We all want to know how to age healthy. That’s why we ask: How do I prevent getting sick and stay mentally sharp? What are daily habits I can easily start to protect my mind and body as I age? Are there secrets to looking and feeling younger longer?
It’s clear that not everyone—or every brain—ages the same way. But by putting neuroscience into practice in our daily lives, there are a number of things we can all do to help preserve our mental abilities; prevent cognitive impairment, dementia, and illness; and improve our brain health for a higher quality of life as we age.
The key to staying healthy is to keep our bodies in top form. But as opposed to strategies that depend on deprivation, “Brain Warriors,” as Dr. Amen and Tana Amen explain, focus on the abundance of amazing habits. Now we all know exercise, diet, and quality sleep are important, but here are 3 Brain Warrior ways to attack illness and aging that you probably haven’t thought of.
1. Make Brain Warrior Friends
Who you spend time with matters. Their daily habits are contagious. Good friends are good for your health. And, as you guessed, unhealthy friends and/or minimal contact with friends is bad for your health. So it’s important to have friends and be selective with whom they are because they can affect your brain, mood, and physical health.
Interacting with others helps people feel connected. We’re social animals, who by nature have always needed others for survival. It’s in our genes. Studies have found that healthy friends can actually help lower your risk of cognitive decline, may protect against dementia by providing emotional and mental stimulation, and can make a key difference in life longevity.
Tip: Try joining new social circles— perhaps a community group, book club, chess club, faith-based group, or a volunteer meet-up.
2. Get Fat
The evidence is clear: What you put in your mouth affects your mind. About 60% of the solid weight of your brain is fat. Good fats are essential to your health. And it’s important to start eating right as early as possible— to restore energy, optimize brain and hormone functioning, reduce the risk of disease, and help maintain a healthy weight.
Brain Warrior’s tap into the power of food with both an abundance of illness-fighting nutrients from whole, living plant foods and high-quality protein (plant or animal), with an essential mixture of healthy fat. It’s the good fat that helps keep the brain sharp, fuels muscles, and regulates vital organs to function properly.
Tip: Try eating a diet that’s 70% plant-based foods, 30% high-quality protein, and focus on eating healthy fat like avocados, cashews, coconut oil and olive oil mixed in.
3. Breathe Fresh Air
If you’re spending most of your time inside an air-conditioned office or home, you’re breathing and forcing your body to use stale air. This makes it harder for your body to stay healthy and fresh.
Research shows that spending time outside—breathing fresh air—cleans your lungs, can boost your immune system, and improve your blood pressure and heart rate. Plus, the amount of serotonin your body has is affected by the amount of oxygen you inhale. Serotonin can significantly lighten your mood and promote a sense of happiness and well-being. Fresh air will leave you feeling more refreshed, energized, and according to science, make you happier.
Tip: Try taking a walk outside and get outdoors. Try to open a window, especially when you sleep. Also, to help improve the air quality where you spend most of your time in doors, invest in an air purifier and/or keep some plants.
To learn more Brain Warrior ways to attack illness and aging The Brain Warrior’s Way. It’s an easy-to-implement brain-based approach to changing your health and life. It’s based on the latest research, it really works, and you can learn everything you need to know.
Amen Clinics helps anyone struggling. Everyone is different yet many of have similar concerns. Regardless of how small or big the challenges may be, from—anxiety to depression, ADHD to memory loss—these issues can make life harder for the whole family. Find out how Amen Clinics can help your family. Call at 888-288-9834 or visit us online.
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