How To Have A Healthier Brain
By Contributor James Jones
(Image: iStock)
The brain is often overlooked when we talk about health and that’s to detriment of our overall wellness. Mental illness isn’t discussed enough – and neither is the physical health of our actual brains. With Alzheimer’s numbers on the rise, more people are trying to find ways to keep this important organ healthy and functional for life. There is a lot of emerging science in the field of brain health, but here are a few ways we already know can help with mind longevity:
Movement
The act of taking a walk can greatly improve your memory function. A recent study found that just 90 minutes of walking in a week not only boosted brain power – it reversed memory loss. Researchers concluded that this happened when the hippocampus reacted well to the physical activity. The trick was to walk for at least 30 minutes at a time though to see the optimal benefits. If walking isn’t your thing, run, swim, bike or dance your way to better brain health instead.
Down Coffee
Caffeine has been found to increase cognitive function, and not just in the immediate. Women who enjoy three mugs of coffee per day have a slower memory decline than women who don’t indulge the same way. If your heart can’t handle caffeine, there are still brain benefits to pouring a cup of decaf like antioxidants.
Take Time to Meditate
Like actually meditate – not just channel the essence of it. People who meditate correctly, especially if they are over 50, can shave years off the age of their brains. This happens because the discipline actually creates new brain cells, giving you more capacity to remember and function. Oh and there’s the added bonuses of distressing and improving physical health boost too.
Open up more about your emotions
We all know how difficult it can be to open up about our emotions. But by doing so, can improve our mental health and brain health. Mental Health Therapists can help you talk through your issues so that you can receive the right help. It is essential to be able to open up otherwise it can be difficult for anyone to help. The benefit of using a therapist is that you don’t have to share your thoughts and problems with your close friends and family. You may feel shy or not want to be a burden on them. Although you aren’t a burden, it can feel that way. Therefore, using external help can ensure that you get the support and advice that you need to improve your mental health.
Smart Down Time
The rise of the “second screen” when watching television has made a positive impact on the watchers. People are no longer just passively watching the screen; they are actively working on other things on their smartphones and tablets. Instead of scrolling through Facebook, though, researchers suggest playing mind-focused games like online poker, bingo and crossword puzzles. You don’t have to actually exercise to stimulate your brain so take advantage of what is at your fingertips.
Sleep More
Set a bedtime and stick with it. Your brain functions best when it has a routine and adults just don’t get enough rest. Period. In America, adults are so lacking in sleep that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention call the deprivation an “epidemic.” I think adults in the U.K. can relate though – we don’t prioritize our rest the way we should and it leads to physical and mental exhaustion. Remember that every adult brain must have 7 hours of sleep each day to fully regenerate.
In what ways do you prioritize brain health?
James Jones Is A Positive Thinker And A Writer. He Loves To Write Inspiring And Thought To Provoke Posts On Self-Improvement, Family, Relationships, Health & Technology Etc.
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