help you achieve a healthy mind, body, and spirit.
4. Keep hydrated
Water is essential for our bodies to function. Our brains don’t function well if we are dehydrated. A Georgia Tech study in 2018 found that cognitive function suffers from dehydration. The effects can be felt as soon as two hours after the event. Your brain health and the well-being of your body will be improved if you are conscious about how much water you drink.
5. Find Balance
The concept of work-life balance is something we’ve all heard of. We sometimes forget that healthy balance in our lives can look very different depending on how we live. You can achieve balance by figuring out what it looks like right now and being open to learning and adapting to changes down the road. Be mindful of all the aspects of your life that need to be in balance (it’s not all about work and home – rest, friends, self-care, a hobby, spirituality, the outdoors can all be pieces of the pie as well). If you are able to give your brain time and attention to the things that you value, stress can be reduced and you can engage in the world in a variety of ways.
6. 6.
Just like your body, your brain needs exercise. Brain exercises include brain games, puzzles and critical thinking, learning new skills, hobbies, memorization, braintraining, and reading.
7. 7.Care for your mental health
Mental health is crucial for maintaining a healthy brain. Talking to a mental health professional is a good idea if you are experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression. A mental health professional can help you develop skills and strategies that will help you achieve a healthy brain.
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