8 Steps to a Healthy Brain
1. Exercise
30 minutes of exercise three times a week can actually help slow the progression of PD, helping maintain balance, mobility and daily living activities
2. Eat healthy
Proper eating habits are critical for people with Parkinson’s. Healthy eating can help keep your bones strong, which decreases the likelihood of a fracture if you fall, and can also help prevent constipation, a common ailment accompanying PD.
3. Give Your Brain a Workout
A lifestyle that includes stimulating mental activity is clearly correlated with healthy brain aging. The brain is a learning machine, built to acquire new skills and seek new experiences.
4. Stay Social
Maintaining social ties has been consistently correlated with healthy brain aging. If you would like to add to your support network or don’t have one, join NPF on Twitter and Facebook.
5. Manage Stress
Overproducing stress hormones can damage the brain’s memory center. If you find yourself facing chronic stress, try stress-reducing tactics like meditation, relaxation therapy or engaging in positive social interaction.
6. Get Enough Sleep
Your body needs sleep to restore and repair itself and over 75% of people with PD experience sleep-related symptoms. Talk to your doctor about how to practice good “sleep hygiene” if you experience problems.
7. Track Medications and Supplements
Make sure your doctor knows about all the medications or herbal supplements you’re taking. Some common medications can negatively impact your brain, so if you notice a sudden change in mental status, talk to your doctor about it.
8. Avoid Illicit Drugs and Excessive Alcohol Consumption
These can interact negatively with prescription drugs, causing sleep problems, cognitive impairment and dementia.
*You can view this entire article at www.npf.org/brainawarenessweek
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