As we each age, all parts of our bodies begin to deteriorate. In fact, that’s what aging is all about, your body slowing down and shutting down. Even looking older is caused by the decline in the amount of elastin in the skin, basically the skin’s loss of function.
One of the most difficult aspects of aging is dealing with, perhaps struggling with, the deterioration of your brain. This is a serious concern with Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia on the rise. It’s a scary prospect. Every day our brains are aging, losing the ability to make new connections, learn new skills, make new memories, recall old ones. The prospect of your brain losing its ability to recall who you are becomes a real possibility. Why does this happen?
Aging affects your brain in a number of ways, slowing your cognition and your thinking:
But it doesn’t have to be that way.
You can take some control of your brain’s agility even as it and the rest of your body ages. Just like your muscles and bones, with proper care, nutrition, and exercise you can expect your brain to carry you well into your golden years. Forgetfulness does not have to be an inevitable fact of aging.
There are steps you can take every day to protect your brain. A lot of these steps you should already be taking to protect your overall health. Simple healthy living tips like keeping your blood sugar and blood pressure within normal limits, regular exercise, getting enough quality sleep, eating a balanced diet rich in necessary nutrients, and avoiding bad habits like smoking and excessive alcohol will all contribute to saving your brain function.
Maintaining a healthy lifestyle while all your faculties are intact can keep your brain sharp, minimizing, and delaying those “senior moments.”
But what if you’re not satisfied with just “eating right” and living well for your brain? How can you take even greater control?
Adopting the Mediterranean diet may boost your brain performance. This style of eating contains more of the vital brain nutrients like omega-3 fatty acids than the standard western diet. According to WebMD, this diet may be able to boost brain performance by nearly 20% as compared to the diet most American are accustomed to.
Staying in touch with family, friends, and even strangers is also known to boost brain activity and longevity. A healthy social network can fend off the negative brain effects caused by aging. More than one study has shown that loneliness has a direct link to mental decline and aging.
Play mind games! Download one of the apps for brain teasers. Do mind puzzles. Start brushing your hair and teeth with your non-dominant hand. Exercising your mind is one of the simplest and most important steps you can take to start preserving your brain function. Brain exercises build new connections, grow your brain, and help maintain speed and plasticity.
The effects of aging on the brain can be especially scary, but you don’t have to accept them as facts of life. Take control of your brain by taking control of your own health!
