Often, most people focus on their physical Health when striving to achieve a long and healthy life. But, besides your physical health, one aspect you must also pay attention to is your cognitive health, also known as your Brain. If you constantly forget the minor errands you need to attend to daily or get frustrated over not being able to remember the person’s name despite recognizing their face, you’re probably not putting enough time and effort into your brain’s fitness.  

Failure to keep up with your brain’s needs will eventually lead to cognitive decline, such as forgetfulness, increased feeling of overwhelmingness, etc. Meanwhile, taking care of your brain the same way you do with your body will positively affect your overall health. While there’s no perfect way to keep your cognitive function in shape, you can incorporate a few habits into your lifestyle that’ll help improve your brain health and reduce your risk of developing brain-related diseases.  

Here are five habits you can start doing today to maintain good brain function and improve your cognitive health:

1. Follow The Mediterranean Diet 

The diet you choose plays a significant role in your cognitive health. The best type of diet to maintain good brain function is the Mediterranean diet. This mainly emphasizes healthy fat, fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains, legumes, fish, and much less on red meat.  

According to research, people who follow the Mediterranean diet have less chance of experiencing cognitive decline and developing brain-related diseases (e.g., Alzheimer’s, dementia, Parkinson’s, etc.). Furthermore, filling your diet with brain-healthy foods will cleanse your brain and prevent saturated fat from clogging your brain’s arteries. Meanwhile, if you’re struggling to follow the Mediterranean diet, you may also consider taking cognitive enhancers or supplements and adding them to your diet.  

If you happen to be a consistent user of Science.Bio supplements, you have nothing to worry about despite the company’s recent closure. You may check out some Science.Bio alternatives and options that still provide similar products. However, make sure to consult a healthcare professional first before taking any supplement for your cognitive health. 

2. Live An Active Lifestyle 

It’s no secret that exercise and other physical activities are good for your physical health. But, besides maintaining your weight and keeping you physically fit, living an active lifestyle is also good for your brain health. Exercising and doing other physical activities will help boost your brain’s production of hormones that improve your mood and promote brain health. Furthermore, exercising also improves your blood circulation, making it easier to transport oxygen and other nutrients into your brain. 

So, even if you can’t commit to a specific exercise routine, strive to incorporate a few physical activities into your daily routine. For instance, you can walk if your home is only a few minutes away from your office or school. If you have a spacious yard, you may pursue gardening as it can also be good physical exercise. Any moderate exercise will be enough to improve your cognitive health and maintain good brain function. 

3. Be Mentally Active 

You need to treat your brain as one of your muscles. If you don’t train or strive to keep it in shape, your brain will lose its fitness and fail to function properly. There are many ways you can keep your brain active. These include: 

• Reading a book 
• Doing crossword puzzles or Sudoku 
• Solving jigsaw puzzles 
• Playing cards 
• Learning a foreign language 
• Playing an instrument 

Incorporating any of these brain exercises into your daily routine will help maintain good brain function and keep you mentally sharp. Additionally, avoid watching too much TV or using your mobile phones to browse social media. These are passive activities, and they don’t really help stimulate your brain. 

4. Get Enough Hours Of Sleep 

As easy as this may seem, many people are actually struggling to get enough hours of sleep. Unfortunately, the fewer hours of sleep you get, the more your brain suffers in the long run. Frequent sleep deprivation or poor sleep quality could impair your brain’s ability to create sound judgment or decisions. You’ll also have difficulty memorizing or paying attention to your daily tasks. In short, with poor sleep, your brain will struggle to function properly. 

To ensure your brain continues to function well for the next day, strive to get enough hours of sleep every night. Good sleep quality allows your brain to rest, recharge, get rid of abnormal proteins, and effectively consolidate your memories. Following a bedtime routine or doing relaxation techniques (e.g., meditation, yoga, deep-breathing exercises) may help you sleep better at night.  

5. Socialize And Remain Socially Involved 

Besides the aforementioned brain exercises, socializing with other people can also be a good exercise for your brain. Active social interaction can help keep stress, anxiety, and depression at bay, all of which can cause memory loss and cognitive decline. According to a study, people who are often alone or live in isolation are more at risk of suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or other brain diseases due to brain shrinkage and reduced brain cell connections.  

So, find opportunities to remain socially involved. You can create a schedule to meet your friends every weekend and hang out, or join a social group. Make sure to also stay in touch with your loved ones to give your brain an excellent workout and, at the same time, gain feelings of belongingness.  

Key Takeaway 

Maintaining your cognitive health is one of the essential keys to achieving a long and healthy life. So, give your brain some extra love and attention, and make sure to incorporate these habits into your daily routine.