What does the White House have to do with promoting brain health? It turns out plenty, as the White House Conference on Aging recently hosted a webinar on Healthy Brains. The hour-long program featured experts from the Centers for Disease Control, the National Institutes on Health and the Administration for Community.
This panel of experts offered up an easy to follow list of ways to keep brains healthy and counter normal cognitive decline that comes with age. And not one of them costs a dime!
- Pay Attention To Your Health
Did you know that certain conditions can affect brain health? Diabetes, stroke, high blood pressure, traumatic brain injury and depression are a few of the top offenders.
- Eat a Healthy Diet and Be Active
It seems like a no-brainer, but many of the conditions listed in #1 can be avoided or managed well by simply following a healthy diet and being active.
- Be A Lifelong Learner
That’s right, studies confirm that older people can improve their cognitive skills via new games, projects and classes.
- Stay Connected
No, we don’t mean endless Internet surfing, but rather up close and personal connections with family, friends and community. Avoid isolation.
- Get Your ZZZ’s
According to ACL Brain Health Resource: “Older adults who have poor nighttime sleep are more likely to feel depressed, have attention and memory problems, suffer from excessive daytime sleepiness, experience more nighttime falls and use more over-the-counter or prescription sleep aids.”
- Take it Easy With Alcohol
Sure, a glass of wine with dinner is OK, but nix excessive drinking, which can lead to accidents. Additionally, alcohol may also interact poorly with prescription meds, causing confusion or drowsiness.
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