Can we talk about brain health today? If you’re reading this, there’s a high chance you’re a female between the ages of 25 and 44 and so that means, the time to start taking care of your brain is NOW!
Brain health is not something we’re likely spending a lot of time thinking about in this stage of life, but according to the experts, prevention of brain disease is way more effective than any current treatments and starting sooner is better.
I want to be around for a long time and I want my mind to be sharp enough to dole out healthy doses of sarcasm to my great grandchildren when they’re teenagers… so, I’m taking brain health seriously starting now. I saw what dementia did to my grandmother (like many of us have) and it broke my heart. I don’t want that to be me.
Here are 5 things I am doing to help my brain:
1. I’m exercising: studies have shown that people who exercise have a lower risk of cognitive decline than people who don’t.
2. I’m taking care of my gut! There’s ever increasing evidence re the gut/brain connection. I help my gut by eating fermented foods and limiting refined sugars and processed foods.
3. I’m training my brain to function at optimal levels. I’ve done two sessions of neurofeedback @brainwavecenters and I can already feel the difference— it’s wild! I have so much to tell you guys about this so stay tuned!
4. I do hard things. Challenging yourself with brain stimulating activities may have short and long-term benefits for your brain. Find a puzzle, build a thing, take a class, or, in my case, learn to edit videos without throwing your phone against a wall.
5. I try to get enough sleep. Sleep may act as a housekeeping tool for the brain and helps to remove toxins. As a mom to three young kids, uninterrupted sleep is hard to come by but I try to get in bed early to maximize the total hours.
So, what’s next for me? I want to step up my brain game by spending more time in prayer and in meditative states, and in silence.
How are you taking care of your brain today?