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Its never too early or late to implement them.
Here, Dr. Diaz-Santos explains exactly how tokeep your brain healthyas you age decade by decade.
Keep reading to see her advice and topbrain hacksto age like a pro.
Mirella Díaz-Santos, PhD is an adjunct assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral science at UCLA and a research psychologist at the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research. By training, she is a neuropsychologist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias working primarily with the Latinx older adult community and their families. She’s also involved in other projects, like the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, which funds institutions and programs to research disparities in Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Scientific studies have shown that prolonged anxiety is correlated withcognitive decline and dementialater in life.
So, what are ways to keep your brain sharp as you age?
You also want to see to it to drink plenty of watersurviving on coffee alone isnt enough!
(Although,coffee does boast its own brain health benefits.)
Not getting enough sleep long-term is another predictor for dementia, assleep and brain healthare closely intertwined.
Aim for between five-and-a-half hours and eight hours a night.
Make time to call your friends.
Its not just good for the soul;its good for your brain, too, Dr. Diaz-Santos says.
This is the time of life when many people enter long-term partnerships or have children.
Mirella Díaz-Santos, PhD is an adjunct assistant professor in the department of psychiatry and behavioral science at UCLA and a research psychologist at the Mary S. Easton Center for Alzheimer’s Disease Research. By training, she is a neuropsychologist with expertise in Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias working primarily with the Latinx older adult community and their families. She’s also involved in other projects, like the Women’s Alzheimer’s Movement, which funds institutions and programs to research disparities in Alzheimer’s and dementia.
One of the biggest health conditions that affect midlife ishypertension, which is correlated with both stress and diet.
And hypertension doesnt just affect the heart; its correlated with cognitive decline, too.
The same diet and lifestyle habits thatprotect your heart also protect your brain; they are intricately linked.
Managing stress can be something as simple asgoing for a walk, she says.
It doesnt have to be something time-consuming.
Also important: Keep up with doctor appointments so your blood pressure gets checked routinely.
Since hypertension is often symptom-free, people can have it for years without realizing, per the Mayo Clinic.
(Early-Onset Alzheimerscan occur in someones 30s or 40s as well, though it is rarer.)
Dr. Diaz-Santos says that the biggest symptom is memory loss.
If you are routinely experiencing these issues, consider scheduling an appointment with a neurologist.
Her best advice for this?
Continue challenging yourself to learn something new.
Remember how Dr. Diaz-Santos pointed out how important friendships and a sense of belonging were in your 20s?
This is not onlylinked to depression but also increases the risk of dementia.
Spending time with family and friends is especially important later in life.
Your brain can always benefit from little changes, so never underestimate their power!
Again, it bears repeating that no one can 100 percent control their cognitive health.
But focusing on what youcancontrol can make a differenceand youre never too young or too old to start.
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