It is extremely normal for our bodies and our brains to change as we go through the process of aging. That much ought to be obvious to everyone. We will all experience some form of cognitive decline as we grow older. However, there are a lot of things that we can do in order to slow down the process of cognitive decline. If you do the things listed in this article, you will also be much more likely to avoid developing diseases such as Alzheimer’s or Dementia. Below we have listed six things that will really help you keep your mind sharp and also keep it safe from unwanted conditions and learn how to keep your brain functioning.
Regular Exercise
Exercise really helps with a lot of things and making sure that you have a proper exercise routine in place will also help your brain. Regular exercise and strenuous physical activity are known to be of great benefit to the brain. There has been a lot of research conducted on the matter and the results obtained thus far are pretty comprehensive. They all say the same thing, which is that if you exercise regularly, you will be much less likely to develop any neurological disorders.
One known explanation of this phenomenon is that when we exercise, there is an increased level of blood flow to your brain. It can also really help slow down the natural reductions in brain connections that take place due to aging. So, in effect, exercise really does have the potential to reverse the signs of aging. Engage in outdoor sports or get busy with immersive games at home like playing with an indoor golf simulator. This way, you can remain physically and mentally active despite the travel restrictions and bad weather.
Proper Sleep is Important
Sleep really does play a very important role in keeping us healthy. If you have ever gone a couple of days without sleeping properly, then you know how important sleep is. There are a lot of theories that posit that sleep can really help get rid of the abnormal proteins that are present in your brain and also consolidate memory. This can really help with your overall brain health and also your memory.
It is very important that you get at least seven hours of uninterrupted sleep every night. Do not fragment your sleep and count the overall amount of time spent sleeping with those fragmented naps. Consecutive sleep really has the potential to give your brain the time it needs to consolidate and then store your memories properly. If you have sleep apnea, then please get it looked into. This is very harmful for your brain and can lead to cognitive decline.
Proper Diet
Your diet is responsible for playing a very important role when it comes to the health of your brain. A lot of nutritionists and doctors are of the opinion that a Meditterranean can really help keep the brain healthy. This is because this type of diet places proper emphasis on plant-based foods, fish and healthy fats, whole grains, etc. There is a lot less red meat and also a lot less salt in this type of diet than a regular American diet.
A lot of studies have shown that if you follow this type of diet, you are much less at risk of developing Alzheimer’s. There still needs to be a lot of research done on this topic in order to understand which part of the diet has the strongest effect on your brain.
Staying Mentally Active is Also Important.
The brain is very much similar to all the other muscles you have. What we are trying to say here is that if you do not keep it fit, you will lose it. There are a lot of things that you can do in order to slow down the process of cognitive decline. Some recommendations include solving crossword puzzles or reading. You can also try out Sudoku, playing cards, or you can also solve a jigsaw puzzle. Just as you would train any other muscle in your body, the same applies for your brain as well. Try to do as many different types of mental exercises that you can. Diversity in training methods will really be able to fend off the cognitive decline you face as you age.
Socially involved
If you do not get enough social interaction, you can get quite lonely and that is absolutely not good for your brain health. If you have meaningful social interactions then you will be able to fend off stress and depression. These two things are mainly responsible for poor memory. Any opportunity you get to connect with a friend, family member, or any one you love, should be grasped tightly. This is much more important if you live by yourself. There is a reason that solitary confinement is one of the most dreaded types of punishment. As humans, the need to connect with other people is something that has to be met. You will go nuts otherwise.
Light Therapy
Light therapy devices basically do the job of emulating natural sunlight in an indoor setting. There is a lot of research that suggests that not getting enough sunlight can cause serious issues. One of the biggest issues is that it can lead to depression. Depression can really lead to cognitive decline if it is left untreated. This is where light therapy can really help you. By exposing yourself to a light therapy device for some time everyday, you can fend off things like Seasonal Affective Disorder.
The list of benefits that light therapy provides is too big and too exhaustive to list here. Just know that this is one of the safest and popular forms of therapy that are available out there in the market today. Make sure you consult with your physician before you start your light therapy journey.
