Everybody, everywhere, is talking all things brain. It is the motherboard of our life, our quality of life, our directed purpose in life. So, here are some easy and great things to do to keep your brain healthy and young:
1. Healthy Diet:
Of course, we are what we eat. All the best research shows that a balanced diet rich in organic fruits and vegetables, and eating the best oils: olive, coconut, ghee and red palm, and extremely low in processed foods, is best for brain and body. Some data also suggest that eating fewer calories — just enough to maintain weight — is healthier than eating more.
2.Cognitive Brain Training:
We know to keep our brains working optimally that we need to challenge them. Cross words and Sudoku – any brain game is good. But to really significantly improve brain health and brain growth, we need to truly challenge them! So pick up a new instrument, practice learning a new language…just for the sheer exercise of the brain. Don’t worry about your accent or vocabulary!
3.Exercise:
Both aerobic and strength training are just essential to brain health at any age. Research shows that even 15-20 minutes of daily aerobic exercise is enough to keep the brain healthy. Most people walk about 3 miles an hour: so take a 20 minute break on your treadmill with music to move you…you will be surprised how easy it is to fit that into your day. Maybe more than once a day!
4. Balance Your Stress:
Balance? Some people say no stress… but in fact calibrated and simple stress challenges the brain and stimulates it with more blood flow. But too much stress can be distracting, reducing memory and overtaxing the body and brain causing the blood flow to constrict into one part of the brain. We know that simple meditation, deep breathing, positive visualization and a few minutes of deliberate quiet reflection have all been shown to reduce unhealthy stress.
4.Sleep:
When you don’t sleep enough you begin to dip into your cognitive reserves. As you stress as a habit and as you age in general, or with disease, there are fewer and fewer reserves – and eventually there will be a lack of reserves. There are many tools to help you sleep – from breathing regimens, to affirmation exercises to brain wave tools. There are many ideas from experts about foods and drinks – and the timing around perfect sleep rhythm. There are also differing opinions, but general adults should sleep 7-8 hours per night, most research suggests.
5. Social Engagement:
Research has shown that interpersonal activities, and joyful exchange is a requirement to the healthy human brain. So much is replaced by internet exchange – and although that definitely has effect, it does not replace to endorphins that are released inside the brain when we are supported, laugh and are directly in contact with friends that support and embrace us. When we feel safe and joyful and loved.