Have you ever wondered what you can do to help your brain perform better? What about things you should avoid so you don’t hinder its performance? As you age it’s important to know what can help and hurt your brain.

What Helps Your Brain

• Exercise – While some people only do aerobic exercise and others only do strength training, a combination of both is best. If exercising every day is not an option, don’t sweat it! Exercising in sessions lasting more than 30 minutes a few times per week proves to be the most effective for brain health.
• Socializing – Keeping your brain active no matter what type of social activity you do can help preserve its functionality. Whether you’re just gossiping with friends, playing games, or taking a class; any form of thinking will help immensely.
• A Healthy Diet – Your diet affects your brain the same way it affects your heart. If your doctor recommends eating a certain way for heart health, it doubles for brain health. Eating a diet to lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and risk of diabetes will help your heart as well as your brain.

What Hurts Your Brain

• Depression – With age, a person’s chances of developing depression can double. Unfortunately, depression can also increase the chances of developing degenerative brain disorders such as dementia. Seeing a doctor and treating depression is vital in maintaining a healthy brain.
• Medication – Specific types of medications can lead to dementia and other brain diseases. Anticholinergics, antihistamines, and antidepressants can all have adverse effects on the brain and dosages should be monitored. Having a professional help manage medication is best so you can avoid developing any negative side effects.
• Stress – Worrying and letting every small thing affect you can begin to take a toll on your memory. Increased stress levels will not only wreak havoc on your short-term memory, but it will eventually affect you long-term brain health. Live life by taking each day as it comes and let the small things roll off your shoulders.

Knowing what can help and hurt your brain is necessary in order to live a longer, healthier, and happier life. Fortunately, when you live at The Arbors, our staff can help manage the negative things that hurt your brain and encourage the things that help it. Learn more, or schedule a tour, by contacting one of our five convenient locations:

Bohemia
Hauppauge
Islandia East
Islandia West
Westbury