Have you had difficulty figuring out the right word you wanted to say or forgotten someone’s name you just learned? You can probably blame it on age.
Research shows that the human brain reaches its peak volume in our early 20s then begins to decline. By the time we reach our 40s, we usually notice this decline as we struggle to remember new information. These memory and cognition problems that come as we age can be very frustrating.
So what can you do to fight this decline and improve brain health? Read on for some brain health tips to help you improve memory and cognition.
Take Care of Your Physical Health
A healthy diet full of fresh fruits, vegetables, and fish provides you with the vitamins and nutrients necessary for your brain to maintain itself. Avoiding junk foods and fatty foods help with weight loss, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure easing the strain on your body. As a result, less stress will help your brain function.
Another way to keep your brain healthy is to get a full seven to eight hours of sleep each night. Sleep helps repair the brain and store information, so getting enough rest will aid in learning and retaining information. You can improve your sleep by avoiding foods that will keep you awake, turning off electronics an hour before bed, and managing your mental health to prevent your thoughts from keeping you up.
Exercising even a little bit a couple of times a week can be one of the best ways to improve cognitive functions. Exercising keeps your heart healthy, improves your strength and stamina, and can boost your immune system. Mentally it can reduce stress, boost your mood, and reduce your risk of dementia.
Brain supplements like Nootropics can also provide nutrients necessary for brain health. They can also help you relax and sleep better.
Exercise Your Brain
There is a reason they say if you don’t use it, you’ll lose it. Challenging your brain with intellectual activities like brain games can help you stay mentally active. So pick up a crossword puzzle, try painting, or any activity that you enjoy that makes you think to keep your mind sharp.
Another way to keep your brain active is to learn a new skill. Learning how to play an instrument or a new language. These help your brain form new connections and stimulate your brain.
Monitor Your Mental Health
Your state of mind can play a huge role in your health, so it’s essential to take the time to take care of your mental health. Extended periods of stress and anxiety have a poor impact on your brain health. Finding ways to manage your stress like exercising, mediation, or even seeing a professional can help you to reduce its negative impact.
Stay Connected With Others
With the COVID pandemic, many of us have spent a lot of time alone and cannot connect with others. Loneliness can lead to bad habits like smoking that negatively impact your physical and mental wellbeing, harming your brain health.
Engaging with others is another excellent way to keep your brain active and improve your mood. A social network can help you live a happier and longer life. So talk with friends and family regularly or get involved with community activities like volunteering to stay connected.
Improve Memory With a Healthy Brain
Although our brains naturally decline as we age, we can fight back against these changes. Keeping your brain active and staying healthy mentally and physically can improve memory to fight brain decline. Aiming for a healthy brain can help you feel healthier overall.
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