How to Maintain Brain Health
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The brain is the most important organ in our body. It is the control center that is in charge of every aspect of our bodies all the time. However, sometimes we forget our brains need to be taken care of, too. From mental health to cognitive health and problem-solving, here are some great ways to keep our brains in top shape.
What is brain health?
Brain health is the state of functioning across different aspects, such as biological, cognitive, sensory, emotional, social, behavior, and motor skill components, as well as allowing a person to realize the full potential of their life. The brain is our powerhouse. But, our brains and mental functioning shift with age and environmental factors. Therefore, brain health should be a top priority.
In this blog…
We will be discussing how to maintain your brain health on a daily basis. Small changes can make a big difference in long-term brain health! We will be talking about how brain and mental health are huge aspects of the seven dimensions of wellness. We will also touch on how mental health is also considered brain health, and how our brains need annual check-ups as well. There are a few things to keep in mind when learning how to maintain brain health, as well as some things that should be avoided.
The seven dimensions of wellness:
The seven aspects of wellness are a guide to achieving optimal health in all aspects of your being. All of the seven components can relate to brain and mental health. The seven dimensions are:
- Emotional Wellness
- Physical Wellness
- Intellectual Wellness
- Spiritual Wellness
- Environmental Wellness
- Social Wellness
- Occupational Wellness
Tips for improving and maintaining brain health:
- Find an exercise to do daily. Have you ever felt a “runner’s high” or suddenly got a burst of productive energy after a workout? That is because exercise is great for raising serotonin and dopamine levels, which improve mood and happy thoughts. Exercise also lowers the natural reduction in brain connections that occur during aging, which reverses aging problems. Start with taking a walk outside or doing some gentle yoga— fresh air is good for mental health as well.
- Practice mental workouts and activities. Puzzles, problem-solving, games, reading, and creative outlets, like painting or playing music, provide mental stimulation. Mental stimulation develops neurological plasticity, which promotes learning and memory, and enables mental and behavioral flexibility.
- Strive for quality sleep. Sleep can make or break your day. Striving to get good quality sleep can improve every aspect of your health. As you may have heard before, around 8 hours of sleep is ideal for adults. Sleep gives your brain time to rest and catch up from the day. If you do not get good sleep, your brain has no time to rest, and exhaustion will take over. You might feel forgetful, irritable, or sad. Try to give yourself time before bed to wind down, detox from technology, and relax.
- Eat a balanced diet. Food is fuel, and that counts for your brain, especially. Try to incorporate healthy foods to help you think clearly and keep brain processes running smoothly. The more nutrients, the better!
- Surround yourself with positive people. The people you are around can influence how you treat yourself and your mental state. If you make it a priority to form a healthy support system, your mood is more likely to be happy and healthy.
- Helmets are healthy. Head injuries can lead to cognitive impairment and further brain issues if not treated correctly. Wearing a helmet when riding a bike or playing a sport can prevent this from happening.
- Care for yourself. Therapy is a great way to consider your emotions and get to a healthier mental state. Finding a trusted therapist can lift a weight off your shoulders and give your emotions the self-care you deserve. Also, finding a new hobby, learning something new, reaching a goal, practicing self-care, and giving yourself breaks (mentally and physically) are great examples of taking care of your brain.
Mental health is brain health:
Taking care of your brain doesn’t just include physical components, like exercise and puzzles. It also includes taking care of your emotions and feelings. Caring for your mental health can bring so much emotional relief to your daily life. This can look like finding a therapist, doing something you love, prioritizing your time, and practicing self-care. Connecting with others and talking through some of your concerns is a great first step to achieving optimal mental health.
Things that are not so great for your Cerebrum:
- Isolating yourself. We are social creatures and need to have some sort of social outlet to feel fulfilled. Social outlets can look different for everyone, whether that be finding new friends, catching up with past relationships, or finding a core group of trusted people. Isolating yourself makes it hard to feel mentally content.
- Chronic stress. There is evidence that persistent stress may actually rewire your brain. Stress is unpredictable, and puts tension on your brain and mental health. Stress can also make mental illnesses progressively get worse. Finding a good stress-busting mechanism that works best for you is always a good idea.
- Staying glued to your phone. Prolonged use of technology can throw off some of our body functions. It can disrupt sleep and circadian rhythm, strain eyes, lead to self-confidence issues, and make it hard to relax and unwind.
To discuss how therapy could help you during this season of your life, please contact me or schedule your free 15 minute consultation.
References:
12 ways to keep your brain young. Harvard Health. (2022, May 13). https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/12-ways-to-keep-your-brain-young
The 7 dimensions of Wellness. Mindbody. (n.d.). https://www.mindbodyonline.com/business/education/infographic/7-dimensions-wellness
Kelsey Kidd, C. N. P. (2022, December 29). Tips to keep your brain healthy. Mayo Clinic Health System.https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/5-tips-to-keep-your-brain-healthy
Leaf Group. (n.d.). How exercise affects dopamine and serotonin levels | Livestrong. Livestrong.comhttps://www.livestrong.com/article/251785-exercise-and-its-effects-on-serotonin-dopamine-levels/
Solan, M. (2022, April 1). The Worst Habits for Your Brain. Harvard Health. https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/the-worst-habits-for-your-brain
Sussex Publishers. (n.d.). Neuroplasticity. Psychology Today. https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/basics/neuroplasticity
WebMD. (n.d.). 6 ways to keep your brain healthy. WebMD. https://www.webmd.com/brain/features/keeping-your-brain-fit-for-life
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