Many calendar days are marked for stupid remembrances, not including International Brain Awareness Week on March 11-17, 2019. Even the dullest among us might recognize that we need all the brain power we can hold onto. Sharpening cerebral skills is recommended by scientific experts who say we could avoid the horrors of Alzheimer’s. Considering the fact that so many in their golden years are afflicted with dementia, taking steps to keep your brain young is a brilliant move. The following will help strengthen your cognitive skills.
10 Ways to Sharpen your Brain
Engaging in brainy activities is like taking your brain to the gym for a worthwhile workout—except there’s no pain afterward! These are some of the things that happen in the brain when you stimulate it with cerebral activities:
- New connections between nerve cells are stimulated
- New brain cells can be generated
- Development of neurological plasticity and a build-up of functional reserve protect against future loss of brain cells
The following are great mental workouts that will sharpen your brain—some are achieved through a combination of manual dexterity and mental effort:
- Read books
- Take classes
- Work word puzzles
- Work math problems
- Refine hand-eye skill by: Drawing, painting, and assembling jigsaw puzzles
- Assemble furniture
- Play strategic games, such as bridge or chess
- Memorize things for now and for later review
- Learn to read music and play a musical instrument or sing in a choir
- Learn a foreign language
6 More Ways to Improve Brain Health
You can also increase and protect the health of your brain through certain lifestyle activities, as follows:
1-Exercise
Your mind is strengthened at the same time that your body’s muscles benefit from exercise. Research suggests that with regular exercise, more oxygen-rich blood reaches your brain through an increase in the number of tiny blood vessels.
2-Diet
You are less likely to develop cognitive deficiencies if you eat a Mediterranean style diet. This type of cuisine is big on foods that improve brain health, including vegetables, fruits, olive oil and other unsaturated oils, nuts, and fish.
3-Improve your Blood Sugar
A risk factor for developing dementia is diabetes. Stay lean, exercise regularly, and eat a healthy diet. You may still need medication to achieve adequate blood sugar control, but your brain will serve you better if you prevent blood sugar from being high.
4-Improve your Cholesterol
You also have an increased risk of dementia if you have high LDL cholesterol levels. LDL cholesterol is the bad kind. Avoiding tobacco, keeping your weight under control, exercising, and a good diet help with cholesterol levels. But, same as with blood sugar levels, medication may be needed.
5-Avoid Tobacco & Limit Alcohol
Tobacco in all its forms increases the risk of experiencing mental decline. Alcohol in modest amounts is fine, such as two drinks daily--tops. Otherwise, alcohol is one of the major risk factors for developing dementia.
6-Maintain Good Mental Health
People are prone to do poorly on tests for cognitive function if they are stressed, depressed, anxious, or sleep-deprived. Protect your mental health by avoiding stress, getting plenty of restful sleep, and pursuing activities that keep you happy.
Happy International Brain Awareness Week!
If you don’t neglect your brain, it is more likely to serve you well throughout your life. Let International Brain Awareness Week be a new beginning for you and your brain.
