Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body The HELLO Project
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nventor Thomas Edison once said, “The chief function of the body is to carry the brain around.” The human brain, the most vital organ of all, is the one we sometimes neglect when we think about eating well and staying active.
Research is now showing, however, that what benefits our body can also benefit our brain. We are learning that healthy living, which includes nutrition, physical activity, social connection and cognitive activity, can benefit our brain too.
based on current research around ways to help us do just that. By learning more about how we age and how the brain works, we can better understand the aspects of aging over which we can have some control. These can include lifestyle and some environmental factors, as well as habits we can adopt to help influence those factors as we age. Here are four areas where healthy habits can lead to better health overall:
Many of us notice changes as we age, such as graying hair and a few more wrinkles, and these changes are normal. Differences in memory or thinking, however, are the kind of changes that can sometimes precede or indicate cognitive decline. The good news is there are practical strategies that might be able to help.
• Physical health and exercise: Studies suggest that engaging in physical activity is associated with a lower risk of cognitive decline. Some studies even indicate that exercise might directly affect the brain by increasing blood flow and oxygen, and decreasing other risk factors such as high blood pressure. Even mild activity, such as a daily walk, could help. So, start small, do something you enjoy and let’s get moving!
By taking care of our brains as well as our bodies, we might be able to reduce our risk of cognitive decline, and remain in better health for longer. The Healthy Living for Your Brain and Body: Tips from the Latest Research program offered by the Alzheimer’s Association® is designed to provide information
• Diet and nutrition: Science has shown that some foods can help us age well; reducing our risk of heart disease and maybe dementia. Diets rich in vegetables, fruits, nuts, beans, whole grains, fish and lean meats are more nutrient and vitamin (HELLO page 24)
We invite you to join us for "IT STARTS WITH HELLO", a virtual community gathering held every Tuesday and Thursday at noon . We feature local experts covering topics including wellness, local news and events, financial advice and more. We have a lot of fun, laugh and share. It's a chance for seniors to engage with others in our community. It's kind of like a happy hour at lunchtime! Plus, it's easy! You can call in or join us on video. Call 1-669-900-6833 or visit https://zoom.us Meeting ID: 962 6929 5417 For questions or for more information please call us at 775-982-6319 or visit HelloStartsNow.org. www.SeniorSpectrumNewspapers.com // March 2021
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