7 Lifestyle Mistakes that are Damaging your Brain Power

edumovliveJuly 3, 20184 Mins read887 Views

Are you feeling excessively tired and facing mental problems like lack of concentration and forgetfulness? If yes, then it’s time to review your lifestyle choices. Everything we do impact our body and brain in a certain way. You’ll be surprised to know that certain activities can prevent healthy brain function from taking place and even be damaging for your brain power in the long run.

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This is why it is crucial to identify these actions so that you don’t keep repeating them daily for years to come and end up facing early signs of Alzheimers. There is still time to change your lifestyle and start working towards an active body and brain.

These Lifestyle Mistakes are Damaging your Brain Power

Healthy habits are usually associated with the physical body. But not many people realize that exercising daily, munching on fresh foods and sticking to a nutrient-rich diet doesn’t only help in getting your dream body but also does wonders for your brainpower. So, to keep those brain muscles revving, we’ve curated a list of 7 worst habits that are damaging your brain power. Keep reading to learn more and make a conscious decision to get rid of them:

1- Never skip breakfast

You must have heard that breakfast is the most important meal of the day. There is a reason why nutritionists stress on having a healthy morning meal every day. When you wake up after a long fast, the first few hours are crucial for the brain and the body. This is why you should have a nutrient-rich breakfast meal so that your mind can manage the physiological processes efficiently.

If you don’t supply it with the required fuel, your brain will suck extra energy from other organs of the body resulting in a poor physical and mental performance, low blood sugar, sluggishness and bad moods. So, whether you are striving to lose weight or are short on time, make it a point to NEVER skip breakfast.

2- Stop referring to Google for everything

Are you one of those tech-savvy people that rely on Google for everything? Well, it’s time to limit your use of smartphones and internet as they are causing you to lose your memory in the long run. According to a research, college students who used Google for everything were able to recall less information as compared to their peers. After all, who would make an effort to use their brain when they know that they can search for it instead.

So, give your brain and fingers a rest and start using those old school mental tricks to remember phone numbers and other important details.

3- Start talking and socializing more

You may be an introvert but instead of skipping the next family reunion or office happy hour, reconsider your decision. According to a study performed by the faculty of the University of Michigan, people who were more social and regularly talked with friends, family and neighbors had better cognitive abilities as compared to those who didn’t share their feelings openly. Even if it takes a lot of effort, make it a point to have a face-to-face conversation with anyone for just 10 minutes. Slowly, you will start noticing that socializing has some great mind-boosting rewards.

Having a conversation works just like a weight training session. Just like the muscles in your body get stronger to lift more and more weight, your brain also gets an intense workout out of a good conversation. The process of rearranging your thoughts and feelings and converting them into language is a strenuous process that makes it a very beneficial brain exercise.

Read more about ways to get your conversational skills back on track.

4- Have enough sleep

Lack of sleep is one of the biggest culprits of poor brain health. According to a research, even a 90-minute reduction in sleep can affect your day’s productivity levels by a whopping 32%.

The same study also highlighted that participants who fail to get ample sleep, tend to become angrier and stressed while trying to complete basic everyday functions. The reason behind it is that amygdala, the area of the brain which is responsible for controlling emotions, becomes up to 60% more active than usual.

Check out this list of 25 tips that can help you sleep better.

5- Stop smoking

You may have heard that cigarettes cause cancer, but did you know that nicotine can cause your brain muscles to shrink and eventually lead to severe brain-related diseases such as Alzheimer’s.

Smoking not only has adverse effects on your lungs but is also linked with poor mental health such as lack of concentration and forgetfulness. Research confirms the fact that chain smokers witnessed a decline in their brain function. They scored lower in memory tests as compared to those who didn’t smoke.

6- Quit multitasking

While it may work sometimes, multitasking regularly can have detrimental effects on your brainpower. According to research at Stanford University, people who follow multiple instructions from different sources often have a problem recalling information and focusing, as compared to those who completed one task at a time.

So, it’s time to rearrange your schedule and ditch multitasking. Focus on completing one task before you switch on to the next one to strengthen your brain.

7- Quit sugar and processed foods

One of the worst things for your mind and body is sugar. Recent research links the over-consumption of sugar to poor memory, learning disorders and depression. Sugar is like poison for our brain and body.

According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the average American consumes around 156 pounds of sugar each year. No wonder obesity levels have shot through the roof and people are facing more mental problems than ever.

If you want a healthy brain and a healthy body, then quit processed food and sugar and switch to wholesome foods. Try to eat something that doesn’t come out of a packet. Here is a list of the best foods that will sky-rocket your brainpower and will benefit your body’s physical and cognitive function.

Conclusion:

Taking care of your brain is quite simple. Have a lot of intelligent conversations, read a book or solve a crossword puzzle to stimulate your mind daily. Adopt a healthy lifestyle that involves the intake of fresh and wholesome foods. Drink tea and coffee in a limited amount. Exercise daily and fill your brain with motivation and powerful thoughts.

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How do you care for your brain? Share some of your tried and tested tips with us in the comments below: