Tips to Maintain Brain Health

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Growing evidence shows that key lifestyle changes can help people reduce risk of cognitive decline.

Adopting a combination of healthy behaviors, which have also been shown to reduce cancer, diabetes and heart disease, will help you achieve maximum benefits for both your brain and body. And the good news is, it’s never too late to adopt healthy habits.

Tips for Maintaining Brain Health

Start adopting these 8 strategies today to protect your brain health now and in the future.

Exercise

Break a sweat and engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates the heart rate and increases blood flow to the brain and body. Several studies have linked regular physical activity with a reduced risk of cognitive decline.

Quit Smoking

Evidence shows that smoking increases risk of cognitive decline. Quitting smoking can reduce that risk to levels comparable to those who have not smoked.

Keep a Healthy Heart

Evidence shows that risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke — obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes — negatively impact cognitive health. Preventing and managing high blood pressure and cholesterol will help protect the heart and take care of the brain.

Eat a Healthy and Balanced Diet

Following a diet that is low in fat and high in vegetables and fruit has also been linked to reducing the risk of cognitive decline. Although research on diet and cognitive function is limited, certain diets, including the Mediterranean and Mediterranean-DASH (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension), may contribute to a reduced risk of cognitive decline.

Get Enough Sleep

Not getting enough sleep may result in problems with memory and thinking, yet a third of American adults report regularly getting less sleep than the recommended 7-8 hours.

Stay Socially Engaged

Social and intellectual engagement is important to brain health. Pursuing interesting and meaningful social activities will help you keep connections with others and within your local community. Volunteer at a local church or animal shelter or just share the activities you enjoy with friends and family

Continue Learning and Welcome Challenges

Challenging and activating the mind by doing puzzles, building furniture or playing games are good ways to encourage strategic thinking. Taking an online class or learning a new language will also help keep your mind sharp.

Don't Forget Mental Health

Some studies also link depression with increased risk of cognitive decline. Managing stress and seeking medical attention for any symptoms of depression, anxiety or any other mental health concerns will also help optimize brain health.

Learning More About Brain-Related Diseases

Be Part of the Solution

MindCrowd is a collaborative effort to learn more about brain-related diseases. By participating, you can help make real progress in the effort to better understand and treat Alzheimer's disease and other brain-related diseases, including age-related cognitive decline and memory loss.
Take the Test at MindCrowd.org