Think ahead!<\/p>\n
It\u2019s important to treat your brain like a retirement fund \u2014 the earlier you invest, the better it pays off. Building brain health with movement and mental curiosity helps keep your mind\u2019s wiring strong and resilient over time.<\/p>\n
Dr. Bruce Mayerson<\/a>, co-chair of neurosciences at Catholic Health<\/a> and the chief of neurology at St. Catherine of Siena Hospital<\/a>, shares six major ways to mind your gray matter well before your hair goes gray.<\/p>\n There are six major ways to mind your gray matter well before your hair goes gray. Jack Forbes \/ NY Post<\/p>\n Eat this, not that\u2026<\/p>\n Mayerson is a fan of the anti-inflammatory Mediterranean diet<\/a>, which emphasizes fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, nuts and olive oil, with fish and poultry in moderation.<\/p>\n Nuts, in particular, are packed with heart-healthy unsaturated fats<\/a>, plant-based protein, fiber, vitamins and minerals. The doc recommended cashews, almonds and peanuts specifically.<\/p>\n The Mediterranean diet also limits ultra-processed foods, refined grains like white bread and rice, unhealthy fats like butter, added sugars, alcohol and red meat<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cI don\u2019t think it necessarily needs to be completely excluded,\u201d Mayerson said of red meat. \u201cIt is a very good source of protein, but it\u2019s also a high-fat food.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cSo, in general, things like chicken and poultry are probably better, not to mention that in terms of cholesterol, red meat can also be an issue for people who are managing that lipid problem,\u201d he added.<\/p>\n Stay social and optimistic<\/p>\n A recent study out of the University of Florida found that your brain\u2019s \u201ctrue age\u201d can shift dramatically \u201cThis research underscores that optimism and stress management can meaningfully slow brain aging, while strong social connections play a powerful role in supporting brain health, especially as we grow older,\u201d Mayerson noted.<\/p>\n Walk this way<\/p>\n Aerobic (cardio) and anaerobic (strength\/HIIT) exercises significantly benefit the brain by boosting blood flow, promoting new brain cells, enhancing the brain\u2019s ability to change, improving memory and reducing cognitive decline \u2014 but that doesn\u2019t mean you need to go nuts at the gym.<\/p>\n For aerobic activity, walking at a brisk pace<\/a> can be just as good as running. Mayerson recommends setting a daily walk goal \u2014 and sticking to it.<\/p>\n \u201cFor my patients, I find that if you give them a goal, [like] you\u2019re going to walk 2 miles every day or 3 miles every day, you\u2019re going to do it at the same time each day,\u201d he said. \u201cYou get into that sort of rhythm.\u201d<\/p>\n But if you\u2019re thinking 18 holes at the local country club is meeting your movement quota, think again.<\/p>\n \u201cA lot of people golf, and I think that\u2019s great for your mind,\u201d Mayerson said. \u201cFor the body, it may not be quite as effective because I think it\u2019s hard on necks and backs, and you don\u2019t really get any significant aerobic or anaerobic [benefit] unless you walk the golf course.\u201d<\/p>\n Exercise is important \u2014 but you don\u2019t have to push yourself to your limit to reap the benefits. peopleimages.com \u2013 stock.adobe.com<\/p>\n Protect your head<\/p>\n Seems pretty obvious \u2014 hitting your skull on pavement? Not so great for your brain. But too many people skip helmets when riding bikes and scooters.<\/p>\n \u201cI think that\u2019s probably one of the riskiest behaviors you can do,\u201d Mayerson said. \u201cEven if you think you\u2019re not going quickly on one of these things, if you\u2019re doing 15 or 20 miles an hour and you hit your head, you can have a serious traumatic brain injury, not to mention, broken bones.\u201d<\/p>\n
based on how you live \u2014 with optimism, restorative sleep, stress management and strong
social connections acting like powerful anti-aging tools.<\/p>\n