How To Keep Your Brain Healthy

Author: Jojo Varona

Throughout an individual’s life, their body undergoes perpetual transformation. The brain’s rapid development during early childhood results in the attainment of 90% of its adult mass prior to age 6, followed by a gradual diminution in volume in the 30s and 40s, and and accelerated loss after age 60.. Although the brain’s adaptive capacities enable it to respond to life’s challenges, specific changes may contribute to memory deterioration, cognitive decline, and decreased mental agility.  

It is essential to recognize that our brains require exercise just as our physical bodies do.. Here are some ways to prevent memory and cognition problems as you age.

Do Brain Workouts

Make cognitive exercise a part of your daily routine. Whenever new information is learned, we form new neural pathways. This ability is known as neuroplasticity. Novel learning experiences keep the brain functioning optimally.

Make Time for Friends

Maintaining social connections is vital for sustaining our cognitive abilities.  Social interaction enables our brains to process new information through cognitive processes, experiential learning, and multisensory integration. 

Appreciate Mother Nature

Spending time outdoors amidst nature’s splendor, such as trees, lakes, or oceans, can have a profoundly positive impact on one’s mood and mental well-being. Engaging in activities like hiking, listening to birds, or admiring flowers can effectively reduce stress levels and foster a deeper connection to the world around us.     

Get a Good Night’s Sleep

Getting consistently good sleep helps our brains work properly. With enough rest, our brains are better prepared to acquire new information and store it in our memory. Often, what we learn throughout the day is stored in our memory while we rest.

Take a Moment to Breathe

Activities that help us be present, known as mindfulness, can help our brains de-stress. Try meditation, yoga, or tai chi to clear your brain and open up better avenues for memory and learning.

Stay Hydrated

Many of us don’t drink enough water, but it’s a simple way to keep our brains and bodies healthy. The cells in our bodies need adequate hydration to work properly. Dehydration can decrease our ability to learn, think, and coordinate muscle movements.

Eat Your Fruits and Veggies

Fruits and vegetables are brain food. Diets with healthy fats and antioxidants can also help protect our brain's function. Focus on foods that can help maintain and improve cognitive function, such as leafy greens, berries, olive oil, whole grains, nuts, beans, and fatty fish.

Whether you’re young in years or age-gifted, now is the perfect time to train your brain.