As you get older, your body and brain go through natural changes. Certain things can do to assist slow any memory loss and reduce your risk of getting Alzheimer’s or another dementia, though. I give my patients the following advice, listed in order of priority:
1. Regular exercise
My first piece of advice to my patients is to maintain working out. It indicates that regular physical activity benefits the brain. Exercise has several established advantages. Numerous studies have shown that physically active persons have a lower risk of getting Alzheimer’s disease and are less likely to encounter a decline in overall brain ability.
2. Get a lot of rest
Your ability to think depends on how well you sleep. Some theories contend that sleep enhances memory consolidation and improves overall memory and brain health by removing aberrant proteins from the brain. It’s crucial to make an effort to get seven to eight hours of uninterrupted sleep every night, as opposed to sleeping in two- or three-hour bursts. Your brain needs time to consolidate and successfully store memories provided by continuous sleep successfully.
3. Adopt a Mediterranean eating plan
Your diet significantly affects the health of your brain. I advise my patients to think about consuming a diet similar to the Mediterranean one, which emphasizes plant-based foods, whole grains, fish, and healthy fats like olive oil.
Compared to the usual American diet, it contains far less salt and red meat. According to studies, religiously, those who adhere to the Mediterranean diet are less likely to get Alzheimer’s disease than those who don’t.
4. Continue to think
Your brain is like a muscle; you must exercise it to keep it strong. You can perform various mental exercises to keep your brain in tip-top shape, including Sudoku and crossword puzzles. Consider it cross-training your brain. Mix up your tasks to boost efficiency.
5. Continue to be socially active
Social connection prevents despair and stress, two conditions that might worsen memory loss. If you live alone, look for ways to connect with family, friends, and others. Being socially active could reverse the impact and improve your brain’s health, as studies have linked solitary confinement to brain atrophy.