Healthy Brain Tips
Protecting Brain Cells
- Eat a heart healthy diet
- Fresh vegetables
- Fresh fruits
- One or more servings of fish each week
- Less processed sugar
- Less saturated fats
- Limit alcohol intake to small daily amounts.
- Manage cholesterol through diet, exercise and medications
- Keep high blood pressure well controlled
- Quit smoking and avoid second hand smoke
- Exercise regularly
- Value Sleep
- Make certain that you obtain enough sleep each night to feel refreshed upon awakening.
- Treat sleep apnea if present
Increasing Cognitive Reserve
By learning something today that makes you smarter than you were yesterday, you build the brains cognitive reserve.
- If you have an interest in history, start reading more history.
- If you have a hobby, take it to the next level of difficulty or become an expert in it by studying its origin and variations.
- If you are mechanical, take apart and reassemble a bicycle, watch, computer, etc.
- If you enjoy cooking, find a new recipe with unfamiliar challenges.
- If you enjoy language, now is the time to buy a computer-based language program or enroll at your local college.
- Work on a jigsaw puzzle, Sudoku, or crossword puzzle daily.
Maximizing Your Abilities
- Stress Reduction
- Treat Depression
- Consider bright light therapy
- Laugh therapy
- Counseling
- Prescription Medications
- Treat Anxiety
- Meditation/Biofeedback
- Counseling
- Yoga/Exercise
- Prescription Medications
- Avoid unnecessary medications
- Treat pain syndromes adequately
- Simplify your life
- De-clutter your home
- Streamline your daily schedule
- Take a break when tired
- Engage in meaningful activities