One way to keep our noggins sharp is to challenge them by learning something new. Therefore, today’s brain exercise is brought to us by the Instagram account ‘Amazing Facts’ full of fresh and captivating information about practically anything and everything. Scroll down to start your mental workout, and make sure to share it with people close to you.
While you're at it, don't forget to check out a conversation with brain trainer Holly Stokes and certified brain health coach and author Patty Tashiro, who kindly agreed to give us a few extra tips on how to keep our brains happy.
However, mentally challenging the brain isn’t enough to keep it in tip-top shape. It’s important to exercise your body too, as our anatomy is interconnected. “The most important exercise you can do for your brain is physical exercise for your body. Your brain is 2% of your body weight but uses 20% of your oxygen! Your brain needs blood flow to get the oxygen it craves! So get moving! Get out and walk in nature. Go dancing. Find a way to move that you enjoy," urges Tashiro.
Nutrition is also crucial for our brain health. "Habits that support brain health are eating a low-glycemic and anti-inflammatory diet. Research is finding links between alzheimer's and inflammatory states of the body, which can be aggravated with inflammatory-causing foods," says Stokes.
"We need to eat real food," mentions Tashiro. "We can't do that if we don't make time for it. Your body hasn't evolved to understand what highly processed food is and how to deal with it. Our brain is much happier when we give it good fuel."
Giving your brain the rest it deserves additionally contributes to it being happy. "Sleep is essential to brain health and living a happy, healthy life for as long as possible. Don't accept ongoing disrupted sleep. You deserve better. (And your family, colleagues, and roommates deserve the best you too!) We can't be at our best if we don't sleep well. So many terrible outcomes are associated with poor sleep, including memory loss later in life," explains Tashiro.
Lastly, she encourages people to reach out to others and connect if we want to keep our noggins healthy. "We're not meant to be isolated or alone. In fact, the US Surgeon General equated the health impact of loneliness to smoking 15 cigarettes a day! Put out that loneliness cigarette and phone a friend. Volunteer somewhere you want to make a difference."
"The good news is that you can give your brain what it wants and needs. You just have to know the little lifestyle changes you need to make, that could make a big difference in your life," concludes Tashiro.
