You have the power to optimize your cognition by adopting a combination of key healthy lifestyle habits and being aware of your overall wellness. Studies show that taking proactive steps may help reduce your risk of memory loss and other forms of cognitive decline. Depicted below are evidence based recommendations to proactively manage lifestyle-related risk factors and certain medical conditions that may affect cognition.
Stay Mentally Fit: Exercising your mind can help your brain perform at its best. Participating in cognitively stimulating activities may help sharpen certain thinking skills that tend to diminish with age. Have fun engaging your brain by reading books, playing games and doing puzzles.
Maintain Connections: Being socially active is brain friendly. Studies have shown that increased social activity is linked to a lower rate of cognitive decline. To stay social, connect with friends and family, or consider volunteering for a local organization.
Exercise Regularly: Exercising your body can help keep your brain in shape. Research supports a strong link between physical activity and brain health. It is recommended to get at least 150 minutes of moderate aerobic activity a week. Any activity that gets your heart pumping counts as aerobic activity, such as walking, dancing, and biking.
Eat Healthy: Eating right feeds a healthy body and mind. Food that is good for your overall health is good for your brain. Consider having a balanced diet.
Sleep & Relax: Getting a good night’s sleep rests your body and mind. Insufficient sleep can not only make a person irritable, it can affect memory and decision making. Healthy adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep per night.
Hearing: Hearing health is important to your cognitive health. Hearing impairment has been recognized as a modifiable contributor to cognitive decline when identified in mid-life.
Optimal Vision: Manage or prevent vision impairment. Research has found the relationship between cognitive decline and vision impairment may be a modifiable risk factor. To manage or prevent vision impairment, schedule regular visits with your vision healthcare provider.
Medication Management: Medication management is important to your overall health. Taking your medicine as prescribed is important for overall health. Reviewing your meds with your healthcare provider or pharmacist is an integral part of medication management.
Dr. Izzy and his staff are always available to answer your questions regarding your overall hearing health. Please call 732-818-3610 (Toms River & Whiting) or 609-978-8946 (Manahawkin) or visit us at www.gardenstatehearing.com.
