Healthy Brain, Healthy You
The human brain is one of the most complex things that exists in the universe. If your brain functions properly, you do too. How healthy your brain is, determines how healthy you are. Brain health can be affected by how we live, what we eat, the activities we conduct and so on. There is no dearth of research that points towards the ability of the brain to get healthier. Let’s understand how we can ensure that our brain is healthy.
Our brain is the main reason that we feel, act, think, respond and maintain our relationships. It is responsible for our creativity and performance. It helps you judge, and determines your personality and character. A healthy brain, allows you to be happier, healthier, wiser, innovative and motivated. If your brain isn’t healthy, you are comparatively sad, unhealthy, intellectually lacking, rigid and inflexible.
How do we end up having an unhealthy brain?
Studies show that there are multiple reasons why we end up with an unhealthy brain. It can be any of the combinations of reasons listed below:
- Actual brain injury,
- Drugs and alcohol are directly toxic to the brain and alter brain function. They also result in causing dehydration that could have adverse effects on brain functioning,
- Smoking constricts blood flow to the brain and results in faster ageing of the brain,
- Obesity damages brain function. Studies show as your weight goes up, the actual size of the brain comes down,
- Bad diet is associated with depression, inability to concentrate, diabetes, cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, to name a few,
- High blood pressure, when blood pressure goes up, blood flow to the brain reduces instantly,
- Environmental toxins,
- Lack of exercise,
- Negative thoughts propel anxiety disorders and depression,
- Lack of sleep…
How to maintain brain health?
Several studies aimed at understanding how to maintain good health or increased longevity or life span or leading a happy and contented life, recommend maintaining healthy or positive social connections. When we surround ourselves with caring people, positivity helps us live healthier and happier lives as they result in the natural and balanced release of happiness hormones such as dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins. And directly impact brain health and overall well-being.
Aside from having social connections, it is imperative for your brain health that you:
- Eat what nourishes your body and mind. Watch what you eat as 20% to 30% of what you eat goes to your brain. Reduce foods with high fats, sugar, salt and caffeine. Eliminate intake of toxins that hurt you like – smoking, drugs and alcohol
- Prevent brain injuries by wearing appropriate protective gear when riding, playing, etc…
- Quit smoking, reduce alcohol consumption to as minimal as possible and abstain from substance abuse
- Exercise, include physical activity into your daily schedule. Inactivity reduces blood flow to your brain and impacts brain functioning over a period of time
- Take your weight more seriously and maintain a healthy BMI
- Make sure to sleep up to seven to nine hours every day
- Do not believe in those negative thoughts that occupy your mind
- Practise mindfulness, gratitude, self-compassion and kindness
- Volunteer, donate and help others
- Learn new skills like musical instruments, languages, art
- Travel, read, take up a course
- Solve puzzles like Crosswords, Sudoku, etc…
Start caring now!
Ultimately, you reap what you sow. In case you haven’t already started consciously caring for your brain health and overall physical well-being, start before it is too late. The brain has an amazing quality called neuroplasticity. A process that allows your brain to change and adapt. However, an average adult has only 50% ability when compared to a child to develop stronger connections. The earlier you start a healthier way of living, the better you enhance the cognitive abilities that can support you, well into old age, keeping your brain more plastic and functional.
Start early, live heathy!
Some interesting insights on brain health here by Dr. Daniel Amen.