We only get one brain, and it’s a pretty complicated organ. We still don’t fully understand how it works in many ways, even if we have a better understanding than we ever have before.
One thing we do know is that, as we get older, we’re at risk of experiencing cognitive decline and certain neurological conditions. There’s no cure for illnesses like dementia, but there might be steps we can take to keep our minds sharp and help to prevent them. In fact, you might be surprised by some of the things you can do to help protect your brain and stay healthy as you get older. Making some changes to your lifestyle and watching out for different aspects of your health could keep your brain stronger as you age.
Getting Your Hearing Tested
Hearing tests are always important, but they become more important once you’re over 50. Hearing loss is common for older people, so regular hearing tests are needed to catch it early. What you might not know is that there is also a link between hearing loss and cognitive decline. Studies have shown that people with hearing loss may be more likely to experience Alzheimer’s and other types of dementia. However, treating hearing loss is the solution to this, and many people are suitable candidates for hearing aids. That’s why it’s important to protect your hearing and have regular hearing tests.
Eating More Fish
There are lots of foods that are seen as being good for your brain. Omega-3, a type of fat, is one of the things that could keep your brain healthy. Although omega-3 is made in our bodies, we get most of it from our diets, including from oily fishes such as mackerel, tuna, and salmon. Omega-3 plays a role in our brain health throughout our lives, helping with cognitive development and possibly improving the ability of cells in the brain to communicate. It’s thought that omega-3 could improve memory, which is why it’s such a good thing to get into your diet.
Taking Care of Your Heart
It might not completely surprise you that taking care of your heart is a good way to take care of your brain. After all, your heart helps to supply your brain with oxygen and other things that it needs by pumping blood. There are lots of steps you can take to care for your heart, including watching your diet, staying active, and even finding the best ways to deal with stress. A heart-healthy diet is one of the best things you can adopt as part of your lifestyle if you want to keep your mind sharp.
Laugh More
Laughter really is the best medicine in many ways. It’s a great way of dealing with stress and helping to control the levels of the damaging stress hormone cortisol in our bodies. Finding things that make you laugh helps you to ensure you have plenty of joy in your life and ways to relax. Of course, it’s not all about laughing. The main thing is that you are able to deal with stress. There are other ways to do that, whether it’s through meditation, reading a book, taking a long bath, or exercising regularly.
Dance
Getting active is excellent for your brain health. It helps to keep your heart healthy and your mind engaged. There are all kinds of ways you can be more active, but dancing is one of your options if you want your brain to be healthier for longer. Learning new dance moves has several benefits for your brain, including boosting your brain’s processing speed and your memory. You could learn to dance by taking a class or just look for some moves you want to learn on your own at home.
Drink Coffee
The message you receive might often be to consume less caffeine, but caffeine could actually be good for your brain health. Coffee can help you to feel more alert in the short-term, but it could also help to improve your long-term memory too. Of course, that doesn’t mean you should have as much coffee as you want. 200mg, which is about one strong cup of coffee, is about as much as you should have each day if your aim is to sharpen your mind. Apart from helping you to avoid nasty side effects, there doesn’t seem to be any evidence that more coffee will have more benefits for your memory.
Staying generally healthy will help to keep your mind sharp, but you can also do a few things that are especially likely to help protect your brain.
