Skip to main content

Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy



It's important to keep our brains healthy just as we try to keep our bodies healthy, especially as we get older! Here are a few different ways to try and keep your brain young, healthy and sharp.

Get mental stimulation; Read, do word puzzles, math problems, work on your dexterity like drawing, painting or crafts. Research shows that brain activities stimulate new connections between nerve cells and may even help the brain generate new cells.

Get physical exercise: Yes, it doesn't just help your body it helps your brain too. People who exercise regularly increase the number of tiny blood vessels that bring oxygen rich blood to the region of the brain that is responsible for thought.

Improve your diet: Again it's not just for your body! Scientist show people who eat a Mediterranean style diet which emphasizes on fruits, veggies, fish, nuts and unsaturated oils are less likely to develop cognitive impairment and dementia.

Improve your blood pressure: High blood pressure in midlife can increase the risk of cognitive decline in old age.

Improve your blood sugar: Diabetes is a risk factor for dementia.

Improve your cholesterol: High levels of LDL is associated with an increased risk of dementia.

Consider low-dose aspirin: Not only is it good for the heart but a baby aspirin also helps reduce the risk of dementia.

Avoid tobacco: If you smoke and you can quit, it's all around better for your health; brain & body!

Don't abuse alcohol; a bit of alcohol is actually good for you, especially wine. However large usage is linked to dementia.

Mental health: This of course has everything to do with your brain. Sleep deprived and exhausted people score poorly on cognitive function tests, along with people with anxiety. Your moods effect your brain and your body, all around health.

Protect your head: If you are on a bike, motorcycle, anything you can ride you want to wear a helmet.

Build social networks: People who have strong social ties have actually been associated with a lower risk of dementia, as well as lower blood pressure which can provide you with a longer life expectancy.



Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Chicken Meatballs with Quinoa & Curried Cauliflower (high calories)

Alright my dear friends, we have some in the group who are needing to maintain or gain some weight, so this week is going to be high calorie meals. I will have (high calories) posted in the title of the recipe. This recipe serves 1 so you will need to adjust depending on how many people will be eating it. There is 697 calories, 44g carbs & 72g of protein. Ingredients: 1/2lb ground chicken 1 garlic love, chopped 1tsp turmeric pinch of cumin pinch of cinnamon handful dill, chopped 2 sprigs green onion, chopped For the quinoa & curried cauliflower: 1/4c quinoa 4 cauliflower florets 1/8c sweet potato chopped 1T evoo 1T medium curry powder 1tsp pistachios, chopped 1tsp sultanas 1/2 lime, juiced How to make: For the meatballs, mix together all the ingredients in a bowl with some seasoning. Form into six balls and chill in the fridge for 20 mins. Heat oven to 390 degrees. Wash the quinoa and put it in a saucepan with 7...
Post a Comment
Read more

Mama Mia Meatball Taquitos

Want something that is easy, sounds funny to kids and it should definitely be kid approved? Well here ya go, what kid doesn't love meatballs and taquitos? Recipe makes 1 dozen... Ingredients: 12 froze fully cooked Italian meatballs, thawed 2c shredded mozzarella cheese 1c ricotta cheese 1t Italian seasoning 12 8" flour tortillas cooking spray warm marinara sauce Directions: Preheat oven to 425, place meatballs in a food processor, pulse until finely chopped. Transfer to a large bowl, stir in cheeses and seasoning. Spread about 1/4c meatball mixture down center of each tortilla. Roll up tightly and place in a greased 15x10x1" baking pan, seam side down and spritz with cooking spray. Bake until golden brown, about 16-20 minutes and serve with the marinara sauce.
Post a Comment
Read more

DIY Cheesecloth Ghosts

I absolutely love these! I love decorating for Halloween, I have to say it is my favorite holiday. I don't think you can have enough decorations up! So when I found this DIY project I just had to share!   DIY Cheesecloth Ghosts     You can find styrofoam mannequin heads at wig shots. They normally can stand on their necks but for this project you need to suspend them to let the cloth flow freely. Materials: Cheesecloth Styrofoam mannequin heads Sponge brush Watered-down glue or fabric stiffener Screw eyes Monofilament Removable adhesive hooks (like command brand or painters tape).     Steps: Apply a layer of cheesecloth to the head, then generously brush over head and face with glue. Use hands to smooth the cloth into the facial features. Don't brush down the neck, stop at chin level so the fabric is loose below that. Repeat until you have 4 layers each being 7 feet long of cheesecloth...
Post a Comment
Read more