Brain Health: The Path to Healthy Thinking

Brain health is important. Your brain is your everything–your personality, your moral compass and your central control system. However, it’s still a muscle and requires the same care you give your body. In addition, every part of your body should be working in perfect order to maintain a healthy level of thinking. In fact, your mental health is more closely connected to your physical health, your sleep levels and your diet than you might realize.

Know Your Brain Pillars

The Cleveland Clinic identifies six lifestyle pillars that are important to your brain health. (The list includes everything from what you eat and drink to how much you exercise to how you manage stress.) In addition, this interactive quiz will help you pinpoint areas you might need to improve upon to minimize your chance of getting dementia in later years.

It’s Ok to Get Help

Forgot to do an important project at work? Missed your best friend’s birthday?  Whether you are 25 or 65, you may be experiencing symptoms of brain fatigue, thanks to a deluge of social, media and just too much information.  Realizing you need help can be a huge step towards improving your mental health and happiness. But finding support can be overwhelming and expensive, and it’s easy to get discouraged. There are online games to help you pinpoint what might be causing you mental strife, whether it’s a lack of water, sleep or exercise. Talking to a therapist is also a good option and there are online options if cost is an issue.

Ditch Social Media

While the Internet can be a great place to go to for resources, articles and help, try to stay off social media sites that have been found to increase depression, especially for teenagers.[1] It’s hard to stop comparing your daily life with everyone’s curated online personas. However, when you are feeling bad, avoid scrolling through your social media feeds. Can’t stop scrolling? Try deleting the apps off your phone to avoid idol scrolling or turn your photos black and white to make them less appealing.

Finding the path towards a healthier brain is an ongoing process that requires constant check-ins, adjustments and patience. The journey can be long and at times discouraging so allow yourself time to find better balance in your life. It will be worth it.

[1] Anxiety and Depression Association of America, “Social Media and Teen Depression: The Two Go Hand-in-Hand,” Jeff Nalin.