10 Ways to Optimize Your Brain Health

The Alzheimer’s Association reports that in 2018 someone developed Alzheimer’s disease every 65 seconds. With this staggering statistic, and the fact that there is currently no cure for Alzheimer’s disease, it is more important than ever that we focus on keeping our minds sharp and that we do our best to lower our risk of developing this disease.  

The following are 10 things you can do to optimize your brain health and keep your mind sharp:

1. Eat a well-balanced diet that is low in fat and sugar. Include fresh fruit and vegetables, along with nuts and fatty fish like salmon, albacore tuna, herring and lake trout.  
2. Strive for 30 minutes of aerobic exercise per day. 
3. Keep yourself healthy and get regular screenings for diabetes, high blood pressure and heart disease.  
4. Avoid smoking. 
5. Limit alcohol consumption.   
6. Get proper rest. Sleeping seven to eight hours per night is ideal.
7. Remain social. Social interaction, particularly with your peer group, has been shown to have a positive impact on brain health.   
8. Keep stress to a minimum.  
9. Continue to learn. When we learn new things, we stimulate new connections between nerve cells.   
10. Maintain mental stimulation with activities, such as reading, completing crossword puzzles and playing chess.  

It is never too early to introduce the above into your daily routine and to keep your mind sharp!  

About One MacDonough Place

One MacDonough Place is an assisted living community owned by Middlesex Health. It is located in Middletown and is currently offering a 60-day winter respite stay.

For more information about One MacDonough Place, visit onemacdonoughplace.org or call 860-358-5802.