“The brain is like a muscle. When it is in use we feel very good. Understanding is joyous.” ~Carl Sagan

The brain is the most vital organ in the human body, serving as the control center for every thought, emotion, and action. Its health is crucial not only for cognitive functions like memory and problem-solving but also for maintaining physical health and overall well-being. Your mental health literally depends on how healthy your brain is! Despite its importance, many overlook the importance of keeping their brain healthy.

As we age, it becomes even more imperative to take care of our brain. Infact, now in my late 40s I feel like I need to give my brain health some extra attention. I focus on having a balanced diet rich in nutrients, such as omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and vitamins, because this helps protect brain cells and support mental clarity. I focus on getting regular physical exercise(even if its just walking) as it enhances blood flow to the brain, promoting the growth of new neurons and reducing the risk of cognitive decline.

Knowing me, I like to keep things fun. So why should taking care of my brain be anything but?! Thats why I mentally stimulate myself through activities like reading, solving puzzles, playing computer games, or by learning new skills to keep my brain active and sharp.

Prioritizing quality sleep is equally crucial for the brain no matter what our age is, as it aids in memory consolidation and clears out toxins from the brain. And the BIG one, managing stress through mindfulness, meditation, or deep breathing helps me protect against the negative effects of chronic stress on brain health.

By adopting these habits, you can nurture your brain too and ensure it functions optimally for years to come.

10 Ways to Keep Your Brain Healthy(at any age)

1. Stimulation: Challenge your brain with puzzles, games, or learning new skills. I love the word games on my phone or even the mandala coloring apps I have for this very purpose.
2. Exercise: Consistent physical movement heals the brain and keeps it healthy. Walking is my favorite and its so easy, you can do it anytime. I like to walk 10 minutes after each meal and an hour on most days. I get my best ideas while I walk in nature.
3. Proper diet: Eat foods with high protein, good fats and seasonal fresh fruits and vegetables. Making sure your vitamins are all balanced keeps the brain super healthy and very active. Since I cook my own meals, I like to keep experimenting with new healthy flavors and combinations. Right now my obsession food list is dark chocolate, chia seeds, nuts, olives, ghee and eggs. I find ways to add these to everything I make. Youtube is full of wonderful channels for healthy(but fun) inspiration.
4. Sleep Habits: The brain needs about 6-8 hours of sleep to process and recharge for the next day. A quick power nap in the middle of the day works wonders too. I am guilty of not getting enough sleep at night due to my work schedule, thats why a power nap sometime in the day works well for my brain to feel rejuvenated.
5. Switch Routines: Change your daily routines from time to time. This will surprise the brain and turn off the auto-pilot mode. Its like an activating happens within the brain when we adopt new positive habits. When I go out for my walks, I always take a new route, just to keep my mind occupied and entertained. I challenge myself to look for something positive every-time I change my scenery.
6. Be Social: Interacting with others will trigger the feel-good processes in the brain which lowers depression. Being an ambivert(leaning towards introverted) myself I like to be with good people who get my vibe. So book clubs(online or offline), meditation or breath-work classes(online or offline), other spiritually inclined classes are my places to meet good souls.
7. Manage Stress: Try relaxation techniques that work for you as stress exhausts the brain and imbalances the hormones. I can literally feel my brain hurt if I take too much stress. Deep breathing exercises and relaxation usually work to reduce my stress.
8. Avoid Substances: Alcohol, smoking and drugs are all very bad for your brains health. If you want a healthy brain these substances need to be avoided. These substance literally reduce your life force and reduce your life span by 10 to 15 years! That’s how harmful they are on your whole being.
9. Digital Detox: Too much screen time negatively impacts the brain’s sleep patterns. The overwhelm from too much social media consumption rattles your thoughts. If on a rare day, I go the excessive scrolling route, I feel like my brain can’t function after. Almost a zombie-like feeling comes on.
10. Read and Learn: Words and stories keep the brain active. This activity reduces the risk of cognitive decline. Keeping the brain young can be as simple as starting to learn a new language. I do weekly Arabic language classes and love to read. I have my 2025 list of books to read ready. Will share it soon 🙂

See, I told you keeping your brain healthy and taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be boring. It can be fun! One of the best things I did a few years back when I decided to go on this healing self-love journey was to prioritize ME. I am my ultimate happiness project 😉

When are you going to make yourself your ultimate project?

Tell me how do you keep your brain healthy? Share what works for you in the comments ❤

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