#foggybrain

Here are 5 steps to supporting a healthy brain:

1. Regular heart-pumping exercise

This is no doubt the best thing you can do for your brain.

Your brain contains only 2% of your body weight, but it consumes 20% of its resources. And exercise is the best way to supply your brain with extra oxygen and nutrients. That’s why most of the smartest people get their best ideas when exercising. 

2. Get enough sleep.

Sleep is another crucial element that maintains a healthy brain. Research shows that when you’re sleeping, your brain performs regular maintenance removing toxins that build up while you’re awake. How many hours? There’s no magic number but 7-9 hours a night is enough for most people. 

3. Give your brain some mental stimulation.

Brain stimulating activities such as crossword puzzles, a game of poker, learning to play an instrument and even dancing are excellent ways to boost your brain power. Other activities that are good for the brain are meditation and deep breathing.

4. Eat a healthy diet.

According to Harvard, the best brain foods are — green leafy vegetables, fatty fish, berries, tea or coffee and walnuts. Broccoli, for example, is jam packed with nutrients like vitamin K. This vitamin is essential for the type of fat that's packed into brain cells. Fatty fish also contains omega 3 fatty acids your brain uses to build brain and nerve cells. Blueberies contain antioxidants that fight oxidative stress which is perhaps number 1 killer of brain cells. 

5. Be social.

Social interaction helps ward off loneliness and may make you happier which is also good for the brain because it keeps your mind active and may lower the risk of age related memory loss. When you're interacting with friends and family, brain stays active, reading other people's emotions, feeling their pain and communicatig with them. According to the California study published by the American Journal of Public Health, older women who had large social networks, reduced their risk of age related memory loss by 26%.