10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain
- Ohio Center for Hope
- Mar 25
- 3 min read
Positive, everyday actions can make a difference in brain health, even lowering the risk of cognitive decline and possibly Alzheimer's and dementia. Incorporate some or all of these habits into your life to help maintain a healthy brain. Take charge of your brain health today — it's never too early or too late to start.
1. Challenge Your Mind
Be curious! Put your brain to work and do something that is new for you. Learn a new skill. Try something artistic. Challenging your mind may have short- and long-term benefits for your brain.
2. Get Moving
Engage in regular exercise. This includes activities that raise your heart rate and increase blood flow to the brain and body. Find ways to build more movement into your day — walking, dancing, gardening —
whatever works for you!
3. Keep Learning
Education reduces the risk of cognitive decline and dementia. Continue your own education by taking a class at a local library or college, or online. Many classes are free and a number of local colleges allow seniors to audit classes at no charge. The important thing is to keep your mind active, whether it’s crossword puzzles, circle the words or phrase, sudoku puzzles, or learning a new language.
4. Protect Your Head
Help prevent an injury to your head. Wear a helmet for activities like biking and wear a seatbelt. Protect yourself while playing sports. Clear the clutter at home, rearrange furniture, do what you can to prevent falls, especially for older adults.
5. Be Smoke-Free
Quitting smoking can lower the risk of cognitive decline back to levels similar to those who have not smoked. It's never too late to stop.
6. Control Your Blood Pressure
Medications can help lower high blood pressure. And healthy habits like eating right and physical activity can help, too. Work with a health care provider to control your blood pressure.
7. Manage Diabetes
Type 2 diabetes can be prevented or controlled by eating healthier, increasing physical activity and taking medication, if necessary.
8. Eat Right
Eating healthier foods can help reduce your risk of cognitive decline. This includes more vegetables and leaner meats/proteins, along with foods that are less processed and lower in fat. Choose healthier meals and snacks that you enjoy and are available to you.
9. Maintain a Healthy Weight
Talk to your health care provider about the weight that is healthy for you. Other healthy habits on this list — eating right, exercising and sleeping well — can help with maintaining a healthy weight.
10. Sleep Well
Good quality sleep is important for brain health. Stay off screens before bed and make your sleep space as comfortable as possible. Do all you can to minimize disruptions. If you have any sleep-related problems, such as sleep apnea, talk to a health care provider.
Terms For Understanding Brain Health
"Cognitive decline" refers to changes in the ability to think that happens as people age. Some changes are a normal part of getting older, but you can take steps to slow that decline. More significant decline or severe changes are not normal and may be a sign of Alzheimer's disease or other dementia."Dementia" is a general term used to describe problems with thinking and memory that are severe enough to interfere with a person's daily life. Alzheimer's is the most common cause of dementia but there are several kinds of dementia. Dementia is not a normal part of aging. Free memory screenings are available for those age 50+ at our Memory Clinic. Call 330-493-1118 for your appointment.
The first survivor of Alzheimer's is out there, but we won't get there without you. Please help us continue to keep our services free by paying it forward. Scan the QR code to make a donation today.
The Ohio Center for Hope is a non-profit agency that provides mental health screenings,
operates a memory clinic with memory screenings, and arranges for community-based
referrals when needed. We strive to end the stigma around mental health, raise awareness
that early detection CAN slow the progression of memory loss, and empower our patients to
live healthy lives. OUR SERVICES ARE COMPLETELY FREE AND INSURANCE IS NEVER
NEEDED. . Local transportation may be available.
Ohio Center for Hope
Toll Free: 833-767-HOPE
8312 Cleveland Ave NW
North Canton, OH 44720
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