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.