A healthy lifestyle has ample positive effects on our mental health. What we eat, how much we eat, how much we exercise, how much we sleep, how we socialize and cope with stress are important for brain health. Here are some ways through which you can keep your brain healthy.

Take a balanced diet - Diet with high salt and sugar could lead to chronic diseases such as hypertension (high blood pressure), which increases the risk of stroke. Eat a healthy diet of more fruits and vegetables. Have less sugar and salt, and choose food low in saturated fats such as fish and soya. Try to avoid saturated fatty acids. You can include healthy fat in your daily diet. 

Be physically active - There is a relationship between exercise and brain health. Regular exercise improves blood flow and memory. It also lowers blood pressure, improves cholesterol levels, balances sugar levels and reduces mental stress.

Say No to smoking and alcohol consumption – Avoid all forms of tobacco and reduce alcohol consumption. These are the risk factors for chronic diseases such as hypertension, which may lead to stroke.

Build positive relationships – Stay in touch with family and friends, visit each other’s places. Make frequent visits, this will improve your relations. Participate in community activities to keep your mind sharp.

Sleep well - Sleep energizes us. Our brain relaxes and refreshes while sleeping. It improves our mood and strengthens our immune system. Poor sleep or sleep loss leads to fatigue, immune suppression, memory loss, and poor concentration.

Keep stimulating your mind – Indulge in playing brain games, tricky games. Stimulate your brain to think and work more. Increase the habit of reading, doing crossword puzzles. Pick up a new skill, learn a new language or a musical instrument. These activities use the cognitive functions of our brain and reduce our risk of dementia.

Take safety measures – To avoid head/brain injuries, take safety measures such as helmets, seat belts while using a bike and car respectively. 

Disclaimer: The content on this site is for informational purposes only, and should not be taken as professional medical advice.  Always seek the guidance of your doctor or other health professionals for any questions you may have regarding your health or a medical condition.