The secret to keeping you brain sharp is to maintain a healthy life. Good memory health is not out of your control, and simple changes in safety practices and lifestyle will do wonders to keep you alert and in good mental and physical shape throughout your life.
“Genes and chance certainly play a role in memory loss, brain tumors, strokes and other brain disorders,’ says Dr. Keith L. Black, chairman of the department of neurosurgery at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, and director of the Maxine Dunitz Neurosurgical Institute. According to a news release in Healthy News Daily (May 2011), “Brain health is not totally out of your control. There are ways to reduce your risks of both diseases and injury to the brain,” says Dr. Black.
Following these simple guidelines can do wonders to improve your memory and keep your brain active and alert:
- Follow your heart. In this instance that means what is good for your heart is good for your brain. Plaque builds up in your arteries to cause heart disease and strokes. When you heart is weakened it causes less oxygen to get to your brain. High blood pressure and cholesterol can lead to strokes. Watch your cholesterol and keep stress to a minimum in order to keep your blood pressure under control.
- Exercise your body; it keeps the blood and oxygen flowing to the brain.
- Exercise your mind with brain games, puzzles and activities that you enjoy — reading, learning languages, and playing video games that stimulate different areas of the brain. According to a number of studies, keeping your brain active can increase the number of neuro-transmitters going to your brain, and help to ward off memory decline.
- Make sure to get enough sleep
- Eat a balanced diet high in protein and Omega-3 fatty acids, fruits (especially red and blue fruits), green vegetables and whole grain.
- Adults and children should always wear a helmet when riding a bike or motorcycle and playing sports.
- Take head injuries very seriously, and get to know the symptoms of a concussion.
- Use the speaker function of your cell phone, or use ear buds/headphones so you don’t hold the phone close to your head for extended periods of time.
- Drink alcohol in moderation
- Stop smoking
- Eliminate or reduce stress as much as possible through meditation, exercise and relaxation techniques
- Don’t be lulled into believing you’re too young to have a stroke. Twenty-five percent of all strokes occur in people younger than 65, and heart attacks and strokes can occur at any age. Getting rapid treatment can limit permanent impairment, so learn the symptoms of a stroke or heart attack and get immediate help if you suspect you’re having one.
- Learn memory techniques to help improve your memory
- Become organized, it will save you time and stress
Memory improvement is not difficult, and as you see above simple changes can make big difference in helping you to improve your grades, improve you lifestyle, and improve your mental and physical health.
This article was shared by memory training expert Ron White
Sources:
Ivillage.com — Health Day News (May 7, 2011): http://www.ivillage.com/whats-good-your-heart-good-your-brain/4-a-347660
