Make sure to take care of your physical health and eat a balanced, nutritious diet. Get plenty of rest and exercise to keep your brain active and healthy.
Taking care of your physical health is essential when living with dementia. Eating a balanced, nutritious diet is very important for your overall wellbeing and delaying the progression of your dementia. Vitamin B is important for maintaining a healthy brain and can be found in meat, dairy products, eggs, nuts, and grains, and help with thinking, learning, and memory. Make sure to have the recommended amount of protein, carbohydrates, fats, vitamins and minerals in your meals each day. Go easy on the amount of sugar and salt you have. Also, make sure you keep hydrated by drinking plenty of water throughout the day to keep your brain and body healthy.
Getting enough rest is also key to helping your brain remain healthy. Try to get 7-8 hours of sleep a night if possible. During the day, make sure you are taking regular breaks to rest. If you are feeling tired during the day, allow yourself some time to take a rest, just relax or build some mindfulness into your daily routine. Sleep plays an important role in brain health and functioning. Poor sleep can have a negative impact on our overall mental and physical health. Sleep is also essential for emotional well-being, helping us stay balanced and in-tune with our feelings. When we don’t get enough sleep, our memories are weakened and our ability to focus, think, and remember can be impaired. Lack of sleep has also been linked to an increased risk of depression, anxiety, and other mental health disorders. Therefore, it is important to make sure you get enough quality sleep each night to ensure optimal brain functioning.
Exercise can also help keep your brain active and healthy. Doing simple exercises like walking, jogging, or swimming can help increase blood flow and oxygen to the brain, which can help improve memory. Just make sure that you're not pushing yourself too hard; listen to your body and stop if you start feeling any fatigue or pain. Exercise has many benefits for physical and mental health, and keeping your brain healthy is one of them. Regular exercise can help with problem-solving, creativity, and decision-making. Exercise releases endorphins which are naturally occurring hormones that can reduce stress and improve wellbeing. Studies have also linked regular exercise to a reduced risk of dementia and other age-related cognitive decline. By getting your body moving, you can be sure that your brain is staying healthy too!
Finally, pay attention to any medications you may be taking and discuss them with your doctor. Some medications can have an effect on your brain and can interfere with the way it works. Medications can interfere with the functioning of the brain in many different ways. Some medications can lead to changes in mood, behaviour, and physical abilities. Certain medications can affect the normal functioning of the brain leading to confusion, impaired judgement, slowed thinking, and other cognitive issues. Other medications can increase the risk of developing dementia or impair the ability to learn and remember new information. It is important to discuss any concerns you may have about medications and their potential impact on brain functioning with your doctor before taking them.