Your brain is an amazing organ! Did you know that the average person has over 70,000 thoughts per day? Admittedly, most thoughts go in and right back out! It is what helps us learn, grow, and connect with others and dementia wreaks havoc to our brains.
Dementia takes our cognitive abilities away little by little, and today, we're talking about 10 ways you can actively train your brain and show it love to protect it against dementia!
- Break a sweat! Get active, whether it'a a walk around the house or around the block, pickleball, hiking, or any number of activities, getting physically active keeps the brain active!
- Hit the books. Learn something new! Plan to take an online course at a local college, watch a YouTube video about a hobby that you'd like to learn.
- Stop smoking! Smoking increases the chances of cognitive decline, and there are so many great resources out there to help you quit!
- Follow your heart. Remember, heart health and brain health often go together. The stronger you can make your heart, the stronger you're going to be able to fight off cognitive decline.
- Prevent brain injury. While getting out and moving our bodies is great, be sure to wear a helmet when needed. Brain injuries can increases your chances of developing dementia.
- Fuel your body right! Eat the right things for your body and your brain! Think less red meats and more poultry, nuts and fruits, and vegetables!
- Get plenty of sleep! Sleep is great for the brain! Turn off the phones at night, reduce the lighting, and try to make sure that you're not consuming caffeine or alcohol before going to sleep.
- Take care of your mental health. It used to be more taboo to go see a therapist, but now that stigma is disappearing! We all need help mentally from time to time, and seeing an expert to learn coping skills or get the right medication is one way to love your brain!
- Social interaction. Join the neighborhood book club, even if you don't end up reading the book! Enjoy being with others ad the conversations that arise. Whether it's a dinner party at home, a sports event, a walk around the neighborhood with friends, or a sport that you love, find a group that loves what you love and get out there!
- Stump yourself. Do things that aren't easy. If you play the same game over and over and you win every time, you are not challenging yourself! Change the game, make it harder, learn a new game or puzzle. All of these things can keep your brain active!
There are many reasons to love your brain, and preventing dementia is certainly one of them. We encourage you to get out and enjoy being with friends and family doing things you love or learning something new!
