Boosting Brain Health: Simple Habits that Make a Big Difference
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By PAGE Editor
When you hear the word healthy, just like most people, the first thing that crosses your mind is your physical well-being, and what it takes to stay fit and healthy, like eating nutritious food, working out, etc.
Even though no one can deny that the physical aspect of our being is extremely important, don’t forget that your being consists of the mental aspect, as well, which equally requires your attention and care, which is something that people tend to overlook.
Your brain is the one that controls so many things, such as the way you move, talk, your emotions, and other stuff; hence, it’s essential to provide it with the care it deserves. If you’d like to know how, then just cast your eyes on the tips below.
Time To Move Your Body
Yes, you read that right! If you think that your body isn’t linked with your mind, then you couldn’t be farther from the truth. In fact, it’s been proven numerous times before that people who are physically active have a much sharper mind.
Moreover, if you exercise, you’ll be in a better mood, have a lot more energy, strength, etc. Not to mention the fact that you’ll drastically reduce the likelihood of suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.
If you’re not in the mood to go to the gym or do something you consider physically demanding, then just go for a walk. An hour or so daily will keep both your body and brain healthy.
If you’re generally interested in the link between these two and other topics that are related to the brain, you can always make use of the internet, because it’s full of interesting information when it comes to this. Be sure to explore CogniWiki’s research, for instance, because it’s loaded with valuable insights. It will be particularly interesting to those who have never delved into this subject before.
Sleep, Sleep, Sleep
There are lots of factors that greatly influence brain health, and certainly, one of the biggest ones is sleep. Although your body is resting during this process, keep in mind that your brain is still pretty much active:
It processes different memories
Tries to achieve emotional balance
Eliminate the waste
There’s no need to remind you how detrimental it can be if you do not establish a solid sleeping pattern. It will not only negatively impact your body, but you will also deal with mood swings, lack of focus, and many other negative things.
According to the scientists, an average adult should sleep somewhere between seven to nine hours. Speaking of this, it wouldn’t be advisable to use your phone while you’re trying to fall asleep, and also make sure to go to bed approximately at the same time.
Your Diet Matters, Too!
A nutritious and balanced diet isn’t only beneficial for your body, but for your brain, as well. You are probably aware of the fact of how harmful it is for your physical health when you’re too overweight.
It can result in health issues, such as high blood pressure, cancer, diabetes, etc. Besides that, it can also negatively affect your brain, leading to certain mental health problems, like Alzheimer’s disease.
If you’re really interested in improving your brain through foods, then maybe you should consider doing the MIND diet, which turned out to be very beneficial for it. It represents the mixture of the DASH diet and Mediterranean diet, and will not only boost your brain health, but heart health, as well!
If you’d like to incorporate it into your dietary regime and life, in general, then these are some guidelines you should follow:
Be sure to take avocado or extra virgin olive oil each day (two tablespoons)
Add leafy greens to your dishes that are already full of veggies
Fish and seafood are also recommended, one serving of around three to five ounces, weekly
Whole grains
In contrast, certain foods should be avoided, or at least their intake should be reduced, and this refers to:
Butter
Processed meats (and processed foods, in general)
Fried foods
Salt
Do Not Allow Stress To Take Over
Easier said than done, that’s for sure, but you still shouldn’t use it as an excuse if you want to be better. Chronic stress can really take a toll on your brain, and, in time, impact your concentration, memory, and emotional regulation, so be sure to do whatever is in your power to properly manage it.
Truth be told, the brain is a very complex organ that cannot easily be “controlled”; however, what you can do is try your best to develop specific habits, like the ones that were mentioned above, that will ensure it remains healthy.
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