The brain is responsible for all body functions, so keeping it healthy and functioning at optimal level is a must.
Here are 7 common practices to help your brain work at its optimum performance.
1. Boredom
Neuroplasticity is the ability to think differently, retain memories, and make new connections. Lack of intellectual stimulation leads to a decline in brain`s effectiveness, just like with any other organ.
2. No Breakfast
Skipping breakfast in the morning will make you sluggish, but also your brain is revving up for another busy day. Lack of nutrition causes slow metabolism and the brain can permanently shut down some functions.
According to a Japanese study, people who tend to skip breakfast on a regular basis are at 36% higher risk of suffering a brain hemorrhage. On the other hands, brain`s function is significantly improved if properly nourished every morning.
“Without glucose our brain simply doesn’t operate as well. People have difficulty understanding new information, [they have a] problem with visual and spatial understanding, and they don’t remember things as well,” a professor of pediatrics at Duke University.
3. Cell Phones
Electromagnetic fields emit radiation, which is extremely harmful for humans. If nothing more, sleeping next to a cell phone is distracting!
According to a study done by Swedish researchers, radiation from a cell phone causes confusion, headaches, and is also associated with cancers, including brain tumors. To minimize the risk, limit cell phone use and keep it away from you as often as possible.
4. Working Through Illness
When feeling sick, rest and eat properly because your immune system functions as full capacity in order to fight the infection.
5. Over-eating
Over-eating can cause excess weight, and often obesity as well. Often, people eat more than necessary and consume food that is not nutritive. Thus, the body remains hungry and we eat more. Foods that are poor in nutrients do not help the brain function at its best. Chronic obesity is associated with low brain volume and dementia.
6. Shyness
People should be social and talk to each other. Oral communication uses a different part of the brain than written, so you need to talk more to other people so you can exercise this part of the brain. Depression and anxiety, which are products of the brain, can be caused by lack of social interaction
7. Lack of Sleep
Getting regular and quality sleep is of utmost importance for the overall health, including brain health. While sleeping, the brain performs two important activities: storing memories and eliminating toxins. Sleep deprivation leads to plaque accumulation, changes in the memory, and increased risk of neurodegenerative disease.
Source: medium