For those aged 50 and above, keeping your mind sharp is not just about memory. Overall well-being and quality of life are key factors of wellness and brain health. Brain health encompasses a wide range of factors, from cognitive function to emotional balance. It is a crucial part of maintaining independence and enjoying the golden years.
By focusing on six key areas, there are practical steps you can take to enhance brain health and improve mental well-being.
These pillars are essential for anyone looking to sustain and boost their brain health as they age. This article will explore each of the six pillars, providing valuable insights, actionable tips, and resources. Whether you’re already incorporating some of these strategies into your daily routine or looking for new ways to support your brain health, this guide will empower you to be intentional about “staying sharp” and supporting your brain health.
Be Social
Maintaining an active social life is something that can seem more difficult as we age. Engaging in social activities and maintaining social connections can boost your brain health. Making new friends and connections is great, but nurturing those relationships that already exist is beneficial and can help you maintain your social life. Engaging with friends and family not only brings joy and companionship but also helps stimulate the brain and promote brain health. Click here to learn more about how you can make and keep new friends and ease loneliness.
Engage Your Brain
This pillar involves feeding your curiosity, learning new things and exposing yourself to new situations. You can practice engaging your brain by keeping your mind active through various activities such as puzzles, learning new skills, reading, or playing musical instruments. Brain stimulation is an important component of brain health. Click here to learn more about action steps you can take to support brain health.
Manage Stress
Stress is an inevitable part of life, but how we manage it can make a significant difference in our brain health. Chronic stress can affect memory, brain function, and overall well-being. Learning and adapting effective stress management techniques such as decompression, meditation and movement is essential for maintaining brain health. Not only do these techniques promote brain health, but they also relieve tension, boost mood, and increase energy. Click here to learn more about how you can benefit from basic meditation, being present, and pursuing happiness.
Ongoing Exercise
Ongoing exercise is beneficial for physical health. It is also a key pillar for brain health. Engaging in exercises, whether it’s walking, yoga, swimming, or strength training, can significantly boost mental clarity and reduce the risk of cognitive decline. The Global Council on Brain Health recommends the following 150 minutes of weekly, moderate-intensity aerobic activity and two or more days a week of moderate-intensity, muscle-strengthening activities. Click here to learn more about activities such as cycling, yoga, and even walking can improve brain health.
Restorative Sleep
Restorative sleep is essential for maintaining our physical and mental well-being and a crucial component of brain health. A good night’s sleep allows the brain to repair and rejuvenate. You can work towards achieving restorative sleep by practicing sleep hygiene. Ways to do this include establishing a sleep routine, avoiding naps during the day, avoiding use of electronics right before bed, and creating a quiet and comfortable environment for sleep. Click here to learn more about restorative sleep, including why you shouldn’t sleep with your smartphone.
Eat Right
The foods we eat play a critical role in maintaining brain health, and a balanced diet can support brain function. There is no magic diet for your brain, but there are foods that can both help and hurt. Click here to learn more about the connection between nutrition and brain health, including food choices that support brain health, benefits of vitamin D, and recipe recommendations.
Ready to kick start your journey towards improved brain health? Click here to access your FREE cognitive assessment to see how you’re performing and learn more about how you can stay sharp.
Music has a positive impact on the health of our brains. Explore how music can promote your brain health. Click here to learn more.
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