Cognitive health refers to the ability to learn, remember and think clearly. It’s one element of brain health, supporting us to complete our daily activities with ease. As we get older, our cognitive health can start to decline. According to the CDC, ‘Cognitive health is a major factor in ensuring the quality of life of older adults and preserving their independence.’  Here are 5 ways to take care of your cognitive health as you age.

Eat the right foods

Eating the right foods can keep your brain healthy, as well as your body. Foods that support brain health include fatty fish, like sardines, trout, or salmon. Fish is packed with omega-3 fatty acids. Your brain uses these to build nerve and brain cells and to support learning and memory. Evidence suggests that omega-3 may prevent Alzheimer’s, and slow down mental decline. Other foods that support brain health include blueberries, turmeric, nuts, and broccoli.

Keep on learning

Learning new things can help you to keep your brain fit and healthy. You can keep learning by practicing languages, word puzzles, or by reading. Creative activities are another great way to keep the brain active. Consider an arts and crafts group, a pottery class, or painting? Learning takes place in many different forms, and can also help you to make new social connections.

 Prevent high blood pressure

 According to the National Institute On Aging, preventing high blood pressure may support your brain, as well as your heart. NIH stated that ‘ Decades of observational studies have shown that having high blood pressure in midlife — the 40s to early 60s — increases the risk of cognitive decline later in life.’ Visit your healthcare provider, to check your blood pressure. If your blood pressure is high, they may suggest diet changes or improving your fitness regime. For certain patients, blood pressure medication is a better option.

Protect your hearing health

Protecting your hearing health is incredibly important. You should be mindful of the noises you’re exposed to, whether it’s concerts or listening to music with headphones. Keep the sound volume low-medium to protect your ears. Use headphones that fit like ear muffs, instead of inside the ear. Studies show that there is a link between hearing loss & dementia. Research suggests that protecting your hearing can help you to protect your brain health too.

Stay social

Staying social is another great way to look after your brain and your mental health. Catch up with friends and family as much as possible, or join social activity groups. Being social reduces your risk of feeling isolated, anxious, and depressed. All of these things have a negative effect on your brain.

As we get older, it’s important to take greater care of our physical and mental health. We may need support under certain circumstances. Prioritizing your health when you are younger helps to keep up these good habits later in life. With these tips for aging well, you’ll have all you need to take care of your brain health.

We all know that smoking is bad for us. But once you’re hooked on cigarettes, you just don’t want to quit. Here’s the case for quitting, and how your life will improve if you do. Take a look at these six reasons to stub out your smoking habit right now. 

You’ll Smell Better

Smoking has a nasty habit of making you smell bad. The smoke from it gets into everything. And it’s almost impossible to wash out. Perhaps the worst offending area of your body is your mouth. When you smoke, the chemicals damage the gum lining which can lead to gum disease and infections, causing bad breath. If the disease is severe enough, you may even need to get teeth removed – and you don’t want that.

You’ll Look Younger

Smoking has a pro-aging effect on the skin. Nicotine and other compounds in cigarettes damage the fibers under the skin that hold it in place, leading to reductions in elasticity and complexion. You’ll notice that many smokers have a grey pallor, which is a sign that wrinkling is likely in the future. The best response is to stop smoking and to increase your intake of high antioxidant foods. Think berries, greens, and citrus fruits.

Your Hearing Will Improve

There is a direct correlation between unhealthy habits and hearing loss. When you smoke, chemicals from the cigarettes get into your bloodstream and begin damaging various tissues around your body. These include the structures in the ear that allow you to hear, increasing your chances of requiring hearing aids in the future.

Food Will Taste Better

Here’s another weird perk of quitting smoking: your food will taste better. It turns out that cigarette smoke can reduce the ability of the tongue to taste food. Nicotine has a strong taste of its own and tends to override everything else. But, once you quit, levels of the substance go down and you notice that your senses begin to return to their former glory. This makes food taste so much better and can even encourage you to eat well.

You Will Feel Less Stressed

Nicotine is a powerful stimulant – like caffeine – that changes your brain chemistry. When exposed to it repeatedly, you feel as if you need it to be at your best. Unfortunately, smoking with nicotine makes you more edgy. It becomes harder to relax, which causes you to light  up more. However, once you quit, that nagging anxiety tends to subside, usually fairly quickly, and you find that you don’t want to go back.

