Simple and effective tips to prevent dementia

Dementia is a degenerative brain disorder that is identified by impaired cognitive functioning. Furthermore, it also affects a person’s ability to perform day to day activities. Although dementia is more often linked with growing age, it is not the only causative factor. A substantial number of people show symptoms of the condition during their early years.
So, let’s discuss some very simple yet effective tips that go a long way in dementia prevention.

Maintain activity

You have heard about it, read about it, and might have even passed on some wisdom about the importance of exercise. You must be well aware of how it positively affects your lives, both physically and mentally.

One of these major benefits of exercising is the prevention of diseases like dementia. It is said that regular exercise helps slow down the rate at which the brain cells deteriorate, especially in people who are already experiencing difficulty with cognitive functions. This makes it crucial to exercise for at least 30 minutes a day as a part of dementia prevention. Individuals can partake in activities like walking, running, jogging, aerobics, and weight training. And if organized gym activities do not sail your boat, take up hiking, swimming, trekking, or yoga to keep yourself fit.

Physical activity is also important to help aging people maintain balance as growing individuals are more likely to experience head trauma due to a fall.

Follow healthy eating habits

Just like regular physical activity, a healthy diet too has been a tip discussed by many. Not only does healthy eating look after your digestive system but also takes care of your overall health. An individual who eats healthy and maintains their exercise routine is less likely to fall ill – mentally, physically, and emotionally.

Therefore, the second tip that plays a vital role in dementia prevention is maintaining a healthy diet. This means avoiding sugary foods, fried foods, and foods that are rich in refined carbohydrates. It is necessary to avoid the foods that contribute to weight gain as studies prove that it is directly linked with dementia.

Individuals can indulge in the Mediterranean diet as it is known for its high fiber and healthy fat content. The abundant amount of veggies, fruits, and decreased low-grade oil consumption are all helpful in establishing a healthy diet. Apart from this, some studies indicate that regular tea consumption, too, provides a preventive edge against dementia.

Exercise your brain cells

It is common knowledge, that in order to keep yourselves and the muscles healthy you have to keep them active. The same applies to your thinking muscles or brain. Dementia arises from the degeneration of brain cells, which can be avoided or slowed down by keeping the brain active. Introducing the brain to new things that challenge that are unknown to us keeps it well oiled and engaged.

Activities like learning a new language, a musical instrument, picking up a hobby, painting, or another art form, and/or reading a book can be considered recreational yet stimulating. Alternatively, one can engage in riddles, crosswords, brainteasers, or puzzle solving to achieve the required level of brain stimulation on a regular basis.

Quality sleep is important

Just like your body needs time to recover and rest, so does your brain. The importance of quality sleep has been drilled into us since we were kids, but sadly not many of us understand just how important it is.

Researchers suggest poor and disturbed sleep can be a promoting factor for dementia. Poor sleep leads to excess buildup of a protein in the brain which is responsible for poor memory, contributing to dementia. Therefore, it is suggested that clocking in the right amount and quality of sleep can help benefit your productivity and prevent the development of mental ailments like dementia and Alzheimer’s disease.