As we age, dementia becomes a word we begin to avoid saying. It is unsettling and makes many of us uncomfortable when it is brought up. However, our cognitive health is vital to our overall well-being. It is crucial adults and older adults do whatever they can to maintain both their body and mind. Unfortunately, dementia is not a preventable disease, but there are simple steps we can take to nurture our brain.
1) Eating the Right Foods – Diet is an important part of keeping our brain healthy. There are many foods we can eat to improve and preserve our cognitive health. As an added bonus, these foods are also beneficial to our body. Berries, for instance, are packed with compounds that improve our memory and ability to learn. Nuts are another easy and filling snack to take on “the-go” that positively contributes to our cognitive health. Walnuts, in particular, are full of alpha linolenic acid, which promotes blood flow, providing the brain for much needed oxygen.
2) Exercising on a Regular Basis – Not only is exercise important for our physical health but it is essential for our mental health as well. Through exercising, we are able to improve blood flow to the hippocampus, which is the part of our brain responsible for memory. Exercising creates neurotransmitters that improve our mood and has a positive impact on our brain. If you find it difficult to exercise due to physical limitations, you can do simple exercises such as moving around to music, lifting very light hand weights or walking with a moderate speed.
3) Step Out of Your Comfort Zone – Whether you attend a quiet book club hosted by a friend, or sign up for a science class at a community college, developing hobbies are extremely important to our cognitive health. Hobbies allow us to learn new information we likely did not know before, which exercises the neurons within our brain and pushes us to create, learn, and discover. Hobby examples include gardening, taking an art class, learning the game of chess, or learning a new musical instrument.
4) Replace Excessive TV Time with Games – Playing games might sound a bit juvenile but the benefits of “brain games” for senior citizens are tremendous and should not be dismissed. Sitting in front of the TV can be a nice break from reality on occasion, but it is important for seniors to challenge their brain through games, puzzles, and cards when possible. Challenging games such as Scrabble or Sudoku force us to think critically which is important to do as we age. Sitting with something as simple as a crossword will allow you to unwind and stimulate your brain simultaneously.
These four categories are just a few ways, among many, to improve your cognitive health. Although dementia is a reality, and it is something many senior citizens face, these simple tips can help us maintain our cognitive health. It is never too early or too late to improve our brain. Cognitive health is just as vital as physical health, and with these tips, we can take ownership of both.
