Six Tips to Maintain a Brain-Healthy Lifestyle

Orchard Senior Care

Alzheimer’s is a type of dementia that causes problems with memory, thinking and behavior. Currently, there is no cure for Alzheimer’s, but these suggestions may help with both cognitive and behavioral symptoms. Here are our six tips on how to maintain a brain-healthy lifestyle:

1. Regular exercise.
Regular exercise can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease by up to 50%. To maximize your brain-protection benefits aim for at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise every week. Be sure to include balance and coordination exercises into your workout routine.

2. Healthy diet.
Eating habits that reduce inflammation and promote normal energy production are brain-healthy habits. To eat brain-healthy try consuming foods like ginger, green tea, fatty fish, soy products, blueberries, and other dark berries may protect these important cells from damage. Be sure to avoid trans fats and saturated fats but be sure to get plenty of omega-3 fats that are found in cold water fish.

3. Mental stimulation.
It’s important to stay mentally in shape by proceeding to challenge yourself. Continue to learn something new every day, practice memorization, and engage in cognitive puzzles. Keep your mind sharp by practicing the 5 W’s. Ask yourself “Who, What Where, When, and Why” throughout your daily experiences.

4. Quality sleep.
Commonly people with Alzheimer’s disease suffer from insomnia and other sleep problems. Deep sleep is necessary for memory formation and uninterrupted sleep for flushing out brain toxins. If you have a problem with snoring, get tested for sleep apnea. Treatment can make a big difference in your health and quality of sleep.

5. Stress management.
Stress alters your breathing rate, quiet your stress with deep, abdominal breathing. Chronic to severe stress takes a huge toll on the brain, which can lead to shrinkage of a key memory area, the hippocampus. Managing stress can be a huge help for your brain. It’s simple, powerful, and free.

6. An active social life.
Staying socially active will better your memory and cognition. Human beings are naturally social; we don’t thrive in isolation, and neither do our brains. When socializing, you don’t need to be a social butterfly, think quality, not quantity. Become socially engaged by volunteering, joining a club, or visit a local community center or senior center.

Be sure to watch out and avoid major health hazards. Smoking is one of the most preventable risk factors for Alzheimer’s disease. It’s important also to drink in moderation and watch your weight.

Follow our tips, keep doing the things you enjoy, and maintain an active lifestyle. A diagnosis of Alzheimer’s doesn’t mean you stop taking part in life. Contact us HERE or call (770) 938-5600 to learn more about how Orchard at Tucker can help you with Alzheimer’s prevention and management.