Keeping your brain sharp and healthy is important to live a long life. Oftentimes, heart health seems to take precedence so we put aside the importance of making sure we keep the organ on top healthy too.
Keeping the brain healthy can be as simple as making healthy choices from what we put into our bodies to how we feel. Here is a brain health guide on some steps to take to keep your brain healthy:
Stop Smoking
One of the biggest positive changes a person can make is to quit smoking. Quitting can reduce the risk of developing dementia and keep the brain functioning normally into old age.
Encouragement
There is a correlation between being positive and telling someone they can achieve something to them actually achieving it. If a person is encouraged, they are more likely to think it’s possible and to achieve it. A positive mindset helps.
Sleep
Sleeping allows people to make sense of what happened during the day and even work through issues that may be bothering them. Losing sleep can also result in a person not learning or remembering things as well.
Healthy Eating
Certain foods can help improve memory and overall brain function, such as broccoli, tomatoes, spinach and omega-3 fatty acids.
Meditate
Meditation can help increase focus, improve concentration and memory.
Exercise
Physical exercise increases blood flow, which helps the brain to receive crucial oxygen and glucose. It can also improve coordination.
Mental Activity
Keep the brain sharp with reading, working on puzzles or learning something new.
What Is The Best Vitamin For Memory And Focus?
It is possible that some vitamins can help brain function and concentration. Some of the best ones include:
Fish Oil
Rich in omega-3 fatty acids that have been linked to improve brain health, fish oil also has anti-inflammatory effects that may protect the brain against damage and aging.
Resveratrol
Naturally found in the skin of purple and red fruits as well as chocolate, wine and peanuts, this can help with the part of the brain associated with memory.
Ginkgo Biloba
It helps to increase blood flow to the brain and may help with focus and memory.
Creatine
This is found naturally in animal products so could be good for vegetarians to take as it can help improve memory.
How To Keep Brain Healthy And Active
We know that physical exercise is good for our bodies so why should our brain be any different? It’s important we use it to improve memory, focus and just to function. To keep it sharp, it’s important we take part in a few simple brain exercises like the ones listed below
Jigsaw Puzzles
This is good for using our cognitive abilities because we have to see where the little piece fits into the larger picture.
Cards
Playing cards can help several regions of the brain and could improve memory and thinking skills. So try your hand at solitaire, crazy eights or even poker.
Vocabulary
Learning new words can help both visual and auditory parts of the brain. So try looking up unfamiliar words and using them to increase your brain power.
Senses
Using all of your senses can give your brain a workout. Something as simple as trying a new food can require you to use all of your senses, from tasting it, smelling it, touching it, seeing it even hearing the food cook.
Learn And Teach
Lea
Information
- Show
- PublishedDecember 23, 2020 at 9:00 PM UTC
- Length9 min
- Episode75
- RatingClean