KEEPING YOUR BRAIN SHARP

from Coastal Health & Wellness 2022

SHROOMS HEALTHIER THAN YOU MAY KNOW

Mind & Body | 2022 KEEPING YOUR

BRAIN SHARP

We all know as we age our brain slows down a bit and it is more difficult to remember things. As in, “I walked into the kitchen and I cannot remember why!”. When you keep your mind sharp by challenging it to learn new things, your brain works harder. As a result, your memory capacity increases. By regularly challenging your brain, you're improving and strengthening the connective tissue in your brain's neurons which helps them perform better and quicker. This process, known as neuroplasticity, is how your brain expands its capacity. Put simply, neuroplasticity, which is also called "brain plasticity", is your brain's ability to go through physiological or structural changes. Although cognitive decline is usually inevitable with aging, it's possible to delay the symptoms and beat the odds for developing dementia and other forms of memory loss. Just by doing some simple brain exercises, you stand a greater chance of overcoming the decline of mental functioning that naturally occurs with aging. One of the main ways to sharpen your mind is by doing mental exercises. This stimulates your brain cells, causing them to communicate with one another. Solving the Rubik's cube can be an excellent cognitive exercise. You could also learn a new hobby or foreign language. Join a club. There are many clubs related to board games, card games, and especially Chess, which is a great way to keep that brain going. If you are a senior, see which senior centers are open during Covid. They have lots of activities to keep your brain fit. Learning new skills, mentoring others and volunteering are some other ways to challenge your brain. When trying to recall something you've just read or heard, repeat the information out loud as well as write it down. This helps to reinforce the new facts in your memory. Review your new information every few hours throughout the day, every day, until it becomes embedded in your mind. When you space out periods of study, you're helping to improve your memory. Thus, repetition works best when it's timed correctly. People who read a lot of books are better at recalling information than non-readers. Make it a usual activity to pick up a book and Learn a new hobby or foreign language commit to finish it in a certain amount of time, i.e., a week, month, etc. This will benefit your brain and you will enjoy the relaxation! When you don’t get enough quality sleep for a night or two, you probably notice a difference in the way you feel. The importance of sleep should not be so casually brushed aside. We need this downtime to rest, restore, and regulate virtually every system in our bodies. A good night’s sleep can solve a myriad of ailments, including brain fuzziness. It can help your brain recover after a hectic day at work. Try to get at least seven to eight hours of sleep although everyone has different needs. Keeping your brain healthy and keeping your heart healthy go hand in hand. A diet centered around fresh produce, whole grains, legumes, nuts, and poultry will help keep you sharp. Fatty fish are abundant sources of omega-3 fatty acids, healthy unsaturated fats that have been linked to lower blood levels of beta-amyloid—the protein that forms damaging clumps in the brains of people with Alzheimer's disease. Try to eat fish at least twice a week, but choose varieties that are low in mercury, such as salmon, cod, and canned light tuna. Say no to fast food! A regular exercise routine is a great way to keep our bodies and minds healthy. People who exercise regularly are more energetic throughout the day, sleep better at night, have sharper memories, and feel more relaxed and positive about themselves and their lives. The same endorphins that make you feel better also help you concentrate and feel mentally sharp for tasks at hand. If you are not into structured exercise try taking a long walk everyday, or do 30 minutes of gardening, any movement will help you to feel better and your brain will feel better too! Just as it takes effort to maintain a healthy body, the same principle applies to keeping your brain sharp and healthy.

Westwind Memory Care in Santa Cruz

Westwind Memory Care offers specialized senior living in Santa Cruz, CA. Our stand-alone Memory Care community is the only one of its kind in the area, providing a sincere, quality approach to dementia care with a local touch. Our caring team offers customized Memory Care and short-term Respite Care. We are proud to coordinate with local partners to provide in-home Hospice Care for your loved one, should the need ever arise. Our residents receive the attention and personalized care they need, with access to everyday activities, community interactions, and delicious meals. Throughout our community, you’ll find tasteful, homelike interiors offering a comforting color scheme reminiscent of ocean blues and sand dollar neutrals, lending a familiar setting to your loved one.

What do we mean by specialized senior living? Your loved one's well-being is provided by a team of compassionate caregivers and nurses. Training consists of one-on-one interactive coaching sessions as well as weekly and monthly instructions. Our memory care expertise mantra derives from our sincere desire to do the work required in serving an aging, sensitive population. Each of our staff members has a choice in their career, and our calling is to work with seniors. We love what we do, and we’d like to introduce you to our team.