By Cassie Lucas-Moore, Marketing & Outreach Coordinator
Spring is here! New grass, new flowers, new leaves budding on the trees. The sunshine seems more prevalent and the snow may not be completely gone, but we’re getting less of it. Many associate spring with new beginnings. While we may all be getting older, there is always time to start something new. What better time than now to focus on brain health!
The brain maintains our body’s functioning while also keeping track of all those memories and abilities. As we age, the brain can sometimes get a little slower or more forgetful. There are a few things that can be done to slow the progression of memory loss.
According to The Mayo Clinic, there are eight areas for improving brain health.
- Physical Exercise
Physical activity is linked to a reduction in risk for Alzheimer’s disease! It also improves balance, flexibility, strength, energy, and mood. Movement of any kind is beneficial! It can be as simple as a walk around the block, parking farther from the store to get some extra steps in, or taking an exercise class at a local senior center. Senior centers hold classes that meet people where they are in their physical abilities. If a person needs to participate in a chair, there is no judgment.
Calhoun County has three senior centers: Forks Senior Center in Albion, Heritage Commons in Marshall, and the Kool Center in Battle Creek. CareWell Services hosts free exercise classes on the second floor of the Kool Center with no membership required. Heritage Commons and Forks offer many activities and classes to members. Learn about membership and see the schedule of classes on CareWell’s website at www.carewellservices.org/events-calendar.
- Medical Health
Many of the health conditions we are at an increased risk of experiencing as we age can result in memory loss and difficulty thinking. Those conditions include diabetes, stroke, heart disease, and high blood pressure, as well as depression and head trauma. Keeping these conditions controlled under a healthcare professional’s direction will help to reduce the risks of memory loss and other related symptoms. For those who don’t have any of these conditions, a healthcare provider can also give you guidance on avoiding these diagnoses.
- Mental Fitness
Exercise the brain through fun activities that require thought! Work on puzzles, do a word search, read a book, color, craft, or participate in a hobby like painting or knitting. Participating in these activities can improve our brain’s function and promote new brain cell growth.
- Sleep and Relaxation
Typical adults need seven to nine hours of sleep per night. This has to be restful sleep, uninterrupted by snoring or fidgeting. A lack of restful sleep can increase the risk for a decline in thinking skills. A proper restful sleep schedule can also help maintain mental health, reducing stress and depression.
- Socialization
Memory loss is tied to depression and stress. These can be worsened by loneliness and isolation. Go out with friends, visit with the neighbor, and enjoy the company of others. It will keep spirits up, give a sense of belonging, and stimulate the brain in a healthy way.
- Food and Nutrition
For those with memory concerns, The MIND diet is recommended. MIND stands for Mediterranean Intervention for Neurodegenerative Delay. This is a diet of brain healthy foods that improve mental focus and slow the decline of the brain’s faculties. The main ingredient is leafy vegetables paired with other vegetables, berries, nuts, whole grains, poultry, and fish. Limitations are made to butter, cheese, red meat, and sweets.
This spring is the perfect time to prioritize these areas. Our brains have the best chance of staying healthy when we take steps to improve our mental, emotional, social, and physical health. So get outside and enjoy the spring weather by exercising with friends at the park, gathering for a picnic, or even taking a puzzle book to do while sitting in nature! Your brain will thank you.
