News Taffy

Last week I went on my first “girl trip” to Washington D.C. with my sister and my niece. D. C. is a fascinating city to visit and a place every American can be proud to call our capital. There are museums for every interest, great architecture, history, plays, music and wonderful restaurants. However, my purpose today isn’t to brag about my trip but to point out ways of keeping your brain healthy.

Your brain is like any other part of your body; if you don’t use it, it withers away. Here are a few tips to keep your brain sharp as you age and reduce your risk of various forms of dementia. First, don’t waste your money on nutritional supplements like ginkgo. Studies haven’t found any consistent evidence that these help. Neither does listening to classical music or working crosswords or other puzzles that use what you already know.

One thing that clearly helps is tackling new tasks or learning something new. Studies show that people who continue to learn or seek new experiences are up to 50 percent less likely to have dementia. Thus the trip to Washington with all the museums and history was mentally stimulating. So were the Latin dance classes my husband and I took. You get an added brain boost when learning has a social aspect.

Which brings up the next way to improve your brain health - socialization. Those who are socially isolated are at greater risk for dementia. Social interaction provides time for creativity, emotional expression, communication and brings personal meaning to our lives. Make time for friends, church, volunteering or family.

Stress takes a toll on your whole body but especially your brain. The brain floods the body with hormones during stressful times which can actually make you more forgetful. Over time, those living with chronic high stress levels are more likely to develop Alzheimer's. Find ways to reduce stress in your life such as meditating, yoga, talking with a friend or attending church.

A healthy diet is important for your brain as well as the rest of your body. Eating plenty of fruits, vegetables and lean protein while reducing saturated fats, sugar and processed foods means you have lower levels of inflammation in the body. Inflammation can damage your blood vessels leading to stroke or a heart attack. A healthy diet provides antioxidants which reduce damage to cells over time.

Last, exercise has been shown to significantly improve brain function. Studies have shown that your brain actually shrinks if you are inactive. Every little bit helps too so take the stairs, park further away from the store and use a push mower instead of that lawn tractor.

I hope this inspires you to work harder at maintaining and improving your health. As I preach so often, “Your health is largely in your own hands.” Yes, there are plenty of diseases that we can’t control but we can have better health and a better life by taking care of ourselves.

-Lisa