Keeping our minds healthy with the passing of the years

As the years go by, we tend to start realizing the value of prioritizing the health of our minds. In fact, mental health can become as important to us, if not more so, than making sure that we are physically fit. Age has an impact on the way our brain works. So, as the years pass, we need to be continually mindful (pun intended) of our minds. So how can we keep our minds healthy as we grow older?

Cognitive health

Keeping our brains sharp becomes more urgent as we age. This includes the need to focus on different aspects of brain function. Coverage includes cognitive aspects like thinking, learning, and recollection, as well as motor function and emotional responses.

Here are some ways through which we can keep our minds in tip-top condition:

• Eating foods that are good for our overall health
• Drinking an adequate amount of water daily
• Reducing and managing stress levels
• Keeping our minds fully active
• Managing risk factors such as high blood pressure and diabetes, among others
• Exercising regularly and sufficiently

As can be seen, staying in good physical shape means one is also minimizing the health issues that impact brain function. For example, you have lower risk of diabetes or heart conditions if you’re at a certain level of fitness. Playing sport also engages our minds as much as it challenges us athletically.

Following a good diet is a must, and is a prerequisite for good overall health. It helps one avoid high levels of cholesterol, sugar, and other harmful stuff. Smoking is a no, no. This is absolutely essential. Also, one needs to get other habits that can compromise health and impair brain function under control. If you’re taking any medication, don’t hesitate to ask your doctor about any long-term effects.

You can also ‘exercise’ your brain to keep it active and engaged. Simple activities like reading, doing crossword or sudoku puzzles, and engaging in hobbies definitely help in the long run. Even playing video games can contribute to the sharpening of cognitive functions. Social interaction also plays a role in our mental engagement, not to mention personal emotional fulfilment.

The positive approach to mental health

Awareness of mental health issues and emphasis on self-care has largely improved in recent times. However, there is still a long way to go in getting people to honestly assess their mental states. Unless they do, a lot of cases that could be effectively remedied, will remain undiagnosed. This is due to a host of factors. For example, many are still not keen on psychological therapy, even if they have access to it.

We need to recognize that addressing mental health issues is not a personal flaw or a sign of weakness. That line of thinking is a holdover from times past, when mental health was treated like something of a taboo. That attitude does no one any good, especially considering the things we’ve gone through over the past year. Being able to shatter this stigma allows men to take advantage of treatments so they can live their best lives.

Keeping the mind healthy allows us to continue enjoying the best possible quality of life. Even though there are changes in our brains that come with aging, there are ways to minimize them. The key is that we do our best constantly to keep our minds sharp and our neurons blazing fast.