Eating junk food: Parts of the brain linked to learning, memory,
and mental health are smaller in people who have lots of hamburgers, fries,
potato chips, and soft drinks in their diet. Berries, whole grains, nuts, and
green leafy vegetables, on the other hand, preserve brain function and slow
mental decline. So next time you start to reach for a bag of chips, grab a
handful of nuts instead.
Less
Sleep: You do a few things you know you shouldn’t -- we all do. But some of
those bad habits can take a toll on your brain. For example, lack of sleep may
be a cause of dementia, including Alzheimer’s disease. It's best to have
regular sleeping hours. If you have trouble with sleep, avoid alcohol,
caffeine, and electronics in the evening, and start a soothing bedtime ritual.
Loud music through the headphones: With your earbuds at full
volume, you can permanently damage your hearing in only 30 minutes. But it’s
not just your ears: Hearing loss in older adults is linked to brain problems,
such as Alzheimer’s and loss of brain tissue. This may be because your brain
has to work so hard to understand what’s being said around you that it can’t
store what you’ve heard into memory. So turn it down -- no louder than 60% of
your device’s maximum volume -- and try not to listen for more than a couple of
hours at a time..
No exercise: The longer you go without regular exercise, the more
likely you are to have dementia. You’re also more likely to get diabetes, heart
disease, and high blood pressure -- all of which may be linked to Alzheimer’s.
You don’t have to start running marathons -- a half-hour in the garden or a
brisk walk around the neighborhood will work. The important thing is to do it
at least 3 days a week.
Overeating: If you eat too much food -- even the right kind of
food -- your brain may not be able to build the strong network of connections
that help you think and remember. Overeat for too long and you may get
dangerously overweight, which can cause heart disease, diabetes, and high blood
pressure -- all linked to brain problems and Alzheimer’s.
Smoking: It can shrink your brain -- and that’s not a good thing.
It makes your memory worse and makes you twice as likely to get dementia,
including Alzheimer’s. It also causes heart disease, diabetes, stroke, and high
blood pressure.
Too much time
alone: Humans are wired for social contact. It’s not about
how many Facebook friends you have -- what matters is a real sense of
connection. People who have that with even just a few close friends are happier
and more productive. They’re also less likely to suffer from brain decline and
Alzheimer’s. If you feel alone, call some friends or start something new --
salsa dancing, tennis, bridge -- that involves other people.
Not enough sunlight: If you don’t get enough natural light, you
may get depressed, and that can slow your brain. Research also shows that
sunlight helps keep your brain working well.
As always, stay safe !
Bird
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