by Seema Sinha

Stress also damages your brain by releasing damaging hormones.

1. Lead an active lifestyle and exercise regularly. Brisk walking, swimming, aerobics and yoga in mid-life helps prevent memory problems that often come with aging. Mild to moderate exercise is all it takes just that one should do it regularly.

2. Exercise your brain. An active brain stays sharp and continues to produce new connections between nerve cells. Doing crosswords, reading, playing games such as chess, and learning a new hobby helps our brain.

3. Eat a healthy diet. A diet that is low in saturated fats, sugar, bleached white flour and junk foods and which has an abundance of colorful fruits and veggies will keep your brain sharp as well as keeping your body trim and protect you against diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease.

4. Avoid stress. Stress also damages your brain by releasing damaging hormones. Avoid stressful situations by turning to nature, doing yoga, meditations, etc.

5. Get adequate sleep. Sound sleep enables the body and brain to heal and recharge so that you are healthier and are able to think more clearly. Sleep also helps you have a better long-term memory.

6. Be sure to include plenty of antioxidants in your diet. Numerous studies have shown that a diet rich in antioxidants helps prevent and slow age-related declines in memory and learning. Among the very best sources of antioxidants are blueberries, dark grapes and pomegranates.

7. Incorporate plenty of essential omega-3 fatty acids in your diet. Omega-3s help protect the brain against age-related decline and maintain proper brain function throughout life. Some of the best omega-3 sources include fatty cold water fish such as tuna, sardines and mackerel.

8. Have an active social life. Besides meeting colleagues at work place, have friends outside office and also stay in touch with relatives. Talking and interacting with others keeps your brain active and sharpen thinking. According to a leading psychologist, spending only 10 minutes talking to another person can be as effective as mental exercises such as working crossword puzzles.

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Read this article in Times of India

 

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