1. Get moving: A lack of exercise is known to increase the risk of cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease.
2. Get enough sleep: Sleep deprivation may increase your risk of Alzheimer’s disease. Most adults need 7 to 9 hours of sleep per night.
3. Eat well: A poor diet can contribute to several brain health risk factors. Try to avoid eating processed, high-sugar and high-salt foods.
4. Avoid bad health habits such as smoking and excess drinking.
5. Manage chronic stress: When stress persists over time, it can cause vascular changes and chemical imbalances that can damage your brain. Manage stress to improve your brain health and reduce your Alzheimer’s risk.
6. Promote cognitive stimulation: Encouraging mental stimulation by learning new things and challenging your brain throughout life can reduce your risk of developing Alzheimer’s.
7. Know your health numbers: Do you know your blood pressure, blood lipid or cholesterol levels and body mass index? These numbers give you a direct idea of your personal risk of cognitive decline over time; the worse these numbers, the higher the risk.
Making brain-healthy choices every day can reduce your chances of cognitive decline, no matter what your genetic risk is. Today is always the best day to start changing your behavior and making your brain health a priority.
