Since it’s Brain Health Awareness Month, we want to explain why it’s important to keep your brain healthy and effective ways to do it.

Keeping your brain healthy helps you maintain good thinking, reading, and comprehension skills and may also reduce your risk of Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia.

Doing these eight things will help keep your brain in prime condition. 

Exercise regularly. Performing as little as 30 minutes of physical activity, three days a week does wonders for your mind. 

Eat a healthy, balanced diet. Foods especially healthy for the brain are fruits, vegetables, fish, nuts and plant-sourced proteins.

Maintain healthy blood sugar, blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. To help keep them in check, eat healthy, exercise often, maintain a healthy weight and take certain medications if your doctor recommends them.

Avoid tobacco and limit alcohol consumption. Teenagers should avoid alcohol entirely because their brains are still developing and therefore much more sensitive to it.

Protect your head. Concussions can negatively impact memory, speech and judgement. Wear a helmet whenever you’re riding a bike, rock climbing, or doing other risky activities.

Get adequate sleep. Aim to get at least eight hours of shut eye every night.

Regularly perform activities that stimulate your brain. They include completing crosswords, playing a musical instrument, learning a new language, socializing and reading.

If you or someone you know has recently been diagnosed with dementia, we have supports available for you. Learn more about them by reading the following article: https://nisgaahealth.bc.ca/3399-2/