Exercising the brain – never stop
Stress is very bad for you and also now proven to be detrimental to your brain health. Try to manage your stress as this will benefit your brain on the long term.
When we are scholars or students, we tend to learn vast amounts of new material which we don’t necessarily all remember, but the brain is duly exercised. After this, we tend to learn many things in the workplace as we go along, but probably not as much as when we were at school or university, unless you further your studies while working. We don’t really give this aspect of daily life much thought, but we should!
With an increasing older population and the active cases of Dementia growing, the only thing we can really do is to engage in brain stimulating activities, exercises, or hobbies to keep this powerhouse in shape for as long as possible. There are various activities that one can engage in that are quite simple, all to keep the brain as well exercised and stimulated as possible, for as long as possible. Exposing your brain to as many as possible stimulating and challenging activities can keep your brain fit for longer.
One thing to try and avoid – although it is almost impossible in these times we live in – is stress. Stress is very bad for you and also now proven to be detrimental to your brain health. Try to manage your stress as this will benefit your brain on the long term.
When early Dementia does step in, there are various sensory activities that one can also engage to keep the brain working. The use of music has also been proven to be very good for your brain health and music has been used with great success in Dementia Programmes across the world.
Activities that are engaging your brain are for example learning a new language – for example through the Duolingo app. Crossword puzzles, Sudoku, learning a musical instrument or dusting off previous musical skill, singing, meditating, playing cards, building puzzles, gardening, knitting or reading.
Things we also underestimate for brain health is regular exercise and good sleeping patterns. If we can play an active role in keeping our brains healthy for longer, why aren’t we doing it? We must be cognisant of the fact that Dementia is an umbrella term including various types of Dementias. Although not avoidable some forms of Dementia can at least be prolonged before they affect you. Good brain exercises and activities combined with good physical health are therefore not negotiable. If relatively simple activities such as these can keep our brains healthy for longer, start today!
Medwell SA are specialists in Managed Home Health Care and also looks after Dementia patients in care facilities and at home and developed its very own Medwell SA Dementia Programme for this. For more information visit www.medwell.co.za or send an enquiry to info@medwell.co.za
