Mind Games
Have you ever walked out of a store or your office and honestly couldn’t remember where you parked your car? Or have you thought about doing something in another room and by the time you arrive in the other room you have forgotten what you went in there for? Have you lost your mind? Are you developing early onset dementia? Are you overworked, -stressed, -tired? Take a deep breath (using your abdominal muscles and not your chest), relax, clear your mind and keep reading!
We have heard for years that there is nothing we can do for Alzheimer’s disease and dementia. However, more recently, researchers around the planet have agreed that we need to focus on preventing these diseases as well as curing them. What they have discovered is that it may be possible to delay the symptoms or prevent them altogether with a combination of healthful habits. Why, you ask, are we talking about this now—when we are in the prime of life? We are discussing these issues now, because our behaviors now (and even from when we were only 20) will affect our minds when we are 80.
The health of your brain and your body depends on many factors:
- Regular exercise: Aerobic activity, strength training, stretching and balance.
- Healthy diet: Rich in fish, nuts, whole grains and fresh produce, especially beets and elderberries. Eat from the rainbow (and I don’t mean Skittles!).
- Mental stimulation: Practice memorizing….. you don’t want your smart phone to be smarter than you! Try recalling phone numbers during the day. Pay attention to details and try to recapture them.
- Quality sleep: Establish a routine.
- Stress management: Schedule daily relaxation activities….nourish inner peace.
- An active social life: Volunteer and reach out to others.
The more you strengthen each of these six things in your daily life the more your brain will stay stronger, hopefully for many years to come.
So to answer the questions at the beginning of this article…you haven’t lost your mind. You most likely aren’t developing early onset dementia, but you are probably overstressed, -worked, -tired and need to take time for yourself! So please take time out for yourself so you can be yourself…longer.
Melanie Yunger is a nurse practitioner and freelance writer trying to live a healthy lifestyle in Shawnee.