Discover The 7 Best Habits For Brain Health And Mental Well-Being

Do you know that our brain consumes around 20% of the body’s total energy supply? It also contains more than 86 billion neurons that control the body's overall functioning. Isn’t it cool?

The brain is the central controlling unit of the body that regulates emotions and feelings; it also takes care of consciousness and memory. Our brain performs all its activities responsibly, but sometimes, we are the ones who hinder its functioning.

Poor habits like smoking, drinking, no physical activity or even eating unhealthy impact the brain’s health. So,  in this blog, we will focus on the best habits for brain health and will also see the reasons behind poor mental health. Read on!

Table Of Contents

1. What Is Brain Health?

2. 7 Best Habits For Brain Health

3. Reasons Behind The Poor Brain Health

4. Understanding The Brain Health Tests

5. The Final Say

6. FAQs

7. References

What Is Brain Health?

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), it is the ability of the brain to function correctly across cognitive, emotional, and physical domains, allowing individuals to realise their full potential. 

Physical well-being, safe environments, social connections, and quality services can impact brain development and response to stress. 

Addressing these determinants can improve mental and physical health and social and economic outcomes. However, disruptions in brain development, damage to brain structure, or impaired brain function can occur throughout life.

Also Read: Importance Of Mental Health

7 Best Habits For Brain Health

Our brain is the central controlling organ that regulates and manages every daily activity. Thus, feeding it with good habits is essential to boost its functioning. So, let’s understand the best habits for brain health:

1. Move Your Body Every Day

A little bit of body movement or exercise can solve various health-related issues and so improve your brain health. Exercise makes your brain fit and active to function properly and thus perform better at decision-making.

10 minutes of aerobic exercise daily can improve your mood. After a well-planned exercise routine, you will feel better and be able to focus better. It boosts your confidence level and improves your concentration.

Also Read: The Best Way To Improve Health Is To Exercise Daily

2. Getting Enough Sleep

Sleep is a major factor affecting your mental health, and its deprivation may have a negative impact on the brain.

Sleeping 7-8 hours daily is recommended as it gives your brain time to recapture and store good memories, relax and restore energy. Sleeping well makes you more likely to perform better in your everyday tasks.

While practising this best habit for brain health, practising meditation before you sleep is best, as it will control all the stress or anxiety and recharge your brain for the next day.

Also Read: Why Should You Use A Sleep Tracker?

3. Eat A Mediterranean Diet

A balanced diet is the leading pillar of overall health and fitness. Consider following a Mediterranean diet, emphasising plant foods, whole grains, fish, and olive oil. It contains less red meat and less salt than the American diet.

According to the study, people who follow this diet have less risk of developing Alzheimer's disease than those who do not follow the Mediterranean diet. 

However, more research is needed to determine which foods best support brain function. 

4. Stay Mentally Active

Mental activeness is another sign of a healthy brain. How active you are and your thoughts about any situation says a lot about your brain health. 

Solving crosswords or sudoku, puzzles, reading books, playing cards, or Jigsaw puzzles are some of the best habits for brain health. All these activities improve the thinking and analysing ability of the brain. So, try to add some creative habits to boost your mental health.

Also Read: These Healthy Habits For Mental Health Will Change You

5. Keep Blood Vessels Healthy

Healthy arteries and veins are not only essential for heart health, but they are also crucial for brain health. Routine health check-ups for blood pressure, blood sugar, and cholesterol can help you to monitor the changes.

Doing physical activities and consuming a nutritious diet with low sodium intake can boost your mental and physical health.

Moreover, while talking about the best habits for brain health, there are some practices that you need to stop following today. Habits like smoking and drinking can affect your brain health.

6. Get More Sunlight

Sunlight exposure increases the production of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that plays a role in mood regulation and helps to reduce the risk of depression and anxiety.

Our sleep-wake cycle is associated with sunlight. It was found that people who get regular exposure to sunlight are more likely to fall asleep early and experience sound sleep all night.

To benefit from it, just 2 minutes of daylight in the morning can help you feel happy and focused. Waking up early in the morning can help you to fall asleep faster at night. You can walk briskly in the morning to get in the mood and avoid checking your phones for at least 30 minutes after waking up.

Also Read: Good Morning Habits For A Stronger Body And Better Fitness

7. Practice Meditation

Meditation is the best practice to boost your brain health. It calms and detoxifies your mind by removing the negative thoughts and clutter. 

You can practise meditation starting from 5 mins to 30 mins at your convenience. But for the best result for your brain health, start doing it in the morning. 

Meditation is one of the effective and best habits for brain health, improving focus, regulating mood swings and generating positivity.

Reasons Behind The Poor Brain Health

There are various factors that may hamper the functioning of the brain like:

• Chronic stress

• Lack of physical activity

• Poor nutrition

• Sleep deprivation

• Substance abuse (e.g., drugs, alcohol)

• Head injuries

• Genetic predispositions

• Mental health disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety)

• Neurological disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's)

• Environmental toxins (e.g., pollutants, heavy metals)

• Lack of mental stimulation or cognitive engagement

• Hormonal imbalances

Understanding The Brain Health Tests

Diagnosing brain problems can be tricky as symptoms often manifest in other body parts due to the intricate nervous system. Doctors usually conduct an initial evaluation, which is then followed by neurological tests to diagnose brain issues.

Our brain is the key to our survival, therefore, we must take care of it and following the best habits for brain health can help you achieve the mental strength to perform and think actively. To get a healthy and fit brain, you should incorporate meditation, eat a nutritious diet, and maintain a sleep cycle. 

Moreover, quitting unhealthy habits like smoking or drinking can boost your brain health. If you have any confusion related to any health issue, feel free to consult our healthcare expert, and for more information, visit ToneOp.

FAQs

1. What causes poor brain health?

Various factors contribute to hampering your brain functioning like: 

• Chronic Stress

• Lack of Physical Activity

• Poor Nutrition

• Sleep Deprivation, Genetic Predispositions

• Head Injuries

• Mental Health Disorders (e.g., depression, anxiety)

• Neurological Disorders (e.g., Alzheimer's, Parkinson's)

  
  

2. What are the tips for healthy brain?

You can follow the mentioned tips if you want to improve your brain health:

• Check Your Blood Pressure

• Check Blood Sugar

• Do Not Drink Alcohol

• Protect Your Head

• Manage Stress

  
  

3. What are the signs of a healthy brain?

The signs of a healthy brain include the following:

• A Good Memory

• Sharp Cognitive Function

• Mental Clarity

• Emotional Balance

• Good Sleep Patterns

• Effective Communication

• Balanced Emotions

• Strong Problem-Solving Skills

  
  

4. What are the 5 rules of brain health?

The 5 tips for a healthy brain are

• Regular exercise

• Maintaining the sleep cycle

• Eating a nutritious diet

• Practising meditation

• Thinking positively

  
  

5. Which fruit is best for brain health?

Fruits rich in vitamin C are best for the brain. These include oranges, bell peppers, guava, kiwi, tomatoes, and strawberries.

References

• Effect of Inadequate Sleep on Frequent Mental Distress

• Benefits of Sunlight: A Bright Spot for Human Health

About ToneOp

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