Brain Care is Health Care

The more I research and follow those who are becoming experts at all things dementia, the more I realize we can ALL do something about preventing, treating, and even reversing many of the worst symptoms.  There is a lot of information and sometimes it feels overwhelming by the data and the different voices but there is a bottom line to all of this. Our parents and especially our great grand parents had lifestyles that were naturally more suitable to their brain care.  We are the generation that has access to so much processed food, and our daily pace can tempt us when we don't have a plan in place to take care of our brains in all the following ways: 

• What you EAT matters: anti-inflamatory foods are best and foods most whole and natural. 
• SUPPLEMENTS help maximize nutrition with what we need everyday regardless.  
• Reduce and prevent STRESS with an intentional lifestyle
• BREATH consciously,  increase oxygen, expel toxins and help to relax and stay calm   
• Exercise to keep MOVING which improves cognitive condition and doesn't require a trip to the gym. 
• Get comfortable SUN exposure (hard to do in northern winters) or take Vitamin D and sit under a grow lamp. 
• Keep your MIND active and stimulated, but CALM  with good conversation, reading, puzzles, chores and hobbies.
• Last but not least is to get enough good SLEEP by reducing the amount of blue screen time before bed time.

I have become more intentional, scheduled, and following a routine to give myself the best chances of preventing, or at least slowing down cognitive impairment.  At the same time I don't want to be relisous about it or obsess to the point of worrying about every little thing! 

I think when you get the information through good research and education, you can then apply what's being recommended to your lifestyle and make it work without becoming stressful over all these things.  Having a good sense of humor goes a long way and don't sweat the small stuff.  Life at our age is getting shorter so we can't afford any time being offended, angry, worrying, or taking on what we used to twenty years ago.  

I go slower and more methodically.  I give myself more time to leave the house, drive the car safely, and show up early to get the best parking spot without a handicap tag!  I do as much as I can that I'm enjoying with the level of energy I have on any given day.  I have friends who are 100% focused on just self care but even at that are living the most actrive and energetic lives they can. Zoom and FaceTime helps to stay in touch with friends and family.  More deliveries can be made from online or phone in orders.  These limit time away from home if it's ice on sidewalks, or slippery on snow. 

It all helps to use self discipline to avoid too much sugar, carbs, and dairy by preparing and having on hand a lot of the foods that are more healthy and especially those that contribute to good brain care nutritionally. 

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