Only the physical body ages, not the Brain - Things that can help in having a Healthier and active Mind

 

Aging is an inevitable phenomenon of life. Certainly, this process impacts the physical body and reduces the overall strength. Yet, growing older does not imply that your mental abilities will necessarily diminish making you completely dependent. But there may be age-related changes that can affect the brain. Nearly, fifteen percent of the global aged population suffers from some form of mental disorder. Besides, just as our muscles get flabby and lose flexibility due to inactivity, the brain gets duller when it is not stimulated.

 Fortunately, there are a lot of approaches that can assist elders in keeping the mind sharp and alert despite getting older by the day. Regular physical activity, a nutritious diet and exercises for healthy mind can play a crucial role in regenerating the new connections between neurons to make the brain active. But most seniors may require some form of external assistance from family members or professional caregivers to maintain such routines. Athulya Home Healthcare, a pioneer in senior-centric home healthcare services in Chennai, is well-known for its holistic services in safeguarding the elders.

 Thanks to decades of experience in geriatric care and dedicated trained staff who cater to elderly needs with utmost care and commitment, Athulya Home Healthcare has created a wide clientele base and a multitude of success stories. Its comprehensive services under a single roof ensure that all physical and mental aspects of senior health are taken care of precariously. Let us now look at ways to have a healthier mind.

 Tips for Sharp Brain

 

    Physical fitness- Keeping the body active is compulsory if the mind has to be sound. Unhealthy habits like overeating, obesity and a sedentary lifestyle can cause dangerous consequences like stroke leading to permanent impairments of the mind and body. The following suggestions can avoid hazards-

Ensure that you do atleast half an hour of moderate exercise every day. This furnishes      the required oxygen supply to the brain.

Break your physical activities into three slots of ten minutes each if needed. This gives   significant health benefits without draining you out physically.

Practice yoga and mindfulness. Yoga for seniors can offer tremendous benefits not only on physical health but also improve memory, reasoning and analytical capabilities and response times.

Maintain a healthy weight to prevent complications of obesity like heart disease and diabetes.

 

   Nutritious diet- Supplying the brain with nutritious food helps it to function optimally. Foods for healthy mind should contain a sufficient amount of Vitamin B and not be very low in carbohydrate content as it depletes the supply of glucose to the brain. Therefore, a balanced diet with whole-grain foods and plenty of fresh vegetables and fruits is recommended. Avoid fatty foods with high cholesterol content as it narrows the arteries and blocks blood circulation to the brain.

 

    Mental Health- Research reports from Stanford University show that memory loss can be decreased anywhere from thirty to fifty percent by doing regular mental activities. So, exercise the brain regularly by doing challenging mental activities.

    Stress Control - Stress has an immense negative impact on the brain as it produces excess cortisol hormones that damage the neurons. Control stress by practicing meditation and relaxation techniques. If you are experiencing depression, do not think twice to seek professional counselling and guidance. Do not ignore your symptoms.

 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Brain Health

 

1.    What are the causes for age-related changes to the brain?

·        Fat deposits inside the neurons (brain cells) lead to decreased functioning

·        Loss of neurons as they are not replaced after the death of older neurons thereby shrinking the brain

·        Slow message transmission between the neurons due to old age

 

2.     Name some health conditions and events that can impair brain functioning.

Depression, Dehydration, Diabetes mellitus, Dementia/Alzheimer’s Disease, Medication side-effects, Stroke, Parkinson’s disease, Malnutrition, Cardiovascular disease, Atherosclerosis

 

3.     Are there any simple approaches to improve my recalling skills?

·        Pay enough attention while doing important activities and do not get distracted.

·        Use simple memory triggers like association or visualization techniques.

·        Practice using your memory by memorizing and remembering smaller lists of essential items or activities.

 

4.     Can you suggest six ways for memory power enhancement?

·        Engaging in social connections and stimulating conversations

·        Reading books and newspapers

·        Playing board games and puzzles

·        Pursuing hobbies

·        Learning a new language or technology 

·        Doing crossword and Sudoku

 

5.     Give examples of foods for good memory

Mega-3 Fatty Acids, Coffee, Blueberries, Turmeric, Broccoli, Dark Chocolates, Pumpkin Seeds, Nuts, Oranges, Eggs

 

6.     How can the conditions that affect brain condition be managed effectively?

·        Make healthy lifestyle and diet changes

·        Monitor and control chronic ailments

·        Seek medical intervention

 

Yes, a few simple steps can effectively slow down the progression of the mental aging of your beloved elders! Please connect with Athulya Home Healthcare to know more……..