Your brain is the control center for your entire body’s function. From breathing to running, thinking to moving, anticipating danger to creative expression, your brain is in charge! That means you need to take care of it! Here are the top ways you can improve cognition and maintain a healthy brain.
Try NAD Therapy
Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) therapy is a relatively new, cutting-edge treatment that has been shown to have profound effects on cognition and brain function in humans. It is a simple intravenous infusion that can be done in an outpatient setting in about 30 minutes in most clinics, whether it’s an Atlanta NAD therapy clinic or a Los Angeles clinic. It works by reversing the damage that occurs during aging and in certain conditions. It can boost your energy, cognitive function, help control your weight & appetite, reduce inflammation, and much more. One of the most exciting things about NAD therapy is how quickly it works! In fact, many patients noticed significant differences right away.
Try New Things
One surefire way to increase brain function is to challenge it. New experiences, new information, and new challenges require your brain to ramp up its functionality in order to handle that new task or information stream. If you’re doing the same thing day after day, month after month, year after year…it’s probably time for a change! So switch up your routine by trying different things, traveling to new places, taking on new challenges. There are so many possibilities!
One of the best new things to try is new hobbies. But you want to find hobbies that are stimulating enough but not too complicated or time-consuming. The best new hobby? Crossword puzzles! They’re a great workout for the brain and not so taxing that they’ll become frustrating. Other good options include reading, cooking, gardening, and photography. Here are some other great hobbies you can try.
Workout
Physical exercise is also a great way to keep your brain sharp and resilient. Studies have shown that regular exercise can improve cognitive function, memory, and focus. A study published in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease showed that those who had been diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment who performed moderate aerobic exercise for 150 minutes per week were able to increase their hippocampus volume by 2%. That means more brainpower! Here are the most effective exercises:
- Running- Running is an excellent option for cardiovascular exercise and helps in improving mental health. It increases oxygen supply to the brain, reduces stress levels, and balances hormones, thus increasing focus and memory.
- Aerobics- Cardio exercises like aerobics can help boost your mood by releasing feel-good neurotransmitters which work as mood enhancers, improve sleep quality and boost energy levels too.
- Swimming- Swimming is a mind-body form of exercise which helps in improving cognitive function, delays memory loss, and prevents Alzheimer’s disease. It is known to stimulate brain chemicals that are crucial for learning, memory function, mental alertness, and mood improvement.
Avoid Drugs And Alcohol
The negative effects of substance abuse on the brain are very well-documented, but a lot of people still seem to be unaware. If you want to maintain a healthy brain function and memory for the long term, it’s best to avoid recreational drugs and alcohol completely. Doing so will help protect your brain from the toxic effects of these substances and will keep your brain healthy and functioning well into old age. Instead, replace alcohol with drinks like green tea and fruit juice.
Get More Sleep
Getting enough sleep is another effective way to give your brain the strength it needs to function optimally. If you’re regularly getting less than 6 hours of sleep per night, you are significantly increasing your risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease and other memory-related conditions. So turn in early, get a full night’s rest between 6-8 hours per night and wake up feeling refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on the day.
You can further improve your sleep quality by making sure you have your bedroom set up in the right way, creating ideal sleeping conditions for yourself. Here are some tips:
- Keep it dark- Light exposure can cause problems with your circadian rhythm and prevent you from falling asleep. So make sure that all light sources in the room, like night lights, are covered or turned off to help you fall and stay asleep.
- Keep it cool- Your brain produces melatonin to promote sleep, so keep the temperature cool to help induce sleepiness. Even a 5-degree difference can impact sleep quality- so if you’re having trouble sleeping, try setting the thermostat a bit lower.
- Keep it quiet- Try using a white noise machine or app to block out unwanted noises and distractions so you can fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer.
- Keep it comfortable- Make sure your mattress and pillows are comfortable enough to support your recommended sleeping position. Sleep on your back or side to keep pressure off of your spine.
Your brain is an organ that requires as much maintenance as any other. By trying things like NAD therapy, the right diet, exercise, and the right amount of sleep each night, your brain will reward you with a lifetime of excellent cognitive function.
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