Healthy Body, Healthier Brain... for Everyone!

Healthy Body, Healthier Brain... for Everyone! 

The health of your brain is closely linked to the health of your body. As a result, practicing healthy habits and actively managing your chronic conditions can go a long way in terms of protecting your brain.

It’s never too late to make lifestyle changes. Evidence shows that prioritizing certain life-enriching activities and getting tobacco treatment, if needed, can help to prevent or delay cognitive decline and dementia.

Ways to Help Improve Your Brain Health and Reduce risks for Dementia

• Preventing and managing chronic conditions, like hypertension and diabetes
• Preventing falls and concussions
• Controlling blood pressure and cholesterol to maintain good heart health
• Engaging in regular physical activity
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Getting adequate quality sleep
• Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol use
• Staying cognitively and socially engaged
• Eating a nutritious diet rich in fruits and vegetables

The good news is that many of the healthy behaviors that help you keep your chronic condition under control also help prevent brain health issues like Alzheimer’s and other dementias.

You may also want to talk to your doctor about any additional steps to take related to brain health and your chronic condition(s).

Research is still evolving, but evidence is strong that people can reduce their risk of cognitive decline by …. https://www.alz.org/help-support/brain_health

Healthy Body, Healthier Brain                       https://www.cdc.gov/aging/publications/features/healthy-body-brain.html 

5 tips to keep your brain healthy https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/5-tips-to-keep-your-brain-healthy

Brain Training

Brain Metrix is an educational website dedicated to brain training programs; you can achieve optimum fitness by visiting your gym, and engaging in a brain fitness program that is both fun and stimulating. Here you stretch and train your brain to the limit, you can train and test your memory or test your reflexes or even your brain creativity and improve it and much more. Just check the menu on the left for a full list of our brain training games and activities which are all loads of fun

https://www.brainmetrix.com/

8 Ways Your Smartphone Is Rewiring Your Mind

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/personal-technology/info-2022/smartphone-memory.html  

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) notes that smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths. There is strong evidence that smoking can increase your risk of dementia, Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia and cognitive decline.  Not everyone who smokes will get dementia, but stopping smoking is thought to reduce your risk down to the level of non-smokers.

Here are some coaching and resources to help you stop smoking or using tobacco for good.

• Quitting is tough, but BEING PREPARED boosts your success                        Make Your Quit Plan - 802Quits
• The quitSTART app is a free smartphone app that helps you quit smoking with tailored tips, inspiration, and challenges: https://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/campaign/tips/quit-smoking/quitstart-app/index.html

      The quitSTART app helps you:

• Get ready to quit with tips and information to prepare you for becoming smokefree
• Monitor your progress and earn badges for smokefree milestones and other achievements
• Get back on track if you slip and smoke
• Manage cravings and bad moods in healthy ways
• Distract yourself from cravings with games and challenges
• Store helpful tips, inspirations, and challenges in your Quit Kit
• Share your progress and favorite tips through social media

Smokefree Apps

Get 24/7 support with a Smokefree app for your smartphone. These free apps offer help just for you based on your smoking patterns, moods, motivation to quit, and quitting goals. Tag the locations and times of day when you need extra support. Available for iOS and Android phones. https://smokefree.gov/tools-tips/apps

Tips for Better Sleep

Good sleep habits (sometimes referred to as “sleep hygiene”) can help you get a good night’s sleep. Some habits that can improve your sleep health:

Be consistent. Go to bed at the same time each night and get up at the same time each morning, including on the weekends Make sure your bedroom is quiet, dark, relaxing, and at a comfortable temperature Remove electronic devices, such as TVs, computers, and smart phones, from the bedroom Avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bedtime Get some exercise. Being physically active during the day can help you fall asleep more easily at night.

Content source: National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Division of Population Health

Sleep Cycle Alarm Clock (Free on the App Store or Google Play)

This free app ensures you are getting quality sleep, which can help prevent Alzheimer’s. https://www.sleepcycle.com/

 Your behaviors during the day, and especially before bedtime, can have a major impact on your sleep. They can promote healthy sleep or contribute to sleeplessness.

https://sleepeducation.org/healthy-sleep/healthy-sleep-habits/

gcbh-behavior-change-report-english.doi.10.26419-2Fpia.00106.001.pdf (aarp.org)