Strategies for Keeping the Mind Sharp While Growing Old
Keeping the mind sharp while growing old is important for maintaining cognitive health.
Here are strategies recommended by experts to help ward off cognitive decline:
Physical activities: 150 minutes of physical activities a week, with moderate intensity is the goal. Walking, dancing, and gardening may help.
Healthy diet: Eat a heart-healthy diet, such as the Mediterranean diet, with an emphasis on whole foods, fruits and vegetables, and heart-healthy fats.
Keep Your Health Conditions Under Control: Keep hypertension, diabetes, and high cholesterol under control. These are regarded as risk factors for cognitive decline.
Good Sleep: If you can manage to have 7-8 hours of good sleep. Poor sleep quality over time leads to cognitive impairment.
Be Socially Active: Engage in social activities that maintain your social connections. This interaction keeps the brain active and lowers the risk of cognitive decline.
Challenge Your Brain: Brain challenges can include crossword puzzles, reading, learning a skill, or playing an instrument.
Avoid Tobacco and Limit Alcohol: Avoid smoking and limit alcohol consumption, as these can negatively impact brain function
Stress Management: Learn to alleviate stress through mindfulness, meditation, or yoga techniques. Chronic stress is a cognitive health dampener.
Stay Mentally Active: Challenging activities should be continued to stimulate the brain. Learning even at an old age may promote healthy cognitive functions
Regular Medical Check-ups: Ensure regular check-ups with health service providers to keep an eye on and manage any health issues requiring attention as they may lead to cognitive decline.
The scientific evidence to support these strategies for maintaining cognitive health is irrefutable.
Critch & TC
Photo by Danie Franco on Unsplash
Sources
Universal Chronicle 
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