Today in our busy lives we might focus on our physical health but totally neglect our brain fitness. Our brain is responsible for not only undertaking our mental tasks but also helps us carry out physical functions and for that a healthy brain is a prerequisite. Approximately there are 1.1 trillion cells and 100 billion neurons in an average human brain. The slowest information processing speed of a brain is 260 mph.
A brain thinks 70,000 thoughts in a day out of which most of them are repeated over and over again, so when the next time you think something take some time to think about your brain as well. Researchers today suggest a healthy lifestyle that benefits in maintaining effective and vibrant brains. Following is the list of five essential habits necessary for a healthy brain, let’s review them and try to apply them in our daily lives.
1.Learn about your brain and use it
Each of us should have an understanding of what are brains made up of and what are the elements involved in its functionality. This will help us to appreciate the beauty of our brain and would enhance its working ability. The brain comprises of 3 main sub-systems, Neocortex, Limbic System and Cerebellum. Neocortex performs high level thinking and helps undertake integrative tasks such as conceptualizing, planning and controls movements and senses. The limbic system is in charge of emotions and memory. Cerebellum regulates breathing, heartbeat and maintains motor coordination. When we use our brains the neurons interact with each other which results in maintaining an active brain. The more we will put our brains to work the more efficient it will get, as they say “Use it or lose it”
2.Have a Nutritious Diet
Despite what you see in some diet books and TV programmes, healthy eating can be really straightforward.
When it comes to a healthy diet, balance is the key to getting it right. This means eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight.
Food groups in our diet
The eatwell plate shows that to have a healthy, balanced diet, people should try to eat:
- Plenty of fruit and vegetables
- Plenty of starchy foods, such as bread, rice, potatoes and pasta
- Some meat, fish, eggs, beans and other non-dairy sources of protein
- Some milk and dairy foods
- Just a small amount of food and drinks that are high in fat and/or sugar
Try to choose a variety of different foods from the four main food groups.
3.Sleep Well
How you feel during your waking hours hinges greatly on how well you sleep. Similarly, the cure for sleep difficulties can often be found in your daily routine. Your sleep schedule, bedtime habits, and day-to-day lifestyle choices can make an enormous difference to the quality of your nightly rest. The following tips will help you optimize your sleep so you can be productive, mentally sharp, emotionally balanced, and full of energy all day long.
- Keep a regular sleep schedule
- Naturally regulate your sleep-wake cycle
- Create a relaxing bedtime routine
- Eat right and get regular exercise
- Get anxiety and stress in check
- Ways to get back to sleep
- Cope with shift work sleep disorder
- Know when to see a sleep doctor
4.Explore, travel.
Adapting to new locations forces you to pay more attention to your environment. Make new decisions, use your brain.
5.Don’t Outsource Your Brain.
Not to media personalities, not to politicians, not to your smart neighbour… Make your own decisions, and mistakes. And learn from them. That way, you are training your brain, not your neighbour’s.
