alking about the brain. It’s no surprise that it’s impossible to focus after a sleepless night.
Over time, continual lack of sleep can take a toll on the brain. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke states that getting enough sleep is necessary for your nervous system as well. Without this much-needed time off, your neurons will start feeling just as tired as you do.
While our cells are doing their thing, they produce byproducts (chemical “waste”) as a result of natural processes. If your body doesn’t get enough rest, these chemicals build up and “pollute” your system.
The National Institutes of Health did an interesting study regarding this concept. Researchers dyed and observed cerebrospinal fluid during periods of sleep. They noticed that when beta-amyloid was added to the picture, the protein disappeared during sleep. Considering this particular protein is known to accumulate in the brain tissue of Alzheimer’s patients, the results of this experiment speak volumes.
Admittedly, it can be tough to get a full night’s rest. But think of it this way: Getting enough sleep isn’t a “treat” for your body. It’s a necessity. Your body and brain need rest in order to take on each day. It may mean cutting out a few more activities or “just one more email,” but you’ll benefit so much more in the long run.
02. STIMULATE YOUR BRAIN.
We’re always told to stay active and keep our bodies moving. Turns out, our brains happen to need just as much exercise as the rest of our body. This means constantly learning, stimulating your thoughts, and challenging yourself in healthy ways.
The Alzheimer’s Association states that staying mentally active may help strengthen nerve cells. In fact, regular emotional and mental stimulation have been found to encourage new nerve cell growth. As a result, the more you put your brain to work, the more experienced it gets at doing what it does best.
Of course, this doesn’t mean you need to learn four new languages and snag a spot on Jeopardy. A simple, inexpensive activity such as daily reading or journal writing is an amazing start. It gets those juices flowing, making sure your brain is actively forming new thoughts. A study by Annals of the New York Academy of Science even suggests that listening to music can help promote healthy aging of the brain. This is most likely due to the emotions and memories formed while listening to good tunes.
Simply doing what you love is another great way to keep your brain in tip-top shape. Not only will it add to your happiness, but it will also fuel your passion and sense of fulfillment. Take it up a notch, and expand on your knowledge of a favorite hobby or take on a totally new hobby. Every little bit counts, and there is always something to learn.
The awesome part about keeping yourself mentally stimulated is that you can do it alone or with someone else. Not only can it add to your social life and well-being, but you can also share your knowledge and keep your brain on its A game.
03. REDUCE HEART DISEASE RISK.
When you think of Alzheimer’s disease, there’s a good chance you think just of the brain. However, this condition is a bit more complex. Because the brain has a million blood vessels running through it, anything that impacts heart health is just as important.
For starters, good heart health begins with controlling cholesterol and blood pressure. A healthy cholesterol level and blood pressure will ensure that your heart is efficiently pumping blood to the rest of your body. When blood pressure is too high, a condition known as hypertension forms. This can stress out your blood vessels, interfering with the amount of blood that is dispersed throughout your body.
This holds true for how your heart impacts your brain. Johns Hopkins Medicine says that high blood pressure negatively affects the amount of blood being pumped to your noggin, affecting cognition and normal functioning. To top it off, blood pressure was also correlated with high levels of beta-amyloid, that sinister biomarker for Alzheimer’s.
So, what’s a youngish girl to do? Living 