Having a good intellectual ability and maintaining mental alertness is very important at any time in life, not only at the study stage or professional life, in any case a good memory depends on the health and vitality of the brain, but gray matter ages. just like the rest of the body.
The good news is that you can also exercise your brain to keep it healthy and harness its potential, or even improve it. The human brain has an amazing ability to adapt and change, even in old age. This capability is known as neuroplasticity, where, if properly stimulated, the brain can form new neural connections, modify existing connections, and adapt to changes. Thanks to the neuroplasticity of the brain, it is possible to increase cognitive ability, improve learning capacity and improve memory.
- When we exercise we also exercise the brain.
- In fact.
- Treating our body well helps us process and retain information.
- As exercise increases brain oxygenation and reduces the risk of memory loss.
- Such as diabetes or cardiovascular disease.
- In addition.
- Exercise also increases the chemical effects of the brain useful for protecting neurons.
If there is a lack of sleep, the brain cannot function at full speed and capacity such as creativity, problem solving, critical thinking and other intellectual skills are seriously compromised.
In addition, sleep is critical to learning and memory. Research has shown that sleep is necessary for memory consolidation, which occurs in the deep stages of memory.
Several studies show that a life full of social and fun events has important cognitive benefits, in fact people are very social beings and cannot thrive alone, besides social relationships stimulate our brains, interacting with others is the best type of brain exercise. .
Research shows that having meaningful relationships and a strong support system is vital not only for emotional health, but also for brain health. In a recent Harvard School of Public Health study, for example, researchers found that people with more active social lives had a slower rate of memory impairment.
Having fun is also good for the brain. If smiling is the best remedy for the body, so is it for the brain. Unlike emotional responses, which are limited to specific areas, smile involves several regions of the brain, plus laughter activates areas of the brain that are vital for learning. and creativity. As psychologist Daniel Goleman says in his book “Emotional Intelligence,” “Smile seems to help people think more broadly and associate with greater freedom. “
Stress is one of the worst enemies of the brain. Over time, if nothing is done, chronic stress destroys brain cells and damages the hippocampus, the region of the brain dedicated to the formation of new memories and recovery of old people, and relaxation techniques are very useful to combat it.
In addition to stress, depression, anxiety and chronic anxiety are also harmful to the brain. In fact, some of the symptoms of depression and anxiety include difficulty concentrating, making decisions, and remembering things.
The brain needs fuel, like the rest of the body, there is no specific diet for the brain, since the recommended diet for good physical health is the same recommended for good intellectual health, that is, a diet based on fruits, vegetables, whole grains?(such as olive oil, chestnuts and fish) and lean protein. This type of food will bring many health benefits and help improve memory.
For mental energy, it is convenient to choose complex carbohydrates. Carbohydrates nourish the brain, but simple carbohydrates (sugar, white bread, refined cereals) give a rapid boost followed by an equally rapid decline. There is also evidence to suggest that simple carbohydrates- Rich diets can significantly increase the risk of cognitive decline in older adults. To have a healthy and lasting energy, it is necessary to consume complex carbohydrates, such as wholemeal bread, brown rice, oats, fiber-rich cereals and legumes.
On the other hand, it is strongly discouraged to abuse calories, saturated fats and alcohol to maintain good brain health, as is the case with physical health.
By the time we reach adulthood, our brain has developed millions of nerve connections that help process information quickly, solve everyday problems, and perform common tasks with minimal mental effort. But if we focus on the same thing, we won’t give our brain the stimulation it needs to keep growing and growing.
Memory, like muscle strength, should be used if you don’t want to lose it, so you have to work on it and propose new goals, work on new things to improve your ability to process and retain information. Mental exercise activities are those that break with routine and challenge us to develop our brain pathways.