Senior Lifestyle Factors That Improve Brain Health

One thing that is equally as important as your physical health as you age is taking care of your brain health! It’s easy to forget about your brain health and all the lifestyle factors that play key roles in boosting it. But as seniors, we need to take these factors seriously for the sake of our minds. Below, read through our top lifestyle tips that will help you keep your brain and body healthy as you age.

Get Good Sleep

We want to begin with the basics and make sure to get a good night’s sleep. Sleeping well and sleeping long enough at night is one of the ways our body works hand in hand with our minds. Plenty of rest is essential for your brain to feel rejuvenated the next day, and helps your body feel well-rested, and ready to go.

Seniors should focus on getting a minimum of 8 hours of quality sleep each night to keep their brains healthy. We recommend going to bed and waking up at the same time each day, even on weekends too, as a way to create a steady sleep schedule.

If you find yourself struggling to sleep at night, here are a few things we suggest that could help you find that quality sleep you’re looking for: Avoid caffeine at least 7 hours before sleeping, avoid alcohol in the evenings, and exercise during the day if you can. The things we do before bed can affect how we feel when it’s time for sleep too, so try creating a sleep schedule for yourself. You might read a book, drink some herbal tea, or put on some white noise in the background. Whatever you choose to do, try to pick something that is soothing and calming for your mind and body.

Stay Active

You can keep your mind active by making sure to stay physically active too. Getting daily exercise, even something simple like taking a walk, can help keep your body and mind strong. Activity like this relieves bad feelings and instead produces endorphins that make your brain happy.

We understand that everyone has a different level of physical activity they can handle, so you should make sure to find an activity that suits you. There are a wide variety of exercises a senior can do to stay active. If walking or running sounds too strenuous, you can choose do something different like yoga, stretching, in home cardio, or chair exercises instead. This way you can stay healthy and active within your limits!

Journal

Do you have a journal? Because we encourage you to start writing out your feelings. Find a journal and begin to practice putting your thoughts and frustrations on paper every day or so. This is a great place to express your feelings, expectations, goals, etc. And when you want to remember something, or you want to reflect on a thought you once had, it is easy to go back and read what you wrote.

Not only can journal writing help us with goals and expectations, but it can help us work through our feelings. Not everyday is going to be perfect, so express what you may be struggling with in your journal. When you physically write out how you’re feeling, you can relieve your burdens and stress from the day. This therapeutic activity can lead you to a healthier brain!

Eat and Drink Healthy

As a senior, knowing exactly what is being used to fuel your body properly is important. When you get older, you need more good things like Vitamin C from foods like oranges and peppers (or vitamins!). Keeping your body hydrated is necessary too, so be sure you’re getting enough water each day.

Try to switching up things in your diet to keep your body healthy and strong. Switch out coffee for tea and lessen your caffeine intake for the day. Switch out red meat for chicken, and white bread with whole grain or whole wheat. And don’t forget to eat your fruits and vegetables! They are full of the nutrients and vitamins you need to keep your body functioning at its best. These little changes can go a long way into keeping you healthy.

Talk to Other People

Have conversations regularly with other people. Not everyone talks about the importance of staying socially active. When we have people around us to talk to, it is a great way to relieve our stress, and lift our burdens. Join a local organization or club to connect with like-minded people on a regular basis and keep your brain happy and active! Consider also joining volunteer groups, finding and attending local neighborhood events, or just chat with people who pass by everyday. These are some easy ways to keep yourself socially engaged.

Care Managers here at Home Care Assistance of Dayton are always standing by to help answer your questions and schedule your consultation. Please give us a call today if you’re in need of more advice on senior brain health or if you would like more information about our senior care services!

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