Neurology professors just listed the 9 worst habits for the human brain

Especially following the worst phase of a pandemic, maybe you embrace the idea of ageing with more open arms than many of us might have a few years ago. If you count every birthday as a blessing, there are simple choices you can make every day to age well.

And just like you follow practices to help your skin or heart age healthfully, we’re starting to understand that we can support our brains to better preserve memory, attention, reasoning and problem solving – making it easier to find your keys, engage with loved ones, and enjoy life for longer. Says Professor Joe Verghese, professor of neurology and founding director of the Montefiore-Einstein Center for the Aging Brain in New York City: “A lot of research shows that healthy lifestyles and engaging in cognitively stimulating activities have a really robust effect on slowing the rate of cognitive decline and preventing dementia.”

On the other hand, some frequent habits can make you more vulnerable to memory and cognition problems down the road. Here’s what Verghese says are the worst habits that aren’t so beneficial for your brain, and what you can do to troubleshoot them right now.

Not getting enough physical activity may hasten cognitive decline and generally age us beyond our years. Exercising may prevent some of this decline. One 2020 review in Preventive Medicine highlighted a study that found cognitive decline occurred at twice the rate among inactive adults aged 45 and older, compared with active adults. Other research has supported the premise, including a 2022 study that found physical activity benefits the hippocampus, a part of the brain critical to memory.

The research isn’t conclusive, but exercise helps overall, Verghese says.

What to do

“Even if you start in your 60s, you can reap pretty dramatic benefits doing something simple like walking,” says Dr Art Kramer, founding director of the Center for Cognitive and Brain Health at Northeastern University in Boston.

Weight training may also help, says Dr Denise C. Park, director of research for the Center for Vital Longevity and professor of brain and behavioural sciences at The University of Texas.

Here are 10 beginner-friendly exercises you can do at home.

Adults are sitting around more than ever – often in front of a screen – according to one 2019 American Medical Association study. This non-activity may contribute to brain changes associated with worsened memory.

What to do

Get up and walk around five minutes every hour. You can even set a timer to remind yourself. In a 2019 sports medicine study, aspects of cognitive function improved among participants who broke up periods of prolonged sitting. Similar benefits have been seen among schoolchildren – evidence that maybe a little recess time might not hurt for us grownups, too.

The exact diet that can damage your heart can also damage your brain, namely food and drink high in fat and sugar. According to a 2017 Alzheimer’s study, people who drank more than one sugary beverage each day had a smaller brain volume and scored less on memory tests, both of which can indicate potential Alzheimer’s disease in the future.

Research also tells us that a healthy diet may preserve brain function, including memory and processing speed. Diets tailored to individual characteristics, including cultural background, have shown particular promise in this area, research says.

What to do

The National Institutes of Health points to the Mediterranean diet as one that is also good for your brain. The diet puts a premium on vegetables, whole grains, fish and olive oil. The DASH diet (Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension) is another good choice, says Dr Kaplan.

It’s also a good idea to moderate alcohol, with a 2022 study found that even two drinks a day versus one was associated with a noticeable shrinkage in brain volume.

Check out these 16 tips to help you drink less alcohol.

Loneliness has been associated with cognitive decline, while being engaged also helps you find purpose and meaning in life – which research has linked with maintaining cognitive health and a lower risk for dementia.

What to do

Look for ways to meaningfully interact with others: a long conversation or a shared activity. Also, have your hearing checked. “Poor hearing is a risk factor for cognitive decline,” says Verghese. Hearing loss can lead to depression and social isolation, as well as reduced sensory input that can lead to less brain stimulation.

These tips will help you overcome social anxiety.

We mentioned already that many heart-healthy practices will also benefit your brain. Top of the list is maintaining a normal blood pressure, says Dr Verghese.

Both high and low blood pressure (low is more common in your 80s and 90s) can compromise your cognitive functioning. “At the most basic level, it’s not getting enough blood to the brain,” he explains. “It hardens and narrows blood vessels. It might also cause changes in brain cells and neurotransmitters.”

What to do

Take steps to keep your blood pressure less than 120/80 mmHg, which is considered normal.

Skimp on sleep, and you run the risk not only of fogginess the next day but also of declining mental function over the long-term. “If you’re very exhausted, you don’t have the same focus as you do when you sleep and exercise,” says Dr Park.

What to do

Adults should get at least seven hours of sleep a night, says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Here are 16 bedtime snacks that will help you sleep better.

Different studies have linked neuroticism with cognitive decline and even a greater risk of dementia. Chronic stress, too, has been linked with smaller brain volume.

What to do

Sometimes it’s not feasible to reduce stress but, to the extent that you can, try and relax. “More and more researchers are looking at mindfulness, yoga and tai chi to reduce the effects of stress on minds and bodies,” says Dr Kramer.

Here are 10 ways to sneak in meditation into your everyday life.

A study led by Dr Verghese and published in the peer-reviewed New England Journal of Medicine followed more than 450 people over the age of 75 for five years and found that those who engaged in leisure activities like board games, reading, dancing and playing musical instruments were less likely to develop dementia than their less active counterparts.

What to do

Find activities that interest you, ones that you’ll do a few times each week, suggests Dr Verghese. Better yet, mix up the activities: crosswords plus chess, plus playing an instrument…and make sure they remain challenging. “I tell patients to pick activities that they enjoy doing so they will do it regularly, at least three or four times a week,” he says.

Along with warding off a whole host of debilitating infectious illnesses, vaccines may also fend off Alzheimer’s. Although not conclusive, a 2022 study in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease found that people aged 65 and over who’d had a flu shot had a reduced risk of dementia compared with unvaccinated people. Other studies have also found associations between flu and pneumonia vaccines and a reduced risk of Alzheimer’s.

What to do

Get vaccinated. An updated version of the Covid-19 vaccine is widely available.

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Source: RD.com