Staying aware of how our brains are functioning is crucial, and that means paying attention to changes and being proactive about brain health.<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep challenging yourself, stay engaged, make brain health part of your regular medical checkups and pay attention to changes in your memory or thinking,\u201d Cappon said. \u201cAnd don\u2019t hesitate to bring up concerns with your healthcare provider.\u201d<\/p>\n
Catching changes early can make a big difference with conditions like dementia and Alzheimer\u2019s disease.<\/p>\n
\u201cIf a disease is developing, recognizing it early gives us more opportunities to intervene, optimize treatment and potentially slow its progression,\u201d Cappon said.<\/p>\n
Even if you haven\u2019t noticed any changes, that doesn\u2019t mean you should wait to take care of your brain.<\/p>\n
\u201cStaying physically active, eating well, getting enough sleep, keeping socially connected, having a sense of purpose and managing things like high blood pressure and diabetes are all important, and may all help reduce the risk of cognitive decline,\u201d Cappon said. <\/p>\n
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FG Trade Latin via Getty Images<\/p>\n
\u201cKeep challenging yourself, stay engaged, make brain health part of your regular medical checkups and pay attention to changes in your memory or thinking,\u201d Davide Cappon, director of neuropsychology at Tufts Medical Center, said.<\/p>\n
Dr. Majid Fotuhi<\/a>, a neurologist and adjunct professor in the department of neuroscience at Johns Hopkins University, sees real reason for optimism because we have the power to support our brains.<\/p>\n He pointed to the 2024 Lancet Commission on dementia<\/a>, which estimated that 45% of worldwide dementia cases could potentially be prevented or delayed by addressing 14 modifiable risk factors.<\/p>\n \u201cIn my view, the five pillars of brain health are exercise, sleep, diet, stress reduction and brain training,\u201d Fotuhi said. \u201cThe brain is like a muscle: It responds to how we treat it, at any age.\u201d<\/p>\n Cappon also encouraged people to keep challenging their minds throughout life. <\/p>\n \u201cWe often talk about something called cognitive reserve, which is basically the brain\u2019s ability to cope with aging and disease,\u201d he explained. \u201cOne way we may help build that reserve is by continuing to learn and challenge ourselves.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI like to tell people to get out of \u2018autopilot mode\u2019 once in a while,\u201d he added. \u201cWhen everything we do becomes familiar and easy, we\u2019re not really challenging ourselves to learn something new. Try learning a new language, picking up an instrument, or doing something that pushes you a little outside your comfort zone. The idea is to stay curious and keep learning throughout life.\u201d<\/p>\n There are many resources with guidance and ideas for promoting brain health, including the \u201c10 Healthy Habits for Your Brain\u201d<\/a> flyer on the Alzheimer\u2019s Association website. <\/p>\n