Your brain is with you every moment of every day. So how are you taking care of it?
Here are 6 important steps to support your brain's health.
Exercise for Both Your Body
and Your Brain
Exercise not only benefits our body but our brains as well. Multiple research studies show that physically active people are less likely to experience a decline in their mental function and have a lower risk of developing dementia due to the increased blood flow to the brain during exercise. Exercise also tends to counter some of the natural reduction in brain connections that occur during ageing, reversing some of the problems. Try your best to exercise several times per week for 30 to 60 minutes. You can walk, swim, play tennis, or do any other moderate aerobic activity that increases your heart rate.
Sleep the Night Away
Sleep plays an important role in your brain health. Some theories state that sleep helps clear abnormal proteins in your brain and consolidates memories, which boosts your overall memory and brain health. Aim for 7-9 consecutive hours of sleep per night, not fragmented sleep of 2 or 3-hour increments. Consecutive sleep gives your brain the time to consolidate and store your memories effectively.
Oil Your Brain with Omega-3s
Omega fatty acids and other healthy fats are vital for your cells to function correctly, appear to decrease your risk of coronary artery disease, increase mental focus and slow cognitive decline in older adults. But it can be difficult getting enough omega-3s in your regular diet, so you may need to supplement your diet with Deepwater Omega-3 and CoreMega EPA/DHA for all the benefits omega-3s offer, without the fishy aftertaste.
Use it or Lose It—Stay
Mentally Active
Your brain is like a muscle—you need to use it or lose it. Think of it like cross-training for your brain. By incorporating different types of activities, you increase its effectiveness. There are many things that you can do to keep your brain in shape, such as playing Wordle or doing crossword puzzles, reading books, playing cards or putting together a jigsaw puzzle. Simply by staying mentally active, you can keep your brain’s wheels turning brilliantly.
No Man (or Woman)
is an Island
Research suggests solitary confinement leads to brain atrophy, so remaining socially active may have the opposite effect, and strengthen the health of your brain. Social interaction can even ward off depression and stress, which can contribute to memory loss, so look for opportunities to connect with friends, family and loved ones, especially if you live alone.
Basic Math: A Healthy Heart
= A Healthy Head
The health of your arteries and veins is important to your heart health, but did you know it is also critical for your brain health? That’s why it is important to get your blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol checked regularly and take steps to keep your numbers within a normal range. Increase your physical activity, maintain a healthy diet, and decrease your sodium consumption to lower blood pressure and cholesterol values. Supplements such as ProvexCV can also help maintain healthy blood pressure.
Check out these downloadables to help nurture your mental wellbeing.
With Melaleuca, wellness isn't a final destination. It's a pathway to a better life and the journey to becoming our best selves. We believe that wellness is connected to all seven key areas of the human experience: physical, social, emotional, inner, environmental, financial, and intellectual.
Wellness requires an approach that is not one-sided but equally balanced and personalized to match the unique lives of each and every one of our members.