Boost your brain health!
Brain awareness week is recognized every March, but it is important every month, as a way to celebrate and promote positive brain health practices and research. During this time of remoteness, it is essential to remember to take breaks for your brain!
What exactly is a ‘healthy brain’? The American Heart Association says a healthy brain is having the blood flow required for peak performance, and it is essential for living a long and full life. They also say that 3 out of 5 Americans will develop a brain disease in their lifetime. This is why we all need to do what we can now to exercise our brain.
There are a variety of activities you can do to practice good brain health, considering having a healthy brain is linked to so many other parts of your body. The basics of a healthy mind include getting plenty of sleep, maintaining a nutritious diet and exercising your body regularly. Outside of these everyday activities, the All IN for Health team has collected a variety of resources and activities to support your healthy brain.
- Start a new hobby
Pick up a hobby that pushes you to learn a new skill. Some great hobbies are gardening, cooking or knitting. Hobbies like these will require you to use your mind and body in new ways. - Test your brain
Try to exercise your brain in ways that you don’t usually get to. Listen to an educational podcast, learn a new language or instrument, read a book or solve a puzzle. There are also mental health apps that focus on mindfulness that have memberships at reasonable prices. - Get outdoors
When the weather allows for it, go outside and get some fresh air. Even if it’s just for a break between your day-to-day activities, it will make a significant difference in your day. - Spend some time on yourself
Take some time out of your day to focus on self-care. Do something that you enjoy and makes you happy. Take some deep breaths, meditate or take some quiet time to focus on your well-being. Ten Percent Happier offers many meditation resources to improve your mental health. - Communicate with others
A huge part of brain health is mental health. It is important to talk to others about how you are feeling. Talk to your family, join a new group or call your friends if you find yourself in need of some human interaction.
Consider trying a few of the activities mentioned above to stretch your brain muscles, and find more in our resources library. You can share how you’re practicing good brain health by following us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @beAllINforHealth, posting how you’re staying brain healthy and hashtagging #AllINforHealth.