As you get older, the brain begins to show signs of cognitive decline, and this starts early. The brain starts to decline once a person enters their 20s, but our brains can continue to develop and change even as we age. This is good news because it means that we can actually improve brain health, even as it starts to decline. The earlier we start this, the better chance we have of preventing cognitive decline, so read below for some tips on how to boost your own brain health.
- Play. Once we’re adults, we focus more on work and other responsibilities instead of activities that bring us enjoyment. The way our brains develop as children though is to develop functional and cognitive skills through games, sports, and other “play” activities. Take a page out of a child’s book and just “play” for at least 10 minutes a day.
- Challenge your brain. New and challenging activities are great brain exercises, so try to incorporate these kinds of activities into your daily life. You could try a new sport or hobby, learn a new language, or take music lessons. You can also try eating or brushing your teeth with your non-dominant hand and doing a daily memory activity to challenge your brain too.
- Gratitude. Daily gratitude can lower stress levels, improve your mental health, and improve your overall mood. Take five minutes a day to write down, or at least think about, what you are grateful for.
- Reduce other health risks. Reducing your risk of heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and high cholesterol are all great for your brain too. Quitting smoking, eating healthy, and doing some sort of physical activity are good for your physical health, but they are also good for your brain and mental health as well. It’s also a good idea to get your annual check-up, follow your doctor’s recommendations, and take any medications as directed.