Just like your body, your brain needs a daily workout.
One of the scariest aspects of ageing is the realisation that your brain won’t continue to function as well as it used to —whether that means accidentally forgetting your train of thought, repeating stories, forgetting your PIN number or the name of a relative, it can be daunting.
Most people will experience some form of “brain aging” in their life, ranging from fuzzy thinking to more serious Dementia or Alzheimer’s disease.
Whilst Magenta is here to help if organising and managing your finances and investments become too much, we also want to encourage good habits which can improve your brain’s sharpness!
The earlier you start, the better—just like losing weight, it is easier to prevent brain aging than reverse it. So, here are some ways you can stay mentally sharp:
- Avoid sugar
While short-term increases in sugar can temporarily improve brain function, chronically elevated sugar levels will not help your memory. In one study, people had their sugar levels tested and were asked to memorise 15 words and then repeat them 30 minutes later. Those with higher blood sugar levels remembered, on average, 2 fewer words.
- Have good friends
Data shows friends do more than help you cope with your problems. They can also keep you motivated and hold you accountable for activities such as exercising or learning new skills together.
- Manage stress
Stress is one of the greatest causes of memory loss—brain inflammation caused by stress weakens old memories and makes new connections for establishing memories more difficult.
- Get fishy
Eat 18 ounces of salmon or another fatty fish each week or take omega-3 supplements every day. A study has showed that when individuals 55 and older who were starting to lose their memory ingested 900 mg of omega-3 each day, their brains were about three years younger.
- Work it out
You should try and engage in physical activity for 45 minutes, 3 times a week.
- Sleep!
When you are busy, it’s easy to sacrifice your sleep. But you need sleep because it primes your brain for optimal learning, problem-solving and memory retention.
- Get those vitamins
Take in enough magnesium, folate and Vitamins B-12, B-6 and D-3. Magnesium ensures strong links between your brain cells, which can help you solve problems. You could try eating brown rice, almonds, hazelnuts, spinach, shredded wheat, lima beans and bananas for these.
- Avoid toxins
These include tobacco, mercury and excessive alcohol, among others. Tobacco and other toxins such as mercury from swordfish and tuna can cause inflammation, which can impair your mood, memory and cognition.
- Learn something new
Although diet, vitamins and exercise changes are important, learning a new skill, taking up a new hobby, playing video games or even trying to find a new driving route (without SatNav) to a place you regularly visit can also help minimise your risk for memory loss.
So…. eat well, have a nap, go for a walk or cycle and take a drive – but don’t get lost!
Now just to test your memory and keep your brain sharp, here is a test:
- What have we said you should avoid?
- How much exercise should you do?
- What is the name of the best Financial and Life Planning company in Wales?!
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