The hustle and bustle of modern life can feel overwhelming at times. Many of us must juggle a busy job, look after kids and family and help to run a household. We also need to find time to spend with our partners and friends as well as taking a bit of time out for ourselves to exercise, take part in our hobbies or just relax. 

Balancing all of these activities requires not only physical stamina but also mental focus and clarity. When we struggle with one or more of them, it usually ends up affecting the others and we can start to feel the effects of stress and burnout. As we get older, our focus tends to shift away from work but we still need that stamina and focus to be able to get out and enjoy our favorite activities and devote more time to family and friends.

Mental focus, clarity of thought and a great memory require a healthy brain and body. The human brain is the most complex object in the known universe. It consists of over 100 billion specialized nerve cells (neurons), each of which has connections to up to 10,000 other neurons. Although it makes up only 2% of your bodyweight, your brain uses up to 20% of your total body energy expenditure. It controls every aspect of your body and mind and never rests, even when you are sleeping. Maintaining great brain health is critical, not only for physical function, but also for our mental wellbeing. If we start to lose our ability to focus and stay sharp, we can become less efficient at performing tasks which can lead to mistakes, stress and tiredness. This can also lead to less time being available to do the things we enjoy and can impact on our mood, energy levels and physical health too.

As we age, our cells can become less efficient at producing energy and protecting themselves from damage. This is especially important for brain cells as they require so much energy and are susceptible to damage. Almost all our cells are powered by “mitochondria”, tiny power plants within our cells that convert food into energy. During this energy production process however, mitochondria produce damaging free radicals as a by-product. As we age, our mitochondria get less efficient at controlling these free radicals and this can lead to damaged cells, health conditions and the signs of aging. When your brain is running less efficiently, you can lose focus or find it harder to form or recall memories. This can lead to feelings of stress and can negatively affect your mood and ability to balance and enjoy everyday tasks.

Fortunately, there are things you can do to help support your cellular health and feel younger for longer. Regular exercise has been shown to help protect brain cells and fight free radical damage. It is also great as a mood lifter and can provide a great sense of reward and achievement too. It doesn’t need to be too strenuous but 30 minutes a day of activity is recommended. If you can make this into something you love doing then even better!

A balanced diet high in vegetables, fruit and lean meats like fish is beneficial to brain health too. Excess sugar and salt should be avoided as these can cause damage to your circulatory system and unbalance the energy production process in your mitochondria. Essential fatty acids like omega 3s are important for maintaining the good health of brain cells too. Proper hydration is also a must.

“Brain exercises” are also great for helping to train your memory. Try to remember things like phone numbers and addresses instead of writing them down. Try to read more books and do things like crossword puzzles regularly too. Similarly, relaxing approaches such as meditation and ensuring you get enough sleep are just as important for your brain’s mental and physical health.

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