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 a heart-healthy lifestyle will protect you on all fronts. The American Heart Association recommends exercising at least five times a week for thirty minutes a pop. Eating a well-rounded diet full of fruits, veggies, and whole grains helps promote a healthy heart and weight. Refraining from smoking and limiting alcohol intake will also keep the heart in healthy shape.
Though we can’t halt the natural aging process, we can certainly tweak our lifestyle to honor our mind and body. Our mental health is irreplaceable, stressing the importance of treating it well. Don’t forget to do your mind a favor by remembering these three tips during November’s Alzheimer’s awareness—and beyond.
Art Credit: Alessandra Olanow