The brain allows us to think, feel, communicate, make decisions, and live a productive life. Therefore, it is very important to keep your brain healthy.
A healthy brain is essential for a healthy life. One way to increase your brain power is to lower your stress levels.
“People who are under a lot of stress, tension, and duress experience a decline in cognitive performance,” says James E. Galvin, MD, MPH, professor of neurology and psychiatry at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine.
Dr. Galvin said yoga can help you relax. A recent study found that people who practiced yoga nidra, a specific type of yoga that incorporates meditation and mindfulness, for two weeks had improved sleep quality, alertness, and memory.
Good nutrition is also key to brain health. The Alzheimer's Association recommends a diet that is lower in fat and processed foods and includes more vegetables and lean meat. A study published in Frontiers in Nutrition found that fatty foods can have negative effects on the brain.
Adults who ate two butter croissants for breakfast and performed mental arithmetic tasks had reduced oxygen flow to parts of the brain involved in decision-making and emotion.
Regular exercise also helps keep your brain active.
“Loss in muscle mass and strength is a very strong predictor of cognitive test results,” Dr. Galvin said.
Studies in animals have shown that exercise increases connections between brain cells. Staying socially engaged is another factor that can protect your brain.
Chronic isolation can increase the risk of premature death as much as smoking up to 15 cigarettes a day, according to an advisory report from the U.S. Surgeon General.
