Page 106 - South Mississippi Living - November, 2022

HEALTHY LIVING
story by Luke Height
Keeping Your Mental Brain Game Strong As You Age
They say “age ain’t nothing but a number,” and yet our mind and body just don’t seem to follow along with the adage. The reality is that as we age, our body slowly decays and so does our mind. I know it sounds morbid, however there are things we can do to help our mind stay in good shape until our dying days.
Some of these tips and tricks are universal for any age and can benefit your health at any stage of life. In fact, starting these healthy habits earlier in life will be an extreme benefit as you age, but it’s never too late to start taking care of your mind.
It starts with the body. Having a regular exercise routine is vital for brain health. It increases circulation and strengthens your heart. Quitting smoking and limiting drinking will vastly increase your brain’s health over the long term and keep your memory and brain sharp. The more you intake these harmful chemicals, the more they will weigh on your overall health and brain function.
Another thing that happens is as people age and retire, they stop stimulating their brain. It’s important to keep yourself mentally active with hobbies, activities, and even responsibilities. Instead of spending the “Golden Years” in front of a television, make sure to keep up with your garden, attend community events, take on new hobbies, learn new skills, or read a book. This will keep you sharp and decrease the chances of Alzheimers.
Lastly, the food that you eat can either increase or decrease your brain health. Processed, sugary, and greasy foods are generally less healthy and should be restricted. As a general rule of thumb, whole foods are the best way to go for overall health. A few
foods that are proven to support brain health are Lion’s Mane mushrooms, fatty fish, leafy greens, coffee and tea, berries, and walnuts.
Even though our mind will age and eventually deteriorate, we still want to make the most out of our days while we are here. That’s why it’s important to take the right steps to a brain healthy lifestyle so we can enjoy all the special moments of life.
106 | November 2022
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