5 Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy

Brain function

Brain function and brain health has become a popular subject in the last decade.  This is likely due to the noticeable rise in neurodegenerative disorders like dementia and Alzheimer’s.   As such, people’s interest in taking control of their cognitive health has also increased.

Brain health has also become a widely popular topic in the world of sports and recreation. Since concussions are now recognized to have significant short and long term impact on injured players.

The fact is, unless you have neurodegenerative disorders in your family or have experienced a head injury, you probably won’t start thinking about your brain’s health until you start noticing symptoms such as;

Here’s the thing, the longer you wait to take action, the worse the problem can become.

You really should start thinking about your brain’s health today!  Look at taking preventative measures rather than waiting for signs of cognitive decline to appear.

So, how exactly do you keep your brain healthy? There are many simple ways to improve brain function and keep your mind sharp. Some of which you may already be doing!

Ways To Keep Your Brain Healthy

5 Tips To Help Keep Your Brain Function In Tip-Top Shape

1. Exercise Daily

Exercise has a whole host of benefits for your mental and physical health. Endorphins released during exercise work wonders warding off depression and bolstering the immune system.

Physical fitness also has been shown to increase mental sharpness as people age. Especially past the age of 40. Daily exercise helps maintain acuity in the prefrontal cortex of the brain, which is responsible for judgement and decision making.

2. Try To Go Keto!

Yes, the foods we eat do have an impact on our mental and cognitive health. Research shows that consuming a diet high in healthy fats and low in carbohydrates (known as a ketogenic diet) helps promote brain health by pushing your body into a fat-burning state, creating what we call ketones as a by-product.

Ketones are a very efficient and sustainable source of fuel for the body and the brain. Burning mainly sugar (carbs) as fuel creates inflammation in the body and the brain while ketones are said to be a much “cleaner” fuel. A keto-adapted individual will experience less brain fog, less memory trouble and better focus.

Click here to read, “Keto For Dummies – Beginners Guide For Keto”.

3. Get Enough Sleep

The fog of exhaustion will cloud your mental ability. Our brains store daily memories while we sleep. You need rest in order to remember even mundane details of daily life. You might even consider taking a short nap after learning something new or important, to help store it in your long-term memory.

Sleeping less than six hours a night has been shown to decrease mental sharpness even after one night. I am sure if you have young kids, you know exactly what I am talking about. What’s more, good quality sleep has also been shown to help the brain detoxify, which is crucial for keeping the brain healthy and sharp.

4. Flex Your Mental Muscles

You can improve your logic, problem solving, mental orientation and corrective thought process by working on puzzles and doing difficult mental tasks. For instance, start doing crossword puzzles. Studies show that older people who do crossword puzzles have better scores on a variety of cognitive tests than those who don’t.

To be fair, researchers aren’t sure if the puzzles cause better mental ability or if people with better mental ability tend to do more crossword puzzles. Nonetheless it can’t hurt to try! Don’t like puzzles? Try memorizing your friends’ and family’s phone numbers and birthdays.

5. Express Yourself Creatively

Creativity has more than one advantage when it comes to keeping your mind sharp and keeping a positive attitude. Creativity forces you to think and flex your mental muscles!  The results of creative work have been shown to reinforce self-confidence and help individuals enjoy their daily life. Try your hand at;

  • Writing poetry
  • Sewing
  • Taking up a musical instrument
  • Gardening
  • Painting

If you don’t feel artistic or creative, baking or writing in a journal are other great ways to express yourself. Try applying creative approaches to daily tasks like shopping on a budget or creating a new recipe with limited ingredients. Keep a good attitude about your ability to find solutions in everyday situations.

Your brain is an extraordinary machine, and although there is still a great deal we do not know about it, it doesn’t stop us from wanting to expand its capabilities. Don’t blame age for declining cognitive abilities. Instead, test out some of the methods listed above and keep your brain sharp!

Natural Solutions For Brain Fog

brain fog

Brain fog is a major complaint among countless people.  It traditionally occurred mostly in older people, but now is increasingly more common among people that are under 40.  Brain fog affects your memory.  One becomes forgetful, unable to focus and learn as well as other cognitive dysfunctions and is not something you can medically test for.  

Brain Fog Symptoms Include:
  • Confusion
  • Anxiety
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Irritability
  • Low energy
  • Fatigue
  • Forgetfulness
  • Low motivation

Causes Of Brain Fog Include;

  • Stress
  • Lack of physical exercise
  • Inflammation
  • Menopause
  • Allergies
  • Lack of sleep
  • Poor diet and nutrition
  • Dehydration
  • Gluten sensitivity

Natural Solutions For Brain Fog

If you are experiencing brain fog, remain optimistic!  Many people have resolved their issue by applying these natural solutions.  The following can improve your memory, focus, and concentration.   All three of which are major symptoms of brain fog.

sleep
  1. Get Enough Sleep

Simply getting enough sleep is a major solution to a number of health problems, including brain fog.  If you are not getting enough sleep, you should make sure that you sleep for a minimum of 6 hours a

night.  If you are having difficulties getting proper sleep, start by avoiding caffeinated drinks and alcohol before bedtime.

