Dementia is on the rise, partly because better health care means an aging population. The increase is also due to changes in the lifestyles of recent generations. Sedentary lifestyles, high-fat foods, and bad habits are all linked to increased risk of a range of diseases, including Dementia. You can reduce your risk by changing elements of your lifestyle. Give these seven habits a go at your assisted living community in Sarasota, Florida and reduce your risk of Dementia.
Related Blog: Preventative Measures You Can Take Against Dementia and Alzheimer's
1. Exercise regularly
A healthy body begets a healthy mind, and there is much truth in that saying. Regular exercise raises your mood, improves blood flow, and helps you stay strong. When you feel good physically, you are more likely to keep up with other healthy habits and stay mentally active.
2. Stop smoking
Smoking reduces blood flow to your brain and increases the risk of a range of physical illnesses. It doesn’t matter how long you have smoked for, by stopping you can reverse some of the damage that has been done and stop any new damage, including to your brain, from occurring.
3. Reduce and stabilize your weight
Any weight loss should be approached sensibly and slowly. If you drop your weight too quickly, it can do more harm than good to your body, and can also result in gaining more weight down the road. Maintaining a healthy weight puts less stress on your body in general and improves your overall health and mental wellbeing.
4. Eat a balanced diet
Not only will this make keeping your weight at a healthy level easier, but it will also support your exercise routine and provide the vitamins, minerals, oils, and healthy fats that are needed to support your brain functions.
5. Reduce your alcohol intake
Excessive alcohol intake damages your liver, compromises your immune system, and kills brain cells. Drinking to excess is likely to lead to a wide range of complications including dehydration, which has a negative effect on the brain. You don’t have to cut it out completely, just keep it sensible and in moderation.
6. Exercise the brain
The brain is a muscle, and like any muscle, it loses its capacity to do its job if it doesn’t get regular exercise while living at your luxury retirement community. Listen to new music, read books, do a puzzle, or answer questions on a quiz show; anything that gets your brain pulsing.
7. Enjoy life
The feel-good hormones that are released when you are happy are good for you. Keeping these and other hormones in balance reduces the risk of mental health issues, all of which can increase your likelihood of Dementia. So, laugh, sing, meet friends and enjoy life!
