You work on keeping your heart, skin, and eyes healthy, don’t forget your brain! Read on to learn some easy ways to keep your mind healthy!
The number of people living with dementia and Alzheimer’s is on the rise. In 2017, there were an estimated 50 million people around the globe with these diseases.
In projections, that number doubles every 20 years. This means that by 2050 there will be 131.5 million people bravely battling against this type of declining mental health.
Keeping your mind healthy is a key way to prevent dementia and Alzheimer’s in your elder years. But how do you do it? It’s not like you can pump out a few pushups and watch your mind get healthier.
Don’t worry, it’s not rocket science. Start following these simple tips to help keep your mind healthy.
- Mindful Meditation
Meditation isn’t quite what many people envision it to be. You don’t have to sit in the lotus position on top of an epic waterfall to adequately meditate. You don’t even have to sit still if you don’t want to.
You can easily meditate while doing mindless tasks like washing the dishes or vacuuming. You can even meditate on your daily commute (don’t close your eyes if you’re driving)! Simply focus on your breathing and pay attention to your thoughts.
There are various methods of mindful meditation you can try. Experiment with a few to find what works best for you.
- Exercise
Exercise is not only good for the body, but also for the mind. Mental health is inextricably linked to physical health.
Not only that, exercise releases endorphins, often called “happy chemicals.” These mood boosters combat stress and help to pull you out of a funk when you’re feeling down.
Try combining a bit of exercise with mindful meditation for a double whammy. Yoga is perfect for this, so consider joining a local class. It’s also a great place to find friends. Social connections are another important tool for keeping your mind healthy.
Don’t worry if you’re not into yoga. Something as simple as going for a walk and mindfully meditating will help you reap big benefits. To do it well, soak in your surroundings and focus on your breathing.
Pay close attention to your body and how it feels. You may notice something feels different than it used to. This type of exercise can help you catch physical problems early on, which is critical in the successful treatment of many diseases.
- Keep Your Mind Healthy While You Sleep
Your brain recharges when you sleep. If you don’t get enough sleep, you won’t be able to function as well.
Remember how you felt the day after pulling an all-nighter? Whether it was to party or to study, it doesn’t matter. A night with no sleep leaves you in a fog the next day. Contrary to what many people think, cutting short your sleep hours is one of the most unproductive uses of your time.
Craft a soothing bedtime routine that will put you in a calm state of mind for sleep. You’ll sleep deeper and wake up feeling more refreshed.
Getting enough regular, restful sleep is one of the number one ways you can keep your mind healthy.
- Food for Thought
Eating the right food is important for your brain health. Processed foods and sugar provide little nutrition and can have a detrimental effect your body and your brain. Avoid both as much as possible.
Researchers are discovering that there seems to be a link between chronic inflammation and Alzheimer’s. Chronic inflammation is often linked to an overactive immune system. Nonetheless, you may be able to lower your risk of Alzheimer’s by controlling the amount of inflammation in your body through diet.
Some foods to avoid:
- Sugar and high-fructose corn syrup
- Processed foods
- Vegetable oils with high levels of omega-6
- Excessive alcohol
- Processed meats
To give your body an anti-inflammatory boost, add these foods to your diet:
- Fatty fish with omega-3
- Berries
- Avocados
- Broccoli
- Green tea
- Grapes
- Turmeric
- Dark chocolate (yay!)
Keeping an even blood sugar also helps to keep your mind healthy. Avoid foods that will cause unnecessary spikes, even if you don’t have diabetes.
If you do have diabetes, paying close attention to your diet and blood sugar levels is even more important. Taking your medication helps, but naturally controlling your blood sugar through diet is even better.
Phone a Friend
Everything on this list has the best impact the earlier you start. But what if you’re already old enough to be having “senior moments?”
Start implementing these tips today. It’s not too late. You’ll still benefit from making healthy changes.
If you’ve read this list and you still feel like you don’t know where to start, phone up an expert! Cognitive coaches can help you implement activities and exercises that can help to improve your mental health.
When finding a coach, keep a few key factors in mind. Fit mind coaches tend to focus on seniors. They work to help you keep the ravages of dementia and Alzheimer’s at bay so you can live out the rest of your days peacefully. But anyone can benefit from a little fit mind coaching.
Of course, you’ll receive the most benefit depending on the amount effort you’re willing to put in. Don’t expect the coach to work miracles!
Live Your Best Life
Keeping your mind healthy is essential to living your best life. Both physical and mental health are paramount to living a full, happy, and productive life.
Don’t shortchange yourself by letting your health slide in favor of work or other responsibilities. You’ll end up paying those debts in your golden years.
For more health and natural medicine tips, feel free to read more on our blog. We’re committed to helping you live your best life and we’ve developed tons of content to help you do it!
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