Developing a proper sleep routine can improve the quality of your sleep.  This means going to bed at the same time each night and waking up at a certain time every day.  After a long day at work, make sure that you do not strain your body but take a rest by sleeping.  For further information, click here to read,”Bedtime Woe’s? – 5 Simple Tips For Blissful Zzzz’s”.

stress management
2. Manage Stress

Stress is the main cause of brain fog, so it’s worthwhile to eliminate stress or at the very least minimize it.  It’s much easier to take time to manage your stress is easy than it is trying to manage your brain fog.

Firstly, identify the things that are causing your stress and start working on them.  Excess stress can cause you to feel sluggish, foggy, and get depressed.

Secondly, to manage stress, you need to take care of your mind.  Make sure that you avoid the negative environment and talk to a stress therapist to help you out.  If you are stressed, make sure that you spend time with family and friends or those that can offer you support and help you.  Start writing in a gratitude journal.  Each day write down three things you are grateful for.  This is a known stress reducer!  For further information, click here to read, “Gratitude – An Attitude For Success”.

sugar
3. Reduce Your Sugar Intake

Eating a lot of processed foods can lead to increased sugar intake in the body.  Your food should only include healthy and natural sources of sugar.  High intake of sugar, can provide you with a boost of energy feel…for a while, but will only lead

to a “crash” as your energy becomes depleted.  High sugar intake is a major contributor to inflammation and is commonly associated with the symptom of brain fog.  Consume natural sugars and healthy carbohydrates.  Healthy carbs are known to improve focus and memory and will give your body consistent energy throughout the day.  For further information, click here to read, “This One Thing Has Been Linked To Almost All Diseases”and click here to read, “Sugar – Are you singing the sugar blues?

healthy fats
4. Eat More Healthy Fats & Proteins

Protein deficiency can cause brain fog.  Fats and proteins are responsible for the production of certain hormones which improve brain function.  Make sure that you take proteins rich in amino acids such as eggs and fish, among others.  Healthy

fats include nuts and seeds, avocados, coconut, and olive oil.  Healthy fats improve cognitive functions and fight inflammation.  Click here for 20 simple healthy fish & seafood recipes!

exercise
5. Indulge In Exercises

Exercise will help keep your body active and your mind fresh.  Exercise also helps improve sleep, boosts your energy levels, and balance hormones.  When exercising, start simple and basic with frequent breaks, gradually increasing the duration

and intensity over time.  It is ideal to exercise 30-45 minutes a day to help eliminate brain fog.  If you are not sure of where to start or what exercises to do, seek advice from a qualified healthcare practitioner or personal trainer.  You can also engage in exercises around your home, such as climbing the stairs, swimming, and gardening.
6. Consume More Water!
Water is excellent for brain fog.  Dehydration can affect your brain functioning and cause brain fog.  It is important to keep your body hydrated throughout the day.  It is recommended that you take over two liters of water daily.

In order to keep your water intake on track, consider getting a glass water bottle that has the time markings on it.  It will help

motivate you to be consistent and act like it’s a daily challenge.  Also consider getting a glass bottle that has an infuser to add natural flavours to your water for an extra boost.

The bottle featured in the picture is only intended as an example however you can click here for more information or to purchase the bottle featured.

brain
7. Make Your Brain Active

When your brain is not active, it will slow down its functions so it’s important to let your brain stay active.  There are a number of ways to stimulate your brain.  They include reading books, learning new activities, and solving puzzles.  If you find

that you are becoming forgetful, this is a sign that it’s time to exercise your brain muscle!

Click here for 9 free brain-training apps to make you smarter by improving your memory, attention, problem-solving, mental agility, language, processing speed, and visual skills — all while having fun.

flax
Flax Seeds
8. Take Natural Supplements

There are various natural supplements that you can take to improve your brain function.  And what’s great is that they are easy to find!

These supplements will boost your 

required nutrient intake and support your immune system.  Flax seeds, chia seeds, basil, and fatty acids are all healthy and safe.  No prescription needed!

Boost Health And Drop Weight With Chia

Lastly, Brain fog affects people differently.  If you find yourself suffering with brain fog, make sure that you find the solution that works for you!  The above solutions for brain fog are all natural, effective, and you don’t need to spend a lot of money!

You’re one step closer!