Have you ever forgotten someone’s name while speaking to them? Or gone to the kitchen only to forget why? Memory lapses can occur at any age. Memory loss and brain aging were once said to occur because neurons stopped functioning or simply died. Newer research has proved that dopamine can trigger new neurons. And while it is possible for new neurons to form during our lifetime, this doesn’t entirely exclude the chances of the brain changing with time. Many factors can lead to brain changes, and most of them have to do with lifestyle choices. Making healthy lifestyle choices such as the ones discussed below can help improve brain function.

Eat brain food:

It’s no secret that a healthy, balanced diet is good for the human body. However, many studies have also been able to prove that there are certain foods that accelerate brain development and slow down brain degeneration. Foods that top the list have high EPA, DHA and Omega-3 fatty acid content. These nutrients are linked to improved memory and focus.

Exercise your brain:

Brain teasers and puzzles and other brain games help keep your brain going between various parts of the brain thus ensuring it stays sharp. Using your non-dominant hand to comb your hair, brush your teeth, or do other normal activities can also help improve sharpness of your brain.

Try New Activities:

While physical exercise is great for overall human health, why not try messing with your brain a bit? Try something new, or something you haven’t done in a long time such as tossing a ball around or hiking. New activities will not only give you more great experiences, but it will improve your brain health.

Socialize:

Humans are social animals and studies have time and time again shown that social interactions help stimulate the brain. Stimulation ultimately leads to improved brain function making social interaction very important, particularly for older people whose age has taken a toll on their memory. This also helps you practice communicating so you can be better at it overall!

Keeping the body fit may come with great benefits. But what if your brain doesn’t function properly? How will you enjoy these benefits? Keeping your brain in peak shape will improve your life in the short and long term!

Check out this interview I did with @cristi here