A healthy heart over 50, ensures that our cells gets life-sustaining nutrients and oxygen by pumping blood throughout the body, but the brain is the control tower over our bodies.
According to Be Brain Fit, "Science has proven that being surrounded by clutter interferes with the brain’s ability to process information and is a continual source of stress."
I just looked around at my desk, and thought, "Well, that explains it!!"
Is this why I'm easily distracted?!
Research shows cognitive decline may begin in our early 40s--cheery news, eh? While decline may occur, there are many things we can do to challenge our brain, and give it a good workout. I'll be trying a few of these myself.
1. Learn to play a musical instrument or speak a new language. Both provide great brain stimulation. Learning a second language can develop new areas of your mind and strengthen your brain's natural ability to focus, entertain multiple possibilities, and process information.
2. If you’ve ever had the urge to embrace your artistic side, why not do it now? Creating art is a wonderful way to stimulate your brain and improve your well-being,
Dr. Arnold Bresky is a physician who has created a program he calls the “Brain Tune Up” that utilizes art therapy for patients that have Alzheimer’s and dementia.
He has seen a 70% success rate in improvement of his patients’ memories.
He believes by drawing and painting, they are connecting the right and left hemispheres of the brain and growing new brain cells.
3. Check out the latest Brain game apps for Baby Boomers- Lumosity Brain Training App is actually great fun! I went to their site while writing this blog and signed up. I started to take some tests, when I realized --once again--I was getting distracted!! Okay, back to writing.
4. Learn to Dance! - My fav! Researchers say dancing opens up new pathways in the brain that improve mental capabilities. Keepings pathways active and generating new pathways, help maintain brain health and fitness.
Dietary Brain fitness
5. Coconut Oil - the medium chain triglycerides found in coconut oil are being intensively studied as potential therapeutic agents in treating Alzheimer’s disease. Be sure to use organic, virgin coconut oil.
6. Omega-3 fatty acids - Wild-caught salmon is a top notch brain food due to its high concentration of omega-3 fatty acids, one of the most important nutrients for your brain. Grass-fed beef, grass-fed bison, pasture-raised pork, and free-range poultry and eggs are also good sources of brain-essential omega-3s.
7. Watermelon - Watermelon was recently found to have high concentrations of antioxidants, including lycopene, which may help prevent cognitive decline. It also offers significant beta-carotene.
8. Dark Chocolate! - dark chocolate contains antioxidants called flavonoids. Flavonoids are particularly effective at increasing blood flow, which is a key element when it comes to brain power. The better the blood flow to the brain, the more oxygen and nutrients it receives.
I think it's time to go eat some chocolate and clean my desk ;-)
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