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See Also
See Again
15 seemingly harmless habits that can damage your brain - The good news is these are all habits we can control to keep our brains healthy. Click to know more.
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
Lack of sleep
- 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.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
Lack of sleep
- 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.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
Skipping breakfast
- Due to our fast-paced lifestyles, most of us avoid or end up skipping breakfast to save some time in the morning.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Skipping breakfast
- 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.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Blasting your headphones
- 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.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Blasting your headphones
- 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.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Overeating
- 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.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Overeating
- That said, more studies are needed to identify the extent and mechanisms of mental decline related to overeating.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Not moving your body enough
- Long-term, regular exercise can help reduce cognitive impairment and dementia risk.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Not moving your body enough
- 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.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Not socializing enough
- 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.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Not socializing enough
- 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.
© iStock
12 / 31 Fotos
Spending too much time in the dark
- If you spend too much time in the dark, your brain doesn't get enough exposure to sunlight.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Spending too much time in the dark
- This can lead to problems like seasonal affective disorder and depression. Therefore, make sure you're getting plenty of sunlight every day.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Eating sugary foods
- Excessive sugar consumption is harmful to brain health and can lead to memory and learning deficiencies.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Eating sugary foods
- Sugar can also produce addiction-like effects, driving loss of self-control, and overeating.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
Lack of mental stimulation
- Learning something new forms connections between our brain cells and helps to keep the brain youthful.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Lack of mental stimulation
- Also, thinking, reading, writing, and generally doing something creative will train and enhance the brain for better functioning and prevent it from being damaged.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Negative thinking
- 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.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Negative thinking
- 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.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
- Alcohol leads to chemical imbalances in the brain when consumed over long periods in large quantities.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
- 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.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Ignoring your health issues
- 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.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Ignoring your health issues
- For example, people who have untreated hypertension are more likely to develop dementia. Untreated depression and diabetes can also be harmful to your brain.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Being chronically stressed
- 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.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Being chronically stressed - Chronic stress can lead to cognitive decline due to prolonged elevations of cortisol, which plays an important role in how your body responds to stress.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Working when you're sick
- Not only are you contagious, but also your brain's efficacy is bound to take a dramatic hit.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Working when you're sick
- 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.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Multitasking
- 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.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Multitasking
- Research has also shown that chronic multitasking changes the brain over time, leading to difficulting focusing. Sources: (HuffPost) (Verywell Mind) (Yahoo! Finance)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
15 seemingly harmless habits that can damage your brain - The good news is these are all habits we can control to keep our brains healthy. Click to know more.
© Shutterstock
0 / 31 Fotos
Lack of sleep
- 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.
© Shutterstock
1 / 31 Fotos
Lack of sleep
- 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.
© Shutterstock
2 / 31 Fotos
Skipping breakfast
- Due to our fast-paced lifestyles, most of us avoid or end up skipping breakfast to save some time in the morning.
© Shutterstock
3 / 31 Fotos
Skipping breakfast
- 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.
© Shutterstock
4 / 31 Fotos
Blasting your headphones
- 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.
© Shutterstock
5 / 31 Fotos
Blasting your headphones
- 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.
© Shutterstock
6 / 31 Fotos
Overeating
- 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.
© Shutterstock
7 / 31 Fotos
Overeating
- That said, more studies are needed to identify the extent and mechanisms of mental decline related to overeating.
© Shutterstock
8 / 31 Fotos
Not moving your body enough
- Long-term, regular exercise can help reduce cognitive impairment and dementia risk.
© Shutterstock
9 / 31 Fotos
Not moving your body enough
- 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.
© Shutterstock
10 / 31 Fotos
Not socializing enough
- 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.
© Shutterstock
11 / 31 Fotos
Not socializing enough
- 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.
© iStock
12 / 31 Fotos
Spending too much time in the dark
- If you spend too much time in the dark, your brain doesn't get enough exposure to sunlight.
© Shutterstock
13 / 31 Fotos
Spending too much time in the dark
- This can lead to problems like seasonal affective disorder and depression. Therefore, make sure you're getting plenty of sunlight every day.
© Shutterstock
14 / 31 Fotos
Eating sugary foods
- Excessive sugar consumption is harmful to brain health and can lead to memory and learning deficiencies.
© Shutterstock
15 / 31 Fotos
Eating sugary foods
- Sugar can also produce addiction-like effects, driving loss of self-control, and overeating.
© Shutterstock
16 / 31 Fotos
Lack of mental stimulation
- Learning something new forms connections between our brain cells and helps to keep the brain youthful.
© Shutterstock
17 / 31 Fotos
Lack of mental stimulation
- Also, thinking, reading, writing, and generally doing something creative will train and enhance the brain for better functioning and prevent it from being damaged.
© Shutterstock
18 / 31 Fotos
Negative thinking
- 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.
© Shutterstock
19 / 31 Fotos
Negative thinking
- 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.
© Shutterstock
20 / 31 Fotos
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
- Alcohol leads to chemical imbalances in the brain when consumed over long periods in large quantities.
© Shutterstock
21 / 31 Fotos
Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol
- 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.
© Shutterstock
22 / 31 Fotos
Ignoring your health issues
- 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.
© Shutterstock
23 / 31 Fotos
Ignoring your health issues
- For example, people who have untreated hypertension are more likely to develop dementia. Untreated depression and diabetes can also be harmful to your brain.
© Shutterstock
24 / 31 Fotos
Being chronically stressed
- 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.
© Shutterstock
25 / 31 Fotos
Being chronically stressed - Chronic stress can lead to cognitive decline due to prolonged elevations of cortisol, which plays an important role in how your body responds to stress.
© Shutterstock
26 / 31 Fotos
Working when you're sick
- Not only are you contagious, but also your brain's efficacy is bound to take a dramatic hit.
© Shutterstock
27 / 31 Fotos
Working when you're sick
- 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.
© Shutterstock
28 / 31 Fotos
Multitasking
- 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.
© Shutterstock
29 / 31 Fotos
Multitasking
- Research has also shown that chronic multitasking changes the brain over time, leading to difficulting focusing. Sources: (HuffPost) (Verywell Mind) (Yahoo! Finance)
© Shutterstock
30 / 31 Fotos
15 seemingly harmless habits that can damage your brain
Everyday habits that impact cognitive functions
© Shutterstock
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.
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