Your Heart Health Will Improve

Lastly, quitting smoking can help you improve your heart health. And the best bit? Most of the damage done by smoking can be reversed. Five years after you quit smoking, your heart disease risk falls to fifty percent of that of people still smoking. And even if you are a lifelong smoker, quitting now could reduce your risk of getting sick by more than 40 percent.

So what are you waiting for? Use these reasons as motivation to stub out your smoking habit today.

For decades, our perception of aging has encouraged us to view it in a negative light – as something that we should try to run away from as opposed to accepting gracefully. While it is true that aging comes with many challenges, it is not something to be feared – and there are plenty of ways in which you can enjoy life just as much in your older years as you did when you were a teenager. One way in which you can do just that is by starting to take better care of your body, which will not only help you feel more confident, it can also have a positive impact on your health. While this notion may make you think that it’s a ‘too little, too late’ scenario, it’s important to realize that this is not the case – and it’s never too late to start taking care of yourself or to see small benefits. Here are some ways to look and feel great (no matter how old you may be).

• Ensure that you are aware of common aging issues and how you can combat them. For example, you can help impaired eyesight or vision by visiting your optometrist, avoiding eye strain, and wearing glasses when necessary.
• Develop a simple skincare and beauty routine that helps you feel a little more comfortable in your own skin. For example, you could check out home-based tips for getting rid of wrinkles and incorporate them into your daily routine. Remember, your skincare routine doesn’t need to have a million different steps to it – keep it simple and easy to follow, as this means it will be easier to stick to.
• Prioritize sleep as much as possible and ensure that you get a healthy amount each night – even if this means going to bed a little earlier than you’d like to. If you struggle to fall asleep, you should try to avoid caffeinated beverages in the evening and turn off your phone before bed.
• Consider alternative treatments, such as those offered at https://mysourceofhealth.com/, in order to gain a deeper understanding of your body and what it needs. This does not mean taking any form of medication or undergoing surgery- instead, it provides you with the tools and insight you need to take better care of your body and mind.
• Try to participate in some light exercise every day. While you shouldn’t push yourself too far, remaining active is a great way to remain mobile and fight off any signs of aging. As with any exercise, consistency is key – so the more active you are, the easier it will feel to work out. You can also remain focused and energized by finding a fitness activity you love, such as hiking, walking/hiking, pilates, or yoga.

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• Practice healthy eating as much as possible, ensuring that you are aware of all of the myths surrounding diets and eating well. Remember, a healthy diet does not mean that you can no longer enjoy your favorite sweet treats and snacks; it just means that you need to find a way to counter bad habits and eat healthy the rest of the time.
• Never underestimate the importance of having some time to yourself – whether this means you need a small break from babysitting the grandkids or have to turn down dinner plans with your friends. Sometimes, being alone can be a great way to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety and deal with any issues you may be facing.
• Make self-care part of your daily routine – and understand that you get to decide exactly what you classify as self-care in this scenario. It doesn’t always mean heading to a yoga session or drinking cocktails – self-care can involve reading your favorite book, doing a puzzle, or simply taking a nap. Do more of what makes you feel good.
• Challenge yourself to drink more water. There are many benefits of drinking water. For example, good hydration can help fight signs of aging and provide you with much-needed bursts of energy to carry you throughout the day.
• Take the necessary steps to keep yourself safe by being aware of any trips or falling hazards in your home. For example, if you have noticed that you are struggling with mobility or balance, installing guard rails in your home may be worthwhile.
• Attend regular checkups at your doctor’s surgery, and be sure to ask them any questions you might have – whether you have noticed a change in your body or want to understand how a specific medication functions. If you’ve started feeling sick, arrange an appointment sooner rather than later, as early detection is often key to fighting off illnesses.
• Try to get out of the house as much as possible and spend your time having fun. Whether you go for a meal with friends or take a short stroll around the park. This is another excellent way to stay active and fill your days with joy and laughter.
• Talk openly and honestly about how you are feeling, even if you find it hard to open up. According to recent studies, the vast majority of elders experience severe isolation or loneliness, which could be combated if you feel ready to reach out and ask for help. Whenever you feel alone – know that there’s always somebody ready and willing to listen to you.

In short, there are various steps that you can take that will help you both look and feel great, no matter how old you may be (after all, age is just a number). However, the vast majority of them focus on changing your relationship with your body and learning to give it exactly what it needs. While you may feel as though this was something you did earlier in life, it’s important to remember that as we grow older, our bodies need change too – and so you need to be ready and willing to accommodate them if you want to continue feeling (and looking) your best.