The older we get, the more changes occur both physically and mentally. Bone strength reduces, skin becomes less elastic, and memories can fade. Some people even develop conditions such as Alzheimer’s disease and other dementias. To prevent this from happening as far as possible (although, we must say, nothing can guarantee complete brain health in your old age), it’s a good idea to exercise the brain as much as possible. Although the reasons why some people develop these debilitating diseases and some don’t are yet to be discovered, having a healthy, fit brain is an excellent way to live. Here are some ways to do it. 

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Exercise Regularly 

How does being active and exercising regularly have any bearing on your brain’s health? At first glance, this idea doesn’t seem to make any sense. However, scientific studies have shown that the brain and the body are linked when it comes to exercise and being healthy, so the more you can keep fit, the better it will be for your brain.  

Exercising every day is something we should all do anyway, so if you need an extra incentive as to why you should get out running, cycling, swimming, walking, following a workout video, visiting the gym, or anything else, knowing that it’s helping your brain too might be it. You only need to exercise for 30 minutes a day to make a difference. 

Stay Mentally Active 

On top of staying physically active, it’s crucial to stay mentally active too and exercise your brain regularly. Just like any other muscle in your body, the more you use your brain, the stronger it will become, and when you use it less, it can grow weaker (and potentially susceptible to dementia later in life). Although it’s great to relax with a boxset on TV or some mindless gaming, you should always leave room for brain training too. 

Jigsaw puzzles, writing, fill ins from PennyDell, playing board games, reading books, starting new hobbies, learning new things, and so much more can all help when it comes to strengthening your brain and keeping you healthy in general.  

Eat Well

Some foods are proven to be good for the brain, keeping it healthy. Antioxidants are beneficial when it comes to having a healthy brain as they neutralize the free radicals that are known to cause cancer, and they boost your brainpower. It’s easy to include these ‘power foods’ in your diet, and it might be that you already do without even knowing you were helping your brain thrive. Some of the best foods for a healthy brain include: 

• Nuts

• Whole grains 

• Fruits and vegetables

• Beans 

• Some spices 

By eating well you can also lose weight, reduce your cholesterol, lower your blood pressure, and be more active, all of which can boost your brain. 

 De-Stress 

Stress is something we all have to deal with from time to time, but for some people, it is a constant state of being, and this is dangerous to your physical health, your mental health, and your brain in particular. When you are stressed, your brain ages much faster than it normally would, and this can mean that dementia starts early, or is more likely to be a problem later in life. 

To help your brain and give you a better prognosis, you should de-stress as often as you can. Some of the puzzles, games, and pastimes that can be used to train your brain and make it stronger are also ideal for de-stressing as you won’t be thinking about your problems and will be focused on what you are doing. If this doesn’t work, meditation, yoga, listening to music, having a long, bubbly bath, and going to bed early, can all help.