More often than not, you think so much about your physical body – the skin, the muscles, abs… but you think less of your brain health. Meanwhile, everything you do is produced by the brain. So, brain health is very important.
Brain health is the state of brain functioning across cognitive, sensory, social-emotional, behavioural, and motor domains, allowing a person to realize their full potential over the life course, irrespective of the presence or absence of disorders, according to the World Health Organisation.
Here are a few ways to care for your brain:
Good sleep: Sleep is required to renew parts of the brain so that it can continue to function normally. Lack of sleep or not enough sleep can cause some neurons in one’s brain to malfunction. If the neurons malfunction, it will negatively affect one’s performance.
Exercise: Physical activity can help memory and lessen anxiety or depression. Studies have shown that exercise helps to improve brain functions.
Eat healthy: Eat a balanced diet with lots of fruits, and vegetables, low in sugar and salt. Research indicates that the best brain foods are the same ones that protect your heart and blood vessels.
An article on Harvard Medical School’s online health portal states that a healthy dietary pattern that includes a lot of fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains is linked to better brain power. It also said protein from plant sources and fish, and healthy fats, such as olive oil or canola are also good for the brain.
Quit smoking: Smoking can have many effects on your brain. Experts say apart from addiction to nicotine, smoking can also increase your risk for brain diseases.
Limit alcohol intake: The National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism believes alcohol interferes with the brain’s communication pathways and can affect the way the brain looks and works.
“Alcohol makes it harder for the brain areas controlling balance, memory, speech, and judgment to do their jobs, resulting in a higher likelihood of injuries and other negative outcomes. Long-term heavy drinking causes alterations in the neurons, such as reductions in their size,” it said.
Connect with people: Be socially connected with like-minded people and engage in meaningful activities. Connect with your family, friends, and peers, and learn a new activity.
See your doctor: If you have a physical health condition, make sure you see your doctor to prevent brain health conditions.
