Learn to recognize the symptoms
Your brain is your most valuable asset. As one of the most important organs in the body, it's the control center for whatever you do and the way you function every day. However, it's also one of the most delicate organs, which is why it's important to take care of it by making healthy choices. Unfortunately, many people have seemingly "harmless" habits that can cause lasting brain damage.
So click on for the common habits that could have a negative impact on your cognitive functioning.
Without adequate sleep, the brain struggles to function properly. In fact, studies indicate that lack of sleep leads to neurological damage in the hippocampus, a part of the brain involved in learning and memory.
If you're having trouble sleeping, avoid screens an hour before bedtime, and try not to reach for your phone if your sleep is interrupted.
Due to our fast-paced lifestyles, most of us avoid or end up skipping breakfast to save some time in the morning.
However, the brain needs appropriate nutrients at the appropriate time to function at its best. Skipping breakfast leads to a low sugar supply and poor nutrient supply to the brain, which can lead to long-term health problems.
Listening to music is a great way to relax and unwind. But if you blast your headphones, you could be damaging your hearing. What's more, people with hearing loss are more likely to develop Alzheimer's disease.
Some researchers believe that this is because the brain works so hard on hearing that it's unable to store memories of what's being heard. Therefore, if you want to keep your brain healthy, make sure you keep the volume at a safe level.
Over time, overeating may harm brain function as well. Several studies tie continual overeating to mental decline in older adults, compared with those who don't overeat.
That said, more studies are needed to identify the extent and mechanisms of mental decline related to overeating.
Long-term, regular exercise can help reduce cognitive impairment and dementia risk.
Beyond working out, making physical activity, such as gardening or walking, a part of your lifestyle is also important. Benefits include decreasing stress and increasing blood flow to the brain.
Socializing encourages the growth and development of the brain. If there's no socializing or if communication is low, you might feel low and depressed.
On top of that, social health plays a vital role in the development of dementia. An active and socially integrated lifestyle can protect against the disease.
If you spend too much time in the dark, your brain doesn't get enough exposure to sunlight.
This can lead to problems like seasonal affective disorder and depression. Therefore, make sure you're getting plenty of sunlight every day.
Excessive sugar consumption is harmful to brain health and can lead to memory and learning deficiencies.
Sugar can also produce addiction-like effects, driving loss of self-control, and overeating.
Learning something new forms connections between our brain cells and helps to keep the brain youthful.
Also, thinking, reading, writing, and generally doing something creative will train and enhance the brain for better functioning and prevent it from being damaged.
When you're constantly down and negative, it can take a toll on your mental health. This can lead to problems like depression, anxiety, and even dementia.
In fact, some research shows that people who dwell on the negative have more amyloid and tau proteins in their brains. These deposits are a key indicator of Alzheimer's disease.
Alcohol leads to chemical imbalances in the brain when consumed over long periods in large quantities.
There's also a specific type of alcohol-related dementia that's considered alcohol-related brain damage (ARBD). This is due to the damage to the brain caused by drinking too much alcohol on a regular basis.
It's always important to see a doctor when you're having health problems. Ignoring your health issues can lead to serious problems down the road, including brain damage.
For example, people who have untreated hypertension are more likely to develop dementia. Untreated depression and diabetes can also be harmful to your brain.
A certain amount of stress related to work or family is part of life. But when stress goes beyond your capacity to cope, it hinders the normal functioning of the brain.
Not only are you contagious, but also your brain's efficacy is bound to take a dramatic hit.
When we're ill, the brain and body are already working extra hard to cope with the infection. So working on a sick day will only add to the burden.
Many people think multitasking is an asset, however, it takes a serious toll on productivity. Also, our brains lack the ability to perform multiple tasks at the same time.
Research has also shown that chronic multitasking changes the brain over time, leading to difficulting focusing.
Sources: (HuffPost) (Verywell Mind) (Yahoo! Finance)
See also: How to tell your brain is aging faster
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Everyday habits that impact cognitive functions
HEALTH Cognitive function
Your brain is your most valuable asset. As one of the most important organs in the body, it's the control center for whatever you do and the way you function every day. However, it's also one of the most delicate organs, which is why it's important to take care of it by making healthy choices. Unfortunately, many people have seemingly "harmless" habits that can cause lasting brain damage.
So click on for the common habits that could have a negative impact on your cognitive functioning.