There are more than 45 million people all over the world, suffering from dementia and the numbers are expected to significantly increase by 2030. The increase will be at 70 million people according to the report released by the World Health Organization. While cognitive impairment, medical experts say, is part of the aging process, it does not mean that nothing can be done to keep it at bay.
There is no guarantee that anyone can be saved from developing dementia, but some lifestyle changes can help reduce the risk and help maintain good brain health down the road.
- Get up and exercise.
Perhaps the most common benefits of exercise can be seen physically, but it comes with numerous benefits in human health that are virtually invisible. "There are likely a few good reasons why working out can help the brain stay healthy," said Dr. Jason Karlawish, a professor of medicine from the University of Pennsylvania. Exercise has been proven to help keep the organs healthy, particularly the heart, the kidneys, and even the brain.
- Get a new hobby.
Learning something new isn't just as an activity to pass time. They also keep the brain stimulated thus it becomes sharper, more engaging in educational activities that widen its knowledge about things. Dr. Esther Oh from the Alzheimer's Disease Research Center for the John Hopkins School of Medicine said that patients who have already been diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease who were given crossword puzzles to do have shown significant improvements. "These activities can be beneficial for patients, therefore it has to be sustainable. Seek to learn more and the brain wouldn't have to suffer.
- Get out and enjoy.
Partying all night might not help, but keeping connections with family and friends should help keep the brain alive. Enjoy real conversations with real people. "Most people are spending a lot of time in their phones and that is leading the way to social isolation," Dr. Oh said. Therefore, interacting with people helps mental health a lot more than previously thought.
Is it too late to start these changes in life? There's no need to worry about it. It only takes a few healthy lifestyle changes to keep a healthy brain.
