Did you know that ageing can affect the brain? Much like with other parts of your body, your brain can succumb to the effects of ageing, and this can have a detrimental impact on your cognitive ability. As your brain shrinks with age, this can impact your ability to learn new things. While there isn’t a hard and fast rule as to what this can happen, it occurs in older life but is more prominent after the age of 70.
But what can you do to help keep your brain sharp and ward off the effects of ageing? Reason to learn more.
Learn new things
Part of the brain that is affected most with age is the ability to learn and retain new information. They can be having a mentally challenging job that keeps you thinking, taking up higher education, learning a new skill or pretty much anything. However, making a conscious effort to always learn something new and keep pushing yourself regardless of what you are learning can help you to combat the signs of ageing. The process of learning keeps the neurons firing and stimulates individual brain cells to keep you mentally fit and active.
Challenge your brain
Following on from the above point, you need to keep your brain challenged and think as much as possible. This is where word games, brain puzzles, crosswords, Anagrams and the like come in. They will get you thinking and push your mental capacity to help you stay sharp. Avoid watching too much tv, as this is a passive activity and can be detrimental to brain health. Instead, do puzzles, play games, read books and more.
Get enough sleep
As we age, we naturally need less and less sleep. However, your body still needs good quality sleep regardless of your age. When you sleep, your brain stores memories and allows it to process natural functions, repair cells, and fight abnormal pathways that could be forming. However, you need consecutive sleep, not just broken sleep and poor habits of nodding off every few hours. Aim to get at least 5-7 hours of sleep each and every night to give your brain the chance to do what it needs to do.
Change your diet
A well-balanced diet is essential for all aspects of health, but even more so for your brain. Your brain needs omega-3 essential oils, flavonoids, lutein, protein and vitamin B, to name a few, to help it function. Prioritise lean proteins, whole grains, fruits, and vegetables to ensure you give your brain what it needs to cope with the demands of life and ageing. In fact, studies have shown that the Mediterranean diet can help you to ward off Alzheimer’s – those following the diet are less likely to develop this disease than those who don’t.
Stay Social
There is a reason that loneliness is the silent killer amongst the senior community. Not only does social activity help to ward off depression, but it keeps the brain active and healthy. Social isolation can lead to brain atrophy which is the loss of nerve cells and functions and is present in people with Alzheimer’s, multiple sclerosis and traumatic brain injury. So even when you don’t feel like being social, get out and about and connect with others to avoid premature brain decline and loss of cognitive functions.
Repetition is key
We know it takes around 50 to 79 days to form a habit, and creating a habit is done via repetition. The action of repeating different things to yourself over and over or doing something the same way time and time again will form a habit in your brain and ensure you make the connection. The same goes for any information you need to remember. Write it down. Say it aloud, and be purposeful when retaining the information you need to keep, such as repeating and using new contacts’ names, reading directions out loud or writing down appointments so you don’t forget them.
Be positive
If you’ve ever told yourself you’re having a senior moment, then this can inadvertently contribute to many more senior moments. The reality is if you believe you’re losing your memory, you will be less likely to take steps to rectify it and end up being part of the problem. So instead of resigning yourself to the fact that you might become more forgetful with age, focus on what you can do about it. Have faith and believe in yourself, and you can benefit from the power of positive thinking.
Conclusion
Failing memory as you age is part and parcel of the ageing process. However, just because it does happen, it doesn’t mean there isn’t anything you can do about it. These tips can help you to keep your brain sharp and active at any age.