Did you know that keeping a healthy brain is just as important as a healthy body? A healthy brain stimulates energy, focus, and longevity. The brain regulates several functions in your body and is responsible for the tasks you do each day. Taking care of your brain means your body will also be healthy. Here are some ways to keep your brain healthy.
How To Keep Your Brain Healthy As You Age
As your body ages, so does your brain. Focusing on brain health will slow down mental decline and let you enjoy life longer. There are several things you can do to promote brain health.
Diet and Exercise
Good nutrition and routine exercise boosts your brain health and helps you feel great. Add lean proteins, vegetables, and fruits more often into your diet. Fresh fish that contain Omega-3 fatty acids will also improve brain function as you age.
Getting enough exercise can seem harder as you get older. But moving at least 30 minutes a day increases blood flow and strengthens muscles, even in your brain. Exercise will also lower your blood sugar and reduce stress.
Maintain Your Blood Pressure
One of the best ways to reduce your blood pressure is to eat a healthy diet. Choose foods that are free from saturated fats and high cholesterol. Too much alcohol can also lead to high blood pressure. Try to limit your intake to two drinks per day.
Lower Blood Sugar
Excessive sugar can lead to diabetes. In some cases, diabetes can bring the onset of dementia. Dark leafy greens and other natural foods can lower your blood sugar and help prevent diabetes. Adding in healthy calories and frequent exercise also lowers your risk.
Why Brain Health Matters
The older we get, the more concerned we are about keeping the brain healthy. Supplements, diet, and exercise are the first step toward better brain health. Brain health is important because it’s the foundation of your health. The brain controls your balance, longevity, motor functions, and more. Better brain health promotes longer, healthier living.
As people age, they also experience a bigger risk of memory loss. Neurological diseases like dementia are always a concern. A healthy brain is foundational for emotions and behavior that impact your health and lifestyle.
How Can I Improve My Brain Health?
One thing to remember is that the brain is always changing and growing. This complex organ is constantly developing and working for better function. Now that you know brain health is important, let’s look at a few ways to improve brain health. Here are a few things you can do for your brain.
- Get good sleep - This is the time when your brain works in “repair mode.” Try and get at least 8 hours of sleep each night.
- Challenge your brain - You can strengthen your brain’s muscles by doing challenging mental activities. Put together a puzzle, play an instrument, or learn a new hobby.
- Eat well - When you feed your body healthy food, you’re also feeding your brain. Choose foods like nuts, seeds, fish, and dark, leafy vegetables.
- Balance your stress levels - Managing stress is often easier said than done. But there are some simple things you can do to lower your stress levels. Walking and yoga are popular choices that increase focus.
- Try meditation - Meditation helps calm the mind and invigorate the body.
- Stay safe - Protecting your head is essential for brain health. Wear a helmet if you’re biking, hiking, or doing other risky activities.
These are just a few things you can do to improve brain health. Eating and sleeping well is a great start.
Tips On Keeping Your Brain Healthy
Once you find ways that improve your brain health, it’s essential that you work on keeping it healthy. There are a lot of factors that affect your health. The brain is a complex muscle that requires daily exercise and nutrition, much like your body. Here are a few tips on keeping your brain healthy.
Connect With Others
Interacting with others in social settings is vital for brain health. Studies show that getting together with other people helps reduce stress. Social interaction also produces happy feelings and a sense of belonging. As a result, people feel less anxious and depressed.
Eat A Mineral-Rich Diet
The food you eat is very important for brain health. Foods that are high in Omega-3 and Omega-6 fatty acids have healthy fat and less sodium. A popular diet is the Mediterranean Diet which contains mostly plant-based food choices.
Get Outdoors
Spending time in nature boosts your overall health. Whether you’re going for a walk or playing a sport, your brain focuses on something around you. Incorporating exercise outside helps keep your brain from declining. In some cases, regular exercise helps repair some decline that is present.
What Vitamins Are Good For Brain Health?
Some foods have more vitamins and minerals than others. There are certain vitamins you can look for that are good for brain health. Eating these foods and taking supplements will preserve your health.
- Omega-3s - healthy fats
- Vitamin E - protects against free radicals
- Curcumin - reduces protein build-up
- Vitamin B group - B12, B6, and B9
- L-theanine - contains antioxidants
These are a few vitamins that have been shown to increase focus and memory response in the brain. Eating a well-balanced diet is an important foundation for your brain.
What Foods Support The Brain?
Since your brain is the control center of your body, it’s important to feed it well. Your brain is responsible for everything you think and feel. Certain foods help with memory and concentration and positively impact your health.
Coffee
Coffee has two main components. Antioxidants and caffeine both increase the brain’s focus and boost its health. Drinking coffee also improves mood and increases concentration skills.
Berries
While most people think of berries as a summer fruit, eating them daily is good for your brain. Berries, especially blueberries, have powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Blueberries also help improve overall cell function. Adding them to a smoothie or salad is a great way to get them into your diet.
Cacao
Dark chocolate, in a raw form, contains antioxidants and caffeine which support brain health. Antioxidants are essential for filtering out impurities in the brain and the body. They play an important role in cellular health.
Nuts and Seeds
Nuts and Seeds have plenty of healthy fats that support cardiovascular health and metabolic function. They also contain Vitamin E which is known to slow down mental decline that happens when you age.
What Drinks Support A Healthy Brain?
Paying attention to the foods you eat is important to support brain health. In addition to eating healthy, there are drinks that support a healthy brain.
- Green smoothies - add kale or spinach
- Coffee and Green Tea - contain antioxidants and caffeine
- Orange juice - has large doses of Vitamin C which improve attention and immunity
- Kombucha and Kefir - contains probiotics for gut health that support brain health
- Turmeric Lattes - increases neurological function
- Beetroot juice - promotes oxygen production in cells
When you’re looking for a new way to support a healthy brain, try one of these drinks.
Can Exercise Help Support A Healthy Brain?
It’s no secret that exercise supports a healthy body. But can exercise help support a healthy brain? The answer is yes. Research shows engaging in regular activity stimulates the brain neurons and promotes better function. When your body exercises, so does your brain. You don’t need to know a lot about fitness or run a marathon for brain health. Your body just needs frequent activity that supports your brain. So, find your favorite way to move and enjoy exercising your brain at the same time.
Supplements Can Help
There are so many vitamins for brain health. Spermidine is a natural supplement that supports your body’s natural detoxification. As the body ages, cells break down and affect the entire body. Spermidine helps protect your brain’s barrier and prevents it from declining. You can add the supplement to your help routine and keep your brain healthy.
