Growing old is inevitable. What people can control, however, is the pace at which their major organs age. Lifestyle and busy daily routines can do more harm than good in the long run, causing dementia and other problems. Author of The Age-Proof Brain: New Strategies to Improve Memory, Protect Immunity, and Fight Off Dementia, Marc Milstein, Ph.D., has four pieces of advice to follow and keep the brain young:
Age-Proof the Brain
New research has already thrown light on how incredibly effective things like limiting the number of processed foods can be in enjoying a healthy and well-functioning brain, even in its twilight years. Stemming from findings based on recent research and expertise, Milstein has four simple pieces of advice on how to achieve ageless brains.
Sleep
The first thing to prioritize is sleep. That’s the time when toxins and waste are removed from the brain. While it’s crucial to stay mindful of your sleeping routine throughout your life, it’s especially important to prioritize it in your 30s and 40s. That’s because, at that age, the quality of sleep can diminish based on the many responsibilities we have to manage.
Challenge
After all, the brain is an organ that needs constant training to stay in good shape. That means learning new things throughout one’s lifetime is crucial to keeping the organ well-functioning. People tend to feel stuck when they hit 40, as we tend to get increasingly focused on our careers and not so much on learning new stuff. However, learning new things and going out of our comfort zones can prove crucial in keeping our brains in tip-top shape.
Heart Care
Milstein says we should be mindful of our heart’s condition, especially in our 40s. High blood pressure and other related problems are signs that something’s wrong. And, since the heart supplies the brain with oxygen, it’s crucial to keep it in good shape to maintain functioning brains.
Stress
Cortisol is a stress hormone that’s actually beneficial for the brain. Embracing some amounts of stress is crucial, experts say. However, too much cortisol can damage certain areas of the brain associated with memory. Believe it or not, it can shrink vital parts of the organ, leading to health problems. So, try to keep your stress levels manageable.