It’s World Brain Day! The day was established by the World Federation of Neurology to raise public awareness of neurological diseases and brain health.
”Your Brain is the organ of your personality, character and intelligence, it is heavily involved in making who you are”. It is literally the control centre of your body, it’s responsible for everything from sitting still to walking, and plays a HUGE role in how you feel, behave, and think.
Brain health is vital for our mental, social, and physical well-being, there’s always more to learn about the incredible brain and how to care for its longevity. However, did you know that brain disorders are the number one cause of disability?
This ‘World Brain Day’, let‘s look into some helpful tips to invest in your brain health and preserve the best features of this amazing gadget of ours!
Evidence suggests that…
1. Challenging your brain regularly can improve its ability to cope and keep working, even in the face of damage from diseases like Alzheimer’s.
Reading, doing puzzles, learning a language, or playing an instrument.2. Staying socially engaged may support brain health.
Taking time out for hobbies and activities you enjoy or talking with friends and family, keeping connected to the people around you.3. Not getting enough sleep may result in problems with memory and thinking.
Getting a good night’s sleep- going to bed and waking up around the same time every day. Unplug before bed (watching TV, playing games, or scrolling on your phone can stop your mind winding down)4. Eating a balanced diet can lower the risk of cognitive decline.
Aim to eat at least 5 portions of a variety of fruit and veg each day. Avoiding too much saturated fat, salt and sugar. Drinking responsibly (cut down the number of units you drink each week).5. Physical activity is key to keeping your brain working properly.
Work it! (Engage in regular cardiovascular exercise that elevates heart rate and increases blood flow).6. Brain injury has been linked with an increased risk of cognitive decline and dementia.
Wear a seatbelt and use a helmet when playing contact sports or riding a bike.7. Taking time for your mental wellbeing can help prevent and manage stress, anxiety and depression, which have been linked with an increased risk of developing dementia.
Save some time to let your brain have fun- it’s all about doing things you enjoy. Disconnect for a while – rest mode is important to recover some energy.8. Damage to the heart and blood vessels can increase a person’s risk of stroke and dementia.
Looking after your heart (Risk factors for cardiovascular disease and stroke – obesity, high blood pressure and diabetes – negatively impact your cognitive health).…all play a role in helping to protect your brain health.
Consistency is key, let us all pledge to take better care of our brains.
Article reviewed by Jing Hui Ng, pharmacist at R Pharmacy
