Taking care of our brain
Our brain needs care, just as the rest of our body does. Actions needed for taking care of our brain are much the same as those we use to nurture the rest of our body.
Taking care of our brain
- Healthy nutrition–lots of fresh fruits and veggies prepared in a healthy way; lean proteins; whole grains; low fat dairy.
- Healthy fats–some fats are good for us because of Omega 3. These include walnuts, some varieties of fish, and avocadoes.
- Regular physical activity–30 to 60 minutes of activity four to six days a week.
- Recreational and fun activities to relieve negative stress.
- Good sleep–seven or more hours per night.
- Be a life-long learner. Those who continue to challenge their brain with new experiences, skills, patterns, and memorization, help keep their brains sharp, build new brain cells, and slow the process of aging.
We can choose healthy habits to benefit our brain–we can also change some negative habits which are harmful to our brain.
Things to avoid when taking steps toward good brain health:
- Processed foods, fried foods, and sugar are not good for our brains.
- Sedentary lifestyle–we need physical activity to keep a healthy blood flow to our brain.
- Too much screen time. While technology is of great benefit for us, too much screen time on computers, tablets, gaming devices, phone, and television is harmful to our brains.
- Isolation–We need relationships and social time.
A reminder of the amazing benefits of walking
The May, 2023 edition of the AARP Bulletin lists benefits of walking to keep our brain healthy. Walking may:
- Help build new brain cells.
- Boost creativity
- Enhance our moods.
- Reduce the rate of cognitive decline.
- Reduce brain-damaging stress.
Being physically active helps body and brain–as do healthy nutrition habits. If walking isn’t your exercise of choice, other possibilities to give your heart and brain a physical workout include swimming, water aerobics, bicycle, physical labor, or any physical activity that’s safe for your current health condition.*
*Consult with your medical provider to determine if a program of physical activity is safe for you.
Thanks, Katherine. My brain needs all the help it can get! 😂
My brain needs help, too, Diana. Thank you.
This topic isn’t addressed nearly as much as it should be Ms. Katherine. Great, fact-filed post ma’am. We need to keep our brains in shape, like the rest of our body, too.
I so agree J.D. We don’t think enough about our brain health. Great ideas and encouragement for all of us. You don’t have to be older to think about your brain health.
Thank you for joining our discussion, Jo. I agree with you and J.D. We’re not as concerned about our brain health as we should be. It’s never to later to start a new healthy habit or eliminate a bad habit that’s harmful to our health. I hope we’ll all take steps toward better brain health.
I think we tend to take our brain health for granted, J.D. Thank you for your kind encouragement, kind sir.
Good food, good books, good walks, and good talks: all good for the heart, the brain, and the soul. Thanks, Katherine. God bless!
I love how you express your thoughts, Nancy. And on top of all the good you mention, God is good–all the time!
These are wonderful reminders and ways to take care of our brains. Thank you, Katherine.
Thank you for your encouragement, Kathy. Wishing you joy and good health.
I had no idea walking help build brain cells. Our bodies are truly amazing. Brain health is something I’ve only considered since entering my fifties. I should have been as concerned with that as I have been with my outward appearance. Thanks for providing practical information we can put into practice.
I think as we get older, we become more aware of the gift God has given us in this amazing human body. But with that, comes the awareness that our earthly life is not eternal and how we care for our bodies makes a difference to our good health and happiness. Physical activity of any kind is good for our body and brain. Walking is one of the easiest ways to add physical activity, but your gardening is good for you, too. Blessings!