March is Brain Awareness Month; do you challenge your mind to keep it young?
Our brains are the most complex part of our body; they control our thoughts, behaviors, emotions, how we move, and how we communicate. It’s essential to keep our brains active and working hard so they don’t seize up like the Tin Man; we need to keep our brains oiled like a well-working machine. Keeping your brain challenged is the best way to keep your mind young. We have come up with some quick and easy ways to help keep your brain functioning at its best:
Never stop learning: Learning something new will help keep your brain engaged and help keep your wheels turning. Any mentally stimulating activity will help keep your brain firing on all cylinders. You can also try word puzzles and math problems or experiment with things that take focus and mental effort, like painting or crafts. These will keep your brain active and help promote overall cognitive functioning and healthy aging.
Keep your body moving: We all know that physical activity is good for our health and mental well-being, but it is also good for your brain. When you are active, your brain releases endorphins that reduce the feelings of pain and increase the feelings of pleasure, and if you are active daily, this will, in turn, help your brain perform better with aging. Other benefits of daily exercise include lowering blood pressure and cholesterol and reducing stress and anxiety, which is also great for the brain.
Get a good night’s sleep: Getting a good night’s sleep is crucial on many levels; it helps with our mood, energy, and mental well-being. Aside from the physical and mental benefits a good night’s sleep can bring, our brains also do a lot of work while we are sleeping. While we sleep, our brains are busy processing memories and repairing and reorganizing cells. It removes toxins and releases essential proteins and hormones. It’s important to give our brains the time they need to fulfill their important tasks; practicing a regular bedtime routine is a great way to get on track and have a good night’s sleep.
Personal connections: Keeping up with personal connections is a fun and easy way to help the brain stay healthy and lower the risk of dementia. Spending time with the people we care about releases higher levels of our love hormone (oxytocin), which is excellent for our mental health. Even small connections like a phone call, lunch, coffee with a friend, or even a text message will help get the hormones flowing.
Alcohol: Excessive drinking is a significant risk factor when it comes to dementia. If drinking alcohol is prevalent in your life, you can try mindful drinking to help limit your alcohol consumption. Mindful drinking is the practice of thinking about why and how much you drink, and it will hopefully lead to less alcohol consumption.
Whether it is reducing your alcohol intake, getting a good night’s rest, or connecting with a loved one, you will be working towards a healthier and happier brain. If you feel like your brain is not functioning at the level it should, reach out to a Dr. who can properly assess the situation.
Remember to be kind to yourself, practice self-care, and reach out for help if you need it.
If you are needing support, you can:
• Contact CMHA South Cariboo for mental health support @ 250-395-4883 – Mon – Fri 9 a.m. - 4 p.m.
• You can call the Emergency Crisis Line 24 hours a day @ 1-888-353-2273,
• You can call the Suicide Crisis Line at # 9-8-8. It is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.