This Saturday, July 22nd is World Brain Day, an international celebration, bringing awareness to the importance of brain health and of different neurological conditions. Here at Hale County Hospital, it is our mission to promote healing and a greater quality of life for the residents of our community. One of the most important ways to achieve this mission is to teach our communities about the importance of prevention measures. In honor of World Brain Day, this article will focus on ways to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. Alzheimer’s and dementia are brain conditions where individuals slowly lose their memory and thinking skills. Signs of these conditions include difficulty remembering new information, disorientation, and behavioral changes. While these conditions sound scary and complicated, there are ways to reduce your chances of having Alzeihmer’s and dementia.
Here are 5 tips to help keep you sharp and active:
- Exercise Regularly: exercise has lots of benefits. It can help strengthen your bones, reduce your risk of heart disease, and it can help keep your thinking and learning skills sharp even as you age! Research shows that active individuals are less likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease. Find a way of exercising that excites you – taking daily walks, chair exercises in front of the TV, go to the gym, or dance around the house! If you can exercise several times a week for 30 to 60 minutes, your body and mind will thank you!
- G e t your Sleep: Setting good sleep habits is important for your brain’s health. Sleeping allows your brain time to store all the memories you made that day. Try to get 7 to 8 hours of consecutive sleep a night.
- Eat a Healthy Diet: What you eat plays a very important role in how your body and brain feel. Try to add more plant-based foods (fruits and vegetables), whole grains, fish, and healthy fats like olive oil to your diet. Changing what you eat all at once can be difficult. Make one substitution at a time and build from there! One night a week try having a fish as your protein source instead of red meat. Eating a healthy diet helps to increase mental focus and can slow down cognitive decline in aging adults!
- W o r k those Brain Muscles: Just like your biceps, the brain is a muscle and it needs to be worked out in order to stay nice and strong. There are lots of ways to “work out” your brain. Try a crossword, playing cards, putting together a puzzle, or reading a book. Vary what you do so that your brain can work in many ways.
- Be Social!: Interacting with other people helps us remain present and aware of what is going on around us. This helps us flex our brain muscles while also decreasing our risk of depression and stress. Research has shown that staying isolated and alone is linked to cognitive decline. Find ways to interact with other people – go to community events, call a friend, plan outings with other church members, or make a point to talk to someone at the grocery store!
If you or a loved one are struggling with memory loss, trouble sleeping, or have questions about how to add these healthy habits to your life, please call and schedule an appointment at the Hale County Hospital Clinic. We are here and ready to help!
